Advice on a Lever Action Rifle

[eagle24]

I want one bad. I guess it will be my next gun purchase. I own cap and ball revolvers, modern revolvers, single and double action autos, flintlock rifles, bolt action rifles, semi-auto rifles, single shots, shotguns of all types from Belgium to Japan, but I have never owned a lever gun. I really would like to have a Winchester 73 clone, but would consider others (92 maybe). What do you recommend? Can be either rimfire or pistol cartridge, but MUST be a shooter. I won't be happy if accuracy (less than 100yds) is not there.

 

[NWCP]

I have a Winchester 9422M that is a good shooter. I also have one in 17HMR. It works as well. The rimfire lever guns are fun to shoot. Just about as fun as the old pumps and bolt action rimfires. Gotta love them all.

 

[W.E.G.]

What degree of accuracy for a 100 yard rimfire, or pistol-caliber, rifle do you regard as acceptable?

 

[jbj]

I picked up a Marlin 1894 in .357 a few years back - it's my most fun gun, and accurate as all get out. They make 'em in 38/357, 44 Mag and 45 LC. Light, handy and hard hitting. Scope it if you want, or drop a Williams sight on it.

Bottom line - you'll love it.

 

[grace2u]

The Winchester 94's are good. Rimfire accuracy in general around 100 yards can be a bit sketchy, .17hmr is a good little round with very good accuracy and little drop over that distance, I just wish it had more practical uses in the woods.

 

[Tommygunn]

An 1873 clone or 1892 won't be a rimfire. The 1873 model may be available in .357 magnum which should take .38 special (might not be as accurate) but a historically accurate version will be .44-40. That ammo may be hard to find.
The 1892 was a stronger action, and though some may be available in .44-40 it will be available in .44 magnum and that is a good round from a carbine.
Marlin is another great lever action maker, and some of their pistol caliber rifles are pretty accurate to historical versions. As well, they are available in modern calibers which means that while not exactly historically true to their 19th century versions, they will have more available ammo, and be very powerful in comparison.
IIRC, Winchester did make their 1873 in .22 rimfire ... but I don't know if Uberti (which makes the modern clones) makes them any more. They did make a .22 '73 at one point but I think they may have discontinued it.
Otherwise, the Winchester 9422 (as pointed out in a prior post) is a very nice .22 although it only dates back to around 1971 if memory serves. Winchester doesn't make 'em but you might pick up a used one at a gunshop, gun show, or used from a private owner.

 

[Sunray]

"...I want one..." Best reason there is.
Decide between RF and CF first. Then, if you opt for CF, decide on the cartridge.
Uberti 1873's come in lots of chamberings(handgun cartridges) and barrel lengths(16.125" to 24.25"). Cheap, they ain't. They start at $1200US.
ArmiSport makes a '92. So does Cimarron. Same kind of money as the Uberti '73.
If you opt for a .22, buy a Marlin.

 

[eagle24]

What degree of accuracy for a 100 yard rimfire, or pistol-caliber, rifle do you regard as acceptable?

I would expect 3/4" groups at 25yds.

 

[Tamlin]

Would you settle for 7/8ths at 50 yards?

 

[CZ223]

I have several and have owned a whole lot more

I have owned everything from original 92's to reproduction Browning 92's to winchester and Marlin 94's etc. I have owned Rossi's, Marlins, Uberti's, Winchester's Brownings and Henry's. I am currently down to one Uberti 73 in 45 Colt, a Marlin 97 in 22 and, a couple other Marlins in 357 and, 45 colt. To keep this as short and sweet as possible I will divide your choices into Rimfires and then centerfires.

Rimfires: I have owned just about everyone currently made. The Browning BLR 22 and the Winchester 9422 XTR were very pretty and overall quite accurate but not the most accurate. A plain old Marlin model 39 will win the accuracy race just about every time. They aren't much on looks however. If you can find a recent production model 97, basically a model 39 with a better fitting stock and octagon barrel, grab it. Mine is super accurate. Your other choice for an accurate, good looking, super smooth rifle is the Henry golden boy. The blued versions are cheaper and very accurate also.

Centerfires: My most accurate centerfire was a 73 clone in 38-40. It, along with my 73 in 45 Colt were also the best looking of the bunch. The Marlins are very accurate and rugged and should fill your needs very well. I love my Cowboy in 45 colt though you wouldn't know it to look at it lately. A real steal sometimes are the Rossi/Puma imports. I have had several of these and regret selling all but one of them. If you really like the look of the 92, and I do, you can be well served by one of these. I had a stainless rifle in 357 that ran like a top. I also had a half round half octagon one in 45 Colt that looked and shot great. The only one that I would really stay away from is the Winchester. I owned a couple of these and they aren't as accurate aa the Marlins and, are more prone to breakage, especially in the 357 version. If you run across an old Browning B92 in 357 or 44 mag, for a decent price, they are pretty good as well.

 

[gearjammer-2000]

my wife got me a Henry Big Boy in .44 for my B'day a year ago and I love shooting it, the action is real crisp and the accuracy is great, besides that fact that it just plain looks good.

my biggest problem is keeping enough cartridges loaded up for it,when my friends and I hit the range they all want to try it out and it eats up ammo fast, lol.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

My 9422 is nice and I shoot it a lot but I have much more fun with my 44/40 Cimarron Henry 1860. If you want a classy shooter get one of them. Pretty much any of the Cimarron Uberti levers are nice and make great shooters. I just have more fun with the 1860 Henry.

 

[pikid89]

how bout a ruger 96/22...ive always wanted one in .22mag