Does Marlin not make a .357 Lever Gun Anymore?

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I've worked with a handful of the "black" Henry rimfires over the years & found them to perform as well as the higher-end models, but I've never had one here long enough to wear off the finish.

It's not quite as durable as the GB's "brass" finish, from what I see on various forums.
Those are the two choices available from Henry, black or "brass".
Denis
 
Hanzo581 said:
I am not sure I understand this, as they offer a .44mag version. Just seems weird to me given the commonality/popularity of the .357/.38 round.

Side note, I looked at Henry, I am sure they are fine rifles but I don't want a tubular magazine, I much prefer side loading.
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I said, "tube fed", nothing about how the tube is loaded. I agree BTW, I prefer a side loaded tube.

I wondered about the legal angle since there's a risk, when rounds are stacked in a tube, of a primer being struck and a kaboom being started. With ammo being redesigned on a seemingly endless basis, could a .357 round be developed for a revolver, where it's perfectly safe, be used in a stacked tube where maybe it's not?

Who knows, just speculating.
 
bikemutt said:
I said, "tube fed", nothing about how the tube is loaded. I agree BTW, I prefer a side loaded tube.

I wondered about the legal angle since there's a risk, when rounds are stacked in a tube, of a primer being struck and a kaboom being started. With ammo being redesigned on a seemingly endless basis, could a .357 round be developed for a revolver, where it's perfectly safe, be used in a stacked tube where maybe it's not?

Who knows, just speculating.
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You mean hard spire pointed bullets like a hand loader could do unintentionally? If so, the same could be done to a .44 Mag and .45 Colt lever gun in theory.
 
cdb1 said:
LEVERevolution to the rescue.
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True, but lawyers don't think along those lines. They don't care about things going right, it's when things go wrong...

I'm not saying that's why Marlin isn't releasing more pistol caliber lever rifles, it's a speculative thought on my part. Maybe they're busy helping Remington design triggers, who knows.
 
cdb1 said:
I don't see how one could say one method of loading is better than the other. It all boils down to preference.
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In this case it's pretty cut and dry. Sticking a round into the side port is simply easier than pulling out the tube and loading a round. I can't possible think of a way that could be argued. For a leisurely paper puncher I certainly wouldn't have an issue with either, but one way is clearly more efficient than the other.

Side note, someone brought up the ease of unloading, I'll certainly give the nod to the tube fed guns on that.
 
I wish Marlin would make a .357 levergun. The Henrys are good, but I don't like the detachable brass tube loading system. Very slow in a defensive role and YES I think a .357 levergun is an excellent defensive rifle as well as all around rifle in general.
 
I was going to get a 357 rifle to match up with my 686 revolver, first I noticed Ruger stopped making the m77, then no Marlin, thought about getting a 44 rifle instead to match up with my Ruger Vaquero in 44 mag, but then decided to go 223. Almost got a Mini 14, looked at the S&W 15, but then decided on building an AR. Now I am looking at bolts in 223!
 
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Hanzo581 said:
In this case it's pretty cut and dry. Sticking a round into the side port is simply easier than pulling out the tube and loading a round. I can't possible think of a way that could be argued. For a leisurely paper puncher I certainly wouldn't have an issue with either, but one way is clearly more efficient than the other.

Side note, someone brought up the ease of unloading, I'll certainly give the nod to the tube fed guns on that.
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Well you actually proved my point. Tube fed guns are easier to unload so someone may prefer that as opposed to gate loading. There are people that prefer tube loaded rifles.
 
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cdb1 said:
Well you actually proved my point. Tube fed guns are easier to unload so someone may prefer that as opposed to gate loading. There are people that prefer tube loaded rifles.
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In order for this to be even remotely true you'd have to believe unloading a firearm easily is equally important to loading a firearm easily. And if you do believe that, you may be the only one. This is a silly discussion anyway, this was never about what someone prefers, it's a matter of the fact it is easier to load a side load level action, as opposed to a tube feed.
 
cdb1 said:
How could it be called a Henry if it wasn't tube loaded?
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Because the Henry Repeating Arms company has no connection to the company (New Haven Arms Company) that manufactured the 1860 Henry rifle. The name "Henry" was in the public domain and the current company just began using it. They can therefore make the Big Boy any way they wish. It's not a reproduction of anything although its design is similar to a Marlin 336.

Henry did begin offering a reproduction of the 1860 Henry rifle that they call "the Original Henry Rifle". They did have to make it in a different chambering than that of the 1860 Henry, since the old rifle was chambered in a .44 Rimfire cartridge that no one has manufactured for some time.
 
