Affordable .357 Magnum rifle?

[cluttonfred]

I'd like to put together a trio of .357/.38 guns for concealed carry and home defense all capable of using the same ammo in a pinch. One would be a small frame revolver, one a larger revolver with longer barrel and adjustable sights and one a rifle or carbine. Right now, the two affordable options that come to mind are the Marlin 1894C and the Ruger 77/357. What are the pros and cons of these two very different rifles and are there any others I should be considering in a similar price range, say under $800 retail? Cheers, Matthew

 

[BCRider]

On a budget? Don't pass by looking at a Rossi lever gun. They do work out of the box. And if the one you get turns out to be less than slick then you can get a basic slicking up/smoothening job done for around $120 to $150 from any gunsmith that does cowboy action guns on a regular basis.

And even with the money to the gunsmith to slick the action up you're still into the whole shebang for quite a bit less than your $800.

And the 16 inch carbine version is compact enough to be decent for moving around in a house if need be. The only downside to it is that it only holds 9 rounds of Magnum instead of 10 to 12 like the 20 inch version.

 

[blutarsky]

ruger lcr in 357 (or ruger sp101), ruger gp-100 4" (if you want adjustable sites, otherwise 3" is real handy, especially with the smaller compact grips), and marlin 1894c ... can't go wrong with that combo. if you go with an sp101 for the "compact" revolver then you can almost do without a larger one -- and if you go with a 3" gp100 for the larger revolver, you can almost do without a smaller one. pretty close overlap there for size/utility. but to answer the main question, the 1894c is great option for long gun.

 

[osteodoc08]

Another vote for the marlin. I've got one and its soooo much fun.

 

[Mr. D]

I can't say a thing about the Ruger 77/357, but MAN, that Marlin is a good gun! Think about options beyond the gun, too. For instance, will you want to put optics or peep sights on it? I'm not sure if there are any peep options for the 77/357, although you could go with the barrel mounted sight from Skinner. However, there are several good options for the 1894C, including Skinner's, made-for-Marlin sight.

BTW, check out the Ruger Security Six for one of the revolvers.

Skinner Marlin Sight: http://www.skinnersights.com/3.html
Skinner Barrel Mount: http://www.skinnersights.com/barrel_mount_6.html

~D

 

[Mobuck]

I have and use a Ruger SP101(38)3", Ruger Blackhawk(38,357,9mm) 6.5", and a Win 94 Trapper 16" (38,357). I will say the carbine turns the 357 into an adequate midrange defense round. Accuracy and power are definately a step up from even the 6.5" revolver. I won't say it's a deer rifle but it would work in an emergency.
This combination would simplify the ammo stockpile but I'm not sure this is an adequate solution considering the serious compromise of longer range capability.

 

[19-3Ben]

I'd like to put together a trio of .357/.38 guns for concealed carry and home defense all capable of using the same ammo in a pinch. One would be a small frame revolver, one a larger revolver with longer barrel and adjustable sights and one a rifle or carbine.

That's exactly what I have done. Ruger Speed Six 2 3/4"bbl, Ruger Security Six 4"bbl, and a Rossi M92 with 16"bbl. I also plan to grab an LCR to cover the pocket carry niche, and then I'll be set.

It's a wonderful idea that makes logistics very simple, and covers the bases quite nicely due to the versatility of the round.

For a less expensive rifle, I've found the Rossi to be more than satisfactory. In fact, right now, it's away at the gun smith getting a slight mod (topic for a followup post) to make it even more suited to my uses.

The Rossi is the lightest of all the options, is the least expensive, and I have had good reliability and accuracy from it. I don't know how important length is to you but the Rossi is also the only one that came with 16"bbl, and I really wanted to keep it short since I use it for HD. Marlin did make a run of the 1894c with a 16" ported barrel back around 2001 or so (I'm sure someone will be along to clarify) but good luck finding one. The 1892 action is also stronger than you'd ever need for a pistol round.

Keep in mind though, that if you want to mount optics, the Rossi may not be a good option for you.

 

[PorkChopsMmm]

Another vote for the Rossi 92. I picked up a Dan Wesson 15-2 357 with a 6" barrel. On Dan Wesson's you can switch barrels -- I plan on picking up a 2.5" barrel and a smaller grip to turn it into a pocket gun. I would like to get an LCR is nice but I can use the same revolver and buy an EWK barrel assembly for ~$135 that turns it into a snubbie.

