Which .357 Lever Action brand is good?

[Darth-Vang]

I’ve been thinking about getting a lever action rifle. Was wondering which brand is best and which is worst? And why that particular brand?

 

[Charlie98]

Marlin 1894. Disassembly with one screw, clean from the breech. Flat top receiver... with the flexibility to mount peeps or a scope.

 

[Pudge]

I have a Rossi 92, because it was available and affordable, and not been disappointed. Feeds .38s and ,357s, it's tons of fun and, while not a tack driver, plenty accurate.

 

[doubleh]

Plus 1 on the Rossi. It is small and light weight and fairly accurate. Out of the box it has some annoying quirks like throwing it's empties somewhere over the moon, a stiff loading gate, and a stock that most will find a bit short but it's little quirks are easily solved and for little money.

 

[Llew Taranau]

Lots of people will say that Henry is tops. I have a new one in .357 that I really like, but tbh the action on the .45 LC Marlin '94 I used to have was lighter and smoother, and the rifle weighed a lot less as well.

 

[stringnut]

The wife has a 357 Marlin that was made during the first Remlin years. Got it dirt cheap because of rough functioning and inaccuracy. Wood and external finish was good. Cleaned the huge amounts of lead from shooting 38 special and tested with jacketed ammo. 2 inches or less at 100 yards. Off to the gun smith for some action and trigger work and it now reliable and smooth functioning. Any of the Marlins with JM on the barrel , unless abused, should be good. The later Remington production , from what I have seen, is good. If you buy one from the same time frame as my wife’s it any take a bit of work to get it functioning smoothly. Being able to scope the Marlin is a great feature.

Rossi’s can be pretty rough from the factory. A little work, or a lot of shooting, and they generally smooth out in my experience.

If you run across a Winchester 94 my advice is to keep walking. I have had 2 . One actually key holed at 50 yards and Winchester refused to do anything about it. The 94 just doesn’t seem to work well with pistol cartridges.

New production Winchester 92s at least look very nice and seem very smooth. I haven’t had the opportunity to shoot one. I would gladly shoot yours for you if you get one!

 

[Ru4real]

I’m holding out for a Chiappa 92 in 357. They make runs of takedowns with fancy wood from time to time. The last run was a couple years ago, and the last one I was watching sold on Gunbroker 3 months ago for $1200.

Here is my Chiappa in 45 Colt, takedown, that has proven to be super accurate with 180 to 335 grain bullet weights. The quality, fit and finish is superb. A true modern 92 replica if you are into that. Chiappa seems to have taken care of small details, like making the twist 1 in 16 for modern 45 Colt (heavy longer bullets) something not found in older, non updated guns that still have 1 in 38 twists, etc.

I’ve read the Chiappa 357 is updated and great, as well. The ones currently on GB are non takedown, non fancy.

 

[Bfh_auto]

I only have experience with the Rossi. I like it.
Out of the box it was minute of pop can at 50 yards. At 100 it was minute of clay pigeon.
The empties ejected like a jack in the box. They all landed in the same spot though.
The trigger was crisp but 8 pounds was excessive in my opinion.
I stoned the action and trigger. Then I replaced the ejector spring. This smoothed it up. (I liked it before this. But I'm never content)
I mounted a scout scope and realized the accuracy is there. I wasn't able to get them from the factory sights though.
I finally bought a Lyman FP receiver sight. Then drilled and tapped the action.
Now I can break clay pigeons at 130 yards more often than not offhand.
This is a long winded way of saying if you buy a Rossi have a receiver sight installed.

 

[slugford]

New production Winchester 92s at least look very nice and seem very smooth. I haven’t had the opportunity to shoot one. I would gladly shoot yours for you if you get one!

I've got a short rifle in 44 magnum and it's a very nice rifle. Shoots very well off hand, nice sights and accurate with both cast and jacketed. My biggest complaint with the rifle so far is the steel buttplate. I can only shoot about 30 rounds and I'm done. Wish the bluing were a little better for the price.

 

[chicharrones]

If I was in the hunt for new production right now? I'd sure be interested in a Moruku made Winchester 1892 if I could use iron sights well.

Unfortunately I need some sort of optic now.So, I'm hoping a Ruger made Marlin 1894 will be near the best in a .357.

