.22 lever action rifle

Dave 2N · Nov 5, 2009

I'm thinking about getting a .22 lever action rifle. Looking at both the Marlin 39A and one of the Henry lever actions .22's.

Your experiences and comments concerning the above two rifles will be greatly appreciated!

scot in pa · Nov 5, 2009

Marlin makes a good rifle but I have never shot a 39a. I do have the basic blued .22 rimfire Henry. It stays in the pickup, I think it even went to Nebraska with me. It shoots shorts, longs, and long rifles, but don't fill the tube when you run shorts. I use it to take pigeons out of barns and silos. Slick little gun. Made in USA. Got mine used, they are a little more affordable if you can find one.

Anonymous-0 · Nov 5, 2009

The Henry has an aluminum receiver.I would get the Marlin or a Winchester.

kyplowboy · Nov 5, 2009

I have never shot it but my cousin has a Henry that he has never liked. It works smooth but other than that he has never said any thing good about it. He squeeled 3 hogs out of 4 last year with it before getting my 10/22 out of my truck to use. He said he knew it never shot real strait but thought he should be able to drop a hog. Might just be that one, most folks like them.

Dave

rhouston · Nov 5, 2009

I have a 39A with lyman sights. Use it for plinking with the kids. Seems like a fine gun.

Anonymous-0 · Nov 5, 2009

I bought a Marlin Golden 39A when I was a kid, it has a heavy barrel and is extremely accurate, it will knock off flicker tails along ways out with open sights, I don't know alot about the henry or Winchester but I like my Marlin.

rbel · Nov 5, 2009

Don't know about lever action, but I have an older Marlin bolt action that is dead on at 70 steps with CCI mini mags and open sights (did have to take the ramp out from under the back sight) It has a heavy 32 inch barrel. I use it to dispatch groundhogs

McFarmer1 · Nov 5, 2009

We have a Marlin 39A. The chamber broke out where the firing pin hits, Marlin replaced the barrel 10 years later no charge. There must have been a known problem for them to have done that without us asking.

J.ReinkeFarms · Nov 5, 2009

I would go with the Marlin hands down. All my lever action guns are Marlins for starters (I kind of like them) and I have my Grandpa's 39A and it still shoots and works like the day it was new. My dad bought one of those Henry rifles and I never liked it with that aluminum/zinc composite receiver, makes them work smooth but for the amount we shoot 8 years later it's almost wore out and doesn't cycle well. I know the Marlin is more money but you won't be disappointed. That and they come apart so easy to clean and lube.

Also I don't know if they have changed the design at all on the Henry 22's but the one my dad has, the stock is too short for me to shoot comfortably. I have some long monkey arms that get in the way.

Sidekick · Nov 5, 2009

I'd go for either the Marlin or Winchester. I've own(ed) both and you won't go wrong with either one. You might look for an older used one that doesn't have the crossbolt safety.

Doug in IL · Nov 5, 2009

Get the Marlin. Don't even think about the Henry.

IH2444 · Nov 5, 2009

I have a Marlin 39D. Shorter version of the 39A.

It is my favorite rifle. Feeds and shoots shorts, longs and longrifle shells great.

Very accurate.

cd1 · Nov 5, 2009

I have a henry, I got it new, I really enjoy it, I havent put thousands of shot through it but its been great so far. It stays in the truck most of the time.

JDemaris · Nov 5, 2009

I have both. The Marlin has better fitted wood and is a lot heavier. Both are equal with accuracy and action smoothness.

I was taken by surprise though, at the great customer service with Henry, and I'm now a Henry fan. I had a slightly bent site. Called them up. A real person, sitting in the USA, answered the phone. No menu, no being put on hold, etc. I told her I had a bent site. She asked my name and address, apologized, and sent a new one right out - and didn't even ask me for proof of purchase. Also sent me a new, USA made, Henry hat as an apology for my trouble (which was no trouble at all).

