Marlin Golden 39A vs Henry Golden Boy vs Browning BL-22

nate1714

nate1714

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Apr 16, 2005
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Alright. I'm looking for which you would pick. I'm looking for a 22LR lever action and pretty much narrowed it down to these three. What I would like from you is which you would choose and why and maybe rank them in the order you would choose? Also what price should I expect to pay, and any good recommendations on where to buy?

As of right know I have heard how solid and reliable the Marlin Golden 39A. I have also heard how the Henry is good but the Marlin is just more tougher and can handle more abuse. I haven't really heard too much about the Browning.

I plan and just using this as a plinking and varmint rifle, I don't have plans to sight it I prefer open sight but who knows when I get older and my eyes get tired.

Thanks
 
I used to have the Marlin. It was a great rifle, very accurate and reliable. The big downside is that it was a very heavy rifle, for a .22. While I liked its fit and finish, these days I like a lighter weight rifle.
I haven't owned the others, so I can't say anything about them.

Andy
 
I have the Marlin. You can't go wrong with it. You can load the tube with cc caps, short, longs long rifle all mixed up and it loads and fires. The only down side is $$.

I'd say handle them all and whichever feels the best to you and you like its looks go for it. I doubt there is really that much difference.


Paul
 
My personal preference with what is being made today would be

Browning...it is shorter and lighter than the Marlin, also you can work the action without changing your grip...it is a very short lever throw. 33 degrees versus almost 90 for the other two.

Marlin...Great quality and looks as well as great accuracy equal to the Browning. If a 39A Mountie was avialable it would be my first choice (that was the carbine sized straight stock)

Finally the Henry last...the quality just isn't up to the standards of the other two.
 
I didnt know the lever throws...I just didnt think about that. Im thinking about a trip to gander mountain anyone know is they have good prices?
 
I have never owned a Marlin 39 A or a Browning, but I do own a Henry Golden Boy and it is a terrific Rifle. Dead accurate, smooth action and never any problems. BTW I own a Henry Big Boy .357 and a Marlin 1894 .44 Mag and those are nice rifles as well.
garciajr
 
Had a Browning and a Marlin.

If I were to do it over again--I'd get the Browning---the Marlin was just too big and heavy.

The Henry isn't in the same league as the others---several notches down on the ladder.

Really liking my Browning T-bolt and modded 10/22's right now.
 
Marlin would be my first pick.
Browning a distant second
as mentioned above well down the ladder.
The marlin is a heavy rifle but i believe has an overall better build quality than the other 2.
just my .02, ymmv
 
I have owned a Browning for over 35 years. It has fired many thousands of rounds and never had a problem. It is a very accurate little rifle, compact and beautifully made by Miroku. My only complaint would be that the trigger is a little on the heavy side.
 
I also like the fact the Browning gets along just fine without that silly and ugly crossbolt safety. I still have an old (60s production) Marlin 39A Golden Mountie and if they made them today sans crossbolt safety that would be on top.
 
My first gun was a Browning BL-22 Grade II. (Grade II has a checkered grip and forearm and modest "engraving" on the receiver and a gold-tone trigger)

I went thru much of the same dilemma as you are going thru now, only the choices were different. (Winchester 9422, Ithaca .22 lever, Marlin 39A)

I went with the Browning due to cost and features. The shorter throw IS pretty handy. Plus, the brass magazine tube assembly (the inner, spring loaded part) has a catch that engages the outter tube anywhere. Brass won't rust and you don't have to align a little 'tit' into a curved slot.

It also takes .22 short, longs and longrifles without a problem. It holds 15 long rifles and 22 shorts, plus one in the chamber.

But the big feature is two fold: The lever arc is some 33 degrees AND the trigger goes with the lever during that travel. This means faster follow-up shots than with a typical 90 degree lever throw without risk of pinching your finger. :thumbup:

I'd see what the price difference was between the standard grade and the grade II, as I found the checkering is worth having.

.
 
does the checkering really make that much of a difference? I have looked around at some local shops but still want to make sure I would get a good deal. Are there any online places that I could check? Also is it safe/worth it to get online. (I'm going to fire all three before I make my final decision, Guns are like knives...you have to try it before you buy it!)
 
what about maintenance between the three? are there any larger issues with any of them that I should be aware of?




thanks again
 
The Marlin's a superb firearm. Shot a number of them and always enjoyed the experience... Just bought my middle son a Henry .22 (plain, not golden-boy) and couldn't believe how precise it was! Right out of the box, everything I pointed it at "died" at 30 yards. (pigeons, tin cans, 12GA shells, bits of plastic...) Very fun, fast gun.

J-
 
nate1714 said:
what about maintenance between the three? are there any larger issues with any of them that I should be aware of?




thanks again
Click to expand...

Not really. Just remember 22 rimfires are the dirtiest ammo made today...just the nature of the round. Clean as you would any other firearm and inspect for the rimfire grunge...it slowly builds up and has to be cleaned out. Also unlike a bolt action most levers get cleaned from the muzzle, save your accuracy buy buying a cleaning rod guide to prevent wear to the muzzle.
 
I'd go with the Henry.I bought mine awhile back for under $200 and it has been nothing but utterly reliable, very accurate, and has great ergonomics. And looks great to boot.
 
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Absintheur said:
Not really. Just remember 22 rimfires are the dirtiest ammo made today...just the nature of the round. Clean as you would any other firearm and inspect for the rimfire grunge...it slowly builds up and has to be cleaned out. Also unlike a bolt action most levers get cleaned from the muzzle, save your accuracy buy buying a cleaning rod guide to prevent wear to the muzzle.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info I will be sure to keep that in mind/look it up.
 
I have found a few local shops was wondering if I should trust/look into a pawn shop. I dont want a gun used in a mass homicide that would not be cool. Are they required to look up the serial number and make sure its not stolen or is that a risk on the buyer?
 
Speaking as a gunsmith with more years in the business than I care to remember, my first choice would be the Marlin, followed by a Ruger 10/22, and IF---IF--you can get a Browning made in Belgium and not in Japan, it would also be a fine rifle. I don't want to knock the Japanese because they make a lot of great products, however, IMO they have NEVER made good small arms! Again IMO Browning, Weatherby, and S&W all did a disservice when they licensed some of their products to be made in Japan.
 
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