Looking into 1st Lever-action.

[RobertFBurnett]

Hey all, if some of you hang out in Revolvers you have no doubt seen my steady stream of posts regarding researching, buying, and shooting .357s and .44Mags. Now its time to think about some buddies (also thinking about a DBL Barrel 12 Gauge w/ exposed hammers)for my wheelguns.

So now that I have some of those under my belt my thoughts have begun to drift over to a Lever action rifle to compliment them. Here is what I know in no particular order, and if anyone wants to refine any point just jump in:

I know Marlin, I have shot Marlin .22s, they make a fine product, and the "Cowboy" model chambered for pistol calibers is frequently on sale for $399 at a local sporting goods shop.

If I do go Marlin I can go one of two ways, handgun caliber or something with a little more (o.k Alot more) punch like 45-70. I don't hunt so it will be all range fun. Which would instantly make you think to rule out the 45-70 until I priced .44Magnum! The real deal would be in .357 for me.

Do rifles accept the Special rounds like revolvers can? And what is Leverlution (?) ammo, is not all ammo liked by Leveractions?

Well thats a running start, thank you all in advance,

RFB

Who else besides Marlin is making well priced (I'd say Under $800+- as that is what my Browning Varmint cost) Leveractions?

 

[chad1043]

Go for the 357...


Chad

 

[Mastiff4570]

I own, hunt with, and shoot a marlin guide gun.

I love that gun it is my favorite gun ever owned or shot.

My buddy does cowboy action shooting and he has a marlin in .45 colt. That gun also shoots like a dream! i would say if your going for the 45/70 reload it saves a ton of money!

The .357 is also a great i have shot one that my friend owned before the .45 it was great and well run any .357 we could buy. I haven't found or seen any other guns that soot that well and are priced that well i always recommend the Marlin!

 

[usmcgrunt]

Hard for me to say which one but I just got another Marlin, this time a Guide Gun in .45-70! I already have a 336 in 30-30 and a 1894 in .44 Mag! Love them all! Here is a pic! Good Luck with your decision!

Grunt Out!

 

[ARGarrison]

Traditionally only flat point bullets could be safely used in tube magazine feed lever action rifles. Bullet point to primer under recoil and all that could happen. Leverevolution ammo is from Hornady. They have a flex tip that allows you to use pointed leverevolution bullets in a lever gun. Giving you better preformance out of your lever action.

As for using specials in a lever gun, I don't have one, but have heard some will do it fine. Others have problems loading a shorter cartridge. Make, model and all that.

Puma (ala Rossi) is importing lever rifles. They can be had in .357 mag, .44 mag, .45 Colt, and the .454 Casull. They can be had in Blued or Stainless, and come in rifle length and carbine length.

 

[tkcomer]

Since you already have the pistols, I'd stick with that. And the guns chambered for 357 or 44 magnum will handle the special rounds. The big decision is if you want to put some sort of optic on it. If so, the Marlin or the Henry would be a good choice. If not, you might look into the Legacy Sports Puma line. They are cheaper than the Marlin or Henry and based on the Winchester 92. Strong guns.

 

[RobertFBurnett]

The big decision is if you want to put some sort of optic on it.

Not looking to put glass on it, but would probably like one of these, http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=23126&title=COWBOY%20TARGET%20RIFLE%20SIGHTSI shot an Enfield .303 with ladder sights and really liked it, I think this is close.

RFB

 

[ReadyontheRight]

I can't help you woith $150+ sights, but I CAN recommend the Marlin 1895 in 44 mag.

The .357 gets a lot of kudos, but it seems underpowered for my neck of the woods. All I know is the .44 mag and 30-30. .44 is a great, inexpensive round for deer and a heck of a lot of fun for plinking. 30-30 is pretty good, but I usually move up into a .308 or 30-06 when I get to that kind of opportunity.

 

[Furncliff]

Marlin 1894c, a hoot to shoot. All kinds of different loads avail in .38 special and .357 mag. including Buffalo Bore.

