Why a lever .22
A lever-action .22 teaches deliberate shooting: one round per cycle, with a clear manual of arms. It is quiet, has almost no recoil and is cheap to feed. For young or new shooters, the controls are easy to supervise, and tube-fed levers are simple to load and unload. Our sister site RimfireAmmo covers .22 ammunition in depth.
Chiappa LA322 Takedown
Chiappa's LA322 is a lever .22 that breaks down into two pieces for storage or a pack. The listing shows 15+1 capacity. It suits hikers, campers and anyone with limited storage space. As with any takedown, check that the barrel locks up tightly and holds zero after reassembly.
Chiappa LA322 Takedown
.22 LR · 15+1 · takedown
Henry American-construction .22
Henry offers plainer .22 levers that use the same smooth action as the Golden Boy without the brass receiver and octagon barrel. The catalog listing shows a 16+1 capacity. It is the value way into Henry's rimfire line. Confirm the exact model and finish on the listing.
Henry American-construction .22
.22 LR · 16+1
Step up: the Golden Boy
If you want the classic brass-and-walnut look, the Golden Boy is Henry's premium .22 lever. We cover its versions in our Golden Boy guide.
Henry Golden Boy .22 LR
.22 S/L/LR · 16+1 LR
Alternative: Henry Pump Octagon
Henry's pump-action .22 has an octagon barrel and walnut stock, with a slide-action instead of a lever. Some shooters find a pump faster and more natural. The listing shows 15+1. It is not a lever gun, but it belongs in the same family of classic-looking rimfires.
Henry Pump Octagon .22
.22 S/L/LR · 15+1 · pump action
Comparison
| Chiappa LA322 | Henry American .22 | Golden Boy | Pump Octagon | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Action | Lever, takedown | Lever | Lever | Pump |
| Look | Modern/traditional | Plain | Brass, octagon | Walnut, octagon |
| Best for | Packing, storage | Value Henry | Heirloom | Pump fans |
What to feed it
Most lever .22s run standard-velocity and high-velocity .22 LR reliably, and many also feed .22 Short and Long; check the listing. Lever guns do not depend on recoil to cycle, so they are less fussy than semi-autos about quiet, low-powered loads. That makes them good hosts for subsonic ammunition.
Sights and scopes
Most budget lever .22s come with open sights, which suit new shooters. Many have grooved or drilled receivers for a small rimfire scope. Keep the scope light so the rifle stays handy.
Bottom line
For a packable rimfire, pick the LA322. For Henry's action at a lower price, pick the plainer Henry. Step up to the Golden Boy if the look matters, or try the Pump Octagon if you prefer a slide action.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest good .22 lever gun?
Plainer Henry .22 levers and the Chiappa LA322 are common value choices. Check current prices on the listings.
Is the Chiappa LA322 a takedown?
Yes. It breaks down into two pieces for storage and transport.
Can lever .22s shoot .22 Short?
Many can feed .22 Short, Long and Long Rifle. Check the listing for your model.
Is a lever .22 good for a first rifle?
Yes. It is mild, cheap to shoot and has a simple, deliberate manual of arms.
Keep reading
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