Hanzo581 said:
In order for this to be even remotely true you'd have to believe unloading a firearm easily is equally important to loading a firearm easily. And if you do believe that, you may be the only one. This is a silly discussion anyway, this was never about what someone prefers, it's a matter of the fact it is easier to load a side load level action, as opposed to a tube feed.
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If you think it is silly then you could have just dropped it instead of trying to get in the last word. I've stated I prefer gate loading in a centerfire, in a Rimfire I can live with tube loading, reason being I'm not aware of any gate loaded Rimfire lever actions. I don't believe one is better than the other, you are welcome to disagree.
 
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Crunchy Frog said:
Because the Henry Repeating Arms company has no connection to the company (New Haven Arms Company) that manufactured the 1860 Henry rifle. The name "Henry" was in the public domain and the current company just began using it. They can therefore make the Big Boy any way they wish. It's not a reproduction of anything although its design is similar to a Marlin 336.

Henry did begin offering a reproduction of the 1860 Henry rifle that they call "the Original Henry Rifle". They did have to make it in a different chambering than that of the 1860 Henry, since the old rifle was chambered in a .44 Rimfire cartridge that no one has manufactured for some time.
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I was being facetious. I'm very aware of the original company, the new company and the fact they are in no way related.
 
<*(((>< said:
Rimfires are tubular, big bore Marlins, wins, etc are side loading. The big bores for Henry are tube loading as well I believe, that is the distinguishment between manufacturers.
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Yes all Henry's load just like a 22. Center fire should be side loaded...Henry goes cheap with tube loading.
 
So I went ahead and contacted Marlin to ask. This was the response.

"We are planning to start manufacturing this model in the near future. Unfortunately, we don't have an exact date yet. Most of your local dealers should still be able to back order this firearm for you, with order number 70410. We would recommend checking the website and back with us on a regular basis for any updates. Thank you for your support!"
 
i also prefer side loading centerfire lever action rifles, but as i only load three shells in my lever action hunting rifles and unload by working the lever, its not a big thing. winchester 73 the slickest working lever action in my opion, top rifle is a pre-safety 94 marlin in .375 mag and the second rifle is a post safety cowboy .32 mag marlin lever action that uses tube loading. eastbank.
 

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Marlin has been planning to re-introduce the .357 for some time now.
I had a pre-production sample that was due to go into production 3 years ago, but the project fell through & was put on hold.

They can't give a definite date, or even a definite year, on when they'll resume production.
Denis
 
I have a 357 Big Boy and a Marlin 336, and one nice thing about the tube loading vs side gate is it is much easier on the fingers. Not that side loading is hard, but I will admit I've gotten pinched on occasion. I know, only partially load a cartridge and push in fully with the next but it still happens!
 
Hanzo581 said:
So I went ahead and contacted Marlin to ask. This was the response.

"We are planning to start manufacturing this model in the near future. Unfortunately, we don't have an exact date yet. Most of your local dealers should still be able to back order this firearm for you, with order number 70410. We would recommend checking the website and back with us on a regular basis for any updates. Thank you for your support!"
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Glad to hear they are still planning on producing them again, but thats pretty much the exact same response they'e been using for a few years now. I gave up on waiting and picked up a 1980 era 1894.
 
Just to throw this into the mix: I hate gate loading on lever guns. It's slow and it shaves a sliver off my expensive brass. I don't care that it's traditional. I like that the Henry loads from a tube cutout like a 22 auto.
 
what you say is true, but to top off the loading gate rifle takes just to hold the rifle with one hand and insert the two or three rounds.i only carry three rounds in my lever action rifles while hunting anyway. but the tube is a lot slower and if the rifle is not empty you will have your hand close or over the loaded rifles barrel. eastbank.
 
I'm starting to think that loading time is pretty much a wash between a new out of the box Marlin 1894 and a Henry tube end loader. I have a new Marlin and it loads very hard. If I don't push the round in just right, it will spit it back out. I really doubt I could "top off" through the loading gate under stress.

I'm thinking that in the unlikely event someone armed with a marlin or Henry was facing a real threat, after the mag runs dry either gun will be most efficiently reloaded by popping a round directly into the chamber.

With either gun, 10 rounds of .44 mag = 10 very persuasive points.
 
Jason_W said:
I'm starting to think that loading time is pretty much a wash between a new out of the box Marlin 1894 and a Henry tube end loader. I have a new Marlin and it loads very hard. If I don't push the round in just right, it will spit it back out. I really doubt I could "top off" through the loading gate under stress.

I'm thinking that in the unlikely event someone armed with a marlin or Henry was facing a real threat, after the mag runs dry either gun will be most efficiently reloaded by popping a round directly into the chamber.

With either gun, 10 rounds of .44 mag = 10 very persuasive points.
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Do you think that's a break in issue with the difficulty loading or have you had it for a long time?
 
Hanzo581 said:
Do you think that's a break in issue with the difficulty loading or have you had it for a long time?
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It could be a break in issue. The gun is still fairly new.

I'm trying to remember if the more broken in Marlins I've owned loaded easier. The 1895 I had was definitely the easiest loading if for no other reason than the size of the cartridges.
 
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