for want of a lever gun

[thomis]

The next addition to my gun collection, mostly because I don't have one and have always wanted one, is a lever gun. I don't have an immediate need for it, though. So I am just beginning my research. I already have 2 deer rifles, one of which is a short carbine which serves the purpose of a brush gun. The lever gun I'm looking for would simply be for fun and plinking. That being said, I like the .22 because its relatively quiet and cheap for shooting. On the other hand, I'm already handloading for .357/.38 and .44 spl/mag so I would consider a lever gun in these calibers too.
So what would be a relatively in-expensive but good quality entry level lever?
I definitely want USA made.
Thanks for any feedback.

 

[Awsomepossum]

look at some pawn shops. In my area (TX) you can find marlins in 30-30 for 300$ if you look around. Also I saw an winchester or marlin in 44 mag for 380$ in good condition

 

[ldhulk]

The Henry Rifle Co. sells a .22 lever action in the $250 range which they say is American made, and as far as I know, is of decent quality. The Marlin 39 has always been the top quality 22 lever (at least until recently), and the Winchester 9422 is a nice gun. You might find one of these used, that is afordable.

 

[ryanrichmond]

I just picked up a Marlin 1894 in .357 magnum
You can find them for around $500-$700 depending on condition. It's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot by the way.

 

[harrygrey382]

I reckon your needs cry for a 357 lever. Can be very cheap to shoot, and a classic lever style cartridge for a winnie M92 action (whether it's Browning, Winnie or Rossi) or Marlin '94. The 22 ones are nice but not a proper classic IMO

 

[RichS]

Might want to check out the Browning BLR, various calibers. I have the .223/5.56 NATO version, straight stock/steel reciever. Current ones have a pistol grip stock, alloy receiver (but it's anodized to look like a steel receiver). It also comes in takedown and stainless versions too. Only consider post-1981 models, as the older ones have parts supply problems, like no extra magazines. Current 5 round box mags are going for about $50 or so if you shop around. In my opinion a lot heftier gun than the Henry, which in addition to the alloy reciever has cast aluminum/zinc alloy bits inside too. Argh! The Browning is a very, very strong design, well suited to handle large & magnum calibers.

 

[bikerdoc]

Marlin 357 1894C here. Highly recommend.

Has a fun and function rating of 10 !! My favorite woods, plinking, rifle, even got a DRT deer with it at 60 yds

 

[WALKERs210]

I bought the Henry lever with the oversize loop on it. My wife immediately took ownership of the rifle. It is very nice rifle, good quality and even with my old eyes it will drive tacks. Also this one will shoot 22 shorts, 22 Long and 22 Long Rifle shells, the shorts are so quite that you really have to look at target to insure the round left the barrel.

 

[captdavidjm]

I'll completely agree in going with the Henry .22, to get started, they are great lever guns. And then, I'd keep my eyes Wide open for a good .44mag/44 spcl, 45LC or .357/9mm Winchester or Marlin. With the overwhelming popularity of having hand and long guns of the same caliber, they are all rock solid investments.

 

[thralldad]

My local Wally World has the Henry .22 for $257 and the Marlin 336 in .30-30 for around $350.

 

[BCRider]

If you're after a nice .22 for some cheap plinking you won't do better than a Henry. Price is lower than the other options but the quality is definetly there. The H001 I recently bought is silky smooth in its action and more accurate than my old guy eyes for hitting targets. Over at Rimfire Central the Henry forum is full of stories of how well Henry has supported their product as well. It's one of the last companies around which feels that the road to success is to produce a good product, stand behind it and to treat each customer as an individual instead of some nameless "consumer". I'm not saying that the other companies aren't excellent as well in many ways. But I don't see the stories in those forums like I do in the Henry forum.

If you go with centerfire and plan on some possible up close hunting for deer than a .357 or .44Mag would be a nice way to go. Just keep in mind that from reading lots of threads over the past couple of years on this topic that handgun rounds from rifles are generally seen as "100 yard" guns. Get out much past that and the general feeling is that the bullets slow down too much to ensure a humane kill.

To tell the truth even if you're reloading your own a lever gun is SOOOOO much fun to shoot that it'll go through a bucket load of rounds in a hurry. A .22 Henry, or one of the others if you really must, a resetting rimfire steel target flip up target along with a brick of .22 and you're in for a fun and cheap afternoon. The "ding!" you get from the steel sort of makes up for the lack of serious recoil in a .22 gun and gives you instant feedback along with seeing the little flip away targets disappear and reappear as you cycle through them.

