Marlin or Henry lever action?

John11139 · 11-09-2008, 08:27 AM

I am thinking about getting a new rifle. Have sort of narrowed it down to a lever action and was wondering which is the best selection, a Marliln or Henry.? And why?

pinecone70 · 11-09-2008, 08:56 AM

I have never tried a Marlin lever, but the Henry Goldenboy stole my heart. It's heavy and well-made and the action is smooth as butter. It's on my must have list for future purchases.

whirley · 11-09-2008, 09:17 AM

There are several good choices. The Marlin lever actions with the micro-groove rifling give excellent accuracy. Then if you can find them, the Model 99 Savage, The model 88 Winchester, and the Browning lever rifles, all are designed for modern high velocity cartridges, with some calibers able to attain velocities of around 3000 FPS. It's really a matter of what you want to do. If it's just something to go bang at 50 yards, or minute of angle at 300 yards. It's your choice.

Alpo · 11-09-2008, 10:16 AM

Uh, whirley. Beings as how this is the "22 rimfire" forum, I think he is asking about the Henry (either Golden Boy or regular) or the Marlin 39.

John11139 · 11-09-2008, 11:12 AM

Yes, its the 22. I didnt know weather one is prone to trouble or something wearing out than the other. as if I found a good looking one at a gun show, I might buy it. I am left handed, so thought I would try one of them. Although after 60 years you sort of get use to using one built for right handed.

pinecone70 · 11-09-2008, 11:45 AM

My friend with the Henry is lefthanded, he does fine with it.

Oneida Steve · 11-09-2008, 04:16 PM

If you buy a Marlin you will love it.

If you buy a Henry you will love it, and have cash left for ammo.

Both are fantastic guns. The Henry is a remarkably smooth gun for the price.

Danwin22 · 11-09-2008, 07:19 PM

I love quality .22 Lever Action rifles.

I have a Winchester 9422 now but would love to add a Browning, Marlin Mountie, Henry and a Taurus model-62LA to my stable.

They are all guns you can be proud of and will offer many years of shooting enjoyment.

CTM · 11-09-2008, 07:29 PM

i have always loved the henry golden boy

lead · 11-10-2008, 08:25 AM

They are both well made guns. I bought a Henry about two years ago. I emailed the company and told them how much I liked it. I got an email back that was signed by the owner of the company saying "Thanks".
Marlins are higher priced, but built to last a lifetime. Henry's are built well too. This new company hasn't been around as long, but there's no reason to believe their guns won't be just as dependable.
You need to find a store that has both and try them out. With Marlin, you just have the 39 model. Henry has a lightweight basic model, a basic with octagon barrel, and the larger Goldenboy.
It's a win-win situation, whichever you choose.

John11139 · 11-16-2008, 06:00 PM

Any one have a vague idea what a good used Marlin 39A would go for at a gun show. Checked a price of a new one and think I would be just as happy with a good used one and alot of money left over. How hard are used ones to find? A gun show is comming up the last of the month and might check there.

Heliflyer · 11-17-2008, 10:19 PM

If you have the opportunity to look at the FORGED action parts of the Marlin and compare them to the CAST action parts of the Henry, you will go for the Marlin...

I really don't know how I have managed to do it, but I have eight Marlin 39's. For a while, every time I went gun shopping, I would find a Marlin 39 at a steal price.

Bill

mjpchief · 11-17-2008, 11:26 PM

Went to a gun show over the weekend and seen Marlin 39A's anywhere from $325 to $675. You might be able to pick up a 39AS a little cheaper and they are just as good as a 39A except for the cross bolt safety in front of the hammer. I have a 39AS and I love it, but I would trade it for a good 39A if I had the chance.

John11139 · 11-18-2008, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heliflyer

If you have the opportunity to look at the FORGED action parts of the Marlin and compare them to the CAST action parts of the Henry, you will go for the Marlin...

I really don't know how I have managed to do it, but I have eight Marlin 39's. For a while, every time I went gun shopping, I would find a Marlin 39 at a steal price.

Bill

John11139 · 11-18-2008, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heliflyer

If you have the opportunity to look at the FORGED action parts of the Marlin and compare them to the CAST action parts of the Henry, you will go for the Marlin...

I really don't know how I have managed to do it, but I have eight Marlin 39's. For a while, every time I went gun shopping, I would find a Marlin 39 at a steal price.

Bill

How much is considered a steal price?

Heliflyer · 11-22-2008, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John11139

How much is considered a steal price?

I would consider a Marlin 39A, in excellent condition, as priced below, a steal.

$350.00 - $400.00

I have seen really ratty Marlin 39A's sell for over $400.00. Of course this is California, where everything is priced crazily.

Bill

crsides · 12-06-2008, 11:15 PM

Had my 1959 39A stolen in August and me & ins guys settled on $575 as replacement value, after checking several sources.

Heliflyer · 12-07-2008, 01:17 AM

You got a very fair settlement... What was the name Insurance company?

