Really Thinking About a Browning BL-22

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  • calicojack

    American Sporting Rifle
    MDS Supporter
    May 29, 2018
    5,348
    Cuba on the Chesapeake
    I like the idea of a nice iron sights 22 plinker that's faster than a bolt action. Any experience with a BL-22? There is always a pump action Remmy or Henry as an alternative.
     
    Last edited:

    Huckleberry

    No One of Consequence
    MDS Supporter
    Oct 19, 2007
    23,307
    Severn & Lewes
    What about a Browning SA-22? That is one fun plinking rifle. Combination of a light, fast action carbine with the feel of a gallery gun on some fair's midway.

    It will give a 10-22 a run for its' money in the grins and giggles department.

    For a lever action, it is hard to beat a Henry right now.

    For a pump action, there are the Italian Colt Lighting reproductions from Uberti and Chiappa but they do cost a pretty penny.
     

    Postell

    Banned
    BANNED!!!
    Nov 5, 2018
    291
    I like the idea of a nice iron sights 22 plinker that's faster than 1 bolt action. Any experience with one? There is always a pump action Remmy or Henry as an alternative.

    I gave a higher grade BL22 to my younger son when he was about 11 or 12 years old. They are built with much better materials and to better specs than the Remmy or the Henrys will ever have. They shoot well and you son will be able to give it to one of his children.
    The Browning is the best buy in 22 levers.
    Stop in at Atlantic and look at them.
     

    Threeband

    The M1 Does My Talking
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 30, 2006
    25,232
    Carroll County
    I agree the Browning is in a separate, higher class than the others. Alternatively, in a lever action, you could seek out an older Marlin 39. Consider a Marlin 39M, with the 20" barrel.

    Or as an alternate alternative, find a Browning T Bolt.
     

    calicojack

    American Sporting Rifle
    MDS Supporter
    May 29, 2018
    5,348
    Cuba on the Chesapeake
    I agree the Browning is in a separate, higher class than the others. Alternatively, in a lever action, you could seek out an older Marlin 39. Consider a Marlin 39M, with the 20" barrel.

    Or as an alternate alternative, find a Browning T Bolt.

    What about the new manufacture T Bolts?
     

    Uncle Duke

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 2, 2013
    11,665
    Not Far Enough from the City
    I like the idea of a nice iron sights 22 plinker that's faster than a bolt action. Any experience with a BL-22? There is always a pump action Remmy or Henry as an alternative.

    If you want steel receiver quality in a new 22 lever action rifle nowadays, I'm trying to think who else is out there. As mentioned, the Browning is a nice rifle, and may arguably be the cream of the new production .22 lever action crop.

    The Marlin 39 is listed as a custom shop rifle nowadays. Between questions regarding Marlin quality since the Remington acquisition, and what I'm guessing would be a seriously high custom shop price, a new 39 might be an expensive gamble. And sadly, the fine Winchester 9422 is now what, some 15 years out of production?

    In a big picture sense, if you like (or can learn to tolerate) the short lever Browning bolt throw? And if you look at the seriously inflated prices of used but known to be high quality Marlin 39's, and used Winchester 9422's? A new Browning increasingly looks like a real steal at $550-$650 or thereabouts.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,731
    Socialist State of Maryland
    My Henry 22 carbine with skinner sights shoots the lights out of both my Marlin 39 Annie Oakley and my Win 9422 Delux. While I used to poo poo the Henry's before I owned one, I sure don't anymore.
     

    Uncle Duke

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 2, 2013
    11,665
    Not Far Enough from the City
    My Henry 22 carbine with skinner sights shoots the lights out of both my Marlin 39 Annie Oakley and my Win 9422 Delux. While I used to poo poo the Henry's before I owned one, I sure don't anymore.


    Interesting....

    I am also a fan of Henry lever actions, I own a .357 steel and a .44 silver. Both are very smooth. Both are plenty accurate, and just a whole lot of fun to shoot.

