Buying a .22

[Gamerancher]

Marlin 39a's are all "take-down" models. They have a large screw that goes through the middle of the action from the rhs. Undo that, a bit of a twist and you have the action/buttstock in one hand and the barrel/mag/fore-end in the other. They have been around for over a hundred years. ( from model 39 anyway ) They all have heavy "target" barrels and are renowned for their accuracy. Predominantly 24" barrel with pistol grip but there are "mountie" models with shorter barrels and straight stocks. (rarer)
Later models have a "rebound" hammer and can have misfire troubles. They also have a habit of problems with extraction. These are easily remedied by a competent gunsmith who knows exactly how to fix them, however, plenty have been ruined by "expert" amateurs. Pre-1980's are the better ones to get, more reliable and tend to give no trouble. They are sought after by competition shooters, they are the most popular .22 for Lever-action Silhouette, hence the prices asked.

[on_one_wheel]

If I ever got bored of my Norinco, I would probably get a CZ, because they're both one of the same. Brno's are a little hard to come by now and their Model 1 and 2 cost way too much tbh.

You can still find them at a good price if you hunt around.
I recon I paid only a little less than this almosr 20 years ago for mine.

Screenshot_2016-07-03-10-55-18.png (109.3 KiB) Viewed 10779 times

http://www.fisherfirearms.com.au/catego ... ecial-22lr

[juststarting]

Lever action!

[GLS_1956]

I have a Marlin 39A bought 1999/2000 damn fine rifle very accurate, great trigger. I put a Lyman receiver sight on it. Dad has a Browning BL-22, it is also a fine gun, he bought it when they first came out that was what the 1970s? So I've actually fire more rounds through the Browning than the Marlin.

Dad scoped his Browning so it is hard to say which gun is more accurate but both will take the squirrel, rabbit or rouge tin can. The Marlin is bigger, heavier, and holds more shots. The Browning's shorter dimensions and lighter weight makes it a faster gun to handle and the rack and pinion lever with its trigger staying with the lever makes it the next fastest thing to an auto loader you can get. I have a Browning BPR-22 and I can empty the BL-22 faster. That flick of the wrist is super quick.

You'd be happy with either, and the Marlin is still in production.

[Supaduke]

I know they stopped making 39a's for a while, apparently they were retooling the factory after some quality issues. Not sure if production has resumed.

[juststarting]

There are 39A's with safety and no safety. New ones - safety. Old ones - no safety.

[<<Genesis93>>]

I know they stopped making 39a's for a while, apparently they were retooling the factory after some quality issues. Not sure if production has resumed.

Marlin was effectively closed down about 10yrs ago....then production moved and recommenced by Remington at Remington sheltered workshops in different U.S. States... at that time the new / old Marlin thing cropped up.

I was in the market for a 45-70 lever at one time and I read about 1895s with pic rails that did not fit or where otherwise un-aligned with the barrel, I thought, OK, the exception......so me goes to the friendly local dealer and picks one up for a fondle.... who would have guessed - an unaligned pic rail, to add to the displeasure the dealer denied they had a good go at straightening the job out (obviously from the well screwed with screws on an otherwise new rifle)....

So, having said that - I'd jump at a very good - to unused 10+ year old example.... probably not a new one.

[GLS_1956]

I know they stopped making 39a's for a while, apparently they were retooling the factory after some quality issues. Not sure if production has resumed.

When Remington acquired Marlin the ended up closing the old plant and moving production to a new plant with new employees as well as machinery. Yes they did have quality control problems for awhile and Remington addressed that. The Model 39A is back in full production and the guns I've seen at LGS are fine looking examples.

[Supaduke]

39a's seem to be like unicorns in Australia. Never seen one on a shelf, and any on the used guns websites sell very quickly. If you do try to buy one online don't hang about.

Winchester 9422's are in a similar vein. Out of production, and used ones sell for stupid money very quickly.

Another , much more widely available option is a Norinco JW-21, a Winnie clone. All steel and very nice for the price. They are a little rough to begin with but once run in are a nice gun. And pretty cheap at around $500-$600

[Oldbloke]

Lever action!

Yep, just a lot smaller and on the side.

