Lever Action in 45LC

[hawk45]

Looking to get a lever action in .45LC. I hear good things about the Marlin 1894 but they are like $800. How are the Puma/Rossi models? It will just be for fun shooting. I don't really see myself getting into CAS. Also, will they hold up to the higher power loads (I reload).

Thanks!

 

[Harve Curry]

Marlin 1894 models are probably the best all made in the USA , I think that is important.
They can handle hot 45 Colt loads, check the manuals.

Rossi/Puma are imported copies of the Winchester 1892 models and can be real good , strong rifles.

Marlins are still made with the square bolt just as they were in 1894. They do have a cross bolt safety which ain't all bad. I like the 20" short barrel octagons because of the balance. I think if you are patient you can still find them for $600 to $700. Round barrel carbines should be less.

 

[Hanzerik]

I have two Pumas in .44 Mag which are very nice rifles. I shoot factory loads and my own light loads (200gr RNFP & 240LSWC over 8grs of Unique). Both guns feed and chamber all rounds smoothly, and are accurate.

 

[bobotech]

I believe that the 92s are the strongest. I base that assumption based upon the fact that the Puma/Rossi can be chambered in the 454casul round.

 

[Shung]

Get a Uberti/Cimarron model 1873 in 45LC.. they really look beautifull !

I like the 73 mechanism much more than the later stuff !

 

[Harve Curry]

" Get a Uberti/Cimarron model 1873 in 45LC.. they really look beautifull !

I like the 73 mechanism much more than the later stuff ! "

Me to. I have a original Winchester '73 converted to 45 Colt. It's a oct short rifle, 20"' and killed a 300 lb black bear with it in '96. One of the hunts I remember most.

1873 Win actions feed real well because they don't tip the cartridge' it lifts and goes straight in. But the hot loads like Hawk45 is asking about are not recommended in a 73 type action. There was an IItalian mporter (EuroArms?) making the 1873 in 44 magnum, but I have only heard of 2 of them. One was for sale and I didn't buy it.

 

[Bill B.]

I like the 73 mechanism much more than the later stuff !

+1 .........The Winchester 73's are the best of the lever guns in 45 LC! I owned them all when I was shooting in CAS. I liked the Marlin Cowboy also in 44/40 & .357. The Rossi 92 I had was a jamomatic in 45 LC and had a habit of throwing out live rounds. The Winchester 66's function well also in 45 LC but I prefer the 73.

 

[mgkdrgn]

Looking to get a lever action in .45LC. I hear good things about the Marlin 1894 but they are like $800. How are the Puma/Rossi models? It will just be for fun shooting. I don't really see myself getting into CAS. Also, will they hold up to the higher power loads (I reload).

Thanks!

I was in your same position about 2 months ago. Got the Puma/Rossi in 454 Casull. Still fires 45 Colt, but plenty strong enough to handle any 45 Colt non-cowboy load I care to toss at it. I've been very happy with it.

 

[hawk45]

I was in your same position about 2 months ago. Got the Puma/Rossi in 454 Casull. Still fires 45 Colt, but plenty strong enough to handle any 45 Colt non-cowboy load I care to toss at it. I've been very happy with it.

That sounds like the way to go.. I may have to go with the 454 Casull.

 

[mdThanatos]

Those Ubertis are gonna be more expensive than the Marlins you are looking at. The Rossi is a good strong action and if it is for fun shooting it should be fine as is. The only thing you hear bad about them is from CAS shooters but they slick up real nice for competition and there is a good smith out there for them but he gets a lot of requests, but you won't need to worry bout that.

Not sure where you live but you can check to see if there is a CAS club nearby, just contact the match director and tell him you want to check it out and usually you can watch for free, then get invites to try out some of the shooters equipment and you can see how you like each gun. At the local club we have 1873's 1894's and 92's and haven't met a selfish person yet.

 

[Txhillbilly]

I have a Uberti 24" 45 Colt and a Winchester 94AE 24" 44 Mag and shoot some pretty hot loads out of both with no problems. I'm sure that there are some loads that are probably too hot for these guns,but that is what common sense is for,Knowing when to say thats enough power!

