Best, in your opinion, 'tactical', 38/357, lever action rifle

Status
Not open for further replies.
FFGColorado

FFGColorado

Member
Joined
Mar 2, 2020
Messages
1,129
Hey, it's lockdown time. My local uncontrolled outside range just got closed so I have lots of time to ponder next rifle

For range plinking, no hunting, SD, shooting with iron sight at about 15-50 yards. 38/357, side load, not heavy, reliable..less than $1000...

Mossberg? Rossi? Henry? Others??
 
Out of them, the Henry. Rossi tends to need some polishing of the loading gate and other parts, and Mossbergs may fit fine, but the angles look a little wonky to me. The few Henrys I have had experience with have been good from the box.
 
Levtac 92.

Actually, I know nothing about it other than I thinks it's based on the Taurus 92 and it looks way cooler than the Mossberg tactical lever.

It's kind of a Billy the Kid meets Mad Max looking thing.
 
You guys are really seeing Henry that cheap? The older versions that are tube only I saw for just under $1k, but the ones people want with the gate, NOPE.

You might get lucky and find an older Marlin or Winchester for that, I came across both at one show and ended up with the Marlin as I talked the guy into a good deal on the lever and a camp9....but they are out there....at least a year or so ago I found two.

It really is the most fun gun I have, you can load it from very powder puff can killing loads to real barn burners.....and you likely will find the stuff to reload them even in the next shortage.
 
Depends upon what you call “tactical” but it seems like by far the most tactical and user friendly (and generally cool) setup would be a .357 mares leg with a brace. I haven’t seen that combination, but if it doesn’t exists already, it should. Drag over the poly front stock section from the other models and your really getting somewhere... now... does anybody make a brace adapter for a mares leg?
 
Rossi R92 carbines are copies of the 1892 Winchester. If you check out the particular rifle you will be purchasing you can determine for yourself if you like it.
Some do need a bit of polishing from the factory. But then, many have bought new ones and liked them as they were. I bought one in .45 Colt and it worked great from the box.

I'm not familiar with Henry rifles but they have a very good reputation.
 
I'd go with a new 16" Rossi or the Marlin 1894. Rossi's (as of 2019)are made in a different factory with much better QC than the old ones. The Marlin is a bit nicer. I love the Henry company, but the big boy series is much bigger and heavier than it needs to be for a pistol caliber.
 
fpgt72 said:
You guys are really seeing Henry that cheap? The older versions that are tube only I saw for just under $1k, but the ones people want with the gate, NOPE.

You might get lucky and find an older Marlin or Winchester for that, I came across both at one show and ended up with the Marlin as I talked the guy into a good deal on the lever and a camp9....but they are out there....at least a year or so ago I found two.

It really is the most fun gun I have, you can load it from very powder puff can killing loads to real barn burners.....and you likely will find the stuff to reload them even in the next shortage.
Click to expand...
Screenshot_20200409-142504.jpg
They have fancier ones for over a $1000.
 
I figure rails, a threaded muzzle, &1,000 limit and limiting to .38/.357 really narrows down the competition. no?

Todd.
 
That Taylor and Company is cool and all but it doesn't hold ANY ammo. Says so right in the description. :D

I would argue that ANY lever action is a perfectly adequate tactical rifle so to speak. Hell I would argue the old hillbilly assault rifle was damn near the FIRST assault/tactical rifle anyway.
 
The fastest most consistent cowboy action shooters use 1873s to set their records.

I have never been in any self defense situation. I would grab an 1873 for its reliability (straight in feed into the chamber) and familiarity with use.

I’m old and arthritic with early cataracts but I can get 10 aimed shots out of a ‘73 in less than 5 seconds including time to pick it up from a table. Practice is more important than brand/model of rifle.
 
Now that Henry has a loading gate, it is in the mix for a self-defense rifle. That, a used Winchester, a Marlin, or a Rossi/Puma, would all be good choices. The best of all is the Miroku Winchester 1892 in takedown, but you need deep pockets for those.

My complaint with the 1973 is the strength of the toggle link - I would fear putting heavy loads through one with my face down there. Any of the other rifles can take Buffalo Bore rounds all day.
 
fpgt72 said:
You guys are really seeing Henry that cheap? The older versions that are tube only I saw for just under $1k, but the ones people want with the gate, NOPE.

You might get lucky and find an older Marlin or Winchester for that, I came across both at one show and ended up with the Marlin as I talked the guy into a good deal on the lever and a camp9....but they are out there....at least a year or so ago I found two.

It really is the most fun gun I have, you can load it from very powder puff can killing loads to real barn burners.....and you likely will find the stuff to reload them even in the next shortage.
Click to expand...
Not sure where you live but around here a brand new Henry 357 is $750 or less.
 
roscoe said:
Now that Henry has a loading gate, it is in the mix for a self-defense rifle. That, a used Winchester, a Marlin, or a Rossi/Puma, would all be good choices. The best of all is the Miroku Winchester 1892 in takedown, but you need deep pockets for those.

My complaint with the 1973 is the strength of the toggle link - I would fear putting heavy loads through one with my face down there. Any of the other rifles can take Buffalo Bore rounds all day.
Click to expand...

If we are still talking hand gun rounds I think with modern steels it would be ok.......I think listening to the maker of the gun is going to be the rule....I would think it would be a legal nightmare for anyone to put out a gun that would be unsafe with factory ammo....no matter how hot that factory ammo is.....now some guy in his basement loading doG knows what....all bets are off....anything can be blown up.
 
When you say "tactical" it means it MUST work First time, Every time, ALL of the time. My recommendation would be in this order
Winchester or Uberti 73
Marlin 94
Winchester 92
Rossi 92 (if you get it working correctly)
Henry (if you are not in a hurry and don't really want to hurt anyone)

Lafitte
 
I like my marlin 1894c. But, it had some remlins running around inside for awhile. It went back home several times and got a new 1 piece FP before I could call it reliable. But she sure is pretty.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

L
  • Locked
Opinions of Rossi .357/.38 lever action rifle?
Replies
15
Views
3K
TenDriver
T
IronsightJM
  • Locked
Best 38 spl/357 magnum rifle?
Replies
20
Views
1K
BlueHeelerFl
BlueHeelerFl
S
  • Locked
.38's in a .357 Lever Action Rifle?
Replies
5
Views
594
Brian Williams
Brian Williams
J
  • Locked
Henry Lever Action in 357/38
Replies
7
Views
940
DPris
D
Bang!
  • Locked
Taurus Lever Action .357/.38
Replies
6
Views
6K
Danny Creasy
Danny Creasy
Back
Top