Henry Rifle Forums

Okay, I've never been one to click on this kind of post. Asking someone like me who has every action type of 22 and nearly every make and model of kind of 22 rifle ever made to stop and pick only one rifle from our 22 rifle collection just plain makes my head spin. Maybe yours, too. I get that.

So no rules, here. Just go ahead and pick your favorite 22 rifle based on anything you like. Maybe it's for sentimental reasons, maybe it's your favorite color, maybe it makes you feel like John Wayne or something, whatever. It's your favorite, not someone else's. Explain as much or as little as to why you picked your choice. In fact, go ahead and change your mind and switch to a different rifle and add it to the thread. This is supposed to be fun, not something to give you an ulcer.

So here's mine, at least for today. It's my K prefix Marlin 39A Mountie for you Marlin 39A experts. It's even a bit collectible, but it gets my vote today just because it's a Marlin 39A. That says it all.



This 39A was made in 1953, so too early for a scope mount. I do need a scope for my backyard plinking, though, so I found this old Winchester Model 94 scout mount and then added an equally vintage steel 3/4" tube Burris 3x scout scope. Doesn't change the balance of this old Marlin at all and looks just right, too.





And what a sweet shooting 22 rifle it is. Cycling a Marlin 39 is unlike any other 22 lever rifle ever made. It has that same kind of authoritative sound and feel you get when cocking a pre-64 Model 94 Winchester or even a vintage Colt single action revolver. After all, it was designed in the 1800s, too, just like those guns.



So, partner, are you feeling lucky? Go ahead and post yours. Let's have some fun.

I’m going to start with third place and that would be a 9422 that I had and sold when I left Seattle. I liked it but I seldom shot it.

Second place goes to a 39A Mountie which I’ve never owned. I think it might fall into the 9422 category.

In first place would be a Henry Classic. It’s probably the least accurate of the three but its my very first Henry and the one I shoot the most. I’m a lefty and it’s my very first lever and I fell in love with the action immediately. Before that I shot Ruger 1022’s and a variety of bolt actions which I liked but couldn’t shoot as intended. I was not at a disadvantage with a lever and liked working the action as much as pulling the trigger.

I also liked the fact I could take it apart and more important put it back together. And I could customize it without ruining something that had collection value. And most important it was a means of meeting all the members here.

Had you said rimfire and not 22 I would have picked my CZ 452-2E American with a Nikon P-Rimfire scope. It’s disqualified because it’s in .17HMR.

https://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=16447
Im gonna give it a tie between my Henry H001T and this 10/22 or the other 10/22 that I have. 10/22's are really fun to play with and add aftermarket upgrades to them. This 10/22 pictured is such a fun gun to shoot and very accurate

Always wanted a Winchester 9422. Second would be a Marlin 39A Mountie. But I sure like my Henry H001.

It's just what I have, one and only. A Braztech/Rossi G22 pump. Never thought of it as a favorite or anything else. It shoots true and accurate with CCI MiniMag and crappy with Federal Target. Since I have little interest in .22 there isn't a future gotta have.

Very interesting, guys. Keep 'em coming and, hey, go for it if you want to include 17 HMR or 22 mag. Works for me.

Sir Henry wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 16, 2024 6:57 pm

In first place would be a Henry Classic.

Me, too. In my case, though, it's just a choice between a grand total of two rifles; a Sears bolt single action that my FIL bought as a teenager and a Henry Classic, the first firearm I ever bought (2014).

Both are fun to shoot, but that Henry! I recall the Sales Manager at the Cabela's where I bought it pausing as he walked by the check out register because he noticed the rifle. He smiled at me and said, "Man, are you gonna have a lotta fun with that!"

Yup.

Man, I can't just name one. I've a slew of 22lrs. At one time, I had to have each one.
But, one that I jonesed for a number of years is the Anschutz MPR. It currently has a Harrel's tuner on it.
In that same vein, I also have a Kimber 82G.
My first 22lr Rifle is that 60's era 10/22 international
My 3rd 10/22 build was my Lilja barreled rifle
I've a Winchester model 75 restocked into a manlicher stock with a new rear peep sight and front globe.
I've Stainless Marlin model 60 that is a hoot to shoot.
A kriss defiant AR 15 style 22lr that is great for training.

I have a Henry h001,several stock 10/22's,a Marlin 60 and a Marlin mountie. The Mountie is the most accurate at 100 yards, but I never scoped the model 60,so that might change. But all of them are fun to shoot,the semi- auto's are a little more fun.