[Gamerancher]

New 39a's are available at your LGS @ nearly $1300. "Lawyer" models with cross-bolt safety and rebound hammer. While they may still be a good rifle, they 'aint as good as the older ones. Keep an eye out on the used market, anything under $900, grab it! An alternative would be the Miroku/Win9422 clone, can be had fairly cheap second hand and they are O.K especially if you are just after a "fun" gun.

[Gwion]

Finally decide to by a 22 because it's "unAustralian" not to have one; then you buy an American lever gun???

You're one strange cat.

It would be more Australian to have a bolt or pump action 22lr; mostly a bolt, though. I would put a bet that for every one 22 rifle of another action type in Australia there would be 10 bolt actions.

I'll sell you my Sportco, then you can really be getting a quintessential Aussie 22!!!

Hang on, no I won't. I'm keeping it.

[<<Genesis93>>]

Nothing as Aussie as the current Aussie 22... assembled from imported parts by a 457 visa workforce (*)

Be an Aussie and buy a rimfire made by a pioneering Australian.... Arthur Savage (Savage arms....)

(* possible spurious rumors, latter part anyway)

[Gamerancher]

Hands up who hasn't got, shot or at least once owned a Lithgow "Slazengers" single shot or repeater? If you're talking iconic Aussie .22's, I reckon they'd be up there wouldn't they?

[Gwion]

There are quite a few models and brands of classic old Aussie 22lr rifles.

[AusTac]

Get a lithgow la101






Lol jks don't do it

[sandgroperbill]

Slazenger model 12. Need I say more?

I do? Ok. Aussie, reliable, cheap (though not overly easy to find/buy), 10round mags, accurate workhorses.

Farmers guns and tools, and I personally love them.

But... If you're set on a lever, see if you can find an old miroku (new browning lever 22s are made by miroku). I have an uncle that has had his miroku since he was a teen and it still functions flawlessly.

But... Remember to pay double attention to your safety rules when you're playing with a lever. You can't just drop the mag and clear the chamber

[Baronvonrort]

I reckon Anshutz 1416 for a .22lr

Get what you want don't listen to FUDDS.

[Gwion]

No-one's being a FUDD, mate. Just stirring him up about wanting a 22lr to avoid being 'unAustralian" but then wanting an American cowboy gun!

[juststarting]

LOL I just want a cheap as dirt ammo plinking rifle. In fsct, I think .22 ammo could even be cheaper than dirt! Bolt rifles have their rightful place, but for plinking fun - lever is the closest thing to what I really want until bunny gun is back, which by the looks of it is never.

[Gwion]

Little old pump actions are pretty bloody quick shooting and my straight pull t-bolt is also pretty damn quick with a bit of practice.

[juststarting]

Yep. Considered both, pump and straight pool, but I am really liking the look of lever...

[Gwion]

It's your rifle, mate.
Won't quite be as good for training marksmanship but it will be fun to shoot cans with and waste butt loads of ammo in!

[juststarting]

That's exactly what I want it for shooting bunch of s**t and wasting ammo. Pretty much nail on the head.

[Gamerancher]

Ammo is never wasted, it hits everything it's pointed at!

[on_one_wheel]

Lever action!

Yep, just a lot smaller and on the side.

Not to mention far simpler, more reliable, easier to maintain, more rugged and it's design is conducive of good accuracy.

[Gamerancher]

Just saw a second hand Browning on usedguns for $650

[juststarting]

Saw that one too, been sold...

[Gamerancher]

Bugger

[GLS_1956]

I love 22s 12 of the guns I have, so far, are 22s. Six are rifles and six are handguns. Never wasted a round of 22 ammo whether I hit the target or not the rounds were not wasted. You will never regret buying a 22, but you'll always regret selling one, doing so is almost like selling a family member.

One gun will lead to others, if you're like me, and also if like me you'll want a different action or make. Its the stuff that makes guns fun.
few things are as enjoyable as spending a day out plinking. Especially if it is spent with family or friends. The LORD knows how much I'd give to spend one more second at the range with my father.

Get the Browning BL-22 It will cost less than the Marlin, remember I own and cherish the Marlin 39A, but it is lighter, quicker and easier to scope. The accuracy difference is not as much as the difference between the shooters. If you like to burn through the rounds only a semi-auto, banned to you regretfully, is going to eat through a box faster.