Ruger needs a .22LR lever action

[Anonymous]

The 96 carbine only came in .17 HMR and .22 WMR (?). And the action was an adaptation of the 10/22, a little weird having the lever pivot on the trigger guard.

You would think with Ruger's forte being SA revolvers, they would have marketed a serious lever action years ago, in several calibers. The perfect companion gun.

I would like a stainless Ruger lever action .22LR rifle. With at least three stock options. And please, one thing no one else does, put a loading gate on the receiver. Don't have us yank that long tube out to load it.

Taurus had a good (exept it was made by them) solution for me in their Model 62 stainless lever. But, it's long since discontinued anyway.

 

[WAYNO]

The 96/22 was offered for a long time in .22 LR.

Not a red-hot seller, so it went away.

WAYNO.

 

[Anonymous]

The 96/22 was offered for a long time in .22 LR.

Not a red-hot seller, so it went away.

WAYNO.

I didn't know about the .22LR. Marlin and Henry are good, but no stainless, no loading gate. I don't know why they don't put gates on the .22s. If it works for .30-30, why no gates on .22s ? Nobody likes having to yank out that long magazine. They want to slide 'em in the gate like the Duke did in all the movies, even if it is a .22!

 

[WAYNO]

The 96/22 was quite a departure from what we think of as conventional lever-action guns. I've owned all three chamberings, and I still own the .22 magnum. I do like these guns. But as you said, it's basically a 10/22 with a lever. So, for a lever-action gun gun, it's got a fairly wide receiver. This receiver caught on well in a 10/22, but was not as accepted in a lever action. That, and it cost quite a bit more than a 10/22.

WAYNO.

 

[BlkHawk73]

I liked the Model 96. Sad it never caught on as it was a nice design. Had it been adapted to more traditional rifle cartridges, it would've done much better, especially had those too used the rotary mag design.

...no stainless... They want to slide 'em in the gate like the Duke did in all the movies, even if it is a .22!

Ahhh, the Duke didn't have stainless, so keeping with tradition is out the window there.

 

[mattsbox99]

The 96/22 was radically different from other lever action .22s because it worked. While it was wider, it gave you something to hold on to, and taking removable magazines is awesome for unloading and loading.

Every one I ever saw in a shop sold very quickly, Ruger just plain did not make enough of them, fast enough to fill orders and people get frustrated with that.

 

[dfletcher]

The 96 carbine only came in .17 HMR and .22 WMR (?). And the action was an adaptation of the 10/22, a little weird having the lever pivot on the trigger guard.

You would think with Ruger's forte being SA revolvers, they would have marketed a serious lever action years ago, in several calibers. The perfect companion gun.

I would like a stainless Ruger lever action .22LR rifle. With at least three stock options. And please, one thing no one else does, put a loading gate on the receiver. Don't have us yank that long tube out to load it.

Taurus had a good (exept it was made by them) solution for me in their Model 62 stainless lever. But, it's long since discontinued anyway.

By its appearance I'd say Ruger modeled the 96 after the Savage 99 - the lever set up is quite the same. Maybe Ruger will take a hint from Savage and develop a lever rifle that can handle the same higher pressure centerfire rifle cartridges in addition to the 44 Magnum it used to be offered in. Personally I'd much rather have a 96 in 44 Magnum than the Deerfield - the semi Deerfield is fine, but it tosses my brass all over the place.

 

[hittman]

Hmmm ... so if a local store has a NEW 96/22 Mag, what would be a reasonable price?

 

[WAYNO]

Hmmm ... so if a local store has a NEW 96/22 Mag, what would be a reasonable price?

I would guess $375 to $400 should be the going rate.

And considering what great shooters they are, that's a bargain.

 

[hittman]

Uh-oh ..... I'd better get into the store in the morning. Think they've got it priced at $329.00 and it's been sitting there quite a while.

 

[toysoldier]

Maybe they could make a copy of the Marlin Levermatic. It's a good-looking rifle, and supposed to be fast as a semi-auto. I'd like to have one, but they command collector prices when they show up.

 

[MMichaelAK]

Ive got a marlin 1894C in .357 and a Puma 92 carbine in .45Colt and as nice as they handle, they just arent as fast for me as my 96/22. That lever just seems faster to work to me.

The 96/22Ms got for $450 up here because they love them in the bush.

 

[Richbaker]

The 96/22 was offered for a long time in .22 LR.

Not a red-hot seller, so it went away.

WAYNO.

And, IIRC, it uses the rotary mag.....

 

[WAYNO]

And, IIRC, it uses the rotary mag.....

Yes. Being basically a lever action 10/22 it uses a rotary mag.

 

[pisgah]

>I don't know why they don't put gates on the .22s. If it works for .30-30, why no gates on .22s ?

The answer is easy if you take a moment to study the two cartridges. The .30-30 can be shoved through loading gates all day long without damage. Put a .22 through a loading gate once, and you will have a slightly bent cartridge, or a loose bullet, or a dented case. They just ain't sturdy enough, and this was discovered over 100 years ago.

Rossi has announced a .22 version of it's M92 that will have a loading gate -- bit it will also have a sliding magazine tube.

 

[BlkHawk73]

Fast...? If you want fast buy a semi-auto. :roll:

 

[FergusonTO35]

My Henry H001T fills my jones for a .22 lever action just fine. Now, a centerfire Ruger lever action with a decent trigger would pique my interest!!

 

[Mike Armstrong]

The only thing wrong with the 96/22 WRM is the stock, IMO. Needs a more traditional lever action stock with a crescent or flat buttplate, not the "carbine" style, and a slimmer forend. And LOSE that Mickey Mouse barrel band.

I fixed mine with a custom stock, but it is a lot of work. On the other hand, the thing is a killer, and goes well with my S&W 651. Even as is, I wish that Ruger would start making the 96/22 Magnum again; I'd get one for my "kid" (USMC E-5, but a kid to me).

 

[RedF]

I have a 96/22 in long rifle. It is a fine little carbine lever, fast and light. The unconventional styling is why they never caught on, in my opinion.

I was lucky to stumble upon mine locally for $300, or $350 canadian, can't remember. I wasn't looking for it either. They had a 96/44 that mayble I should have bought, but I get more use out of the 22. I've seen them advertised as high as the $600s.