greyling22
Member
my marlin 1894c in 357 is my favorite rifle. heck, everybody who shoots it loves is. you should totally get one, then do an action job on it, because that is what makes a good gun into a great one.
Ever want a 357 Lever Gun?
- Thread starter Milkmaster
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BCRider
Member
The issues with Rossi quality over the last few years is almost all about the wood finish and wood to metal fit. And these issues are valid. The quality of the wood is pedestrian at best and downright boring at worst. And whatever it is that they use as a finish has got to be some sort of bad joke.
The good news is that the four I've worked on to slick them up for cowboy shooting over the past 6 years all had acceptable to good work on the insides right out of the box. And the last two that I got and slicked up just a couple of months back were excellent for fit and finish inside the action. In fact a lot of the polishing and radiusing work I was going to do had been done at the factory. So it was mostly just installing the spring kits.
On the last two the wood finish was so horrid that I also stripped and re-finished the wood. The wood FIT was not custom tight but it did fit firmly and in a stable manner in both cases.
So all in all a Rossi does not have the eye candy appeal of the other options. But I feel that they are a good solid bet for a basic and serviceable firearm. And it does so at half or less than half the cost of any other option.... which leaves lots of budget room for the spring kit and ammo.
The good news is that the four I've worked on to slick them up for cowboy shooting over the past 6 years all had acceptable to good work on the insides right out of the box. And the last two that I got and slicked up just a couple of months back were excellent for fit and finish inside the action. In fact a lot of the polishing and radiusing work I was going to do had been done at the factory. So it was mostly just installing the spring kits.
On the last two the wood finish was so horrid that I also stripped and re-finished the wood. The wood FIT was not custom tight but it did fit firmly and in a stable manner in both cases.
So all in all a Rossi does not have the eye candy appeal of the other options. But I feel that they are a good solid bet for a basic and serviceable firearm. And it does so at half or less than half the cost of any other option.... which leaves lots of budget room for the spring kit and ammo.
Mosin Bubba
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I don't think I've ever heard anyone say "You know what, I really wish I hadn't bought that pistol-caliber lever action" . 
357 lever guns are just a lot of fun to shoot. If you want one, buy one - you won't regret it.
357 lever guns are just a lot of fun to shoot. If you want one, buy one - you won't regret it.
Panzerschwein
member
.357 gains A LOT in a rifle.
A .357 lever gun would be perfect for personal defense, hits very hard for that but with the right bullet choices probably wouldn't overpenetrate. I'd imagine almost ANY .357 hollow point rounds would expand dramatically with all the increase in velocity the rifle brings to the table, increasing effectiveness and reducting penetration. Just avoid the 200 grain hard-cast loads for this purpose LOL!
For hunting, I'd think it would do well out to 100 yards or better on white tail with the right bullet. Would make a good smaller game rifle if it can take .38 specials, which many lever actions can.
I don't own a .357 levergun, but I've wanted one for a long time now. I recommend getting one!
A .357 lever gun would be perfect for personal defense, hits very hard for that but with the right bullet choices probably wouldn't overpenetrate. I'd imagine almost ANY .357 hollow point rounds would expand dramatically with all the increase in velocity the rifle brings to the table, increasing effectiveness and reducting penetration. Just avoid the 200 grain hard-cast loads for this purpose LOL!
For hunting, I'd think it would do well out to 100 yards or better on white tail with the right bullet. Would make a good smaller game rifle if it can take .38 specials, which many lever actions can.
I don't own a .357 levergun, but I've wanted one for a long time now. I recommend getting one!
bikemutt
Member
I have a Marlin 1894 .357 Trapper model made for Davidson's in 2006, added a Wild West big loop lever and Trigger Happy kit, it's one of my favorites.
Also have a transition Marlin 1894 .357 that is still "under construction". I had the trigger plate and lever converted to pistol grip. Macon Gunstocks made a fitted laminate stock for it which I'm presently finishing. Should have it done in October if the stars align.
In any event, I have shot them both. I find they are more accurate with .357 magnum versus .38 special, they are certainly a joy to shoot. Despite the amount of hard earned cash and work I have put in to them, no regrets, I'd do it again tomorrow if I had to.
