I want a lever GUN

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txcookie

txcookie

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This rifle will be a dedicated short range deer/hog rifle. I want Americans to benefit from the purchase so nothing from over seas. 30.30, 35, 45.70 Dont really care but I am leaning 30.30 as I prefer to buy my ammo where ever I need it. I am not going to be putting glass on it as I have other rifles for distance and precision.

Shower me with your wisdom please. Price less than 650$ on down.
 
For my money on a NEW lever action 30-30, look at the Mossberg 464, or the Henry. If you are willing to buy used, there are a lot of nice older Marlins and Winchesters floating around.
 
I vote to buy a used one.

I would say Marlin 336 (before they started putting the stupid safety on them) if you were going to scope it, but since you aren't, I'd get a Winchester 94. They're light and handy and perfect for just using the irons.
 
Yeah, a decent good-used 94 works for the purpose. Me, I'd put a soft butt-pad on, just on general principles. I'm not recoil shy, but I don't need any more bump than need-be.
 
A .357 or .45LC Henry might be another option, cheaper practice weapon and very effective at the ranges you're talking about. Though you'll probably have to do a bit of searching to find one at that price, but shouldn't be impossible.
 
Another vote for buying a nice used Marlin or Winchester. Found a Marlin 336 at the LGS the other day. Looked to be in decent enough condition but someone mounted a scope on it.
 
Imo, every serious rifle aficionado should have at least one Winchester Model 94, chambered in 30-30, in their stable. You should be able to find an "angle-eject" variant in nice condition for the money you're talking about. I'd also suggest installing a quality receiver sight on it (like the Williams or Lyman units) as opposed to scoping it-nothing wrong with glass, but putting a scope on one of these carbines (the same with the fine Marlin Model 336) detracts from the very reason you might have one in the first place-superb handling in heavy cover. But that's just me. Many others will argue for magnified optics and have good reasons for doing so.
 
Buy a used Marlin or Winchester. Accept no imitators. The Mossbergs and Henry's are USA made, but leave me cold. Shop around and you can find the real deal used for less money. I'm thinking Marlin and Winchester made around 7 million each. There are plenty out there.
 
I own Marlin 336 and Winchester 94 lever guns & I like them both. The Marlin is easier to take apart & to scope. But the pre 64 Winchester 94 just might be the best (unscoped) rifle to carry in hand out there. Do your homework on these two models first and then pick what you personally like best. And welcome to the Levergun Club.



P.S. - I agree with SwampWolf, though. Every American rifleman worthy of the name has got to have at least one Winchester 94 !
 
We all have our biases. Try out both, or all 4. I have winchesters and Marlins, and much prefer the latter. I only have one of the recent made Marlins, and it is a fantastic gun. I may have gotten lucky. I did see a blued Henry the other day that was a wondrously built gun. I may have to get one to top off my collection. Marlins are cheaper, but certainly you are taking a risk with a new one. In my mind, the Winchester comes up short. They are lighter but recoil more and not as accurate as a good Marlin.

My favorite Marlins are of the 24 inch A variety, as in a 336A. Find a used Marlin and be happy, or get a newer Henry.
 
Good for you OP - I am looking to buy a .44 Mag lever action as soon as I sell a couple of things. Leaning toward Marlin or Henry. It will go with my S&W 629 and I reload for .44 Mag so it'll be sweet.
 
To the OP. 2 lever guns to acquire find a good used JM stamped Marlin 30/30, and a 1894s 44 mag. Then you can get a Ruger blackhawk in 44 mag to be its sister sidearm. win win.
Marlin for the win.
 
For a .30-30 option I was all over the idea of suggesting a Winchester 94 or a Marlin 336. Then someone above came along and reminded us of the Savage 99. So now I have to add that one to the list of options.

It would require a little patience to find a 99 in .30-30. But the .300 Savage round is power wise the equivalent and brass for reloading that caliber is still commonly found. So assuming you would be reloading I'm thinking that a 99 in either caliber would be just fine.
 
Marlin 336 30/30, new. Americans will make it and it is a classic design tested 100 years.
Buy one and ride the high country.
 
jmr40 said:
Buy a used Marlin or Winchester. Accept no imitators. The Mossbergs and Henry's are USA made, but leave me cold. Shop around and you can find the real deal used for less money. I'm thinking Marlin and Winchester made around 7 million each. There are plenty out there.
Click to expand...

Same here. Neither the Mossberg or Henry appeal to me, and there are just too many Winchesters and Marlins in circulation to have to chance the quality of a Remlin' or pay the price of a new 94 made by Miroku.

This is also the best time of year to look for a 30-30 lever gun. People who buy lever guns just for deer season and not to keep--turn around and sell them off in the spring. Consequently, there tends to be a surplus of used models at gun shows, setting in gun shops or pawn shops, and at the on-line auctions.

With a little bit of patience, one should be able to find just the right deal.

Cheers
 
I went through the exact same thing. I was never a lever guy and then I just WANTED one! Weird feeling. now I have four.

I found two that fit your criteria. Found a Winchester '94 in .30-30 that was made in 1942 and completely unmolested by any bubba, for $500, and then a nearly unfired Browning B-92 in .44 Magnum. I must confess that the Browning was a tiny bit more than your max dollar figure, but not much. Both would be great guns for you. For shorter range work, the Browning 92 is really something - it's a very light rifle and it does say "hello" to your shoulder with actual magnum loads. It would be great to carry around for a day though. The Winchester is exactly like a million others... very handy and a good, common caliber.
 
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