 

[TenDriver]

Don't count out that Rossi. I would look for an older one without the bolt safety though. Mine is a 4 digit s/n 44 mag and has been a good gun, but a little labor intensive as the previous owner didn't take great care of it. I had to strip it three times to get it to feed ammo as it was rusted inside. Later the hammer got stuck on it from more rust build up I didn't see the first three times I did surgery on it. The Rossi sights have always sucked, but with new ones I think it's going to be a good rifle. If I ever get around to doing that.

 

[Revoliver]

I have an SP01 2", GP100 6" and a 77/357.

The SP101 is a fantastic little revolver that is great fun to shoot but the fixed sight in my experience is a bit of a joke. However, it's intended purpose (for me at least) being personal defense it is sufficient for very close range. I have large hands and cannot stand the factory grips though. I would sugest either getting hogue grips or badger full size grips for it.

The GP100 is a Cadillac. It is extremely comfortable to shoot all day long without any aches or pains what so ever and the adjustable sights are just fine. I actually put one ragged hole rear aperture sights on mine because I like peep sights more and they work very well. You can also get a Weigand weave-a-tinny rail mount for other optics on it.

The 77/357 is a really fun and capable little rifle. It is super quick handling and accurate in my experience with various 158gr and Win Silver Tip 145gr ammo. It already comes with medium rings for mounting a scope and if you want more you can get a Weigand weav-a-tinny rail mount for it to mount all sorts of other optics like a red dot sight for instance. I personally changed out the rear folding leaf sight for a Skinner barrel mount peep sight and have been using that alone to great success. I also like the ability to keep the sight in place and still mount a scope if I want. One thing to be careful of with the 77/357s is their magazines. Some are not that great. I have 3, two of which are perfect, the thrid on the other hand has a metal paperclip like bit of metal (I'm assuming part of the spring) protruding from inside to just outside the openning. It would not feed the first round reliably at all. After a few uses of the magazine I tried simply pushing the spring back inside the magazine to catch just inside the openning and it seems to have solved the feeding issue, but I still keep it seperated from the others just in case.

http://www.warrencustomoutdoor.com/one-hole-sights.html <-One Ragged Hole peep sight for GP100

http://www.jackweigand.com/ <- weave-a-tinny rails for elGP100 and/or 77/357

http://www.skinnersights.com/barrel_mount_6.html <-barrel mount peep sight for 77/357


I have no experiance with the Marlin (though I'd love to get some) or Rossi levers so I'll leave those to others.

Hope this helps.

 

[Eaglestroker]

The only factory 16" Marlin I'm aware of is the 1894CP, that rifle is also ported. I have the 'P' model in 44 mag.

You can't go wrong with any combination of the listed. Get what you like! Or both...

 

[PorkChopsMmm]

I think in order of cost, it is going to be H&R Handi rifle, then the Rossi 92, then the Ruger 77/357, followed by a used Marlin 1894 (based on prices I have seen on these and other forums). There could be other deals out there used but I looked and went with the cheapest repeating 357 option I could find -- Rossi 92.

 

[ball3006]

Another vote for a Rossi. Mine is an older one with the saddle ring. The workmanship on the pre-cowboy guns is first class. I slicked mine up and it is like butter. Been 100 percent reliable with 38 special as well as 357.....I do wish I had one of the later rifles with the half octogon barrel. They look cooler.....chris3

 

[cluttonfred]

Thanks, all, for the feedback. I was seeing this as a short-range package for plinking, home defense and even survival so light weight and the handiness of a short barrel would be a useful feature. I agree it might make sense forego one of the revolvers in the package entirely and go with a do-it-all 3" .357 SP101 or that S&W Model 60 Pro that I've had my eye on, or split the roles more clearly and go with a light .38 snubbie like an S&W 642 for concealed carry and a rugged 4" GP100 for the field/range/home pistol.

I really wish there were more long gun options out there, but I guess that since revolvers aren't as popular as they once were, it makes sense that revolver-caliber carbines would also be less common. I don't have anything against the Rossi per se, but all things being equal I would prefer a U.S.-made gun. I guess I'll have to handle the Ruger bolt and the Marlin lever myself and just keep my eye out for a used, probably lever, gun that might suit.

I have seen a .357 Ruger No. 1 and have thought about having an H&R Handi Rifle cut down to carbine length, but neither single shot would be suitable for the all-around role including home defense. I'm good, but I'm not THAT good. ;-)

 

[AK103K]

I have a Ruger 77/357, and a couple of pistol caliber lever guns, just not in .357.

Normally, if we were talking rifle caliber guns, Id take the bolt gun over the lever without hesitation. But in this case, the lever makes more sense, as you get twice the ammo in the gun, and its easier to work compared to the Ruger.

