Help me pick a lever action

Love my Rossi Model 92 with it's 16" barrel. I bought it used but like new in the box with all of the paperwork included. The action was already super slick so no work needed there. It's lightweight makes it fast and easy to get on target with. Since I was already invested in .45 Colt with 4 single actions chambered for the cartridge, I was over the top that the carbine was also in .45 Colt!

theotherwaldo said:

I blundered into a stainless Marlin 1894 carbine in ,44 magnum some time ago - cheap.
I haven't regretted it... .

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If we were talking rifle caliber the marlin xlrs are the pinnacle of sweet leverguns.

The recent allowance in many previously "slug only" states for whitetail likely dried up some of the stock in PA for straight walled cartridge lever actions.

My recommendation would be to go against your wishes and just get a .22lr, since this isn't for anything but paper punching. But, beyond that I'd go the .357 route just because it'll be cheaper to feed even taking into account that you reload. I really like my 1894c but it doesn't care for .38's unless I work the action SLOWLY and deliberately. Every time I hand it to someone to try and there's .38's inside it jams (even with explicit instructions on how to work the lever) and I have to take it apart to clear it. I've heard some Marlins work fine with .38's, but many don't including my mid 80's example. From the research I've done Rossi's seem to do better if you want to run .38's in it. IIRC the Henry is more hit or miss with 38's as well. If you will only shoot .357's it doesn't matter, mine runs smooth as glass with those.

Then again if the goal is, in your own words, "to feel something" the .44mag might be better. .357 mag through a rifle doesn't kick in the least.

Wait for Marlin to reissue the 1894. I am waiting for a .45 Colt to match my Blackhawk. They are coming. If you are impatient then add a load capability to your bench and grab a new Marlin GBL in .45-70. Nothing is more funner than .45-70. It can be loaded way, way down to where I can see the bullets traveling through the air like a big .22 Short pop gun or loaded up to take on anything, anywhere. That is versatile. And .45-70, even at powder puff loads makes steel ring beautifully and slaps it hard. Yes, I like the .45-70 in a lever gun which is why I have four of them, a JM 1895, a Remington-Marlin SBL, a Ruger-Marlin SBL and a Ruger-Marlin GBL! Which one of the four is the best shooter, hmmm, well, with several thousand rounds from light plinking to bear loads the Remington-Marlin SBL (built late 2015), it is my favorite.

I was able to pick up a brand new GBL (Guide Gun) last week just under $1,000. Unlike the SBL and TSBL, the GBL does not seem to be commanding the MSRP++.

And you will feel something lighting off a .45-70 with a bear load in the tube.

Well, here is my take, FWIW, Nothing wrong with Rossi 92's, got 2, one in 44-40, one in 357, prefers 38's. Both had action jobs 20 odd years ago, never an issue with either.
To "ME", Marlins and Henry's are just plain ugly. never shot either, no opinion on either, just their ugly to me. There, I said it. No offense to those that love them.
Winchester 94's, pistol rounds have a longer lever throw, at least my 45 Colt did. Had a really large chamber too, looked almost like a bottle neck after firing. But it was an accurate shooter.
My preference would be a Uberti 73. Beautiful, graceful, slick. A little heavy. But I love my 44-40. If I was forced to give up all but one, this is the one I'd keep. That being said,,,,
I love my Uberi 1876's, 45/75 and 50/95. Gotta make your own brass, but the shooting part is the best ever! Never stop smiling when blasting away with the big boys. And whatever your shooting at, knows its been hit! Winchester/Browning 1886's are almost as fun.

Tube fed lever guns don't bother me at all. It's how I load my 39A and nobody complains about those. My two Henry's are the same way. No issues.

.45Coltguy…I think that’s part of the issue. Tube mags on levers and in general are identified with .22s. Two generations of gun owners never saw the Duke, Man with No Name or Charles Dennis Buchinsky load a center fire lever rifle with a tube mag on the big screen.

The other being Henry’s are being perceived (probably rightfully) as being historically inaccurate. I think the new version with the side gate is the best of both worlds. Easy to load, unload and top off the mag.

