I want a .357 lever action but...

[Owen Sparks]

I want a .357 repeater, either pump or lever action but they all seem to be built on the same frame as the .44 Magnum version. I want something light and handy but if it is going to be the same size and weight as the .44 I might as well buy a .44, but I already have one of those. I can't justify going to a lighter caliber if I can't go to a lighter or smaler rifle. Any suggestions?

 

[Four Knives]

If you're a 44 guy, go for it.

They're generally cheaper than their 357 counterparts, and more available.

Not extremely familiar, but Winchester has a Trapper model in 357 which has a 16" bbl...shorter than the Marlin's -- if you can't find something comparable in 44, that might be the way to go.

 

[R.W.Dale]

If light is your thing look at the uberti hunter carbines

rolling block replicas so light its a 357 rifle that actully has some bite on the bench



I know it's not a repeater but the pure delight of manupilating a rolling block action makes up for this shortcoming

 

[Owen Sparks]

I might be interested in a single shot.

 

[Joseywales3]

I have the Marlin 1894 in 357 that I bought for cowboy action shooting. Seems very handy to me. I like it so much, I bought a 357 revolver to compliment it for SHTF or even a nice hunting combo. A rifle/handgun combo shooting two calibers, 357 and 38, what's not to like about that?

 

[lonestardiver]

Look at the Rossi '92 Trapper model.
The 44 is light and the 38/357 is even lighter..

 

[wrs840]

I have the Marlin 1894 in 357 that I bought for cowboy action shooting. Seems very handy to me...

Darn tooting. If I ever run across a pre-safety one I'll buy it in a heartbeat. The CAS guys have taken them all off the market around here...

 

[GJgo]

If you want light & handy, don't overlook the Ruger 77/357. Under 6 lbs w/ open sights. I have a 77/44 & love it. Just need to shim the 2 piece bolt & accuracy is great.

 

[Flashcube]

I'll throw in my two bits for the Marlin in .357 as well. Bought mine a few months ago to replace a less than stellar Rossii. Works great with .38 Special, which was an absolute must as my local indoor range has bullet energy restrictions. The Rossii worked okay in .357, but would fling loaded .38s in my face.

don't overlook the Ruger 77/357.

I really, really want one of these. Had the .44 version a few years ago and loved it, regret selling it but I needed the cash at the time. Not seen any new ones since...

 

[BCRider]

I hate to break it to you but the .44Mag lever platform is also "too big" for that round. They are all based on the old original Winchester 92 or Marlin 95. Than they are simply modified with different internal bits to make them work with .357/.38. There simply is nothing out there that is sized to specifically suit the .357 cartridge.

The Rossi which Lonestardriver mentions isn't any lighter in .38/.357. It's the same receiver and same barrel with different hole sizes. So actually the .357 version would be a trifle heavier than the .44 or .45 versions.

If a single shot has some appeal to you I don't see that Uberti is making the rolling block in .357 any more. But you can get the Thompson Contender in .357 along with a rifle shoulder stock to make it a very compact and light single shot break open option.

 

[greyling22]

I do love a marlin in 357, but if you want light and handy, the nod, like lonestardiver said, goes to the rossi trapper. I have both a trapper and an 1894c, and the rossi is far lighter and quicker to point. Slicks up nicer too, though not as easily. Marlin's got better sights. I also had a marlin 1894ss in 44mag. I don't know that the frame was actually bigger, but the hammer sure was and the gun seemed larger. I never got out a ruler to prove it. The 357's are FAR more pleasant to shoot.

BCrider, if he goes the contender route and adds a stock he's got to get a longer barrel too, or pony up the $200 bucks and paperwork to make it a SBR, or he risks jail. (which I"m sure you knew, but it needed to be said. Don't want to lead somebody astray) You can get a handi rifle in 357, but they're not really and lighter than the trapper.

 

[shiftyer1]

I have 357's cuz I didn't stumble on a 44 first although If I fall into one i'll have revolver/carbine combo soon to follow.

I really can't see much size difference between the long guns to matter or notice. In most cases.

If your starting out a little bigger never hurts. But i've never wished my 1894c in .357 had more ooomph. It suits my needs just fine. I've used it for hogs too, a .44 would probably be a little better but so would .308.

 

[MrDig]

If you really want to you can disable the hammer block safety and install a filler that holds a Saddle ring in its place.
I think the Saddle ring with a single point sling would actually be a great rig when driving deer or walking to and from your stand if you had a long walk.
Even an old Cavalry style leather single point rig would be cool if you could find a comfortable reproduction.
I will look for a link to the replacement piece for the safety It's here somewhere

Here is the link
http://shop.beartoothmercantile.com/Marlin-Safety-Delete-Pins_c2.htm;jsessionid=20A18061EF2EEAD22900D50187AD592F.qscstrfrnt05

 

[ViperActual]

5.5lbs light enough? I know it's not cowboy but it gets the job done too.