I love Marlin lever actions and have several 36s, 336s, 39, 39A, etc. In 444, 30-30, 32, 22, and 35.
I like them a lot more then the Winchester lever-actions.

I've got two of the new Henrys - the regular version and the short "boys rifle."

As to the fear with the aluminum receiver? I don't know. I've been shooting my old High Standard 22 nine-shot revolver for 40 years, and it has an aluminum frame. Never bothered a thing. Now, if we were talking a more powerful caliber, I'd be concerned.

Both great guns, just depends on what you really want. For a light gun, and short (in the boys model) the Henry beats the Marlin. For a heavier gun, and if older, you can't beat the craftsmanship on a Marlin. I doubt you get it in the new ones though I haven't checked.

4 bottem · Nov 5, 2009

Where are they all made. BUY USA!!!!!!!!

jbp · Nov 5, 2009

Bought a 39A at the Ramey AFB Exchange in 1962 for the grand total of $52. It still shoots well, and will eject emptys no matter how slowly you work the lever. Great little gun.
Joe

Bill in Colo · Nov 5, 2009

Good friend bought 5 Henrys for Christmas gifts three years ago, only one of the didn't have to be sent back to the factory for repairs. they did shoot well. They all have new homes now.

caterpillar guy · Nov 5, 2009

The Marlin hands down I own three of them.
Marlin has been bought out by Remington now about 3 years now. I have pumps levers and single shots. Never had an interest in semi autos or bolts. Then I shoot left handed.

Anonymous-0 · Nov 5, 2009

I've got Dad's old 39A, and it still shoots well. It's old enough it has a "K" serial number, so I know that dates it to sometime in the early 1950's. It's pre-"Micro-Groove" barrel vintage, but it's still mighty accurate. ONLY complaint I have is that the spring in the inner magazine tube is weak...probably from being left loaded constantly for the past 50+ years.

I've only seen the Henry .22's in Wally World, and the wood on the forearm looks awfully cheap and poorly fitted...especially when compared to the Marlin. So I think I'd probably pass on the Henry, and wait until I had the bucks for the Marlin.

Walterdavies · Nov 5, 2009

I have a nice T/C Contender that I bought used in 1968 I love it for shooting single shot but has many different barrels and will shoot rim or center fire. Accurate up to 100 yards not bad for a pistol.
I have been told its worth around $10,000 now so i don't shoot it as much as I used to. My favorite barrel is the 17/223 4000 FPS can really shoot accurate way out there and bullet explodes on contact so it kills instantly.
Walt

Dave 2N · Nov 5, 2009

I have a couple of Contenders from the early 90"s. I have a .17 Rem rifle barrel and those things will kill a woodchuck RIGHT NOW!!

Didn"t realize that the early contenders are worth that kind of $$$.

420wcharlie · Nov 5, 2009

I have a mossberg 22 lever action I bought it, scope, rack and box of shell"s in march 1968 for 62.50, and it is in very good shape.

Anonymous-0 · Nov 5, 2009

Wow, one of my Contenders is an old one that I bought used in the 80's. The factory did the update to the safety free of charge, but I bet that ruined the value.

NEsota · Nov 5, 2009

We have a Marlin model 97 that has been in the family. It is lever action, eight sided barrel, and only shots shorts. There are several patent dates on it the latest is 1897. Shot it a bit in my teens but has not been used for fifty years now. My experience is limited but I really like the lever action.

Gun guru · Nov 6, 2009

I want to buy my son a youth model .22, about $200. If I was you I would get the Marlin. I have seen the Henry website and they appear to be pricey. Both companies make a good product. I own a Savage .22 semi-auto old too, from the 40's I think.

The .22 ammo is cheap at about 6 cents per round, which is easy on your wallet.
Smith and Wesson and Ruger make an AR in .22 caliber at $550. A little over kill but real fun.

.22 lever action rifle

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