Which Lever Action?

[Old krow]

I'm considering buying a new lever action, I might need a little guidance. The new gun is mostly for the range and some hunting. Any hunting that I will do is likely to be less than 150 yards. It will more than likely see the range a lot more than the woods.

Which caliber would be my first question? It's not my only rifle, so I technically don't "need" another hunting rifle. I reload, so cheap ammo isn't the highest priority either.

I'm a little torn between a .30-30 and a .45LC. I don't own a .30-30 and feel like I probably should. For the "get both" crowd, I will, it's just a matter of the order in which I do it.

For those who would suggest a Marlin 336, are there certain years that are better than others? Or rather, or there years that I would want to stay away from? There are probably more .30-30 lever actions here than there are Dairy Queens in Texas, but I'm not really sure of what I'm looking at.

 

[lobo9er]

I've started looking into the rossi's. I dont own one but they are half the cost. I'm kinda the same boat except i think i am leaning towards a 357.

 

[lobo9er]

look pretty anyways

 

[Lonerider357]

Believe it or not .357 is a good caliber 'in the woods' plenty of knock down power out of a rifle. I know alot of guys who hunt Hogs with a .357 w/hollow points. Marlin is the best lever action rifle out there, just be sure you find one of the older ones made in Hartford Conn. Since Remington bought them it seems the quality isn't there anymore.

 

[Abel]

The 35 Remington is a great reloader's cartridge. Shop for a pre-2009 Marlin 336C.

 

[FLRon]

I've been in the research mode for the very same decision. I decided the .30-30 would be the first lever gun for me. I was leaning toward the Marlin 336 for its simplicity and ruggedness, but I was not happy about the widespread quality control issues with what is currently being shipped these days. The older versions are preferred.

Then I started veering toward the classic Winchester 94. While it contains a bit more intricate action and breakdown than the Marlin, the pre 1964 models seem to be the most revered, however later years seem to be just fine and readily available everywhere.

Have fun and enjoy!

 

[Mike Wazowski]

Lever Actions

Old krow -

It sounds like you are looking for a good used Marlin. For me, the "hunt" is half of the fun. The haggling over price is the other half.

I've taken to perusing the pawn shops and used gun counters wherever I find them. Lately, it seems a lot of shops want new gun prices for used guns, but often a bargain can be found.

I have been seeing a fair amount of Marlins lately. Most have been 30-30 caliber with the occasional 35 Remington showing up. Used 1894 models are pretty hard to find, and when I do they are priced as new. I recently found a 1972 production 336 in 30-30 with a K3 Weaver scope that was in excellent condition for the princely sum of $300.00. It groups very well at 100 yds with 170 grain Federal ammo.

Good luck in your search.

Mike

 

[420Stainless]

Talk about an unanswerable question. I always wanted a nice .45 Colt carbine, but like Mike said, even heavily used ones seem to command pretty high prices. The components for the pistol cartridge will definitely be lower in price than for rifle cartridges. 30-30 carbines seem to be abundant and at much lower prices. I just put a Winchester 94 in layaway and am looking forward to getting it next week.

 

[bergmen]

Talk about an unanswerable question. I always wanted a nice .45 Colt carbine, but like Mike said, even heavily used ones seem to command pretty high prices. The components for the pistol cartridge will definitely be lower in price than for rifle cartridges. 30-30 carbines seem to be abundant and at much lower prices. I just put a Winchester 94 in layaway and am looking forward to getting it next week.

Like this?

This sat on the rack at Big 5's for a month or so and they kept discounting it to move it. I finally jumped on it and it is one of the most fun rifles I've ever owned.

Dan

 

[GarMan]

Get a Marlin 336. Like someone else said, buy one made before 2009. That is when Remington came and messed up a good thing. Also, try to find one without the crossbolt safety.

 

[xtarheel]

Being a lefty I have quite a few lever actions including a couple original Model 92's including a SRC in .38-40 and an octagon barrel rifle in .32-20, a BLR in 358, a custom Savage 99 in 7mm08, a 1957 Model 94 in .30-30, and a Marlin 1894 in .357. My first deer rifle was a Marlin 336C in .35 Rem. Wish I still had that one. If I had no lever actions and wanted one, I would probably look for a pre crossbolt safety 336 in either .30-30 or .35 Remington. I've killed deer with both and the deer couldn't tell the difference. For a handloader, the advantage of the .35 is that you can load .357 pistol bullets for cheap plinking or coyotes.

Last week I visited a high end gun shop in Salzburg Austria. They had a stainless 336CS in .30-30 for 990 Euros (that's abour $1,395!). The Europeans must think they are pretty good.

 

[dagger dog]

Right now finding a new Marlin 1894 Cowboy 45 Colt at sane pricing is darn near impossible! Winchester 1894's in 45 Colt have skyrocketed too.

Getting the 30-30 first might not be a bad idea, you can find them in the 1894 C and 336 Marlin, and Winchester 1894's, they might be your best deals as the price on all lever guns have increased since the Cowboy Action Shooting craze has driven ALL center fire lever gun pricing higher.

I know the older Winchesters and Marlins( pre-saftey) are usually of high quality and the used guns bring a premium, the newer tang and crossbolts safteys are cheaper used.

The Italian 45 Colt lever gun clones are available in all configurations, pricing put them out of my reach.I understand they are quality, but that's all I can comment.

Braztech-Rossi's are in the under 5C range, and speaking from and owners aspect, they ain't to shabby. My 45 Colt Rossi 24" blued octogon barreled 92 (I call it a WOSSI)1892 Winchester clone IMO was well worth the 480 bucks I shelled out, the fit and finish is very passable from the box it has fed and fired any 45 Colt round I have been able to feed it.

