Savage Revel .22 classic - opinions?

[Justabirdwatcher]

At this point in my life I have just about every rifle I can practically use or want, except one - a lever action .22 rifle. I've owned a couple classics - the sleek Browning and the legendary Marlin 39a - but neither of them really did it for me. The Browning was too small and I couldn't get used to the short throw (although I know some folks love it) and the Marlin was too heavy, I didn't care for the pistol grip and I could barely get my hand in the curved loop. Darn shame, since it was a 60's vintage 39a in mint condition.

Anyway, I handled the Revel Classic a few months ago and was impressed. The loop was big enough for my hand but not some silly outrageous oversized loop. Balance was a great. Size was great. Action was smooth and it had the right "heft" to it. Looking for a plinker and teaching gun that works for grouse and small game, that I can eventually hand down to a grandkid someday.

Anyone here have one and if so, what do you think? Local wally world has one in stock for $373, which seems reasonable.

Thanks.

 

[tom_89]

$373 is a good price. They usually go for $400+. I'd say go for it. The loop size alone sounds like it fits you better than the others.

 

[coleL]

I've got the DLX version and love it.

 

[Mustangs Rule]

At this point in my life I have just about every rifle I can practically use or want, except one - a lever action .22 rifle. I've owned a couple classics - the sleek Browning and the legendary Marlin 39a - but neither of them really did it for me. The Browning was too small and I couldn't get used to the short throw (although I know some folks love it) and the Marlin was too heavy, I didn't care for the pistol grip and I could barely get my hand in the curved loop. Darn shame, since it was a 60's vintage 39a in mint condition.

Anyway, I handled the Revel Classic a few months ago and was impressed. The loop was big enough for my hand but not some silly outrageous oversized loop. Balance was a great. Size was great. Action was smooth and it had the right "heft" to it. Looking for a plinker and teaching gun that works for grouse and small game, that I can eventually hand down to a grandkid someday.

Anyone here have one and if so, what do you think? Local wally world has one in stock for $373, which seems reasonable.

Thanks.

Spend the $ buy a model 39 Mountie Carbine with the straight grip.

 

[Mustangs Rule]

https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/marlin-rifles-rimfire/marlin-model-39-mountie-1955-originally-sold-by-sears-good-condition-bargain-price-jm-take-down-22-lever.cfm?gun_id=102409521#gallery-102409521-lg-1

 

[shootbrownelk]

Winchester Model 94/22.

 

[Mustangs Rule]

Winchester Model 94/22.

That could surely work WELL !!!!,,,for many,,,,but not for me. I must confess to a certain set of personal problems-preferences. At 78, the firearms that set the standards for me while coming of age as a hunter-shooter are the kings and queens of my gun safe,,,barring one exception. That being my Sako Stainless and Synthetic stocked Finnlight Carbine in 308, which I only bought when leaving the Desert Mountains where I lived and hunted for forty years. Moving to the PNW demanded an all-weather deer/elk rifle, otherwise I remain cradled in the most coveted firearms of my youth, the Marlin Model 39 lever action .22 standing right next to Pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters and Super smooth Ithaca model 37 shotguns. I have one in 12 gauge and another in 20 gauge.

Where I live both Ruffed and Blue Grouse can be legally taken with .22 Rimfire.

"Upland Bird Hunting Heaven" for me is being on traditional Ash and Leather snowshoes and going into the lower forest for Ruffed Grouse with my 20-gauge Ithaca and also going way way way up high in elevation for Blue Grouse with my model 39 Lever action Marlin .22 with aperture sights.

Both the Spruce grouse and Blue grouse go high so with deep snow they can access evergreen needles for food. Now only the Blue grouse are legal to hunt. Moving around on a pair of vintage snowshoes, using low power binoculars, looking through the forest and seeing these
blue grouse at the 25 to 40 yard range on white snow and picking them off with my Marlin 39 .22 is pure hunters heaven for me!

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

Spend the $ buy a model 39 Mountie Carbine with the straight grip.

I love the suggestion, but one of the problems I had with the traditional 39a was the weight of the barrel. It was unnecessarily (IMO) heavy for a .22 sporting/hunting rifle. That Carbine has better lines, but still the same heavy barrel and fat forend. I never could understand why Marlin insists on such fat forends on all their rifles. Kinda defeats the purpose of a sporting/hunting gun IMO. But I do appreciate the suggestion.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

Winchester Model 94/22.

I'll have to take another look. I owned a 94/22 in magnum about 25 years ago. Probably should have kept it.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

I've got the DLX version and love it.

Thank you.

 

[Mustangs Rule]

I'll have to take another look. I owned a 94/22 in magnum about 25 years ago. Probably should have kept it.

check your personal messages

 

[Mustangs Rule]

I love the suggestion, but one of the problems I had with the traditional 39a was the weight of the barrel. It was unnecessarily (IMO) heavy for a .22 sporting/hunting rifle. That Carbine has better lines, but still the same heavy barrel and fat forend. I never could understand why Marlin insists on such fat forends on all their rifles. Kinda defeats the purpose of a sporting/hunting gun IMO. But I do appreciate the suggestion.

To understand the fat for end on Marlin 39's one must see that in the very late 1800's, it was a target rifle as much as it was a small game hunting rifle. That fat for end was kind of triangular in cross section, and the bottom was close to flat, Ideal to be placed on a sandbag on a bench. All rifles were heavy back then and the heavy barrel matched the times.

My other .22 is an extremely accurate Remington model 511 Score-master, bolt action that came with original aperture sights. Very cool. With aperture sights on my model 39 they shoot a tie. The Score-master is probably a little more accurate, but the extra weight of the Marlin model 39 makes it more stable.

I did have the trigger of my 39 worked slick by an old master gunsmith long ago.

One of my favorite winter experiences is snowshoeing way up high in elevation to hunt Forest Grouse which is legal to do with a .22 where i live. Ruffed Grouse and Blue Grouse are legal. Spruce grouse are fully protected.

Many times, i have repeated this same scenario. The Remington is much lighter, but the Marlin model 39 is far more stable for offhand shots out to maybe 40 plus yards. I never miss with the Marlin 39. It is worth the extra weight and earned it's weight in grouse, plus the fast repeat shots.

Hmm, oh yeah, I did trim down the stock forend. The fat forend made a bump in my saddle scabbard, which rubbed my knee when riding, and bringing it afield.

Last thought about the 39, How can anyone go wrong using the same model .22 that Annie Oakly performed with.