 

[Colt46]

I'd recommend the rossi/puma 1892

Get whatever caliber you think is best. They are great knockabout rifles and really handy to carry.

 

[RobertFBurnett]

I can't help you woith $150+ sights, but I CAN recommend the Marlin 1895 in 44 mag.

It does sting a little to put a $160 sight on a $400 gun. But I guess no more than looking at $200 gun leather for a $400 SA revolver.

RFB

 

[Harve Curry]

You really cannot go wrong with any Marlin, especially fond of 1894's.

 

[RobertFBurnett]

I like Marlins too, looking at their website the only difference that I can see off the little pictures is the 1894 has a round barrel and a little foregrip checkering, and the cowboy has a octagonal barrel and no checkering. Are the actions the exact same?

RFB

 

[subierex]

My favorite gun is my EMF Hartford (ie. Rossi) in 45LC with 24" octagonal barrel. The thing is just a hoot and I've never, ever had any issues with it. The 45LC is a nice round as you can load down to plinking loads and up to "Ow, my shoulder"!

If I was to do it again though, I'd probably go with a lever in .357 only because of cost. Don't get me wrong, I love the 45LC and since I only feed it handloads cost isn't that big an issue. But with .357 you can really get that cost to reload down.

 

[kount_zer0]

The actions are the same. My friend has the 1894 cowboy, I have the straight 1894. Both are 45 Colt. Both are very nice guns, but his actio was smoother out of the box. The Cowboy's sights are more simple than the standard models, but a lot of peopl replace the sights with peep or glass anyway. The Cowboy stocks are sweeter and fit and finish are nicer in general. The price on the cowboy was $650, mine was $400.

We are both very happy with our rifles.

 

[glockman19]

I have a Marlin 1894SS and love it . I will be getting a 1894C soon.

 

[PO2Hammer]

I like the .357 and the .45-70 in the lever guns.

.357 mag is a great little plinker round. Full power ammo is easily controlled and velocities start pushing 2,000 f.p.s.

.38 spl ammo cycles fine and is nice and quiet.

I do not recomend those tang sights on a general purpose rifle. They're in the way when you want to carry the rifle by the wrist. They have to be flipped up constantly. They're vulnerable. They're just more than you need.

My 1894CP (16" .357 w/porting) has sights and scope mount like these:
http://www.xssights.com/store/scope.html
half way down, the XS lever scout mount with the ghost ring sights.
You could get the whole setup for less than the other rear sight. I have a Weaver 2X handgun scope mounted foreward on the scout rail. Super fast into action and the scout scope allows you to see so much more when the action is fast and furious.

I am thinking of upgrading the rear sight to a Lyman like this:
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=116045

I use a wide range of bullet weights and velocities and the Lyman allows for quick, repeatable sight settings.

The XS peep sight is OK, but it's a bear to adjust.

For heavy stuff, go right to the 1895 in .45-70. Marlin's best rifle by far. Recoil is soft for the bullet weights used and the rifle is just smooth and accurate. I can't imagine a better woods gun.

I had a Rossi Puma in .357 that was a great gun as well. Buttery smooth action and is slimmer and handles better than a Marlin, but it did not cycle .38 spl ammo well. At the time I didn't handload, so I switched to Marlin.

 

[Seafarer12]

The big decision is if you want to put some sort of optic on it.

BLASPHEMY for even saying something like that, BURN HIM.

Now thats thats said and done. I have a Marlin 45/70 and a Navy Arms (a nicer rossi) .357. I say go with the .357 it's a good all around rifle. I also like the 92 action over the marlin 94. Good for plinking, hunting stuff up to deer size. The 45/70 is a good thumper but costs too much to shoot unless you reload and not really a plinking round.

As far as sights go I wouldnt waste the money on a .357 gun. They aren't much good past 100 yards. Spend the cash on ammo. I will also say don't buy Williams peep sights. I had some on my 45/70. They were great for about 30 rounds then the adjustment screws stripped and the thing fell apart. I pulled the trigger and the thing self destructed right in front of me. Parts when everywhere. Went back with the stock sights.