I’m surprised that someone hadn’t brought up the issue about the Henry mag follower ejecting under heavy recoil. I can say I’ve launched some heavy loads in .44 mag through mine and that’s never happened.

I’ve had a Marlin in 357 and a Rossi in 45 Colt but the only one I still have is a Henry in 22 mag …

Frulk said:

The other being Henry’s are being perceived (probably rightfully) as being historically inaccurate. I think the new version with the side gate is the best of both worlds. Easy to load, unload and top off the mag.

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Well, basically they copied the Marlin 336/1895 action without the nicer aesthetics and forgot the loading gate until recently but retained the odd tube loading! I guess I could live with it. I could live with it I guess. I do not like the transfer bar hammer either.

If you are just getting one for "fun shooting" then I would go with the cheapest ammo. I presume that would be .357.

Likely a Marlin in some variation.... Have fun.

OP, funny you should ask....
My deer carbine has been a trapper length Marlin 94 (had it bobbed from 20") in .44 mag; it has a 4x scope right over the action. For a scope, Marlin is the way to go. It is a wonderful woods gun, 1600'sec loads are blue murder on deer; it's taken a bunch over the years. All have been DRT.
Had a Winchester Trapper 94 in .45 Colt; took a deer with it. Two gripes; the 94 rifle action is far too long for pistol cartridges, and the crossbolt safety is just flat obnoxious.
Turned mine into a Miroku/Winchester '73 in .45 Colt; really smooth, beautifully made, 7.5 lbs with a 20" barrel. Liked it, but it was bigger/heavier than the departed '94. Actually wanted the Miroku 92, but they weren't to be had.
But...still wanted a '92. As PPs have noted, '92s of any sort were made of unobtanium. Finally gave up, and ordered a Rossi '92, 16", .45 Colt. Light, handy, really rough around the edges, especially the trigger.
Ricer Winchesters started showing up, and finally got one on Gunbroker (my local dealer couldn't get me one...). Again, .45 Colt, 20", smooth as silk, and 6 lbs. This one's a keeper, as is the '73. Both are simply for my own entertainment.
Caliber...if you reload, .45 Colt all the way. Trailboss is wonderful, but there are other pistol powders that will work. It's most fun as a punkin' roller, but the '92 action will tolerate lots more. Lead bullets, at modest velocities, keep costs down. If you don't reload, then .38/.357 is the way to go, but even those can be hard to come by right now. Nine millimeter/5.56 are all they are making.
So ya' know, 92s really heave their empties; the Rossi worse than the Winchester. The '73 does not.
Sights...for a scope, get a Marlin, or a Henry. The arrival of scope sights are what drove Winchester to the little loved angle eject models. The buckhorns that arrived on all the above are virtually worthless for a guy my age; what you need is a peep, preferably a tang sight. The tang gives more sight radius, and works with old eyes. Current Miroku/Winchesters are drilled/tapped for a tang sight. The Rossi is not. Marbles/Midway will be happy to sell you the sight, along with the necessary screws, for both brands, but you'll need to drill/tap the Rossi. Not a terrible job, but it can go sideways. I do my own tapping, but wouldn't think of doing someone else's.
When we say 'plinking', centerfire is different than .22s. Can't imagine burning more than 50, but it's not like any of these guns are punishing to shoot. Even the .44 Mag isn't all that bad; my 100lb daughter took a deer with it.
For the OP, if you grew up with Westerns, as I did, there's lots to love with levers; good luck, hope you find something that suits.
Moon

You can't go wrong with a Henry. These are mine in .22LR, .357 Mag/ 38 SPL Sidegate and 45 Colt Sidegate. All great shooters.

Stefan A said:

Which one do you enjoy more for plinking? Which one has more recoil?

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As to plinking: My lever .357 has precious little recoil with full-horse factory loads. If you are reloading, you can use .357 cases, but load them down to whatever power level you desire. Since the .357 case is rather long, you could drop-in your powder load, then use a filler before seating the bullet. Filler will keep the powder back there (in one place / propellant will not shift position in case) against the primer and you'll get better accuracy. Propellant shifting can cause variations in velocity and thus variations in bullet strike point (this phenomenon varies very widely with cartridge case types). Think about it, why is the .308 accurate? Because most loads are almost compressed, if not overtly compressed; i.e. the powder can't shift within the case. If one uses filler in a 30-06 case, it shoots every bit as accurately as the .308. Filler also results in more consistent ignition in reduced loads -- this is more of a factor in rifle loads (this is a LONG discussion topic, complete with all manner of varying results seen by different people who reload; precision competition shooters are beyond picky, as they should be).