    If I were to buy a Henry 22, it would most definitely be the small game model with the Skinner sights. I'd have no desire to scope a 22 lever. The ONLY thing that stops me is the thought of black paint flaking off a Zamac receiver, as has been oftentimes reported. That would just bother the hell out of me.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,731
    Socialist State of Maryland
    Interesting....

    I am also a fan of Henry lever actions, I own a .357 steel and a .44 silver. Both are very smooth. Both are plenty accurate, and just a whole lot of fun to shoot.

    If I were to buy a Henry 22, it would most definitely be the small game model with the Skinner sights. I'd have no desire to scope a 22 lever. The ONLY thing that stops me is the thought of black paint flaking off a Zamac receiver, as has been oftentimes reported. That would just bother the hell out of me.

    I don't particularly baby my firearms and I have not seen any issues with the paint on the receiver. I shoot in .22 steel matches ones a month to where you basically drop your rifle on the table and grab your pistol and it has hit magazines and brass numerous times with no defects. I think it is probably baked on powder coat which is pretty tough when done right. My powder coated bullets come out of the backstop still painted with a few scrapes.

    Get the SG Carbine, it is a blast. :party29:
     

    calicojack

    American Sporting Rifle
    MDS Supporter
    May 29, 2018
    5,348
    Cuba on the Chesapeake
    Get the SG Carbine, it is a blast. :party29:

    I like the Skinner sights. I could give or take that big loop lever. I suppose one could Duracoat the receiver. I have used Duarcoat on barrels and rifle furniture; it's very tough. It's not going to come off if you scrape up against something, not like rattle can spray paint.

    But - it's still not a Browning :)
     

    calicojack

    American Sporting Rifle
    MDS Supporter
    May 29, 2018
    5,348
    Cuba on the Chesapeake
    If you want steel receiver quality in a new 22 lever action rifle nowadays, I'm trying to think who else is out there. As mentioned, the Browning is a nice rifle, and may arguably be the cream of the new production .22 lever action crop.

    ...

    And if you look at the seriously inflated prices of used but known to be high quality Marlin 39's, and used Winchester 9422's? A new Browning increasingly looks like a real steal at $550-$650 or thereabouts.

    You can get a Grade II for $650.

    [EDIT] Actually more like $580 + FFL fee
     
    Last edited:

    Uncle Duke

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 2, 2013
    11,665
    Not Far Enough from the City
    I don't particularly baby my firearms and I have not seen any issues with the paint on the receiver. I shoot in .22 steel matches ones a month to where you basically drop your rifle on the table and grab your pistol and it has hit magazines and brass numerous times with no defects. I think it is probably baked on powder coat which is pretty tough when done right. My powder coated bullets come out of the backstop still painted with a few scrapes.

    Get the SG Carbine, it is a blast. :party29:

    Thanks John. Yeah, I know that drill. That does indeed tell me alot. You may have talked me into it. Not that I need a whole lot of push, as I do want to like that carbine! :)

    You know, good news travels slowly. Bad news, on the other hand, spreads like absolute wildfire. And especially with gun folks, letting go of any bad news can be a tall order.

    Who knows. Maybe a batch of receivers at one time went to the paint line with a film of oil or other residue. And now, "they all" flake paint. Forever and always.

    Henry or Browning. What to do...:)
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,731
    Socialist State of Maryland
    I like the Skinner sights. I could give or take that big loop lever. I suppose one could Duracoat the receiver. I have used Duarcoat on barrels and rifle furniture; it's very tough. It's not going to come off if you scrape up against something, not like rattle can spray paint.

    But - it's still not a Browning :)

    I contacted Henry and they let me exchange the big lever for a standard lever. Good people. :party29:
     

    calicojack

    American Sporting Rifle
    MDS Supporter
    May 29, 2018
    5,348
    Cuba on the Chesapeake
    I contacted Henry and they let me exchange the big lever for a standard lever. Good people. :party29:

    I have heard really great things about Henry's support, and they seem to have really turned the corner. I see very negative reviews from 15 years ago and there's no comparison; look at all of the positive feedback from MD shooter members.
     

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