Need A Lever .357 Truck Gun

[Texasred]

Hey everyone, I no longer drive a company vehicle so I have a little more freedom. I really have been wanting a lever gun for quite a while now and was considering a truck gun too. Something that could be used for protection and whatever may arise, but still look PC instead of some SOPMOD AR.

I was just going to stick a 12 guage behind the seat and be done with it, but I had some problems with my 590 rusting up severly when I did that. It doesn't have any range either. I don't want a full rifle because I don't like the idea of a scope bouncing around, and I want something quick into action. Something that I can use as a defense piece or shoot a hog. I just got in on a deer lease this year and it's pretty close to the border. Last year they found a dead immigrant on the neighboring ranch and there is activity out there. But this is Texas and it's sad reality all over the state now. I'll be driving out to the ranch about once a month and will need to pack as light as possible since I'll leave from work Friday nights and I drive either a single cab truck or a 2 door Jeep Wrangler if my wife comes along.

Usually I carry day to day a 442, an LCR in .357, or a Glock 19 10% of the time. So with a .357 lever gun I can share ammo if ever in a serious bind. Between the .44 mag and .357 what are the ranges of the gun. I'm just curious because they have coyotes as well (I don't believe in shooting them for fun) but the rancher has said that from time to time he has seen some act like they have rabies or something. I have 6 .357 in total and I also reload when I have time but never in large quantities. I don't own any .44s but I have a Desert Eagle in .50 that I will one day buy a conversion bbl for. Is the .44 worth the convience of the .357? This is Texas we don't have grizzlies.

Back on topic, so I was considering a Mini-14 until I decided on a lever, now I am thinking of the Henry Big Boy or Rossi 92. I don't care for the Marlin because of the "marlin jam" and recent quality issues. I really want the most rugged, dependable, reliable, longest lasting gun with accuracy being the second most important aspect. Price seems to be similar across the board so that isn't a concern.

I don't want any plastic, the Big Boy has a "Brasslite" receiver...can this take a beating? I really am a stickler about longevity, I just want the best metals and question the Rossi's quality. I know I wouldn't buy a Rossi or Taurus handgun. But that has nothing to do with country of origin. It's about quality with me. I buy american when possible, but when quality is absent I buy the best. I like the fact that the Rossi is offered in stainless. Is one action tougher than the other. Are the new Winchester's worth getting?

For the record I had one of the last Winchester 94s made before the shutdown and I couldn't hit squat with it. It was also dificult to load and the action wasn't very smooth. You would bruise your hands emptying the gun.

 

[Texasred]

The .454 Rossi is tempting though, can you shoot .45 colt in it.

 

[GCBurner]

I just got one of the Rossi Model 92s in .45 Colt calibre, and got to try it out yesterday. Pretty accurate at 50 yards, and fed round nose, semi-wadcutter, and hollow-point bullets with no failures. It's got a nice, smooth lever action, and feels good to shoot. Fit and finish looks very good on mine, which has the octagon barrel and blued receiver. Mine has the 24" barrel, but the 20" or 16" in .357 Magnum should be even handier. The price on these is about the best of the lever action rifles in pistol calibres that are available; this one was $439 at my local gun store, and Cheaper Than Dirt has them listed in the new catalog at $434, though it would be extra for local delivery through a FFL dealer, if you had to order one.
And regarding the Rossi in .454 Casull Magnum, yes, you can also shoot the .45 Colt in it. The only real design difference between the Rossi Model 92 and the Winchester Model 92 is the addition of a safety on top of the bolt, which can be rotated to block the firing pin to prevent accidental discharges while lowering the hammer on a chambered round.

 

[wacki]

I don't care for the Marlin because of the "marlin jam" and recent quality issues.

I know about the marlin jam (which is supposed to almost never happen) but what quality issues. I posted a very similar question to this forum about a year ago and marlin was the clear #1 pick followed by Rossi.

 

[GCBurner]

I know about the marlin jam (which is supposed to almost never happen) but what quality issues. I posted a very similar question to this forum about a year ago and marlin was the clear #1 pick followed by Rossi.

After Remington bought Marlin a while back, they instituted a lot of cost cutting measures that apparently had a serious impact on Marlin's quality control. The number of complaints on new Marlins escalated to the point where Remington has apparently ceased production of Marlin lever action rifles until they can get the production quality back up. The quality on the pre-Remington Marlin rifles is great, though, if you can find one used.

 

[bangaway]

yes you can shoot .45 colt rounds in a .454 casull Rossi. This .454 or the .44 mag rifles would give a big edge when shooting big hogs or coyotes at distance. My .357 marlin has not jammed in years. Consider a used rifle for quality. They are hard to find as users are still owners. My .357 is just about or is my favorite rifle. Recommend .357 xtp heads for deer. How heavy are Texas hogs anyway? Give average and lunker weights if known. Thank you for all replies. Have fun and bangaway.

 

[Badlander]

Get the Marlin in 45-70. You can't kill A truck with .357.

 

[nyc71]

I just won a Marlin .357 off Gunbroker, can't wait to shoot it.


---
- "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety"- Benjamin Franklin

 

[greyling22]

from what you describe I'd get a stainless rossi in 357. the stainless just holds up to a beating better, and in a small caliber like 357, the 92 action is much trimmer. Don't get me wrong, I love my marlin 357, but I sure wish it was stainless.

But in all honesty, if you really want a tool, I'd suggest a 223. something in plastic and stainless or park.

