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Posted: 5/25/2025 2:02:09 PM EDT
[Last Edit: donhov][Edited]
| Recently found Rossi 18" wood stock (not blk plastic) lever and Henry Classic lever 18" for about $4o difference in price. Please don't guess because of name. Give a real reason for one over the other. Just want one and will use for a pinker. Appreciate some "I own one" type of references. Thanks in advance. |
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I have a little Henry .22 and it is a fun gun to shoot. Very accurate and never had an issue. I have a Rossi .357 lever and it is a nice rifle for the money. But between the 2 you have chosen, Henry all day and every day. I was going to mention a Browning .22 lever gun but the prices on them went insane. I was at a local Bass Pro and bought my Henry 22 there and after I did, another sales associate showed me a Browning with the octagon barrel. At the time it was only $100 more than the Henry and I thought about getting it eventually. The action was more crisp and solid than any other lever out there. Now that they are $700+, they are out of the realm of feasibility. |
Be the change you want in this world.
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Wife bought a Henry .22 because she thought we needed a .22 leveraction. Parts of the lockup appear to be cheap zinc. The lever itself started some sort of corrosion within weeks of purchase. Some parts even feel like plastic. It shoots well and is more than accurate enough to make everyone in the family happy to prove they can shoot when the gun does its part. If I could an all steel or steel/aluminum version I'd be 100% on it. |
"Zeal without prudence is like a ship adrift."
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I won a Rossi rio bravo in a raffle 2 years ago. Threw a $50 4x scope on it from Walmart and it’s accurate enough that the squirrels don’t like it. Was always told the scope usually costs more than the rifle. Raffle ticket was $20. LOL If I was in the market for a 22 lever gun, I would go the Henry route. |
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At one point many years ago a dealer I knew had got a bunch of the "golden" Henry models. Not sure if the old ones (this was 2000 or earlier ) are built the same way . This gun was very , very slick and smooth when working the action but some of that was because of plastic parts that acted as slideing bearing blocks . Had a great feel but I was concerned about wear? On my rifle the "golden" finish started to get discolored after a couple of years . these issues along with there being no easy way to improve the sights to some type or rear aperture led to me trading it off. About the time of the trade I came across a decent deal on a Marlin 39A. My Marlin is no show gun but a honest old workhorse that is suoer smooth and with it's Lyman rear peep is very accurate for me. I encourage anyone who wants a very good rimfire lever to shop hard and try to find a decent 39A . They are not cheap but the good stuff never is |
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I'm not a fan of either the Henry or the Rossi .22 LR lever actions. The Henry is a rewarmed iteration of the Ithaca Model 49 made from 1961-1978. Per Andy Wickstrom, General Manager of the Wisconsin Henry factory in 2012, the Henry uses Zamak 5 (a high purity zinc alloy) for the receiver and barrel bands. The receiver is cast and then covered with a receiver cover. The high purity Zamak zinc alloys don't have the cracking and dimensional stability issues of "pot metal" zinc alloys, but it's still a zinc alloy. And while I like the Rossi Model 92 lever actions in .357 Mag, .44 Mag, and .45 Colt, they do require some elbow grease to slick up the action - and the Rossi .22 LRs lever actions I have handled didn't display anywhere close to the same quality. ---- My preference when buying a .22 LR lever action rifle is to find a good used Browning BL-22, or a Winchester 9422, or a Marlin Model 39 (preferably pre micro-groove). The Browning BL-22 is the best bang for the buck, while the 9422 and Marlin 39A are both a little more adult sized. The 9422 is smoother, but the Model 39A is very accurate. Below left to right are grade 1 and 2 BL-22s, 1978 9422 XTR and 9422 Legacy, and a 1946 Marlin 39A.  Receiver sight options for the BL-22 are a little limited but Skinner makes one for a grooved receiver that works well with a taller front sight. |
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I've got an H001 that's a good shooter. I'm not a huge fan of the receiver but it is what it is.. I've never owned a Rossi 22 but I have owned 5 model 92s made buy them, they all had problems. I kept one and sold the rest. If you don't mind spending the $...think about a Winchester 94/22. Their only going to increase in value, the Henry and Rossi wont. |
| All the Rossis I've seen from the last few years have been great. The older ones, not so much. Be careful buying used Rossi's . They've changed manufacturers a few times. I bought a .357 a couple years ago that's really nice. I put a spring kit on it and its as smooth as butter. |
Proud deplorable. MAGA!!
| I've read that the CBC made Rossi's are better. Unfortunately the 2 I bought weren't. The 357 fed 38s really well, not so much with 357. That's not a really biggie to me, the canted barrel was. The 44 mag shot 12"+ groups at 25 yards. The barrel was oversized. I can use larger diameter projectiles but it's just not worth it for me. |
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I’ve got a “Golden Boy” type Rossi .22. Purchased new about 4 years ago. I don’t have a ton of rounds through it, but it has a smooth action, shoots to point of aim, and feeds and functions reliably. I fondled a couple of Henry rifles before finding the Rossi on sale at a great price. I’ve always been turned off by how heavy the Henry guns are, but from user reports, you can’t go wrong with a Henry .22. |
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Originally Posted By jte3470: I own a Henry H001, Great little rifle that’s loads of fun to shoot. I would buy another one. Don’t know about the Rossi, Sorry. The Henry is quality stuff, built like a tank. I love my Rossi R92 in .45 LC, but both of my nephews have Henry .22s. What he said above^^^. |
Soldier for Life
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Already have a later Rossi (Braztech) in 357/38 and no problems with it. Just wanted a lever gun in 22 and pricing is close but Henry warranty is lifetime compared to Rossi 1 year. Just was looking for real life experiences. Thanks all. ZRecently saw some good reviews on the Savage Revel take down and it's in the same price range. Any owners of it either with info/reviews? |
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I have 5 Henry 22 lever actions. I love the youth model h001 for the size and 16” barrel but my favorite is the “Evil Roy” edition with the silver receiver and octagon 16” barrel. A close second is the small game rifle. Beautiful wood. The receiver metal has never bothered me. Obviously the browning is nicer but I’m very happy with the ones I have. |
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