Bill

11-09-2008, 08:27 AM	#1
John11139 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 18	Marlin or Henry lever action? I am thinking about getting a new rifle. Have sort of narrowed it down to a lever action and was wondering which is the best selection, a Marliln or Henry.? And why? -->

11-09-2008, 08:56 AM	#2
pinecone70 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Minnesota Gal! Posts: 4,730	Re: Marlin or Henry lever action? I have never tried a Marlin lever, but the Henry Goldenboy stole my heart. It's heavy and well-made and the action is smooth as butter. It's on my must have list for future purchases.

11-09-2008, 09:17 AM	#3
whirley V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Contributor Posts: 457	Re: Marlin or Henry lever action? There are several good choices. The Marlin lever actions with the micro-groove rifling give excellent accuracy. Then if you can find them, the Model 99 Savage, The model 88 Winchester, and the Browning lever rifles, all are designed for modern high velocity cartridges, with some calibers able to attain velocities of around 3000 FPS. It's really a matter of what you want to do. If it's just something to go bang at 50 yards, or minute of angle at 300 yards. It's your choice.

11-09-2008, 10:16 AM	#4
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,647	Re: Marlin or Henry lever action? Uh, whirley. Beings as how this is the "22 rimfire" forum, I think he is asking about the Henry (either Golden Boy or regular) or the Marlin 39.

11-09-2008, 11:12 AM	#5
John11139 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 18	Re: Marlin or Henry lever action? Yes, its the 22. I didnt know weather one is prone to trouble or something wearing out than the other. as if I found a good looking one at a gun show, I might buy it. I am left handed, so thought I would try one of them. Although after 60 years you sort of get use to using one built for right handed.

11-09-2008, 11:45 AM	#6
pinecone70 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Minnesota Gal! Posts: 4,730	Re: Marlin or Henry lever action? My friend with the Henry is lefthanded, he does fine with it.

11-09-2008, 04:16 PM	#7
Oneida Steve Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 1,028	Re: Marlin or Henry lever action? If you buy a Marlin you will love it. If you buy a Henry you will love it, and have cash left for ammo. Both are fantastic guns. The Henry is a remarkably smooth gun for the price.

11-09-2008, 07:19 PM	#8
Danwin22 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Central Florida Posts: 222	Re: Marlin or Henry lever action? I love quality .22 Lever Action rifles. I have a Winchester 9422 now but would love to add a Browning, Marlin Mountie, Henry and a Taurus model-62LA to my stable. They are all guns you can be proud of and will offer many years of shooting enjoyment. Last edited by Danwin22; 11-18-2008 at 07:45 AM.. Reason: spelling correction

11-09-2008, 07:29 PM	#9
CTM V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: middle tennessee Posts: 85	Re: Marlin or Henry lever action? i have always loved the henry golden boy

11-10-2008, 08:25 AM	#10
lead Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,522	Re: Marlin or Henry lever action? They are both well made guns. I bought a Henry about two years ago. I emailed the company and told them how much I liked it. I got an email back that was signed by the owner of the company saying "Thanks". Marlins are higher priced, but built to last a lifetime. Henry's are built well too. This new company hasn't been around as long, but there's no reason to believe their guns won't be just as dependable. You need to find a store that has both and try them out. With Marlin, you just have the 39 model. Henry has a lightweight basic model, a basic with octagon barrel, and the larger Goldenboy. It's a win-win situation, whichever you choose. __________________ The best things in life, are not things.

11-16-2008, 06:00 PM	#11
John11139 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 18	Re: Marlin or Henry lever action? Any one have a vague idea what a good used Marlin 39A would go for at a gun show. Checked a price of a new one and think I would be just as happy with a good used one and alot of money left over. How hard are used ones to find? A gun show is comming up the last of the month and might check there.

11-17-2008, 10:19 PM	#12
Heliflyer Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 4	Re: Marlin or Henry lever action? If you have the opportunity to look at the *FORGED action parts of the Marlin* and compare them to the *CAST action parts of the Henry*, you will go for the Marlin... I really don't know how I have managed to do it, but I have eight Marlin 39's. For a while, every time I went gun shopping, I would find a Marlin 39 at a steal price. Bill

11-17-2008, 11:26 PM	#13
mjpchief V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 105	Re: Marlin or Henry lever action? Went to a gun show over the weekend and seen Marlin 39A's anywhere from $325 to $675. You might be able to pick up a 39AS a little cheaper and they are just as good as a 39A except for the cross bolt safety in front of the hammer. I have a 39AS and I love it, but I would trade it for a good 39A if I had the chance.

12-06-2008, 11:15 PM	#17
crsides Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 11	Re: Marlin or Henry lever action? Had my 1959 39A stolen in August and me & ins guys settled on $575 as replacement value, after checking several sources.

12-07-2008, 01:17 AM	#18
Heliflyer Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 4	Re: Marlin or Henry lever action? You got a very fair settlement... What was the name Insurance company? Bill