I cast and load my own,RCBS 452-255 Lee 255 RNFP,Lee 255 LSWC, and
Lyman 452-460 LSWCGC, wheel weight bullets in Winchester and Remington brass have all fed, fired, ejected flawlessly,along with Winchester Factory Silver Tip.

Pluses include smoothness of action, this is after a break in period,nice wood and finish, blueing is bright on the receiver matte on the barrel, case color is and option but they sell FAST.

Check out Davidson's Gun Genie, you can see and compare Marlin, Winchester, Braztech and the Italian clones, pus If you buy from a Davidson's dealer you get a LIFETIME REPLACMENT WARRANTY at no extra charge.

Draw backs on the WOSSI 92, the innards are ROUGH, not the working parts, but any thing that does not have to be finished IS NOT and is left straight from the casting mold, the factory sights are the pits,plan on an up grade especially if your eyesight it less than perfect, the little firing pin block saftey and yellow plastic magazine tube cartridge follower function well but must have been designed by the same person that designs flatware for Walmart!The ejector spring, is over powered and flings your brass into the next county. The trigger pull is heavy but crisp, I've left mine alone for now. STEVESGUNZ can help with most of the drawbacks.

Braztech also has the Rossi Rio Grande, a Marlin 336 30-30 knock off guess you could call it a MOSSI, not to be confused with a MOSSY.

 

[greyling22]

best marlin 336 I've ever come across was a glenfield version (the department store version of the 336.) now, the wood was lame, but the action was nice ans smooth and a very little work slicked it up so very nice. and it was only $220.

If you're looking for a pack around gun though, I'd suggest the rossi in 357. The 92 action is lighter and less bulky than the 1894, they are actually available these days, and the current production rossi quality isn't in the toilet like marlin. Though daggerdogs's comments about rossi's are accurate.

 

[whetrock]

The ye old 30-30 has plenty of energy out to 150 yards ( and even farther with modern ammo such as Hornady leverevolution) and ammo is somewhat affordable and very common when it comes to rifles chambered for the cartridge I am quite partial to the Marlin 336 and would recommend it without hesitation.

 

[Furncliff]

30-30

Since you reload you'll be able to tailor your ammo to what you're doing. Now that Hornaday is selling their new bullets all the better. There's a ton of recipes' for 30-30.

 

[lobo9er]

this is the one i am thinking about. rossi large loop .357

 

[Gryffydd]

As you say, when you reload cheap ammo isn't a concern. But it sure is less time consuming to load straight walled revolver cartridges. Plus you can stuff 10 of them in the gun

I decided to go with the .45 Colt 1894. Cabelas has been selling a standard 1894 in 45 Colt for $550 (not the cowboy model). I'm not sure if they still have any or not.

Mine has the unfortunate REP stamp on the side. I took it out shooting once and had to send it in for warranty work. I got failures to extract every 2-3 rounds, and even on unfired rounds. I also couldn't get it to feed LSWCs hardly at all. To add insult to injury I was completely unable to disassemble it because the hammer pivot screw was stuck. And I mean stuck. I folded over several well-fitted Wheeler bits trying to get it out.

I called them up and they sent me a shipping label. I just got it back a few days ago. They beveled the chamber, adjusted the extractor, and replaced the screw. I haven't had a chance to shoot it since I got it back.

I guess the point is that if you get one of the Built By Remington Monkeys models, it may need some serious help.

 

[Eaglestroker]

I have a '56 Winchester model 94 with the short hand guard, and a '57 with the long, hands down my favorite rifles I own. I'd like to have a 336 just to cut back on the miles my 94 gets 'but their just not the same' I like the Rossi .357 rifles but they are hard to find around here.

In any case you can't go wrong because it's a lever action! I personally think a 30-30 is something everyone should have hanging around.

 

[Old krow]

Thanks for the input. I've got a little bit more to go on now. I'll start looking around and see what turns up.

dagger dog - Thanks for the breakdown. I'll definitely keep that in mind.

Believe it or not .357 is a good caliber 'in the woods' plenty of knock down power out of a rifle.

I should probably spend a little more time looking into the .357 as well. I'll admit, I've never really given it all that much thought, even though I already load it. Maybe it's that reloader's disease where you buy a new caliber to have something new to load for?

 

[420Stainless]

Like this?

This sat on the rack at Big 5's for a month or so and they kept discounting it to move it. I finally jumped on it and it is one of the most fun rifles I've ever owned.

Dan

Exactly like that. No good deals around here that I've seen. But very glad to see you got one.

 

[skipbo32]

i think its really really really hard to beat a Marlin 336 in 30-30. its only a matter of time when these guns go up in price. im still scratchin' my head over the value on those. makes winchester look cheap. solid gun.

 

[skipbo32]

Eaglestroker: i like your hat? are you originaly from Texas? i did Civil War reenacting in TX and had a hat just like that.

 

[skipbo32]

by the way. here is my marlin 336 30-30 with a leupold scout scope. i love it! did i mention i love it?

 

[murdoc rose]

marlin 336 is a fine option, as for years it shouldn't matter much

If your still not sure on caliber the 30-30 shouldn't let you down its proven it's self over the years but there are other options out there. Have you looked at the 45-70? or even a 444?

I'm not a fan of pistol rounds in my rifles but it all depends on what you want.

 

[Sav .250]

If you don`t need another "range" gun. then go with the 45LC.