357 carbine

[arijer]

Not sure if I am posting this in the right section. And I think this is my first post.... so Hi All

I am looking to get a 357 carbine to complement my Ruger 101 and LCR. I am trying to decide between a Puma 357 Marlin 1894c and a beretta goldrush or a uberti. THe last two are not available around here in central fl to look at. I have seen the previous two. It really does not matter to me if its pump or leveraction.

My main concern is reliability and being able to carry it around all day in the stinking florida heat. blah! (On the worst day I can recall it never got this hot back home in Israel)

anyways, I tend to use buffalo bore ammo and i spoke to a guy there. He seemed to think that the puma is strong enough to handle their hot loads, but being a short action may not be able to cycle the heavier grain loads such as the 180 grain LBT.

which one would you recommend guys and thanks for your help.

Gabe

 

[Maverick223]

The Marlin 1894 is a good carbine for .38Sp/.357 as is the Browning 92 (it gets my vote, but is a bit more pricey). Anyways, welcome to THR!

P.S.: You got it in the right place.

 

[rcmodel]

Marlin 1894SS.
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/1894centerfire/1894SS.asp

Stronger then the pumps you mentioned, and better able to resist the salt sea humidity and toxic sweat your body gives forth.

OOPs! You want a .357 don't you!

rc

 

[Badger Arms]

Rossi / Puma M92.
IMI Timber Wolf pump action
Winchester M94

 

[padd54]

I have a Puma and Marlin in 357 mag., I like the Marlin much better. The workmanship and that classic look is great. The Puma is a knockoff of the Winchester, which I could not afford but would buy in a heartbeat.
Good luck.

 

[Maverick223]

OOPs! You want a .357 don't you!

Yea, it looks like it will have to be blue...http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/1894centerfire/1894C.asp

 

[strangelittleman]

Don't worry, the Marlin 1894SS is soon to come out in .357 mag.
It's being talked about on the Marlin Owners forum.

 

[arijer]

is the IMI timber wolf really any good? I have heard some stuff they make back home is not that good. My local gun shops refuse to carry fobus holsters, they say they are very abrasive on the guns and breakdown real easy.

anyways, thanks for your help guys, I think I am going to go with the 1894c.
I have the 1894ss in 44 mag and really like it.

 

[Float Pilot]

One of our guys bought a Timber Wolf. It was not so great.

I have had a couple Rossi M92 clones in 357 Mag. A rifle and a trapper carbine. Both worked well with 38 specials as well. Both were accurate out to 100 yards.

A Federal 125 grain jacketed HP full house police issue load will go darn near 2,400 fps from the 20 inch rifle barrel. Not bad for an 11 shot carbine size rifle.

 

[greyling22]

1894c is a better gun than the rossi. a little heavier, but better. I have both. and an 1894 stainless 44 taht I bought because they didn't have a stainless chambered in 357. personally I would wait for the stainless 357 and keep it above all my other rifles. but to each his own.

 

[arijer]

thanks for the info. So now i need to convince myself not to buy the 1894c until the 1894ss in 357 comes out lol

 

[Dr.Rob]

1894, don't spend the extra for the 'cowboy' model if you intend to hunt with it. The standard model comes with sling swivels installed.

 

[Badger Arms]

One thing I like about the Timber Wolf is that it is easier to load. In fact, it's FAR easier to load. Also, quicker to get follow-up shots... of course, used guns are up to twice as much as new Marlins... so I'd chose the Marlin as well. Wish they'd make one in Stainless with a 16" barrel.

 

[snakeman]

definitely the marlin

 

[wad]

Don't worry, the Marlin 1894SS is soon to come out in .357 mag.

There was a limited edition 1894SS that came out a few years ago (model 1894SS357-LTD), with gray colored laminated furniture and fiber optic sights. Bought one new and have it sitting in my safe

 

[LeverGunJunkie]

.357 levergun

As a dedicated Winchester man, I bought a Marlin 1894C .357 this past March. Love it! I know my Dad (BIG TIME WIN Guy) is rolling over in his grave at my purchase, but it is the coolest and most fun shooting rifle I have. Can't speak for the other 357 levers out there, but compared to my Win Pack Rifle (.44) and WIN Trapper 30-30, it is lighter, smoother, and more compact. Buy it, you won't regret it.

10 rounds of hollow points makes for a potent self defese gun as well.

 

[arijer]

I appreciate the input guys. I guess the one thing I am not sure if it was answered, is do you think these guns (mainly the marlin, since it has had the most feedback) will be able to cycle the heavier grain bullets with no prob? Planning on using 180 grain for hunting.

thanks

 

[Coyote3855]

Cycling/reliability is mainly a function of overall cartridge length (OAL). So any factory round, or handload made to factory specs, should function regarless of bullet weight. I agree with other posters that the Marlin is probably the best choice of the options you mentioned. I own several Marlins, including a version in .45 Colt. I also have the Pedersoli pump gun in the same caliber (replica of the Colt Lightning). All the Colt replicas have had reliability problems when used in Cowboy Action Shooting - lots of bullets down range in a short time. The Pedersoli has the best reputation, and mine in .45 had worked very well. That said, I stand by the recommendation for a Marlin.

 

[wad]

The only issue I have with my Marlin .357 is with wad cutter/semi wad cutter rounds (handloaded). They can hang whilst attempting to load a round into the chamber. I've had no problems with round nosed and hollow point bullets, in 110, 124 and 158 grain weights, in both .38 Special and .357 Mag brass. I have not yet tried the 180 or 200 grain bullets.

 

[Harve Curry]

1894 Marlin

 

[ThomasT]

I bought a Marlin 94 357 and I deeply regret it. I regret waiting and looking for so long to find a good price on a used one.

I finaly gave up and bought a new one for $425. If it had been double the money it would have been worth it. It is hands down my favorite rifle. Its my favorite gun. Period.

Get a SS if you want to in the future but get a blued one now. Mine didn't feed SWC well when I got it but it was simple fix to correct.

I made a grinder plug from a round grinder stone mounted on a 1/4" shaft from the tool store and broke the sharp edge on the back of the barrel. It took a couple of minutes to do. I did my 44 mag the same way with the same tool. They feed so slick now you almost can't tell if your cycling a loaded or empty gun.

I reload and you can do a lot of different loads with these guns. I can shoot round balls for small game and make loads that shoot a 160gr JSP at over 1800fps. That almost matches the original 30-30 loads.

It is NOT a 30-30. The old 30WCF has it beat for sure. But it comes pretty close. Most of my full power loads stay around 1600fps in consideration of the light jacketed pistol bullets it fires. Plus brass last a lot longer. No sense trying to make it something it's not.

Mine will never be for sale. And if I ever find that deal on a used one I will buy it too.

 

[azyogi]

I went with the Rossi in stainless, goes well with my ported 971. No regrets mine is a legend series limited production [2000 units] fit, finish, function. all great. With heavier loads the lever must be moved down firmly, if done lightly the lifter sometimes fails. Just me but I'd wait for a stainless in whatever I choose.

 

[helleke]

you are sure in the right section,ha.
i will choose 1894ss in 357.