Need advise on a lever gun

[TonyAngel]

Hey guys,

I have a Ruger Blackhawk in .38/.357. Why do I like it? I don't know. I just do. I really like the fact that all I have to grab is the revolver and a bag of ammo and I'm ready. I was thinking that I'd like to have a carbine length rifle to go along with it and what would be better than a lever gun in the same caliber.

I know little to nothing about lever guns in handgun calibers. Any recommendations? It would really be nice if it would shoot both .38 and .357 reliably, but if I have to choose, I'd prefer .357.

 

[Jason_W]

I like my Marlin 1894. I do occasionally have some feeding issue with cast ammo, but if I had the means to get the action slicked up by a professional, it wouldn't be an issue. I've never had a problem with jacketed ammo from 110 grains, all the way up to 180 grains. It could also be my individual rifle.

The other affordable option I know of are the Brazilian 1892 clones (rossi, puma, etc.) I used to have one in .44 mag. It was ultra reliable, but I found the crescent butt plate to be unpleasant under the recoil of full house .44 mag loads. That won't be a problem with a .357 mag version, as recoil is very light.

It should also be noted that the Marlin 1894 is factory drilled and tapped for a scope mount or peep sight. The '92 will require gunsmithing if you want to mount a scope or receiver sight.

 

[W.E.G.]

Marlin.

I hope you are extra-super-duper diligent at removing the fouling ring if you shoot .38 ammo in your .357 guns.

Most people are lazy and/or inept.
Although they CLAIM that they remove the fouling ring, I find most folks fail to remove the fouling ring.

The time when you REALLY NEED your gun to work, is no time to say, "Excuse me, I have a stuck casing,... can you give me a few minutes while I wrestle with it?"

 

[Legionnaire]

Marlin 1894C. Recently picked one up myself. Details at this thread (link).

W.E.G. is right about cleaning the fouling ring. So I don't shoot .38 specials in my .357s. Rather, I picked up some reloading gear and now download .357 cases to .38 special velocities for my plinking rounds. Works well.

Edit: Heck, might as well link the picture here, too.

 

[dewalt-2]

I have a Marlin 1894SS to go with my Super Blackhawk. It doesn't get any better than that.
A little help in deciding...

 

[Cajun]

Definitely the Marlin 1894 in .357!!!!!

 

[greyling22]

I've got both the marlin and the rossi in 357. the rossi is lighter and more compact. (16" barrel) which is very nice to pack around. seems to feed more reliably. especially semi-wadcutters and 38's.

The marlin is heavier, slicks up much better and easier, has better sights, and scopes better. traditional, scout or red dot. better wood and blueing too.

If you're going to hike with it, get the rossi, if you're going to do anything else with it, I recommend the marlin. I can't speak with authority on any of the other winchester clones.

 

[TonyAngel]

Well, the consensus so far seems to be the 1894. I really like that CSS model. Oh decisions. I've had my eye on a Beretta 9mm carbine too, but I'm thinking that the lever gun might be more fun. Besides, my kid gets a real kick out of lever guns, ever since his first Henry.

 

[TonyAngel]

OK, that post before mine came in while I was typing my last one. What's up with the Rossi? Why do you say it's only good for carrying around? I'm not too worried about the way it looks. All I'm really worried about is accuracy and dependability. A 16" is exactly what I had in mind when I got the idea of a lever gun in my head.

158gr SWCs are what I will be shooting through this rifle, almost exclusively.

 

[TonyAngel]

I figured I'd update here rather than starting a new thread. I walked into my local gunshop to pick up some powder and stuff and on the rack were a pair of Rossis. Once was a 20" model in stainless and the other was a 16" model in blue. I really liked them both. The 16" was really handy feeling. Nice and small. It feels like around 5lbs. The 20" stainless was nice too and still a handy size. Well, being impulsive, I bought the little 16". I think that lever guns should be blue. The guy that sold it to me says that he has one and has run thousands of rounds through his without problems. We'll see this week end.

 

[Badlander]

The 1894css is sweet! You will find it in the rack next to the Hens Teeth.

 

[planetmobius]

Henry Big Boy

 

[slicksleeve]

I have a Marlin 1894 in .357 mag. also, and love it. On the other side of the rack of hen's teeth, I hope to find a Marlin in .41 mag. I have a dust-collecting Glock that would be put to good use in a partial trade for one of those.

 

[tkcomer]

You're gonna love that Rossi. I have two. One in 357 and one in 44 mag. I don't know which one I like best. They are great pop can killers.

 

[Coal Dragger]

Well another vote for a Marlin on this one. See all the above listed reasons.

 

[TonyAngel]

I wanted a Marlin, but I didn't think that they had a model with a 16" barrel, which is what I wanted. I do have a Marlin .22 and it is slick. The Rossi isn't nearly as slick, but it isn't a chore to cycle the action either. I'm gonna take it out this weekend with my son, a few of his friends and a butt load of ammunition and see if it smooths out any.

 

[mgkdrgn]

I own a Rossi M92 (in 454 Casull/45 Colt) and have bought/sold several Marlins.

All things being equal (and, of course they never all) I would be willing to admit that the Marlin is probably the better gun. Side eject rather than top (easier to mount a scope), slicker action (although not much over my Rossi), and easier to break down for cleaning.

That said, the Marlin is often harder to find than the Rossi, and 25-30% more expensive when you do. Also, all of the Marlins I've had through here have been "older" ones ... I don't know if the new ones fare as well.

Bottom line is that I believe you would be happy with either one ... and adding a pistol caliber carbine to your collection adds a GREAT deal of versatility.