Short/Light .357 Mag Carbine?

The current production rossi 92, 16" .357. Can't say it's the 'smallest/ lightest' because there's always guns out there i don't know about... but it's about the size of a toy rifle from walmart. handles light& quick. Shorter barrels mean it shoulders nicely but doesn't have the nice muzzle swing of a .30-30 (the price of a short & light carbine). perfect truck gun. Well broken in and smoohted out, no dog/ coyote within 50 yds should expect to live.

Uberti and a few others offer modern copies of the Colt lightening pump action in .357mag but I don't know off hand any specs in terms of barrell length, OAL or weight.

Winchester as well as the Italian imports offer model 92s in "trapper" length 16" barrell's, as well as the more common 20" sizes. My 20" Winchester carbine and short rifle weigh in right about 6.5lbs empty.

I'll agree with Texan Scott except on one point - the effective range. I can (and have more than once) taken coyote out to 125 yards.

My preferred lever rifles are all "Trappers". That is to say they all wear 16 in barrels. And all my Trappers (44-40, 44 mag, 357 Mag, 45 Colt, and 30-30) are easily effective out to that range and often times more.

IMO, the Trapper is probably "the most" all around useful rifle length. They're a snap to handle in the closest of quarters or heaviest bush. They're flat from side to side, light enough and short enough that they're easily stowed in among the gear, packed, carried in a scabbard, etc. and offer excellent close in ballistics.

Its no wonder why Trappers in the 19th Century preferred them.

16" rossi 92 is the smallest I've seen. If they'd slap a synthetic stock on there it would weigh even less.

don't know what a ruger bolt action 357 would weigh. or if it counts as a repeater.

From all reports Marlin QC is getting back on track since Remington took over.
The 1894C is a fine Pistol Caliber Carbine. They are hard to come by used but if you can find one grab it. I'm not going to comment more about their current production as I have no direct experience.

I think 16" would be as handy as you can get, and I think Rossi is the easiest to get in that length.


Marlins are generally 18.5" (they did make some 16" runs). I have one of those, never held or fired a 16".


The slightly longer barrel length of 18.5" or 20" might coax a little more performance out of hot hunting .357 loads, I suppose. For a plinker, that wouldn't matter though.

Ruger 77/357 bolt action is 38.5" OAL and weighs 5.5 lbs.

old judge creek is perhaps right about the GUN'S effective range... i've never hit a living target from 125 yds in my life, and i can miss a few paper ones at that range, too, espc with a stock 16'. (I don't like buckhorns, but for a truck gun that's gonna beat around a bit, i won't spend the money on lyman adjustable peeps). I guess 50 yards is MY effective range, or just one at which i'm comfortable. of course, you'll figure out your own load/ sight/ range comfort, and the little rossi would be a nice one to do it with.

16" rossi 92 is the smallest I've seen. If they'd slap a synthetic stock on there it would weigh even less.

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You mean that's WOOD on the Rossi ?

I have an older Marlin lever, im very happy with it. Ive seen a 100 yard shot on adeer with it. I cant see well enough without ascope but my son can

I have three .357 rifles. I find them every useful and fun. Last weekend I took my H&R Trapper out near Death Valley for some jack rabbit hunting. I normally hunt with one of my Winchesters, but wanted to keep it simple. I managed to take five rabbits with the H&R, the longest being about 108 steps away. I waited for late afternoon and walked washes catching rabbits in the shadows. It was very hot, about 115, so the rabbits did not want to run. I am very lucky to still be able to use iron sights on rifles. I guess with all this I am trying to say that the range depends on the shooter and the target. I would have no problems shooting deer at 100 yards with this rifle. I have shot a pig with one of my 94's and dropped it quickly. I guess the best thing to do is just go shoot a lot and figure out what is your outside range.

Ruger 77/357

The absolute lightest n shortest would be the Uberti rolling block carbine. @ 4.5 lbs

You mean that's WOOD on the Rossi ?

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I have a Rossi and whatever the stock is made of is probably the same stuff as the stock on my CBC 7022: a tropical hardwood without the grain we expect from hardwood grown in temperate climates with actual seasons. Rossi uses a very dark finish as well and some folks claim if you lighten the wood and refinish it, the stocks can be attractive. The almost ebony finish though is adequate for my uses. But yeah, it does look funky.

Whats that uberti rifle sell for? I really like the looks

I handled a clean used Ruger M77 stainless bolt action .357 Magnum the other day at a local gun shop, I liked it.

I have been waiting for RW to bring out the rolling block! I simply love that rifle.

I have a 16 1/4" Marlin 1984 SS.
It is fantastic, easy to use and it is handy!

Even a full length one is good.

Look for one of those.

Lateck,

I have a Rossi 20 inch carbine, and a Ruger 77/357, and I love em both.

ECVMatt said:

I have been waiting for RW to bring out the rolling block! I simply love that rifle.

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Thank you!

Too bad the avalibity on new ones is so hit or miss.

Another gratuitous pic

to R.W. Dale: That is a purdy gun. Seriously. How does it shoot? What is the barrel lenght?