I am leaning towards picking up a lever action carbine and really like the Puma 92. I have decided on the 16" in .357 blued finish. I am leaning towards the one with the standard loop b/c I do not have large hands. I would say my hands are about average at best. I wear a size medium glove most times. I have never had a lever gun outside of a bb gun. Would there be any benefit for getting the large loop over the standard loop? Are they just a novelty or good for people with large hands?
Lever Gun: Large Loop vs Standard Loop
- Thread starter nc76
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I looked into that this past winter when looking at a Lever gun. The basic concensus I found was it was a show item (read, Hollywood). They got popular with John Wayne and "the Rifleman" fir twirly things. Possibly if you had massive hands they might serve a purpose, but for the average shooter I couldn't find any. Plus I wanted to actually carry and use my gun, and not have extra things to bump and snag (and make it hard to find a scabbard). I went with the regular loop on a Winchester 1894.
Gunfighter123
Member
I shoot a lot of Cowboy Action and found the large loop to be slower to use then the regular loop.
MMCSRET
Member
I purchased lever guns used, that had the large loop, I ordered standard levers from Brownells and changed them out. My saddle scabbard is very close fitting and the large loop kept the rifle from sliding all the way in. When I was carrying the rifle the large loop was awkward for me to use, and I don't like the way they look.
amd6547
Member
I found the large loop to be faster...just shove the lever hand down and forward, the shape of the loop operates the action, no need to twist the wrist.
I replaced the factory levers on a couple of Marlin Cowboys, 336, and 1895, as well as a Guide gun. The small lever actually hurt my hand in recoil. I went with the smallest of the large loops, a DRC model. They look good and feel even better. I was not concerned about speed, jusst feel.
Alex123456
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I'm thinking of replacing the factory lever on my Marlin 1894. It's just too small and uncomfortable. My hands aren't huge either.
cibach
Member
I prefer the large levers.. I have a winchester in 45LC and love it..
a-sheepdog
Member
I have a slightly oversized lever loop on my Marlin 45-70 and like it much better than the standard factory lever.
gga357
Member
It's too bad there are so many 44-40 USRAC out there new and no 45lc or .357
MAX100
Member
LSI Puma rifles are now made Italy and cost around $950. Their are few of the LSI imported Rossi made 92s around. Taurus bought Rossi and will be offering the 92 rifles under the Braztech name. Not sure which barrel lengths and calibers they will be offering.
GC
GC
woof
Member
Here's another reason - lever wraps. If your loop is tight already especially with gloves, the addition of a lever wrap can make it too tight. lever wraps are nice on the knuckles.
messerist
Member
Since we are on the subject of loops does anyone know where I can get one for a Marlin 1894? My Brother is in Iraq and wanted to get one for his Marlin but never had time before he left. I want to get one for him and get it installed before he gets back.
moooose102
Member
i am not a fan of the big loops. to me, they look ugly. even with my big paws, and warm gloves, i have no trouble with standard levers.
Double Naught Spy
Sus Venator
I have 2 1895s abd considered a larger loop, but never had any problems with the regular loop. Now if I was in the northern clines and wore multiple layers of gloves, the the regular loop might be an issue.
Otherwise, it is quick, comfortable, and doesn't waste space.
Otherwise, it is quick, comfortable, and doesn't waste space.
wyocarp
Member
Having both, I like the large loop levers. They are more comfortable, easier to use, and I don't find they get in the way at all.
JFrame
Member
I have the standard (small) loop on my Winchester Trapper. Among other reasons, I bought it because I liked the fact that it was compact and flat. I don't like the thought of increasing its dimensions or bulk in any way...
There are variations of the large loop.
Personally, I like the standard loop, but with a lever wrap. I designed and made a comfortable wrap that goes on and off in a few seconds.
Shooting a brick of .22s through a Marlin 39 can leave your fingers bruised, without padding of some sort (gloves or a wrap).
The variants of the large lever I've liked are not as big as the old TV/movie levers. This is one version, from Grizzly:
Personally, I like the standard loop, but with a lever wrap. I designed and made a comfortable wrap that goes on and off in a few seconds.
Shooting a brick of .22s through a Marlin 39 can leave your fingers bruised, without padding of some sort (gloves or a wrap).
The variants of the large lever I've liked are not as big as the old TV/movie levers. This is one version, from Grizzly:
Zerstoerer
Member
Who makes a larger loop for the Marlin 336?
Dan Crocker
Member
Wyocarp: How often do you go Tyrannosaur hunting with that beast? ;-)
Zerstoerer said:
DRC and Wild West Guns both make them. You can buy them from MidwayUSA and other places I'm sure. I've been thinking about this upgrade for my '94 and both '95s. I have fairly big paws and find the OEM levers a bit tight. I'm not sure if they're available for the '94 but here are a couple for the '95s but DRC also makes them for the 336 and Midway sells them.
Wild West big loop lever
DRC big loop lever
Another option if you have a TIG/MIG welder and some time is to cut/weld/grind/polish the OEM lever to your liking ... should be fairly easy, particularly for the stainless version since it only requires a brushed finish of some sort.
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