To save money, you could use cast bullets. If you fear leading the barrel with non-jacketed lead bullets, you could put gas-checks on the lead bullets thus massively reducing lead buildup. You could cast your own bullets. Gas checks are sold in 1,000 count lots. Lord only knows how many hundreds of thousands -- maybe millions -- of wheel weights have been melted-down to make cheap bullets. Since you are a reloader, you can not only tailor your loads to your wishes, you can also save bunches of money.

https://www.midsouthshooterssupply....liber-point357-diameter-gas-checks-1000-count
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I've been looking for a .357 or 45 LC carbine.
Looked at Rossi and heard they are nice but can be challenging for parts.
I have two 336 Marlins (30.30 and 35 Rem).
I bought a Henry H010G steel frame 45-70 with the side gate last year and was truly impressed by the fit and finish.
100% domestic was a plus too.
I just bought my second Henry.
45 LC carbine.
Again, workmanship is absolutely beautiful. Still awaiting pick up since my current state has a 10 day waiting period...

I have a Henry in 44 magnum that I am very pleased with. Smooth action and satisfyingly accurate.

1942farmall said:

I've been looking for a .357 or 45 LC carbine.
Looked at Rossi and heard they are nice but can be challenging for parts.
I have two 336 Marlins (30.30 and 35 Rem).
I bought a Henry H010G steel frame 45-70 with the side gate last year and was truly impressed by the fit and finish.
100% domestic was a plus too.
I just bought my second Henry.
45 LC carbine.
Again, workmanship is absolutely beautiful. Still awaiting pick up since my current state has a 10 day waiting period...

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I had to trim the magazine spring in a Rossi 92 (could only load four .357 cartridges into tube mag.; after cutting spring, could get in 9, even 10). Seems they've shipped the same spring-length in all levers, irrespective of mag. tube length.

Some Rossi 92 levers have issues with loading. The magazine stop is poorly constructed in some. Certain bullet types prevent me from loading them.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=rossi+92+problems

My favorite lever action is a Uberti 1860 repro in 45lc. Very sharp looking rifle and very accurate.

Some here have read my posts regarding Henry's. These are damn nice rifles, as other posters have mentioned. Mine aren't going anywhere except to the desert for some fun plinking.

Stefan A said:

Thanks for this info. I didn't know about filler. This is why I had been deciding against 45 colt. Such a small amount of powder and I have always been concerned about the burn efficiency with some of the powder not being at the back. It may be my gun, but all of my 45 colt reloads shoot about 5 inches high. Not sure if that's the volume of powder in the case. Anyway, not wanting to turn this into a reloading thread - but I do find that interesting.

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I know little about which fillers are best. You'll have to do your reading.

A friend of mine used some cheap crap like corn meal. Maybe that's just for black powder.

All I know is that there are different fillers and many reloaders have their preferences. Wish that I could be of more help.
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Old Hobo said:

I had to trim the magazine spring in a Rossi 92 (could only load four .357 cartridges into tube mag.; after cutting spring, could get in 9, even 10). Seems they've shipped the same spring-length in all levers, irrespective of mag. tube length.

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Same with some Marlin 1894s. I sure hope Ruger doesn't do that.

I think that 38/357 is best for cheep shooting /light recoil and easy reloading .Any of the levers available are great candidates, it boils down to personal preference .I like the 92&1873 my self .You cant go wrong with any of the pistol cal. levers .

chicharrones said:

@trekker73 wrote - “henry actions, no interest for me as no side loading gate.”

Henry added loading gates to their centerfire models about 2 years ago, if I remember my timeline correctly.

https://www.henryusa.com/henry-rifles-and-shotguns/

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Good! I dont really enjoy end loading magazine tubes, even in 22LR though I do like 62 model slide actions. For lever actions I like the ability to top up whilst moving.