Heirloom-quality .22 Rifle?

[m25operator]

Ah, but Timothy, your 1903 already made the cut, since it passed the most important parts, can't buy family history, and it is different! Herknav is starting the process, the history. In my family there were 2 heirloom guns. A sporterized Springfield A303 and a Browning auto5. My Dad won the Springfield in a Super Bowl pot, and bought the A5 new in 1958. It wasn't until I started really getting into guns that I could appreciate the workmanship on the Springfield, I don't know the gunsmiths name, but the woodwork, the bluing, fit and finish were superb, I killed my first deer with it and I don't recall my Dad ever missing, he carried 2 twenty round boxes of Remington core-loct for over 10 years before he needed to replace them. 1 shot to check zero every season, the rest put meat on the table.

[Bill Stryker]

Herk, As RH/Left eye dominate myself, let me put in my nickels worth.

Consider a Browning T-Bolt LH -- it is pretty, accurate and definitely heirloom quality. Get an extra magazine for it too. Magazines are available on line -- at least that's where I got two of them.

The Marlin 39A had been my go to .22 for about 40 years before I bought the BrowningT-Bolt. The Marlin is indeed heirloom quality as well -- no doubt about it. It is harder to clean than the T-Bolt though.

Lucky for my two grand sons, one for each. The youngest boy is RH/Left eye dominate according to my daughter. My son is too. I don't know about my three granddaughters they live in Chicagp area and are not interested in guns -- but their mother has her own shotgun and used to hunt and shoot skeet with me.

[Rastus]

I forgot one.  (and then after I posted this I looked at Bill's thread above)  The Browning T-Bolt.  The trigger is not so great...I have an early model it may be better now.  (Bill is right about the mags...I found them on sale at CDNN a couple of years ago and bought 2 or 3 because they are truly one of a kind)

http://www.browning.com/products/firearms/rifles/t-bolt.html

It also comes as an available left hand model an in 22 mag or 17 HMR.

High priced 9422's on Gunbroker.  I have one and like it.  You can get a Golden Boy brass model $2k but that's a lot of green for a 22.

If you want to spend the money to get a "Gentleman's Rifle" that's heirloom, I'd go with either of the following:
A Remington 552 Speedmaster semi
http://www.remington.com/rifles/rimfire/model-552-speedmaster
or a
Remington 572 Fieldmaster pump
http://www.remington.com/rifles/rimfire/model-572-fieldmaster

Now, that having been said on a less expensive note the CZ 452 is a great "Gentleman's" gun.  They've been replaced by the 455 (don't know the difference...did not know it happened until now) but have some 452's remaining in left hand. 

http://cz-usa.com/product/cz-455-fs-22-lr-5-rd-mag/

I like the 452 (455) in the Manlicher stock...that would be "heirloom" in my book.  Mine is a 452 Manlicher in 17 HMR and though yes, the HMR is inherently more accurate than a 22LR, but my goodness this thing shoots bugholes at 50 yards with a hot barrel.  Now, put together Manlicher, hot barrel and accuracy...quite a feat to have all that wood out there and maintain accuracy.  I have gorgeous wood on mine...I'm sure the LUX is nicer though.  Now...that's just mine but I'd buy another in a heartbeat.

I also have the Remington 552 and love it.  My dad got his around 1961 or so and I still have it.  It shoots great and shoots not only long rifles, but shorts and longs too.  It's not as easy to clean as others.

Got a Marlin 39A...like it.  I like it better than the diminutive 9422's.  Depends on your definition of heirloom...if heirloom means "cowboy" then Marlin or if a "Gentlemans" look appeals go Remington or CZ.  If you can find a Marlin 1895 in 22 Mag that would be nice...have one of those and it "feels" like a centerfire lever action...however the action needs to be watched look it up on the internet.

One other kink.  A Winchester 1885 low wall.  Have one in 17 HMR.  Elegant, simple, light and a pleasure to handle.  Also very accurate.  Single shot but that's OK.

My 2 cents.

[Bill Stryker]

I forgot one.  (and then after I posted this I looked at Bill's thread above)  The Browning T-Bolt.  The trigger is not so great...I have an early model it may be better now.  (Bill is right about the mags...I found them on sale at CDNN a couple of years ago and bought 2 or 3 because they are truly one of a kind)

http://www.browning.com/products/firearms/rifles/t-bolt.html

It also comes as an available left hand model an in 22 mag or 17 HMR.

I must have a good one. The trigger on my T- Bolt LH and my buddy Denny's RH are both great. The groups at 50 yards are to die for they are so good -- all 5 shots touching or in one hole depending on the ammo --same with Denny's. Talking off the rest of course with a 4x Lepold scope. In these days of ammo shortage I was able to get some Thunderbolts that shoot really well for relatively cheap ammo. I am hording what little of the really good stuff I still have. 

[Rastus]

Yes Bill, you have a good one.  The T-bolt I own stays locked up because of the miserable trigger.  For years I've hoped that Rifle Basix, Jard or Timney would make one but no go.

However...a good thing occurred because of this dialogue.  I went back to another board to check the threads and see if there was a trigger to be had these days.  The answer is no, but there was a December post on how to fix it.  Which is here  http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=598731&page=4 

I've something to do next weekend!

[Sponsor]

[Rastus]

Herknav, what did you end up with?