Lever gun recommendation

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Thanks to all who have responded so far. Didn't know about blowback on the Marlin. I've handled the Henry, it is a very well made gun, like many of you, I kind of like the loading gate better, but not a dealbreaker. The Uberti, especially with color case hardened frame I'd probably the best looking. Now some of you have me rethinking the Rossi. Even if they need some tweeking, the lower cost would more than pay for that. As always, so much knowledge from the good folks here.
 
:rofl: I think we should also point out the recoil factor of those upper end loads in a rifle goes up as well.. My wife refuses to shoot the Winchester trapper, because she was going to shoot a coyote with it one day while we we feeding cows, and I had it stoked with some +P ammo..She is not a fan of sharp recoil.
 
GBExpat said:
... and for many of us, just not "right" for a centerfire lever-action carbine. ;)

Loading a tubular magazine via a hole in its side rather than a gate on the receiver is great for a .22 (I got mine for Christmas when I was 12, a Sears & Roebuck Model 25 :)) ... but loading my 1922 .32-20 Marlin 27-S in the same fashion always makes me wish for a gate like I have on my two .44 Marlin mod1894s. Much handier method, IMO.
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And yet, that's one of the ways it got started. I suppose there are those that thought loading through the buttstock of Spencer was the cats pajamas at one time. Again, I blame Hollywood.
 
I've no experience with any but the Henry lever guns, nor 45lc. That said, I've come to really enjoy Henry's, having acquired my first, second, and third in just the last year (big boy steel 4570, big boy steel 357 carbine, and most recently the 22lr with octagonal barrel). I find them very attractive and plain fun to shoot. Made in America doesn't hurt, either. I wanted, rather needed, a 4570 in IL because........ 'Merica. The thump of that round is just plain cool. But it sure isn't cheap to shoot, even my plinking reloads running close to $0.30 each. So I needed a 357, because it's fun to plink with cheap to load center fire at short to mid range. Then I liked those two enough that when the mother in law asked for Christmas ideas I threw out the 22. boy was I pleasantly surprised. The little gun is a sweet shooter, with a giggle factor way bigger than a 22 would suggest.

Loading the tube mag works fine for me on the range but suppose it would be awkward in CAS. Hunting uses, I can't really see either method having much of an edge. How many of us really run through a full mag worth of rounds in a hunt? On second thought, maybe the pig hunters might... Full disclosure, I've never tried a side gate loading mag.... Maybe I'm missing out.
 
I did not read the thread in depth, but Marlin just recently reintroduced the 1894 in .45 Colt...

The only configuration available at this time in that cartridge is 20" octagon barrel...
 
Salmoneye said:
I did not read the thread in depth, but Marlin just recently reintroduced the 1894 in .45 Colt...

The only configuration available at this time in that cartridge is 20" octagon barrel...
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Does anyone know whether the blowback issue has been resolved on these? If it has been corrected in some way, I'd be eager to give my 92's a new competitor.

Is it just the bolt arrangement that causes this with low-pressure rounds, or is the chamber oversized (or a combination of the two)?

If they addressed the problem with a tighter chamber, would it lead to problems with chambering certain bullet types or cartridges with a longer than standard c.o.a.l.? I've taken apart a lot of 92's and understand the factors involved in feeding and chambering with them, but I've not delved too deeply into the Marlin 1894's yet. Owned a few, but as I mentioned earlier, the blowback was disconcerting with the 45colt model I had. The 44mag version was wonderful, though, and I should never have sold it.
 
Hastings said:
Does anyone know whether the blowback issue has been resolved on these? If it has been corrected in some way, I'd be eager to give my 92's a new competitor.

Is it just the bolt arrangement that causes this with low-pressure rounds, or is the chamber oversized (or a combination of the two)?

If they addressed the problem with a tighter chamber, would it lead to problems with chambering certain bullet types or cartridges with a longer than standard c.o.a.l.? I've taken apart a lot of 92's and understand the factors involved in feeding and chambering with them, but I've not delved too deeply into the Marlin 1894's yet. Owned a few, but as I mentioned earlier, the blowback was disconcerting with the 45colt model I had. The 44mag version was wonderful, though, and I should never have sold it.
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I have a Marlin Cowboy II, 1998 24" octagonal barrel, that I use for CAS with very low pressure black powder loads (21 grs / 200 gr RNFP) and while there is blow-by, I do not find it markedly more so than my Rossi 92 or my H&R Classic Carbine (which, admittedly, could be a Marlin barrel). The SAAMI chamber for the 45 LC is loose. Most 45 LC chambers are loose. Original balloon head brass was thinner and more likely to expand to seal the chamber. I love Starline brass for it's quality and longevity, but it's stiff and aids in blow by. I have a bunch of Armscor 45LC brass that is much thinner, won't last as long, but is a better choice for low pressure rifle loads. I am not a Marlin apologist suggesting it is not possible that Marlin had even looser chambers than the norm, but the SAAMI spec for the 45 gives a chamber neck of .4800, so, it's loose. Leaving brass a little long helps, a little.

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Driftwood_Johnson/media/chamber dimensions/45Colt-1.jpg.html
 
Hastings said:
Does anyone know whether the blowback issue has been resolved on these? If it has been corrected in some way, I'd be eager to give my 92's a new competitor.

Is it just the bolt arrangement that causes this with low-pressure rounds, or is the chamber oversized (or a combination of the two)?

