Need help selecting a "shorty" lever action rifle.

[moooose102]

i have 2 lever guns, both marlins (well actually, one is a glenfeil made by marlin). 30-30 and 45/70. personally, i like rifle cartridges instead of pistol poppers. unless you want to have that many more shots between reloading. any which way you go, you will love lever guns.

 

[alaskanativeson]

The gun with the history behind it is the Winchester. It's what many people think of when they think "lever action" rifles. It's what John Wayne was supposed to use, so it's got to be the one to choose, right?

I had to vote Marlin though. I have found their actions are smoother and better designed. I'm not trying to bad mouth the Winchester (I do own a pre-64 model 94 in 30/30) because it's obviously a time-tested favorite. I just think the Marlin actions are better performers.

 

[JNewell]

Heckuvalot easier to clean from the breach, too.

 

[Seafarer12]

I had to vote Marlin though. I have found their actions are smoother and better designed. I'm not trying to bad mouth the Winchester (I do own a pre-64 model 94 in 30/30) because it's obviously a time-tested favorite. I just think the Marlin actions are better performers.

I don't know about that one the 92 action is hard to beat for a pistol caliber levergun. Mine is butter smooth, trigger is like a glass rod, light, no creep, no take up it just snaps. I put some after market springs in it to lighten up the cycling but the trigger is stock. Personally I think the 92 looks better never cared much for the look of the 94. Unless someone comes out with a 92 in 32-20 I might have to breakdown and get a 1894 CL though. I talked with Cimarron and they said they might be coming out with them in 09. We will see if I can wait that long.

 

[roscoe]

I don't think that Marlin actually makes a short lever gun. Their shortest barrel is 18", and only one rifle has that. That Marlin is longer than either the Winchester or the Rossi by a noticeable amount when you hold them. The Rossi is the shortest. All are decent guns, though.

 

[Regolith]

Winchester if you can find an older one for a good price, otherwise Marlin.

 

[gremlin]

I own two Winchester lever actions and three Marlin levers.

Winchester 94AE Trapper in 44 mag
Winchester 9422M in 22 mag

Marlin 1894 in 357 mag
Marlin 1894 in 218 Bee
Marlin 336 in 30/30.

I bought the two Winchesters first but have bought the three Marlins since then. I keep buying Marlins, not Winchesters.

It's not that I don't like the Winchesters, but... the Marlins are just more solid in my hand and I like the feel of their actions.

 

[sappyg]

I had to vote Winchester for the simple fact that I've owned one in 44 mag. and I wish I still had it. It is a true 'trapper' with a 16" barrel and I have many rounds downrange with no malfunctions. It was probably the handiest rifle I've ever owned.
IIRC these were also made in 30-30.
I've owned Marlins, Uberti, Rossi,and Browning levers and truthfully that little Winchester trapper was my favorite. I would not hesitate at the chance to get another.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Marlin introduced two new trapper versions this year for the 1894 in either 44 or 357. The also released the youth 30-30 (336Y) which has 116/25" barrel and 12" LOP. Good luck finding them at a dealer. They have been in short supply for quite some time. Alternatively, you can buy the regular version and send it to a good gunsmith and get it shortened for like $200 or less.

 

[sappyg]

if anyone wants to talk turkey for a Winchester trapper PM me.