Another option if you go center fire is to pick up the slightly larger and heavier center fire handgun flip up target and use .38Spl or downloaded .357's or .44's that won't poke divots in the steel. Again great fun for plinking. But you'll find you're at the reloading table a LOT more....

To me a big part of shooting rifle for fun at the range is how the rifle makes me interact with it. That comes down to the style of the action. I far and away prefer to have to do SOMETHING for each shot than to just stand and pull the trigger. Oh sure, semi autos are fun in a way. But the novelty for me wears off in only a few magazines unless I'm using the gun in some form of match. So all my rifles and shotguns tend to be bolt, pump, lever or break open for the variety they provide.

 

[oldfool]

value for price... fun & plinking
Henry for 22 rimfire
LSI/Rossi '92 for 38/357

lots of other good ones to be had, but most others will cost you more

 

[ryanrichmond]

I also have the Henry .22 lever and it's simply awesome. It's smooth and accurate and sometimes it's just fun to sit and cycle the action on the couch while watching tv

 

[Furncliff]

I have a Marlin 39 and a 1894c (38/357). My daughter and I prefer the 1894. I reload .357 for it and it's not all that expensive to plink with. One gallon water jugs and some .357's loaded to 1900fps makes a satisfying splash.

 

[Four Knives]

Marlin 1894 for fun and more versatility.

Marlin 39a for inexpensive .22 plinkin'.


I had an 1894 Cowboy with the octagonal barrel for a bit, but prefer the balance of the plain old 1894

If you reload and can only pick one...go w/the .357 all the way.
Maybe a .44 which are a bit easier to find, but hold no interest to me, as I don't plan on owning any .44 Mag revolvers. YMMV

 

[OregonJohnny]

You mention that you have a brush rifle, but unless you have a lever gun in something like .357, .44, .45, or .45-70, you don't have a REAL brush gun!

I love my Marlin 1894 .44 Magnum, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a light, fast-handling, durable, brush-busting rifle with 10+1 quick rounds of 1,800 ft.lbs. of energy on tap.

A Winchester 94 in .30-30 is possibly the quintessential lever-action rifle, but the Marlin 1894 (in either .357 or .44) is surely the most versatile.

 

[BCRider]

I also have the Henry .22 lever and it's simply awesome. It's smooth and accurate and sometimes it's just fun to sit and cycle the action on the couch while watching tv

As much as I can appreciate your love of the Henry I REALLY think you need to turn off the TV, put the gun away and go out to a pub where your friends hang out....

I have to admit that it IS so smooth that I've been known to work the action to ensure it's clear more often than required....

 

[Psa1m144]

Winchester 94 is the epitome of a great reliable lever gun. Preferably a pre 1964 model.

 

[Panzercat]

30-30, .44 and .45lc should be easy to pin down. You might have to be a tad more patient for the .357.

 

[nyc71]

My 1894c makes it to the range regardless what else I intend to shoot that day.


"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety"- Benjamin Franklin

 

[GreenSkyy87]

I own both a Henry .22 and a Marlin 1894ss in .44. Could not be happier with both. I would have to say that the Henry is actually one of the guns I enjoy shooting the most. Don't let the price fool you, it feels like a $500 gun in the hands. It is heavy, has nice wood, and the action is like glass.

Don't tell my Marlin, but it feels nicer in the hands.

 

[shiftyer1]

If you can fall into a 1894 marlin in .357 at a reasonble price you better grab onto it with both hands!!! I waited 4 years to find one!!!! It seems these ol school cowboy type guns done got popular all of a sudden. Especially the marlins, and once u have one u won't turn loose of it fer nothin! I love mine and don't see myself parting with it.

 

[Crazy Carl]

LOVE leverguns & have a Marlin 39A & 30AS in .30-30, and a .357 Rossi 92. Marlin 336 in .35Rem & 1895 in .45-70 are on "the list", as well as a 1894 in .41Mag (if I can find one for a not-stupid price).

 

[CraigC]

As much as I can appreciate your love of the Henry I REALLY think you need to turn off the TV, put the gun away and go out to a pub where your friends hang out....

I do believe I'd MUCH rather be at home, watching a good western and playing with my sixguns, or enjoying a fine cigar on the deck with my favorite firearms publication in hand than sitting at a bar, pickling myself. But that's just me.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

I have a Marlin Golden 39A .22 and a Marlin 1894c in .357/38 both from the late 70s. I used to think it didn't get better than that then I bought a 4 5/8 Blackhawk convertible in .357/ 38 spcl with a 9mm cylinder on the side. I like my autoloaders but the above lever and wheel combinations can eat up a whole day.... if there's enough ammo.