Lever-action .357

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beag_nut

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I did a search on this forum, but didn't find any info.
So, I'm putting this out there: Looking for a current-production quality, rugged lever-action rifle in .357 Mag. Not an actual specimen, but a brand.
 
I have a Marlin (original Marlin not a Remlin) 1894 css (Stainless Steel). It is a wonderful 357 carbine that does an amazing number of things well, from plinking, to hunting up to deer sized animals to HD. Very easy to carry in the field and a VERY fun gun to shoot and own. Very easy to disassemble and clean and very simple in its design. The ballistics on the 357 from a carbine length barrel are impressive. Also, mine digests 357s and 38s with ease. So, lots of options.

I'd highly recommend an original Marlin manufactured 1894. If you see one of the newer Remington manufactured ones, check the quality very carefully before you buy. Remington recognized that they had problems and are re-working their manufacturing to get them right. So, hopefully, they will fix what is wrong and you will have another option.

About the only thing you need with one are a good sling and peep sights.

You will absolutely love the Marlin lever action 357 carbine, its a must have.
 
I have a Marlin 1894, and it is incredibly fun to shoot. Accurate out to 100 yards or so with iron sights. Recoil is not an issue, nor thus far is function with either .357 or .38. Or, for that matter, a mixed tube of .357 and .38. I don't know what your intended purpose for it is, but in general terms I can recommend this rifle with no real reservation.
 
I have the Marlin 1894 in .44 mag and it's a fantastic gun for it's purposes! About a 175-yard range on mine; the .357 should do more like 200/225. It has made me a lover of lever guns, for sure! The 10-round capacity is nice, too.
 
I have an older model Marlin 94 in 44 mag and we liked it so much we went looking for a 357 model 94 and let me tell you they are extremely hard to find in our neck of the woods. After looking for months we finally setteled on a Rossi M92 in 357. Its not the quality of the old Marlin 94 but its light and does what we wanted for, plinking and short range brush gun. Wished I could find an older Marlin 94 but fairly satisified with the Rossi.
 
.357 Rossi 20" carbine I've owned for 25 years. It's got 4" at 100 yards accuracy with a gas checked 165 grain Keith style SWCs over 16.8 grains Lil' Gun and 1.5" at 50 yards accuracy with 105 SWCs over 2.3 grains bullseye in .38 brass. Both bullets are cast from Lee molds. The magnum load shoots at just under 1900 fps, the .38 load at 900 fps. It's like having a .22 and a .30-30 in one gun. :D I installed a ghost ring sight with click adjustable elevation. Just run the elevation up for .38s, down for magnums. Very versatile little carbine and, to my eye, it looks better than a Marlin. :D Traditional 92 action (very strong) with oil rubbed walnut stock. I thought I had a picture, but I can't find it.

.357 is a 100 yard carbine. Let's not get carried away.
 
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BJ Orange... I meant that around 200/225, the bullet drop is too significant to, practically, use for hunting. With my .44mag, the maximum point blank range is about 150 yards. I can do 6" groups @ 150. Nothing special, but effective. Once I hit 200 yards, though, the bullet drop isn't a few inches, but more like a foot and with 8-10" with an exponentially steeper decrease in performance past 200. If I were to use the rifle for deer, for example, I'd not want to take a 200 yard shot.

I'm somewhat assuming that the same would apply with the .357 version, except with a little more distance. Hence, 175 for hunting with the .44 and 200/225 for hunting with the .357 (honestly not sure if the .357 is used for hunting or not...).

Above all, I was just describing the performance of my rifle with my average abilities. I don't necessarily know all the correct terms for this stuff, but I hope this explained myself.

Edited: I just looked up "effective range" and if you were referring to the .357's ability to kill, then yes I would agree that it's LOOONG past 200/225 yards. I just meant for practicality based on the abilities of the rifle to be reliable.
 
I have a Marlin (original Marlin not a Remlin) 1894 css (Stainless Steel). It is a wonderful 357 carbine that does an amazing number of things well, from plinking, to hunting up to deer sized animals to HD. Very easy to carry in the field and a VERY fun gun to shoot and own. Very easy to disassemble and clean and very simple in its design. The ballistics on the 357 from a carbine length barrel are impressive. Also, mine digests 357s and 38s with ease. So, lots of options.

I'd highly recommend an original Marlin manufactured 1894. If you see one of the newer Remington manufactured ones, check the quality very carefully before you buy. Remington recognized that they had problems and are re-working their manufacturing to get them right. So, hopefully, they will fix what is wrong and you will have another option.

About the only thing you need with one are a good sling and peep sights.

You will absolutely love the Marlin lever action 357 carbine, its a must have.
Click to expand...

I agree completely but keep it under 100yd
 
Marlin makes an excellent lever action. I have several friends who have the Marlin in 357 and swear by them. I have 2 Marlins but not in that caliber and they are accurate and fun to shoot.
 
+1 on the Marlin. Funnest centerfire I've ever owned. Like it so much I want the 44 mag too.

The new ones are getting better (I recently got one), but the pre 2008 models are great if you can find one. They are going for big $ now so you have to be patient.
 
".....current production, quality...." rules out marlin.

Take a look at rossi, henry (if you can get past the yellow receiver) or maybe something by chiappa or one of the other italian repro outfits.
 
Thanks, everyone.
Any idea of the serial number range of the best (I assume it's before present manufacture) examples, if I go looking for a Marlin 1894?
 
A 2007 marlin serial # will start with 93, a 2006 with 94, etc...subtract the first 2 numbers of the serial number from 100 to get year of manufacture. That works for Marlin guns made before Remington took over. Guns made at the New Haven plant are in high demand and have a "JM" stamp on the barrel just by the receiver. If it has a "REP" stamp it is a "Remlin" which may still be a fine gun, but does not bring the big $.

If I wanted a "real" Marlin, I would look for anything older than 2008 year of manufacture.

And by the way I bought a Remlin and it is a very good gun so far.
 
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Uberti makes several replica lever guns. Their reproduction of the Winchester 1873 (the "gun that won the West" donchaknow) is probably the most prized rifle with SASS cowboy shooters.

I really enjoy mine.
 
I've got a marlin 1894 in 44 and love it, I also have a 357 Henry that is just a beautiful rifle. The new gen is drilled and tapped, so you can easily put a Skinner sight on it. I think if you get the Henry you won't be dissapointed, made in the USA and beautiful wood and deep bluing
 
Marlins are good guns and by all accounts are back near the Marlin Quality before Remington took them over.
I own a pre-Remington with the Safety 1894C and like it quite a bit. I also own a pre safety 1894 44 magnum. It is rather tired looking (I bought it used) but is still a wonderful gun.
There is a forum member who just bought the New 44 Magnum 1894 and likes it a great deal. So far has no troubles according to his range report.
here is a link to his thread
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=665083
Many members are reporting good things from the new Marlins so take from that what you will.
 
Really? Try rewording your search. You'll find lots of good threads, I have and like an older Marlin, its not the only option but I havent had another to try. Apparently this platform has suddenly become wonderful or more finally noticec them. I wouldnt part with mine.....they aint all that easy to find either.
 
I should also say that having field stripped both the Marlin and Winchester lever guns I like working on the Marlins much better they are seemingly easier if you need to get deep into them.
 
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