PDA

View Full Version : Levergun Range Time



sandog
01-27-2019, 06:32 AM
I had a chance to get two of my levers out yesterday. We've been having nice, sunny 60 degree weather all week long when I'm working, then on my weekend days off, it's trying to snow and slick roads.
But yesterday was nice, winters in Arizona are pretty short, even up at the higher elevations in Northern Arizona where I live.

The Marlin CB is always fun, and dead on. It's a JM in .45 Colt, made in 1988.
I do need to work up a more accurate load for it, I've been using one that I worked up for my Uberti sixgun.
https://i.imgur.com/JUb5pIyh.jpg
It's a 250 grain Oregon Trail RNFP over 7.4 grains of Universal in Starline brass. Gives 830 fps in the 5 1/2" handgun.
https://i.imgur.com/pokf3Tah.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/yHPJ6pyh.jpg
I also shot a few hundred rounds through the little Browning BL-22. I knew the Williams GRS peep would need a tall front sight, because the GRS sits up high on the receiver. I used the tallest FireSight front that I had on hand, but it's still not high enough.

The BL is zeroed well, but the GRS had to be so low it's partway off the base.
I'll probably put a small red dot like the FastFire I use on the Mini-30's. They weigh less than one ounce and are the size of your thumb. The other option would be to get a Skinner rear peep, they sit low and look good on the Browning.

The BL-22 is one fun plinker. You just open and close your fingertips to work the lever, leaving your thumb on the upper tang. About as fast as a manually operated carbine can be.
It's not a tack driver like my Marlin Mountie or my CZ 452, but plenty good enough to hit small targets out to 60 yards or so. I could probably do better with a low powered scope, but the BL's receiver is so small, a scope looks funny on them.

I picked this one up in November, it was made in 1976, but appeared to have been fired very little if at all.
They are a really underrated lever, and overlooked because many want a 9422 or Marlin 39.
But you can find them used for $325 to $350. A new Grade I sells for $530, and the Grade II like mine goes for $625 or so.
https://i.imgur.com/FSsElKZh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/fjJIGnih.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/vagZwpNh.jpg

jstanfield103
01-27-2019, 06:39 AM
Sandog I see you are on as many gun sites as I am. Very nice revolver rifle pair. You will have to get you a single six for the BL-22 now. :)

sandog
01-27-2019, 06:43 AM
I do have this Colt New Frontier, made in 1973, that I paired with my 39 Mountie. I like a nice old Model Single Six, but this Colt makes a Single Six feel like a Heritage .22.
https://i.imgur.com/A9wjzKVh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/ewFdtX0h.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/9BetTlTh.jpg

jstanfield103
01-27-2019, 09:44 AM
Now there is a Beautiful pair. I bet that colt does make the grade of A+++

sandog
01-27-2019, 10:31 AM
Thanks, jstanfield. I kind of wanted the longer barrel New Frontier, but got this one first. It's very accurate, especially with Mini-Mags, which I have a lot of.
Colt went all out with these, built exactly like the Peacemaker but 2/3 the size. It has a great 4 click action, no stinkin' transfer bars, thank you. The case colors have faded a bit as it's 46 years old, but they are some fine SA .22's.

The sights aren't real traditional, but my 61 year old eyes can actually do well with them, the old blade and V-notch, not so much.

koger
01-27-2019, 10:47 AM
Nice shooting irons there bud! As I get older, I find myself drawn to the firearms of the 60's and 70's, when I was growing up, some of the same guns you have pictured there!

Texas by God
01-27-2019, 10:49 AM
Great looking guns! If you can find one, Browning had a factory peep sight that was offered on the T-bolt that might work with the existing front sight on your BL22. It has a plastic body but is a quality sight that fits the receiver dovetail. My last T-bolt had one on it.

sandog
01-27-2019, 10:54 AM
koger, I've always wanted a Colt Match Target, and a Browning SA-22. And about a dozen others !

FergusonTO35
01-27-2019, 02:03 PM
I do have this Colt New Frontier, made in 1973, that I paired with my 39 Mountie. I like a nice old Model Single Six, but this Colt makes a Single Six feel like a Heritage .22.
https://i.imgur.com/A9wjzKVh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/ewFdtX0h.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/9BetTlTh.jpg

Love that 39!! Marlin, why oh why did you put that gigantic pistol grip stock on most of them?

sandog
01-27-2019, 02:29 PM
Agreed. The regular 39A with long 24" round barrel, and pistol grip, isn't near as handy, or good looking, IMO, as the Mountie.
And I prefer the slim fore end wood like the Cowboys have, over most Marlins with the fat fore end.

Texas by God
01-27-2019, 02:59 PM
Straight grip Marlins are the best of both worlds IMO.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

Shawlerbrook
01-27-2019, 05:50 PM
Nice guns and I’m really envious of that Arizona weather. Here in the teens with wind and snow all day.