Lever Guns,Overlooked By Many But Still Fun.Got One?
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Charlie Martinez
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I was looking for a semi auto carbine in 45 ACP for HD & couldn't find what I wanted at a decent price so my (pre-Rem) Marlin 1894 in 44 Magnum will be doing the job.
Like most agree slow reloading is a setback but its combination of 10+1 round capacity, good accuracy, plenty of knockdown power & quick followup shots make the lever action a very versatile weapon for hunting and defense.
I also have a Marlin 336 in 35 Remington that I bought new back in the 70's. It is great for woods hunting but I have also reloaded that 35 with light .357 cal jacketed pistol bullets. I rarely hear of anyone doing this but Ive shot a number of items like concrete blocks, telephone books, etc. & based on the results I believe that with pistol bullets the 35 Rem can also be a very effective HD weapon.
Both guns are tops in the fun to shoot category.
Like most agree slow reloading is a setback but its combination of 10+1 round capacity, good accuracy, plenty of knockdown power & quick followup shots make the lever action a very versatile weapon for hunting and defense.
I also have a Marlin 336 in 35 Remington that I bought new back in the 70's. It is great for woods hunting but I have also reloaded that 35 with light .357 cal jacketed pistol bullets. I rarely hear of anyone doing this but Ive shot a number of items like concrete blocks, telephone books, etc. & based on the results I believe that with pistol bullets the 35 Rem can also be a very effective HD weapon.
Both guns are tops in the fun to shoot category.
guyfromohio
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John Joseph
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If you're a lefty, lever actions sure solve a lot of issues!
NIGHTLORD40K
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He admitted he was a poor shot and had trouble leading a target. His secret was patience. He would get as close as he could before firing and had all his P38s guns wired to fire together-. normally the cannon and MGs had seperate triggers.
The Bushmaster
Member
I own two levers. A Winchester 94 in .30-30 (shipped in 1949) that I purchased on my 18 birthday in 1960. And a Browning BLR in .308 (shipped in 1972). I would NOT part with either one.
Charlie Martinez
Member
I love those Browning lever actions in 308 & 358 Win.
BlueHeelerFl
Member
They are Henry's answer to the Marlin Dark line, hence the price
Don't got one, but have decided to join the club.
I DO want a side loading gate. Haven't decided on caliber. Keep bouncing between a pistol caliber and the 30-30. It will hunt deer a little and will stay in my corner of the bedroom at night.
I DO want a side loading gate. Haven't decided on caliber. Keep bouncing between a pistol caliber and the 30-30. It will hunt deer a little and will stay in my corner of the bedroom at night.
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
Just looked those up......(hacking, coughing, puking)......
mcb
Member
Ohh... I think the Marlin Dark are awesome looking. A Marlin Dark in 357 Mag and a good suppressor would be an awesome combination.
Me too. If the lever gun is to survive and remain relevant we need to quit pigeonholing them as antiques and relics. When the Dems take all the pistols/revolvers/"modern" sporting arms away then something like a picatiny railed lever gun might be all that remains with any capacity and speed. I do not have to go put on my cowboy outfit and chaps and saddle up my horse just to go shoot my lever gun. If it were actually a truck gun behind my seat and on a dark night I actually needed it, a rail and light and a laser might be sort of nice. But I also agree, a Henry look like the box a Marlin came in. Though their new X Series is pretty much like a Marlin 336 in it's shape though I have not had an opportunity to inspect one at length.
SwampWolf
Member
Great looking rifles and carbines, guyfromohio.
SwampWolf
Member
Not me-I hate them almost as much as I don't like "See-Thru" scope mounts and "Cobra" configured slings. Standard size levers fit my XL hands fine, even when wearing gloves, and the snugger fit between hand and lever affords more "leverage" when ejecting a case and loading a new cartridge in my experience. A sloppy fit between hand and lever with goofy looking "big loops" makes running the lever much less positive imo. Each to their own, of course.
Pudge
Member
I suspect you'll enjoy it. Do you reload?
chicharrones
needs more ammo
I know many have seen this, but this video still makes me smile. The age of the 21st century lever gun is upon us. It's good to have the choice.
'Fraid not.
Pudge
Member
The charm, for me, of the pistol caliber lever guns is enhanced by using the same ammo I build for my revolvers. Nice simple straight-walled brass, and bullets I can cast. This makes the 92 really economical. And the length of the barrel boosts the performance significantly.
But for factory ammo, a 336 in 30-30 or .35 Remington is where I'd go.
The
BlueHeelerFl
Member
I saw the 44 mag version at a dealer in Arkansas. This was 3 or 4 months ago. The dealer said his was one 3 available in the USA.
Henry lists them on their website for $970 MSRP. Figure with everything going on all prices are inflated.
https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/big-boy-x-model/
Accept for maybe one of their overpriced 22LRs, I would not buy a Henry in a centerfire cartridge until they came out with a loading gate. Now that they have - I'll contemplate it more. However, the gun looks ugly in my eyes comparing it to Winchester, Marlin, Rossi, Uberti, etc:
chicharrones
needs more ammo
There's something about polymer/plastic stocks. Some of the designs out there look good to the eye and some of the designs do not, no matter the gun type or make they are mounted to. I'm afraid the polymer Henry stock on the X doesn't appeal to my eye as I see it through photos. Maybe it is better in person?
mcb
Member
The Marlin Dark IMHO certainly looks better than the Henry X pictured up thread. The lines are a touch more traditional while still bringing the modern functionality of the long top rail and threaded muzzle. I would get rid of the para-cord sling and lever cover and mount a nice scout-scope forward on that rail and a good Quaker Claw sling would go better than the para-cord sling IMHO. I would then find a lightweight direct thread can to mount on it. The AAC Jaeger-30 would be nice but given the condition of Remington they are unlikely to ever produce that suppressor in anything but 30 cal. Supposedly there was going to be a Jaeger-45 rated for 45/70 and that would have been sweat on a Marlin Dark 1894 in 44 Mag or 1895 in 45/70 but alias...
John Joseph
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The Savage 99 is an aw-sum rifle. I wish I had one.
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