Rifle

[heyjoe]

i have no rifles nor any experience with any really. I have a deposit on a breaktop which isnt going to happen so i was thinking of just putting it toward a rifle maybe a lever gun. any thoughts on what would be a decent lever gun for what would probably be my only rifle? It would be for plinking or target.  I have a range of ammo alrady from 22 short to 357 including 32 h&r if that helps with a recommendation. this is the only online forum i would ask this question because you guys are noted for being helpful without all the testosterone fueled bs.

[bud]

Look at the Henry .22 cal. lever action, and or the Marlin 39a lever action rifle!!

   

   Midwest gun exchange has the Henry on sale for $239.99. Henry has them listed retail for $325.00.

   It is an excellent buy, and a great lever action rifle.

[troodon]

The Ruger 10/22 is a very popular model; always has high ratings.  At around $200 new, a good deal.

[mrjikey]

Lever guns are a blast to shoot. I have a model 94 Winchester chambered in .357. What I like about it is I can shoot .38 or .357 in it and with the .38 it's like shooting a .22. If you want more bang, or even want to hunt you can use the .357. I found some hot 180g ammo that when cronographed, was pushing 30/30 ballistics.  

   

   Lever .22s are great plinkers too if you want a little cheaper fun gun to shoot.

[westerly1965]

I second the Henry in 22 or 357 they are awesome guns!

[jupiter7]

I have to second the ruger 10/22. It is THE 22 rifle. One of the highest production numbers of any firearm. One of the best aftermarket support systems after maybe ar-15 and 1911's.

[grayelky]

My first instinct is to tell you to get a .22 LR. A lever gun will be quite okay, but I might lean towards a Ruger 10-22. It really is just a matter of personal preference.

   

   Then I re-read your comment, and you mentioned this may be your only rifle. A .22 will be excellent for plinking, and very good to great for target shooting, up to about 50 yards. If you wanted to go to a longer distance, or to use for medium to big game hunting, then a larger caliber rifle would be in order.

   

   I have a couple of Ruger 77/22 bolt actions, and I really like them. They have the feel of a bigger rifle, and if I do my part, the rifles will shoot with any thing on the market, and out shoot a lot of them.

   

   I would suggest you visit your LGSs and handle several different brands and styles. Pick one that fits you and feels "right". Just about any of the better known brands will be capable of the accuracy you will require.

[bud]

I have a ruger 10/22, and two marlin 39a lever action rifles.I am going to buy the henry that is on sale for $239.00 at Midwest. I love shooting the ruger 10/22 with a 25 round magazine, but I have more fun shooting my lever actions rifles. I guess it is the cowboy in me! /clipart{happy}

[bud]

   

   Missed my smiley face

[louiethelump]

Ditto all the above with the following comments.

   

   A plus for the lever actions is that both the Marlin and the Henry will feed and function 22 short, long, and long rifle and function properly with all.  For plinking the number of shorts either will hold is astounding.  The Marlin has gotten to be big money but is a fine gun.  The Henry is lighter and cheaper.  I have a compact one and like it fine.

   

   10/22:  Have a couple of these and they are all that the others have said.  They are 22lr only unless converted to 22 short which is costly and then it is a 22 short only.  They are also thicker through the middle and to me at least, not as handy to walk around with as the flat sided lever actions, which, by the way, go well with the minis and single action guns.

   

   The 38/357 levers are outstanding in either Marlin or Winchester if you can find them and then afford them.  I have owned both but do not now.  I have no experience with the Henry center fires but they are not cheap either.

   

   Bolt action 22 are accurate but not as much fun to plink with as the levers and MOST are 22 lr only unless you feed one round at a time.  My only bolt 22 is a CZ 452 and it is superb with good sights and very reasonable price wise and about half the cost of the 77/22.

   

   Have you considered a Contender G2 rifle?  I have one in 357 magnum, and while they are single shot and slow to load, all it takes is a barrel purchase of 200-250 and it can be a .22, a 30-30, a 22 hornet, etc......  Youth stocks are available if you want to set one up for a kid to use and then with one bolt, back to full size.  A rifle in one caliber will be about 500 but it can shoot a variety of things and works from plinking with 22 to big game, including 45-75, 375 Winchester and 223 with cheap military ammo.  (is there still cheap military ammo out there??)

   

   Good luck with your selection

   

   Louie

[silvershooter]

With so many rifle choices, I'll try to stay within your plinking/target limits. Unless you're hunting deer/hog/elk you won't want the recoil and ammo costs of a marlin lever 45/70 guide gun. A marlin .357/38 would also be more than your needs.  

   I don't have any experience with the marlin 39 lever 22lr but I hear it's good. May be longer and heavier than you need also unless you plan on hunting small game and want it scoped.  