In regards to marlin, when remington bought them, they closed both factories, laid off the employees, and moved the company to another state(some of the employees were given the option to move with the factory, but most chose not to). It's not surprise they're having issues. I went through 3 brand new marlin 1894css's ad rejected all 3 for being horrible. Remington finally gave me my money back. DO NOT BUY A NEW ONE SIGHT UNSEEN.

 

[benEzra]

How about a Marlin 1894CSS (stainless .357), assuming Marlin gets their QC issues worked out?

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/1894centerfire/1894CSS.asp

 

[GCBurner]

How about a Marlin 1894CSS (stainless .357), assuming Marlin gets their QC issues worked out?

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/1894centerfire/1894CSS.asp

One of the Model 1894 Marlins would be cool, even at the price they charge. As far as I can find, though, none of the wholesalers have any new 1894s or 1895s in stock, and my local dealer doesn't have any idea when they will be available to order. That's why I wound up getting the Rossi M92, which was in stock at the wholesaler and arrived in 2 days, for about $250 less than the list price on the Marlin. If I find a used Marlin in .357, at a decent price, I'd be inclined to get one, too, though.

 

[greyling22]

Benezra, the 3 I had transferred into my name and the 3 others I saw in stores were so awful........ barrels on crooked, sights on crooked, stripped out screws, crossthreaded screws, dinged wood, scratched metal, and that doesn't even cover what I found inside (shudder), or the worst wood to metal and metal to metal fit I have ever seen on any gun brand regardless of price or country of origin. Not one single thing on any of the rifles I handled was done right. They did have pretty nice wood though, despite being poorly fit and handled. Even the recoil pads looked rough. Like they had taken them right off the belt sander and failed to finish them out.

Now, if you they put out a good one in a laminated or even better, synthetic, stock I am so there.

 

[wacki]

Whats the best way for me to read up on and keep up to date with marlin QC issues?

I went through 3 brand new marlin 1894css's ad rejected all 3 for being horrible. Remington finally gave me my money back. DO NOT BUY A NEW ONE SIGHT UNSEEN.

what was wrong with them?

 

[Jalexander]

If you can find a pre-2009 Marlin 1894 for a good price, grab it. Mine was made in 2008, it will feed anything and it's the next thing to a laser. With the Marlin/Remington mess, though, prices are climbing.

James

 

[oldfool]

I vote for the Rossi '92 in SS, 38/357 very versatile, light, handy

 

[Texasred]

Cool guys thanks I'll probaly get the Rossi then.

 

[greyling22]

Wacki, see my post #12 for an overview of theproblems, and some of the pictures I took of rifle #3 are posted here http://img708.imageshack.us/g/dsc06132d.jpg/

That was the one hand picked by a remington representative and sent out to me, and it was the best one I have seen. At least the sights were on straight and the screws weren't crossthreaded.

Tex, rossi's aren't perfect either, but they're solid and priced lower. I like the 16" version of the gun better than the 20. I do wish they would make a version without the curved butt, and I wish they would brush or bead blast the stainless finish instead of polishing it. This is how you slick one up http://marauder.homestead.com/files/Rossitune.htm
http://www.carolinacowboys.us/DepGene/TheRossi92.htm

and I like this sight http://store.stevesgunz.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=19_20_27&products_id=5

 

[B_Li_Ber_Tar_Ian]

After Remington bought Marlin a while back, they instituted a lot of cost cutting measures that apparently had a serious impact on Marlin's quality control. The number of complaints on new Marlins escalated to the point where Remington has apparently ceased production of Marlin lever action rifles until they can get the production quality back up. The quality on the pre-Remington Marlin rifles is great, though, if you can find one used.

Ugh, that's a kick in the nuts. I just ordered an 1894css in 357 yesterday...It's been my white whale. Hopefully I get a gem.

 

[FSJeeper]

I went through the same exercise and ended up with the Rossi in .45LC. It has exceeded my expectations and is accurate. Quality is good. Best value for the dollar IMO.

 

[beatledog7]

Marlins have gotten a lot of bad press since the Remington takeover, but I have an 1894 in .357 and an 1895 in 45-70 that are both Remlins. They were both pretty good from the get go and keep getting better. I've done nothing to either but shoot them.

 

[Lawman]

I have 3 Marlin 1894's in 44 Mag and every one has a very smooth action. No feeding problems of any kind using round nose bullets. My first truck gun was my 1894 Marlin 44 with a 16 inch barrel. Very handy in a bench seat pickup. Very good defense gun.

 

[357Shooter]

USED MARLIN 1894, they are out there.

 

[Texasred]

Just curious, I'm going with the .357 for now but I am very interested in the .454 casull model down the line. What does a .454 Casull do any a 16", 20" etc. bbl? I imagine it must rival the new .45-70 loads or the .450 marlin...Am I right? Plus you can shoot .45 colts also!

 

[greyling22]

see the load data at the bottom of the page http://www.gunblast.com/Paco_Legacy_454.htm

 

[mgkdrgn]

The .454 Rossi is tempting though, can you shoot .45 colt in it.

I have one of those, and am =very= happy with it. The problem is ... they don't make 'em any more ... your going to have to find a used one.

Being a little older than I use to be, I swapped out the rear iron sight for a "skinner" peep, made ALL the difference in the world for me shooting this rifle.

I love the versatility of shooting every thing from "cowboy" 45 Colt loads to 250 gr Hollow points screaming down range at 2100+ fps out of the same gun. (the latter will make you REALLY appreciate the standard recoil pad!)