 

[lloveless]

ViperActual Nice gun. What is it?
ll

 

[Lee D]

Ruger 77/357

 

[Sam1911]

Look at the Rossi '92 Trapper model.

I've got to agree on this one. I posted a bit about them recently as I got to handle one a buddy brought out to the range a few weeks ago. His was the .44, but even in a .357, it is the slimmest, trimmest little lever gun I've ever handled -- by half again -- and the fit and finish were FANTASTIC...especially for the price. (He paid about $370 on sale!)

The action was very slick and the weight is 5 lbs. even...that's tough to beat.

 

[ball3006]

The 92 Winchester was designed for pistol caliber rounds. The receiver is the same but the barrel has different size holes, aka bore. A 357 barrel weighs more than a 44 barrel. The reason I know this? I have Rossi 92s in both 357 and 45lc. If one of these carbines is too heavy for you, you need to do some serious thinking about your physical condition.....chris3

 

[CaliCoastie]

or buy what ever you find first that you like, you can always pick the other up later to fill both calibers.

 

[R.W.Dale]

If you like finely fitted and functioning firearms you will be like me and DESPISE the Rossi 92

These things are best described as "you finish it" kit guns so horribly fitted and rough to operate and entire cottage industry has sprung up for making these Brazilian abominations somewhat somewhat serviceable. My Rossi's roughness to operate was only surpassed by its unreliability. If you wouldn't buy a remMarlin then for sure don't buy a Rossi

I've owned the following pistol Cal carbines in either 357 or 44
77/44
1894 Marlin
Rossi92
Handi rifles
Win trapper
Uberti RB
Contenders

Far and away the Rossi was the worst followed closely by the jam o matic Winchester.

posted via mobile device.

 

[Four Knives]

Mr Dig, thanks for that link.

My 357s have safeties...doesn't really bother me, and they feed better than the non-safety models that have run through my hands, but the saddle ring filler is a nice option.

 

[Red Cent]

"There simply is nothing out there that is sized to specifically suit the .357 cartridge."

If you mean "not light enough", I could agree. An 1873 18" Winchester (Uberti) is a little heavy. They make a "brush popper" that would be a super small game up to and ,maybe, including deer. Quite a bit more than a Rossi.

http://www.taylorsfirearmsstore.com/1873_trapper.htm

 

[Sam1911]

If you like finely fitted and functioning firearms you will be like me and DESPISE the Rossi 92

So it is certainly possible to get a bad one, too. As I said, the one I held, I couldn't believe was a Rossi. So nice -- good fit & finish, very pretty bluing, and slicker than buttered ice to operate.

But buyer beware, and make sure you can look at, handle, and operate the one you plan to take home with you so you don't get a lousy one.

 

[BCRider]

BCrider, if he goes the contender route and adds a stock he's got to get a longer barrel too, or pony up the $200 bucks and paperwork to make it a SBR, or he risks jail. (which I"m sure you knew, but it needed to be said. Don't want to lead somebody astray)

Excellent point. I'd forgotten the difference in the laws about this for you folks and us northerners. Up this way if the shoulder stock puts the overall length to more than 26 inches then the barrel length doesn't matter. It becomes a non restricted rifle.

I've got one myself. An Encore with shoulder stock and 15 inch "handgun" barrel. But it's classified as non restricted. We don't have any such category as SBR up this way.

And just to tease you all here's a picture of this SBR which isn't by our Canadian laws.... It's chambered in 500S&W and I figure it would be a superb tight woods hunting gun if I were a hunter.



Getting back onto topic I have to agree on the idea of a 16 inch Rossi with round barrel. At that length it's incredably handy and would be very quick pointing. I had the option to get one myself. But I passed on it in favour of the 20 inch barrel version because the 16 would not hold 10 .38Spl in the magazine. And I needed that for my Cowboy Action Shooting events.

Yes at the price they charge the internal quality can be a little spotty. They all seem to work right out of the box but I gather some can be a bit rough feeling. But the smiths that slick up guns for cowboy action shooting will all have had more than their share of Rossi work. A budget job to do the basics while not making the setup too sloppy would not add all that much to the cost. And these guns respond well to such work.

Myself I love to tinker and have many years of metal working in my background. I used the writeups found on the 'net about re-working my own Rossi along with a couple of pointers from the gunsmith shoots in the cowboy events. The simple stuff and sticking with RN bullets has slicked my own Rossi up to a nice smooth performer. It wasn't bad right out of the box but slightly clipping the main hammer spring and doing a little of the other internal work gave it a smoother cycle to the lever.

 

[zoom6zoom]

For a bit different repeater, how about the Uberti 1873 revolver carbine?

Edit: NM... thought they made it in .357, but apparently just .45 Colt now.