I won't even try. Might as well ask which hammer or saw is my fav. Which gun (or other tool) I choose depends on what I intend to use it for.

I get how hard it is to pick a favorite. Like I said, I started the thread just for fun. I wouldn't even attempted to start a thread about favorite rimfire handgun. Rifles are hard enough.

North Country Gal wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 17, 2024 2:27 pm

I get how hard it is to pick a favorite. Like I said, I started the thread just for fun. I wouldn't even attempted to start a thread about favorite rimfire handgun. Rifles are hard enough.

I sold a lot of rimfire pistols when I left Seattle. I had several vintage Walther PP and PPK ‘s in .22LR that I miss.

My favorite is my Marlin 39-A. This was my first Marlin and it led to a nice collection of various Marlin rifles. I have since sold off my entire collection but have kept this 39-A. I recall when I first got it hiking around the pasture hunting ground squirrels I had a thought that this is certainly an adult 22lr. A bit on the heavy side with an action as smooth as glass. Phenomenally accurate too.


The only other rimfire rifle I currently own is this Ruger 10/22 LVT (light varmint tactical). It has a bull barrel that’s threaded, a checkered hardwood stock with a rubber butt pad and sling swivels. It too is very accurate. So I guess it would be my second favorite.



Honorable mention would be the Glenfield M/60 with the squirrel stock. When I had just turned 16 in 1973 I was living temporarily in NE North Dakota. The ground squirrels were up and my buddies took me hunting with them with a loaned rifle. I wanted my own so I went into a Coast to Coast store in a small town and was sold the Glenfield directly, no parents involved and no paperwork????? Of course I didn’t know better then. About 10 years ago one exactly like the one I had came up for sale so I bought it. That was a fun trip down memory lane but of course I have since traded it off. Here’s a file pic of the squirrel stock.

Love those Glenfield squirrel 60s. They are actually getting a bit collectible with Marlin fans, now. Have to say, too, that the Marlin 60s I've shot have been very accurate, more so than those older stock 10/22 Carbines I love.

And yeah, vintage walnut 10/22s definitely make my list of favorite 22 rifles.

Couldn't end this thread without adding one of my Winchester 1885 single shots. Any of these would at least tie the Marlin as my favorite and, in fact, I'd sell the Marlin before any of the 1885s.

This one a special edition called the Classic made for only two years circa 2000. It's in 22 LR and I added the tang sight and globe sight. The odds of me ever finding another one are about zilch.

Ooooooh, I like the 1885. Thanks for sharing that one. Nice!

Ok, I'll play. Nothing really special about any of these, but they are the ones that have been seeing the most action lately.
The Marlin 89c, I stumbled across this one a couple years ago working out of town.
It came without a magazine, but did come with the Weaver Marksman 4x, still very clear.
I found a magazine on ebay on the way home. Anyway it has been the most fun and is quite accurate with several different types of ammo that I've tried. These were made from '51 to '63, this one has no sn. So I'm assuming it's an early model.

Next would be a late model 60, if I remember it was made '08.
Another is the Marlin 25N, very accurate if some cheap ammo. I found another stock for it and cut it down for the grandsons to get started.

One foggy morning back in the spring I had a little test. Was surprised.

RP

I really enjoy my Henry Golden Boy, but the go to in this house has been the CZ455 since we put the first shots downrange. I went looking for a heavy barreled Ruger but Greentop had sold the last 10-22 and Bolt Action that morning. Our Guy suggested the CZ, dead accurate, add this Nikon scope I'll mount it now and give my longtime customers a price break.

Four of my first five shots at 25 yards were a ragged hole and the fifth was just out. It became Miss Ts "defend the coop" sniper rifle.

These 3 cover all the bases. Win 9422--Marlin 1897T--Browning BL-22 grade 2.

Some great 22s, folks.

Love those old Marlins, Vaquero. Not sure if I've ever seen an 89c. Been keeping an eye out for a 25N. Great old bolt gun.

Marine, you can never go wrong with a CZ.

Kaboomer, those are some of my favorites, too.

CZ 452 American, blue steel finish with walnut stock, and a Leupold 4X fixed power scope.

I have others I would not part with including but not limited to a CZ 512 (incredibly accurate semi-auto rifle), a Ruger 10/22 International, a Ruger 10/22 Sporter and a Ruger 77/22 International in .22 WMR. The last three are blue steel with walnut stock rifles, you can see my preferences.

I have found that if I sell or trade something, I usually want it back.