I had one of these in my youth, and recently had a hankering for another .22 Lever.
With the price of Marlin 39's and Winchester 9422's going through the roof, I set my sights on the BL-22.
I have no interest in a Henry. A friend has one, and every time we take our .22's to the range I shoot his some.
While it's smooth and accurate, it's just not my cup of tea. It reminds me of a 9422, albeit a "budget version".
For a bit more $$, a used BL-22 is a step up in quality. The BL-22 is about as compact and light as you can get in a .22 repeater. And it has some cool features.
Bolt locks up to breech, not just held forward by the lever like other .22 levers.
Controlled round feeding, feeds well in any position, even upside down. Never, ever heard of a feeding issue with them. Feeds short, long, and long rifle, in any combination. (can you even buy longs anymore ???)
Mag tube latch will snap in at any position, doesn't have to be lined up with a notch.
Super short 33 degree lever throw. You don't have to take your hand off the lever to work the action.
Keep your thumb on the upper tang, and just flex your fingers open and closed.
The fastest, least aim disturbing, manually operated repeater going.
I had to chuckle when I read a couple of reviews about the BL-22. Both guys said the short lever throw allows you to keep the carbine up to your shoulder when firing.
Heck, any lever allows you to do that. For that matter, with any shoulder fired rifle or shotgun ever made, you can keep it up to your shoulder when you cycle the action.
The whole "don't have to take your hand off the grip" thing was lost on them.
These have your typical Miroku quality. New BL-22's are just as nice and well made as ones made back in the 70's. How many other brands can you think of that are made as well today as things were back then ?
I had just seen a new Grade I at the LGS, priced at $550. I went to a gunshow the next day, and saw this Grade II in very nice shape, priced at $350. I plunked down the cash without delay, and when I got home checked the serial number, and it was made in 1976.
It appeared to have been fired very little, if at all.
Some guys have said they shot one with a very heavy trigger pull, but all I've shot have been in the 5 pound range. Mine was 5 1/4 lbs. when I got it, after a few hundred rounds, it is at 4 3/4, and very crisp.
Anyone else have one of these cool little lever .22's ?