I did buy a Rossi .357 stainless rifle at one point, all I can say is they make some good ones, and they make some not so good ones, mine was not so good. I sold it. That said, now that I've pulled the conversion Marlin/Remington of mine apart I can tell you Marlin has no reason to be especially proud of that specimen either. Fortunately the Marlin's faults lie in its assembly, not fatal, and easily corrected.
Here are a couple pictures of the Trapper.
Also have a transition Marlin 1894 .357 that is still "under construction". I had the trigger plate and lever converted to pistol grip. Macon Gunstocks made a fitted laminate stock for it which I'm presently finishing. Should have it done in October if the stars align.
In any event, I have shot them both. I find they are more accurate with .357 magnum versus .38 special, they are certainly a joy to shoot. Despite the amount of hard earned cash and work I have put in to them, no regrets, I'd do it again tomorrow if I had to.
I did buy a Rossi .357 stainless rifle at one point, all I can say is they make some good ones, and they make some not so good ones, mine was not so good. I sold it. That said, now that I've pulled the conversion Marlin/Remington of mine apart I can tell you Marlin has no reason to be especially proud of that specimen either. Fortunately the Marlin's faults lie in its assembly, not fatal, and easily corrected.
Here are a couple pictures of the Trapper.
WestKentucky
Member
I had a winchester that was so nice I was afraid to scratch it or even get it dirty. Sold it for twice what I paid for it. Very very nice gun. It shot a 3" group open sighted at 100 yards and was incredibly handy. Now I want a lower grade gun pre-scuffed so I'm not as nervous of ruining a showpiece.
OldBrownDog
Member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2013
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- 335
I did, so I picked up one of the new Winchester 1873's, like Plastikosmd. Still want a Marlin 1894C in .357. As soon as I get the money, I'm buying one.
I like lever guns.....
I like lever guns.....
ImperatorGray
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- 177
I like that attitude.
JTHunter
Member
Milkmaster - take a good look at thode three rifles in OldBrownDog's picture. Notice the pointed and curved buttstocks on the upper two compared to the flat buttstock of the one on the bottom. Having looked at and shouldered the Winchester 92, the Rossi clone of the Winchester, and a Uberti model shaped the same way, I found they did not fit my shoulder comfortably. Both of those points poked uncomfortably into my shoulder. That may be because I'm "short & heavy" (5' 7" & 240) and not built like Jimmy Stewart or Henry Fonda when they were doing those westerns.
Another factor that bumped those same three models were the fact that they were all "top eject" which would make it hard to mount a scope.
The Uberti and the Winchester were so high priced as to be laughable. The Rossi has an MSRP less than the Marlin but is also a top eject.
I've been looking for about 2 years but the prices asked (and appearently gotten) on auction sites have been little short of ridiculous, esp. for a used gun! I have a GP100 in .357 and access to a relative's SP101 in .38 Sp. which is why I'm looking for the Marlin. However, three different stores have advised me that when Remington took over Marlin several years ago, the "Remlins" that were produced had rather poor QC and the 1894s had some feeding issues. I do not know if these problems have been rectified, but the Marlin seems to have the best "balance" of price and features I am seeking.
Good luck!
Another factor that bumped those same three models were the fact that they were all "top eject" which would make it hard to mount a scope.
The Uberti and the Winchester were so high priced as to be laughable. The Rossi has an MSRP less than the Marlin but is also a top eject.
I've been looking for about 2 years but the prices asked (and appearently gotten) on auction sites have been little short of ridiculous, esp. for a used gun! I have a GP100 in .357 and access to a relative's SP101 in .38 Sp. which is why I'm looking for the Marlin. However, three different stores have advised me that when Remington took over Marlin several years ago, the "Remlins" that were produced had rather poor QC and the 1894s had some feeding issues. I do not know if these problems have been rectified, but the Marlin seems to have the best "balance" of price and features I am seeking.
Good luck!
AZ Desertrat
Member
I have a Henry and a Rossi in .44 mag.....both are a real blast to shoot. Only use them for small game though.
OldBrownDog
Member
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- Jan 26, 2013
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Just an FYI JT - the curved "rifle" butt on those rifles is actually meant to rest out on the upper arm, so the lower "point" rests in the armpit, and the upper point is above the deltoid. They are not meant to be put in the shoulder pocket.
It's a little unorthodox given modern techniques, but it works, and it's very comfortable once you learn how to use it - the upper rifle is a .45/70 and I've fired heavy loads through it with fairly mild recoil (the 10+ lb weight helps too).
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