Wanting To Purchase A 22 Lever Action!What's The Best Value Out There?

[flyingtiger85]

Yea I know it's not a rapid fire semi-auto but they sure do look like they would be fun shooters.Plus I like the look of them.I kinda like the Marlin 39A because I held one at a gun store and I was impressed with there quality.But man $500 dollars for one ouch!!Does anyone own a Henry lever 22 out there because $300 sounds more reasonable to me.Are they built OK or are they made kinda cheap, will I be happy with one.Most of my purchases are on-line and it's sometimes hard to judge a gun from just pictures.Any input would be appreciated.

[fordtrucksforever]

Henry is a great choice. Excellent rifle. You have a Winchester, Browning, Rossi, Taurus, Henry and Marlin to choose from. Have you considered a pump rifle? There have been many great pumps made over the last 120 years. Colt and Winchester both came out first with excellent designed pumps back then. Colt was a little more complex and expensive to make. But the Winchester 1890 is still currently copied by other manufacturers and very good quality. Of all the older rifles I have handled over the years, old Winchester lever action and pumps just dont give up. Of Marlins I have model 1892, 1897, 39 and 39A lever action rifles. Love them all. Its a shame the price has gotten way too high. BTW, a semi auto isnt the rage, but is usually cheaper to manufacture in 22.

[gdmoody]

My first thought was the Henry. I have never owned one, but I hear the quality is really good. I have looked at them in the local wally world and they seem to be reasonably priced. I don't remember the exact price right now but at the time I looked I would have bought one if I'd had the cash.

[Oneida Steve]

I agree that the Henry is your best choice for a quality gun at a reasonable price.

[mr.t7024]

The Marlin is expensive and the Cadilac of lever actions! That being said the Henry is NICE.I worked for Dicks and Bass Pro sold far more Henrys than 39As with no complaints.Enjoy your Henry. Cliff

[woolleyworm]

Henry's aren't built they used to be, but they're still great guns. My first choice would be the Browning, followed by the Marlin and then the Henry. My son got a Henry for his 10th B-day and I've enjoyed shooting it just as much as he has. No problems out of it at all. The trigger isn't as crisp and it's not as accurate as the Browning or Marlin, but it still can shoot a quarter group at 25yrds.

Bottom line is this, you won't be disappointed in any of the three, buy what you like and can afford out of the three.

[3/2 STA SS]

I had a Browning short throw lever action that was the ****! If you can find one get it.

[3/2 STA SS]

Originally Posted by 3/2 STA SS

I had a Browning short throw lever action that was the ****! If you can find one get it.

All you had to do was extend your right hand to work the action. It was a beaut!

[Zane71464]

Ive got the Henry standard and got it used a few years ago. Tore it down and gave it a cleaning that it needed bad and I have NO compliants at all!
And the accuracy is there.....(digging up an older target pic after I got the rear sight right)

[old semperfi]

ive shot and owned henrys for as long as they have been out and i have no complaints.they will shoot shorts,longs,and long rifle.if you fill one up with shorts it feels like you will never run out of ammo. old semperfi

[Zane71464]

Originally Posted by old semperfi

ive shot and owned henrys for as long as they have been out and i have no complaints.they will shoot shorts,longs,and long rifle.if you fill one up with shorts it feels like you will never run out of ammo. old semperfi

I can honestly say, Ive NEVER fires a short .22 shell. Not for the lack of not wanting too, but just never persued buying any!
I'm gonna have to try that...
thanks old semperfi for oppening my thought on that...that would be a lot of/more shooting out of one henry!

[kcomqg]

henry all the way

[mranum]

If you want "new" then I'd say go for the Henry. If you can hit some shows and look for a nice used one then I'd say Marlin or Winny are my first choices.

[mr.t7024]

I also agree with Old Semper Fi. Cliff

[Bobitis]

A lot of people bash Henrys because they have an alloy receiver.

I sent an e-mail to Anthony Imperato, President of HRA, asking what the material was, and he sent me a response on a Saturday. THAT'S customer service! Henry's is 2nd to none.

It's Zamak 5.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zamak

Note the yield strength. Everyday steel (A36) has a yield strength fo 36,000 PSI.
The Zamak 5 is 43,000. If ya think yer gonna exert that much pressure by racking a lever, ya need some therapy.

Funny how folks will bash a .22 lever gun with an alloy receiver, yet 90% of all AR lowers are aluminum.

The reason for the e-mail was, I was considering stripping the paint off in order to get a more 'metal' look. I considered having it electroplated, but went another route. Oxpho cold blue. Now my rifle looks like is has a hardened steel receiver.

I have the H001T model with 20" octagon barrel, so I couldn't stop there. I wanted it to look 'old western', so I changed out the lever for a loop and added a Marbles tang sight. So now I've about $500 into it, but it looks awesome. No one has a Henry like mine.

[hansom]

Just to add , Henry's are 100% American made, steel from Pittsburgh, Walnut wood from Missouri, bolts machined in Ohio, all assembled in Bayonne New Jersey (used to be Brooklyn NY)

Personally i like em all. But the Henry is a good deal $287 at Wally's World.

[bntyhntr6975]

I bought a used Win 9422 in 1991 or 92 as my first rifle. I still have it, and will have it for many more tomorrows. Wasn't cheap then and they sure aren't cheap now. I would like to try the Henrys tho.

[dragonfly]

If you have money, and you find a nice BLA or Win 9422 that you really like, buy it! The earlier years, 60 & 70s, are probably the best for workmanship, fit and finish, etc. If you want a lever gun that is fun to shoot, won't cost you an arm and a leg, get a Henry. The base model H001 can't be beat for a go-anywhere, do-anything .22 that is lots of fun and everything you want in a lever gun. If you want to get a little more fancy, the octagon barrel is nice. Personally, I don't care for the Golden Boy. Just my thing. They are the same action, just different trappings on the outside.

I bought my first H001 2-3 years ago. Beautiful stock and forearm, the trigger is superb, and the accuracy is a ragged hole with 10 rounds at 25 yards, and easily under 3/4's inch at 50 yards. I use a Weaver K-4 scope, my eyes are to old for the irons. My daughter wouldn't let me have it whenever we were shooting together, so I bought her one for Christmas this year. She had tears in her eyes when she opened it and saw what it was. After all, she is only 27 and still my princess.

The old Marlins are generally over priced in the market. Accuracy isn't any better than any of the others. The older ones are heavier. My old Brother-in-law had one in the 50s when we hunted squirrels and rabbits together. I shot just as many as he did with my Winchester 62A, if not more. I asked him if he still had it a couple years ago and he said no, he had sold it a long time ago. It was not accurate enough for him. He was a very good shot.

Henry's customer service and reputation on this forum or over on Rimfire Central's should dispel any question of the quality and satisfaction of the rifle. Get one, shoot it, and enjoy! df