 

[cluttonfred]

Not a lever action, but if you are looking for a fun campanion to your .45 LC lever gun or revolver, the H&R Buffalo Rifle comes in a handy little .45 LC carbine.

 

[MCMXI]

Got the Puma/Rossi in 454 Casull. Still fires 45 Colt, but plenty strong enough to handle any 45 Colt non-cowboy load I care to toss at it. I've been very happy with it.

The Marlin 1894 will also handle stout .45 Colt loads. In fact, I shoot the same loads out of my Ruger Redhawk and the Marlin. The '94 in .45 Colt is the same design and dimensions as the .44 Magnum so they can handle anything from mild to wild.

 

[SASS#23149]

To me,there is no comparing the metalurgy (sp) between any marlin, or winchester, and any Italian made gun.I've had my rossi for years and realllly like shooting it....45colt of course,lol....but the marliins can be made to run faster and are just a superior weapon.
same goes for my italian 'colt's', very ugly inside and softer metal than rugers,colts,etc.
imho,ymmv,etc

 

[gga357]

The '73 won't handle the hot loads, but it is the best looking and smooth. The '94 and '92 will handle the hot loads. I don't have the 92 but it is next on my list. Puma.

 

[Ed Ames]

I just picked up the puma M92 in .454 as well.

I'm not a lever nostalgist (didn't watch many Olde Weste movies as a kid) but my stainless 20" puma is slick, compact, and feeds .45LC or .454 flawlessly with a quick flick of the wrist. Hard not to like.

 

[Shung]

To me,there is no comparing the metalurgy (sp) between any marlin, or winchester, and any Italian made gun.I've had my rossi for years and realllly like shooting it....45colt of course,lol....but the marliins can be made to run faster and are just a superior weapon.
same goes for my italian 'colt's', very ugly inside and softer metal than rugers,colts,etc.
imho,ymmv,etc

Rossi AINT Italian... 1st thing.. Rossi is Brasilian

then, never said that Marlin was not better than uberti.. i just said a Uberti works fine, and the 1873 model look beats EVERY Marlin hands down..

 

[Oldtrader3]

Marlin Model 1894's are about $600 in most larger shops and for the price are heads above the competition. I have a Model 92 Winchester (Miroku) in .45 Colt to go with my Ruger Vaquero and like it very much.

 

[Cohibra45]

If you guys want to talk leverguns, go here:

http://www.leverguns.com/

Paco Kelly is THE LEVERGUN GURU and has many articles and the forum is great there also.

 

[MCgunner]

Those 73s are pretty, but I have been droolin' over my Rossi 92 for 25 years. It's a fine lookin' rifle in its own right, and one HELL of a good shooter. Mine's in .357 magnum. My son-in-law has a .45LC model. Both have aperture sights, his a receiver Williams peep, mine off an old .22 I had, barrel dove tail mounted. The rear sight is the only thing on these rifles I never cared for.

I really prefer the looks of the 92 to the 73 and a LOT better than the Marlin.

 

[robctwo]

I bought the Rossi Puma in .45 Colt this Spring. Paid about $460 OTD. I've run some stout loads through it, but mainly bought it for the pistol range with light loads. Lots of fun. Mine shoots a bit high. Thinking about getting a taller front sight, but not sure where to go for it.

I've taken mine down one time, with a good manual and a bit of time. Not the easiest gun to detail strip.

I have the 20" octagonal. Very nice balance.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

How are the Puma/Rossi models?

They are excellent functionally! Albeit with a plain jane stock finish and iron sights. And cheesy safety.

 

[Uncle Mike]

They are excellent functionally! Albeit with a plain jane stock finish and iron sights. And cheesy safety.

Pure unadulterated sacrilege.... damn safeties.

I know safety is key, but a safety on these fine lever guns just plain ol' ruins their persona.

 

[Shung]

Uberti make no "safeties" on their '73's !!!

And how one can prefer the look of the 92 over the 73 is far beyond any logic

 

[barnetmill]

extraction problems?

As I understand it originally the .45LC was not used in lever guns due to the poor rim on the old balloon head cases. Are there ever any extraction problems with these guns when using modern .45LC ammunition?