The Ruger seems to be an OK rifle, but it has its issues, especially if youre planning on using it for anything serious.

My only real complaints with it are, the bolt knob is small, and if you use a scope, the handle could be shaped better to give more clearance. Its not the fastest or easiest bolt gun to work.

If you use .38's, expect to get stoppages due to rim lock. Once you get one, you have to stop, remove the mag, and fiddle with the rounds to get them unbound. I havent had any troubles with the .357's, and they seem to work fine.

The mags only hold 5 rounds, arent real easy or natural to change, and I find them somewhat fiddly. The rounds tend to rattle a lot too. They also arent cheap if you want spares.

Mine seems to like 125 grain JHP's the best, and doesnt like 158 grain LSWC's at all.

 

[MCMXI]

I'd like to put together a trio of .357/.38 guns for concealed carry and home defense all capable of using the same ammo in a pinch. One would be a small frame revolver, one a larger revolver with longer barrel and adjustable sights and one a rifle or carbine.

Here's my trio which consists of a Marlin 1894CSS, Ruger GP100 with a 4" barrel and a Ruger SP101 with a 3" barrel. I also have a 3" GP100. The 18.5" Marlin barrel offers a significant increase in MV over either revolver ... close to 2,100 fps with 125gr .357 Mag ammunition. I have no interest in shooting .38 Spl ammunition, in fact I gave away a few thousand .38 Spl nickel cases to a friend who shoots CASS matches.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

I once had that idea and have a mid 1990's Marlin 1894C in .357 Mag along with several Ruger Security 6's and a GP100. As my shooting experience evolved with the carbine I started building loads with slower burning powders for the carbine which seemed to help the 100 yard accuracy quite a bit so now I have .357 pistol ammo and .357 carbine ammo which I label and keep separate. There are a number of loading guides that now give separate data for the .357 round depending on the intended firearm.

 

[PorkChopsMmm]

1858 -- that is an impressive collection. Love the matching SS.

 

[mnhntr]

Rossi 1892

 

[baz]

I think in order of cost, it is going to be H&R Handi rifle, then the Rossi 92, then the Ruger 77/357, followed by a used Marlin 1894 (based on prices I have seen on these and other forums).

Is this based on used prices? The Ruger 77/357 lists for over $900, and while I wouldn't be surprised to find it discounted from that NIB, I would be surprised to find it generally cheaper than the 1984C. Either that, or I'm not keeping adequate track of the value of my Marlin! I got it at a Ft Worth gunshow about 4 years ago for $400. It jammed on me once, and I had a gunsmith clear it and work it over, and since then it has worked well (especially since I learned to work the lever action with authority--it doesn't like being cycled slowly). At comparable prices, I think I'd have to favor the Marlin over the Ruger on the basis of the greater magazine capacity. I could imagine that the Ruger might be a tad more accurate, but .357 is not suitable for long range, and if I can hit a 6" target at 75-125 yards--which I can, nicely, with my Marlin -- then I'm happy.

For my "trio," it is joined by two Taurus .357 revolvers, the 605 (2" snubby) and a Trapper with a 6" barrel. I mostly shoot 125 gr loads in the revolvers, and 158 gr loads in the rifle, so it is not a perfect swap. But I'm gonna work up some 170-180 gr loads for use in both the Marlin and the Taurus Trapper. We'll see how that goes.

 

[PorkChopsMmm]

baz, the price I had for the 1894 was used, since I am under the impression that they aren't making new ones right now. Yes, the price of your rifle has probably doubled. Prior to buying my Rossi 92 I didn't see a Marlin on Gunbroker or other sites for less than $800. Finding a local used one with the shorter barrel I wanted never materialized. I believe you could add more $$ to that based on being pre-Remlin and in stainless steel.

 

[bearfoot]

My .357 "posse" currently consists of a Ruger GP100 4" blue and a Ruger 77/357. I'd like to add a Rossi 92 - still looking for it. If I ever have piles of money laying around, it'd be cool to add a Coonan to the posse.

 

[wriggly]

I owned a 77/357, a GP100 and an LCR. They are all gone. I still like certain Rugers, just not those.

 

[mdauben]

Either that, or I'm not keeping adequate track of the value of my Marlin! I got it at a Ft Worth gunshow about 4 years ago for $400.

Not sure about the blued guns, but I've seen 1984CSS selling on Gun Broker for $1000-1500.

 

[Eaglestroker]

Pistol cal Marlin prices, especially 'JM' marked guns, have gone through the roof. I gave $450 for a 41 mag last summer and they have been selling online for triple + that. I can't afford them at that price.