I have a feeling that Ruger/Marlin pistol caliber lever carbines will come after the rifle caliber lever rifles, though. Which means maybe the 1894s will be rolling out in 2022?

 

[JDeere]

I have a Henry in .44 and she shoots lights out with my loads. I put a Skinner peep and front sight on mine. Got the taller front and whittled it down to get my peep where I wanted it on adjustment. They make a scope mount that that fits the Henrys that or already tapped if that's your choice. I was going to scope mine but the peeps still work ok for my old ass eyes...

 

[Bfh_auto]

I have a Henry in .44 and she shoots lights out with my loads. I put a Skinner peep and front sight on mine. Got the taller front and whittled it down to get my peep where I wanted it on adjustment. They make a scope mount that that fits the Henrys that or already tapped if that's your choice. I was going to scope mine but the peeps still work ok for my old ass eyes...

Peeps are very underrated. I could not believe the accuracy potential compared to a low power scope.
They only lose out in low light conditions.

 

[NorthBorder]

I have a Henry levergun in 45 LC, 2 Miroku Winnies in 45 LC, and 2 Rossi in 45 and 357. For pure glee my Rossi 45 with the 16.5" barrel is the greatest. Makes me feel like John Wayne. I haven't shot my Rossi 357 short rifle too much. You can't go wrong in any of those choices. Just good luck finding one. As Rooster Cogburn said, "fill your hands."

 

[Speedo66]

I'm very happy with my Rossi.

 

[kidneyboy]

I have a Marlin 1894 and had a Henry both in 357. Hard to find faults with either one. In a side by side I'd take the Henry but if you aren't handling both before buying it I'm not sure if one or the other is better.

ETA I agree with @Ru4real on the Chiappa 92. I have one in 45colt. Very well made. Fun to shoot.

 

[Darth-Vang]

Thanks for all the response y’all. So what caliber works best for the lever action?

 

[NorthBorder]

FYI, the LGS in town happens to have a Chiappa 92 45LC on their shelf as we speak. Price is approximately $1K. Not sure if it is new or used.

 

[Big_Al]

Didn't know they made those on 357?

 

[Orion8472]

Taylors 1873!!

Just kidding. They're great looking rifles, though. I feel like I need a tang peep sight for it, though.

 

[Riomouse911]

The 1873 rifles in .357 are really cool; quick to the shoulder and smooth as silk.

My .357 rifle is a 16” Rossi 92. I like the action, but it took a bit of extractor-spring tweaking to stop it from chewing up cartridge case heads.

The Rossi 92 in .45 Colt is my favorite lever gun. It just screams fun when loading those cigar butt sized cartridges into the loading gate. The 230-260 grain bullets I load for it smack steel and scaled-down silhouettes perfectly.

I also have an 1894 Win .44 Mag Trapper. The 1894 action is a bit clunkier than the ‘92, and a lot clunkier than the ‘73, but with .44 magnum cases it’s been reliable and hard hitting.

Peep sights do help a ton, if you get a Rossi try to get a Skinner or other sight to replace the standard buckhorn. You’ll be glad you did .

Stay safe.

 

[Bush Pilot]

Thanks for all the response y’all. So what caliber works best for the lever action?

The caliber that fits the bill of what you need/want and can find ammo or components to match. There isn't a bad cartridge.

 

[Charlie98]

Peeps are very underrated.

Yes, they are... that's why everything I can fit them with has them, with rare exception...

 

[Charlie98]

Thanks for all the response y’all. So what caliber works best for the lever action?

Depends on what you want out of it. Pistol-cartridge levers are fun, and work very well. Standard rifle cartridges work well, too... if you need the power.

One of my favorite levers is my Marlin 1894 in ..41MAG... I've shot it out to 600+ yards with good success. Granted, the .41 is a handloading proposition, but it's my favorite revolver cartridge. I don't see how you could go wrong with a .357, or, if you want more distance... a .44 or .45 lever.

 

[wiscoaster]

If you want one "tactical style" w/ side loading, I have a Henry Big Boy X and can recommend it.

 

[lionking]

I have a Rossi got it a couple years ago I like it except for the fact it is very finicky on ammo, the only ammo I have found that functions smooth without jamming is Prvi 158gr. Next time I'd go with Marlin or Henry.