   So, I would also suggest the Henry 22 lever. You can get it in either 22lr OR 22M. The magnum only version would be a little more expensive to shoot but more powerful. With the henry's you also have the option to order a larger loop lever from their website. I've never shot one but the action IS just as smooth as advertised. The golden(brass) models are nice but scratch easy. Henrys owner tries to get all of their parts from America. I watched a lengthy interview video from their website awhile back. I don't know how easy it is to scope a Henry? Good luck.

[louiethelump]

They are grooved on the top of the receiver for a standard clamp on 22 scope ring.  The marlins are drilled and tapped and you screw on a scope base.

[Black_Jack_Rackham]

Ruger 10/22 would be my choice if you just want to have some fun and do some small game hunting.

   

   I am a bit prejudiced as I own 2 of them.

   One in the Plain Jane w/ walnut stock and the other dressed up in tactical furniture including swapping the tapered barrel for a bull barrel.

   

   Whichever rifle you end up buying try out first if you can so you can make a decision based on use not just what you read online.

[Dinadan]

Heyjoe - for the use you are describing I would go with a lever action.  

   I have a Browning lever action .22 that has fired many thousand rounds,  

   I have also used a Marlin .22 that was just as good. Both rifles feed LR and  

   shorts, which is a plus. But really, I just love lever actions because I watched

   too many westerns I was a kid. Probably the same reason I prefer revolvers to  

   semis.

[bleak_window]

I have the Henry .22 lever rifle with the Octagon barrel and I love it.  It's a couple inches longer and a pound heavier than the standard Henry, but essentially the same rifle.  Either one would be a great choice for a good looking, rifle that carries well and shoots straight.  Working the lever is a blast, they feed and eject everything reliably, and like NAA they have legendary customer service.  

   

   The Marlin 39A is also a great choice but they are a bit more expensive and the new ones are having quality problems.  If you can find a clean older one for the price of a Henry, jump on it.

[blitzkrieger]

+1 on the Henry .22 lever. Very nice rifle.

[heyjoe]

thank you to all of you for taking the time to explain some of the differences. I appreciate it. I will know more of what i am looking at at the lgs.

[tom]

I've had a Marlin 39A with a 24" bbl for over fifty years.  I bought it used and have put at least 100k rounds through it.  It's accurate and comfortable.  It digests shorts to long rifles flawlessly.  Some years after buying the first one, I got another with a 20" bbl and straight stock.  It's a great shooter as well.  Start with the .22.  If you like it, then consider a larger caliber.  Everybody should have a .22 rifle.  It's plum' unpatriotic not to.

   

   I own a Ruger 10/22.  It's an excellent gun, but there's just something about a lever action.

[coinchop]

Heyjoe..

   22 rifles if you are into them are like minis, as in all of the above. I can't pick a favorite because I like them all, but for fun and plinking I am pretty fond of the Henry Lever.

   Another 22 I seem to like is a Winchester Wildcat bolt action made for them by Toz in Russia which reminds me of something that would have been made 80 years ago. Kind of spindly. It is accurate. If you like 22 rifles, no matter what you buy, there will always be another one to want.../

[ajr]

Total new guy here. I've lurked a 'long' time (since before the BT was announced). I feel funny jumping in like this, but I might have a Marlin Golden 39A to sell (from '76, pre-crossbolt safety).

   

   To put it in context, just recently, I was kicking around the idea of selling it (and 'maybe' a Colt Black Powder pistol) and using the money to buy the Earl 1860-3c.

   

   Hey anyone, do you think this might be a mistake? I'm anxious about it. LOL!

   

   Anyway Heyjoe, if you want to ask anything about it, feel free to PM me.

   

   Also, if you want to read up on the different models and maybe find others for sale, head over to RimfireCentral.com. Tons of info there. I tried to register there for a long time, but I never got any activation help, so I gave up.

   

   Andy

[silvershooter]

heyjoe, Louie is right: the standard Henry has grooves for a scope.  

   I just looked it up and only the goldenboy version requires the cantilever base attachment. Here's the link to their accessories. The large loop lever is $50. The scope bases for the goldenboy is $27.

   http://henryrepeating.com/parts.cfm">http://henryrepeating.com/parts.cfm

   

   most of us were probably lurkers at one time Ajr, welcome aboard. the 3" Earl is a good choice(well-balanced, good looking, and handy).

[ajr]

Thanks Silvershooter! I was originally waiting for the BT, but same as Heyjoe, ain't gonna happen. I do like the looks of the Earl though.

   

   Andy

[westerly1965]

Ajr welcome to the forum!

[coinchop]

Ajr.

   Welcome to the forum.

   Of my NAA guns I shoot my Earl the most.

   How much for the Marlin?

[ajr]

Thanks Westerly and Coinchop!

   

   I was asking $375.00 with all the extras (original scope mount base and screws, hammer spur, custom flush mount take down screw (I made it for fun to give it a different look, but I also have the original large take down screw ), gun sock and I might throw in the Boyt case unless I have to come down on price.  

   

   I just never use it. I don't hunt and there's no place to shoot a rifle around here except through the one sight-in tube at the Bass Pro Shops indoor range (no fun).