If they addressed the problem with a tighter chamber, would it lead to problems with chambering certain bullet types or cartridges with a longer than standard c.o.a.l.? I've taken apart a lot of 92's and understand the factors involved in feeding and chambering with them, but I've not delved too deeply into the Marlin 1894's yet. Owned a few, but as I mentioned earlier, the blowback was disconcerting with the 45colt model I had. The 44mag version was wonderful, though, and I should never have sold it.
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It's a function of oversized chambers, which is a malady that plagues 99% of the .45Colt guns on the market.
 
my marlin cowboy had an extremely loose chamber. I suspect they were that way on purpose to aid in feeding. the 44 40 I shoot now does not. it is much more accurate and is more historically correct for a lever gun. dc.
 
I've never experienced gas to the face in other 45colt firearms. I know low pressure loads don't seal in revolvers or other leverguns based on the blowback discoloration on the casings, but none of the other firearms seemed to direct it back into my face the way the Marlins do.

I don't mind loading my rounds a bit hotter to avoid this in a Marlin, but in my Rossi it is not a problem. No detectable blowback in the face. I never tried to analyze the situation, but I wonder if the gas is going back along the firing pin or along the sides of the bolt. Maybe what blowback occurs in a model 92 is vented upward due to the receiver design, while the 1894 inadvertently channels half the blowback gas along the left side of the bolt and the first place for it to escape is at the rear of the receiver - in line with your eye.

Don't get me wrong. This doesn't sour me on Marlin at all. I love the 1894, and 1895. I just love the Winchester 92 a lot more, and Rossi happens to offer affordable versions of the little gem. Hard to beat 10 rounds of hot-loaded 280gr Beartooth WFN hardcast bullets in a stainless 20" M92 weighing all of 5lbs (plus the ammo weight). Best all-around little woods rifle I can think of. The Winchester 94 is second in my book, but only because of the ammo cost, reduced capacity, and increased weight. Plus, they drop their guts out the bottom every time you lever them. That still seems odd to me, but doesn't stop me from enjoying them.
 
The newer Rossi's are ok........after modifications and a lot of stoning on rough internals, Henry's are not quite traditional but built well and priced right.......uberti's are beautifull, made well and expensive.......I have a bunch of original Winchesters, have used all of them for Cowboy Shooting. If I were to purchase today all but the Rossi would be on my list.
 
Ibmikey said:
The newer Rossi's are ok........after modifications and a lot of stoning on rough internals, Henry's are not quite traditional but built well and priced right.......uberti's are beautifull, made well and expensive.......I have a bunch of original Winchesters, have used all of them for Cowboy Shooting. If I were to purchase today all but the Rossi would be on my list.
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In what way are Henry's "not quite traditional"?
 
I don't know nothin' 'bout no .45 Colt, but my Rossi '92 in .357 has been trouble-free other than a too-stiff loading gate. Cycles smoothly every time, and is a hoot to shoot.
 
GBExpat said:
Here, Speedo66, breath into this bag.

Therrrrrrrrre ... that's better. :)
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LOL Was using a device that wouldn't allow me to post an answer, only repeat the previous post.

Feeling much better now, thanks. The bag and some medicinal alcohol helped a lot. ; >)

Let's try it again, Jeepnik said: "In what way are the Henry's 'not quite traditional'?"

As in no loading gate.
 
The original 1860 Henry , which was a take off of the Volcanic repeating gun, used a false muzzle and magazine tube that turned 1/2 turn out of alignment and the cartridges were dropped in from the top of the tube... If that's not traditional, I guess I don't know what would be...
 
Blue1 said:
I got one of the last new .454 Casull 92 model Rossi in late December, 2015; no longer available as far as I can see and that is going back to last summer.

It is an excellent performer. I have seen all the mod videos and have yet to do anything to it, with the exception of stoning the loading gate.

I just checked trigger pull on my spring gauge and it trips at <4 lbs. After maybe 1000 rounds.

I hand load and check with dummy loads to make sure they cycle prior to loading. Factory Hornady XTP 240 grain crossed my chrono at 2235 FPS and cycles perfectly! That is way more muzzle energy than a 30-30 and while there is more drop over distance, the .454 never gives up any energy at any range.

I have several mild range loads with 255 grain Hi-Tek coated SWC that load great from 1400 fps to 1600+ fps. 1600 FPS is 1450 ft/lbs of energy. That's a mild load and only 200 ft/lbs less than a 30-30. I have a 225 grain loads over 2000 FPS and 2000 ft/lbs. Inside 100 yds, this is a usable brown bear load. Would go up to the 300 grain hardcast for even more effective brown bear defense, at 1800 fps/2000+ft-lbs.

Plus, this makes an awesome home defense firearm with an XTP hollow point.

I believe I paid about $750 out the door for this 16" barrel carbine. Would buy another one in an instant if they were still availabile.
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I've got a .480 ruger Rossi in stainless, I kinda wish they weren't rare so I wouldnt feel bad beating it up. I bought it previously owned, in the the box 100% for $450! I will admit when I bought it I just wanted it to match a pistol I have, but I did some reading and was like, hell they don't make these anymore!

A freind has a 44mag puma 92 and it's a joy to shoot also.

I definetly prefer the feel of pistol actions over rifles no matter the make.
 
By my statement " not quite traditional " I was referring to the loading procedure normally applied to firearms of 1866 ---1899 Cowboy era having a loading gate in the receiver and not in the mag tube like a .22 lr. I am quite familiar with the 1860 Henry and it's method of loading as i have one hanging above the fireplace mantle.
Sorry if i caused Speedo to go into orbid ;) my comment was not desired to cause stuttering:D
 
Got my Rossi Model 92 .45 Colt used but like new in the box a few years back. Action was slick right from the start so I don't really know if it came that way from the factory or if someone worked on it prior to my getting it. The gun itself is very compact and fast handling and I love the way it comes up on target so easily. Workmanship is very good with decent wood furniture along with an evenly polished blued finish. The perfect stablemate for my three other .45 Colt single action revolvers.

 
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