Ruger Lever Action rifles. Anyone??

[sturmruger]

I have been looking into getting a lever action rifle in a pistol caliber (.44 or .357). I have been looking at some of the Marlin cowboy rifles, and the Ruger 97 series rifles. I am a huge Ruger fan so I am leaning towards a Ruger, but I also have long history of shooting Marlin rifles. Since I have experience with the Marlins what can you tell me about the Ruger lever guns? The biggest downside I see to the 97/44 is that fact that you can only fit 4 rounds in the magazine. I imagine it is possible to put a new mag in fairly quickly, but in comparison to some of the Marlins that hold 10+ rounds, 4 rounds looks a little on the weak side. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.



Thanks

 

[Black Snowman]

I'm very partial to the Marlin lever actions. Great fit and finish and I really like the clean lines of the 1894 models. Kamicosmos has one in .44 Mag that I've shot and I really like it.

 

[Preacherman]

I've found the Ruger lever actions to be strong, serviceable weapons: but I've not bought any, for two reasons. One is the limited magazine capacity. The second is that it's very easy to do an action job on a Marlin or Winchester to get the trigger into a really "shooter-friendly" state: it's much more difficult on the Rugers, and one can't get the trigger as light and crisp as one can with a Marlin or Winchester.

 

[G. Glock]

Plus, it's just hard to imagine Wyatt Earp or even John Wayne packing along a Ruger lever gun.

 

[MrMurphy]

I like the Marlins. I can't stand the Ruger leverguns after shooting one. That, and I haven't seen one for sale in the state of Texas to my recollection in four years, across 15-20 gunshops. I did in CA but they rarely sold there either. The Marlins and Winchesters have been in production 100+ years for a reason. The Ruger is a miniature Savage 99 except it's chambered in a pistol round. If they made it in .308, I'd probably buy it for the heck of it. But a 4-shot magazine in .44 or .357 just doesn't do it for me.

 

[pwrtool45]

The Ruger is a miniature Savage 99 except it's chambered in a pistol round. If they made it in .308, I'd probably buy it for the heck of it.

I'd buy two.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

IIRC---they discontinued the .22LR version this year.


I can see the other models being dumped quickly too----for the reasons stated above by others.

 

[sturmruger]

Thanks guy for all the great replies. I think allot of you are correc the Marlin is would be the better way to go for a pistol caliber lever gun. I have been eyeing the 96/17 too. There are way too many decisions!!

 

[seeker_two]

Question: Will the .44Mag levergun feed & fire .44SPL ammo?

I'm still waiting for them to bring out a .357Mag version, but I may settle for a .44...

 

[sturmruger]

From what I have heard allot of guys use the .44 special in the their lever guns. I imagine the Ruger would do the same thing.

 

[LAR-15]

What about the Ruger 96/17? (.17 HMR)

Anybody own one?

Got to handle one at a gunstore awhile back and am now looking at getting one?