   

   So it just sits. I haven't shot it in over 20 years.

   

   Andy

[grayelky]

Ajr-

   

   Welcome to the forum!

   

   I tried to send you a PM, but you do not have them enabled.

   

   If Heyjoe passes on the rifle, I will trade you a NIB 3" Earl combo (both 22 lr/22 mag cylinders) for it. You can reply by PM if you prefer.

[mndoug]

HEYJOE --> I have several lever rifles and my favorites are the Winchester Model 1894 30-30 (the classic) and an Armi San Marco reproduction of an 1892 Winchester .45 Long Colt.  That last one is super fun to shoot because there is NO recoil - smooth as silk.  And since I reload, the ammo's cheap for me.

   

   If you want to stay in the "plinking" realm, though, I second what others have said:  The Henry Golden Boy .22lr or .22 magnum is THE choice in a lever action.  First of all, it's made by Henry - the originators of the lever-action repeater.  And it's beautiful to look at.  In case you haven't seen all the Henry models you can get, http://henryrifles.com/henry-rifles.cfm">go here.

   

   Rugers are great .22 rifles and have the most aftermarket accessories available for them - so you can have fun making the rifle "your own" (http://www.midwayusa.com/static/Ruger-1022.aspx">check out this section of the Midway site)... I have one that I've made into an "AR-15"... with fold-down bipod, AR handle, black synthetic stock, banana-clip mag...  

   

   But the Ruger's not a lever action..  So you have to decide...  Or, get one of each!

[heyjoe]

by all means Grayelky if you can make the trade do so. Ill be doing a little on hands research this week and im not ready to pick anything out until i do.  

   Im pretty sure it will be a 22lr lever rifle. .22 is basic to learn on, its versatile and its cheaper to shoot.  

   

   Thanks again for everyones input.

[grayelky]

Heyjoe-

   Thanks. I want you and Ajr to know I coinsider you have first choice, but I want you to be sure you are going to pass on it.

   

   If you run across a used Browning .22 lever action, give it due consideration also. Personally, I feel they are a little expensive if you have to buy a new one.

[blitzkrieger]

Oh man, the Browning lever .22s are real nice. My grandfather had one I absolutely loved. My brother and I bought one for our stepfather after he learned his old Glenfield .22 came up missing from his closet. An unfortunate situation due to his at the time current stepchild (no relation to my brother and I). So we showed up Christmas morning at his place with the Browning and a tear or three came from his eyes as he told us we should not have done that because he (as he whips it out) had just a day before bought the Henry golden boy .22. So now he has 2 really nice rifles.

[Dinadan]

Blitzkrieger - The Brownings are nice. Pricey, yes. I do not know how well  

   made the new ones are, but the one I got in 1970 with the money from my first  

   ever summer job was and still is a very good gun. I killed grey squirrels, fox squirrels,  

   oppossums, raccoons, striped skunk, grey fox, and whitetail deer with that rifle. It came

   with the sights set at 50 yards, and I never adjusted them - never needed too. The  

   trigger is part of the lever, and the lever has a shorter throw than most other lever actions,

   which makes for very fast shooting.

   

   Heyjoe - you asked for advice, and you sure got it! It really is fun deciding what

   gun to buy next!

[bud]

Speaking of the Henry golden boy, Midwest has them on sale [starting 7 8 2011] for $369.99. Problem for me is the golden boy just does not fit me.  

   Henry has the golden boy listed retail for $515.00, sooooo #369.99 is a good price!

   

   I'll have to stick to the blued model.

[lohman446]

I bought my daughter the youth model golden boy and I shoot it a lot.  I really like short stocked rifles, I guess that comes from not being six foot tall.  I have a 10/22 that was my first rifle and will keep it as well.

   

   As to the .357 rifle will do it all.  I actually agree with this and if I was forced down to two rifles I would be hard pressed to decide which my second would be.  .270, 30-06, 375 H+H, or 357.  The 375 can be downloaded a long ways and is impressive on the top end.  That being said the 357 (rifle) is an adequate gun for almost anything in North American out to 100 yards with GOOD shot placement.  Remember a 357 rifle will give better firepower than the guns S+W first demonstrated the 357 with.  

   

   Don't get too hung up on "just one rifle" though.  We might have all said "just one more gun" at some point.  Most of us end up with a couple more after that.  Buy a .22 and enjoy it (you will), if you need something else later they will probably still be making them.

[blitzkrieger]

We picked up the Browning used for $350. in near mint condition. I will agree that the short throw on the lever is an awesome feature but on the one we bought, and our grandfathers, the trigger was not not part of the lever... Must be an older feature done away with. Not sure of the manufacture year on either one but I first saw my grandfathers around 1990.

[c_m_coop]

I bought this Rossi r92 .45 colt last week, and ordered a Henry Golden Boy .22lr that will be here wednsday. Waiting is killing me. You gotta love those lever actions!