22 lever rifles
Am planning on getting my 10 yo son a lever action 22 for Christmas. Got it narrowed down to the Marlin 39A and the Browning lever 22. Both are excellant choices. Both have strong points. The history of the 39A is part of the allure of the 39A. The Browning is lighter, shorter and being a Browning it usually has nice wood and great blueing. I guess I'm saying the Browning is a really pretty rifle. My son has expressed interest in squirrel hunting so I will probably scope which ever I get. After giving the 2 serious thought, I have decided that the best choice would be the most accurate. Let's be honest, a squirrels head is pretty small. Not an easy target for an adult, much less a 10 yo. I should add that he shoots very well for his age. Does anyone know of any shooting tests between the two? I have been told that the 39A is very accurate. I have never really heard much about the Browning where accuracy is concerned. Any thoughts?
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Every Browning 22LR lever action I've ever fired has been superbly accurate. But then, Marlins can be too.
I would go by what feels and fits best for your son.0 -
Agree with rsnyder55 that the one that fits and "feels" best is the one to get. I have both and you can't go wrong with either; or a 9422 for that matter. Of the three the 9422 is my favorite. All three are accurate and quality is probably about the same. The short lever throw of the Browning might be appealing to your son; sure makes it smooth to load the next round. The Browning is a little smaller and lighter than the other two too; or certainly feels that way. 0 -
A lever action is the last gun I would buy for a 10 year old. Poor choice in action for that age group. Get a single shot bolt. 0 -
Lever action, pump, bolt action, properly supervised when using and properly stored when not being used, a lever action for a 10 yo's a lever action is not out of consideration. It depends on the 10 yo and who he is with. There are 17 yo's I wouldn't give a single action to.
It is definately preferable to a semiautomatic, especially as a first rifle.0 -
I have both, and out of the box at 50yds. the Browning shoots tighter groups with the ammo it likes. As with any 22lr. you have to test ammo to find what one it likes best. 0 -
First to mooseyard, with all do respect you did not ask if this kid is already shooting or anything, what a blanket statement. it all depends on the parents(superviser) and how long , and how much they shoot or have already been shooting! In my opinion a lever is a good choice for a well supervised beginner. it can be loaded one shell at a time or how many you trust the child with at a time. then when they get older and trustworthy you dont have to go find them a new or better gun. in my opinion money well spent! jmho! good luck and good for you Start"em Young! 0 -
How about a Henry golden boy youth?
http://www.henryrepeating.com/h004_goldenboy.cfm
quote:Originally posted by dreher
Am planning on getting my 10 yo son a lever action 22 for Christmas. Got it narrowed down to the Marlin 39A and the Browning lever 22. Both are excellant choices. Both have strong points. The history of the 39A is part of the allure of the 39A. The Browning is lighter, shorter and being a Browning it usually has nice wood and great blueing. I guess I'm saying the Browning is a really pretty rifle. My son has expressed interest in squirrel hunting so I will probably scope which ever I get. After giving the 2 serious thought, I have decided that the best choice would be the most accurate. Let's be honest, a squirrels head is pretty small. Not an easy target for an adult, much less a 10 yo. I should add that he shoots very well for his age. Does anyone know of any shooting tests between the two? I have been told that the 39A is very accurate. I have never really heard much about the Browning where accuracy is concerned. Any thoughts?0 -
Hey, I'm no expert, but I second the Henry-good, good , rifle. 0 -
First gun I owned was a Marlin 39A. Bought it when I was 12 years old and am still shooting it today. Marlins have micro groving and mine is extreamly accurate. I paid $62.00 for mine but they are a lot more expensive than that now. Great gun however and in my opinion, can't be beat. I must say that the Henry does get my attention and I would love to shoot one. 0 -
dreher,
You mention a couple of good choices, but I have a soft spot for the Henry H001-series leverguns. When I was looking for my first rifle, at the tender age of 37, I handled all of the rifles that I could. I decided that the "H001L" was the one for me (hence my screen name). I could not be more pleased with it, after 7 years & almost 10,000 rounds down the barrel. It is the easiest action to work, and it shoots exactly where I aim it.
The design of today's Henry H001-series rifles goes back to 1960s, and it was first made by Erma, and sold by Ithaca as the Model 72 Saddle Gun, starting about 1972-73. Iver Johnson sold a version called The Wagon Master. I have heard that Lou Imperato, the late father of Henry's president, designed this rifle. There are many of the above-mentioned rifles still going strong.
...still, my advice is like that of many others: let your child handle all of the guns that he can. Shoot them, if he is able to.[;)]0 -
You mention a couple of very good choices for a lever gun for a 10 year old boy. You did not mention one though, and that is the Winchester 9422. All of those I have seen, are extremely good shooters, and well made...even the ones that were produced just before NewHaven closed its doors.
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Get the Marlin,forget the others 0
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