1st Lever Gun. Need recommendations.

[Cohibra45]

All of these are very good suggestions!!! I want to warn you now that the lever guns are as addictive as the AR craze!!!!!!

I think my first lever I bought was one of the last 'new' Savage '99s in 308 with the detachable magazine. Then is when the insanity set in.........I bought a NIB Browning made 1996 SRC in 45/70, then found a Marlin 1885SS (pre hammer block), grabbed a stainless Rossi in 45Colt with the 20" barrels (also pre stupid on top safety) and the last one was a Winchester 1894 30/30.

Unfortunately, I don't think I'm done yet!!!!!!!!

 

[Kentucky-roughrider]

The Mossberg has the look and feel of the Winchester, but I don't know about quality.
The Marlin is a year end year out favorite
If you want a pistol calibered one, the clear choice is between the Marlin 1894 and the Winchester 92 clones. The 73 clones are not as strong and with 357 over loading the PSI limit would be too easy.

 

[Colt46]

I've got the 92 puma in .45 colt

couldn't be happier with it. Maybe not quite the same velocity as the .357, but those heavy slugs will give you penetration at any angle.

 

[Kentucky-roughrider]

That said I would prefer 45 Colt over the .357 mag. the model doesn't change.

 

[Nhsport]

I own several 30-30 94's and a Marlin cowboy in 44mag along with a puma in 357 so I believe I have some perspective.

A 30-30 is great for deer and large hogs but for just blasting the ammo is way more expensive than 38/357.
For that matter a 357 158gr at 1800fps+/- isn't to bad for deer at 100yd or less. Big old blunt 357 bullets will lose speed faster than the 30-30 so that is better for hunting at distance.
Consider re-thinking the optics , most lever guns have stocks that are shaped all wrong for a scope and whatever you decide don't get a set of those godawfull "see thru" scope ring sets that are about 2" higher than they need to be.
I believe the best setup for a lever gun is a peep sight. simple,cheep,almost as accurate as a good scope

 

[Float Pilot]

While the movie "Tom Horn" with Steve McQueen claimed that Horn used a Winchester 45-60 model 1876 (a giant 1873 action) for his last years of clearing the range of his targets, he in fact was using a 30-30 caliber model 1894 Winchester rifle serial #82,667.

While it is true that he had previously used a 45-60 with a "trajectory like a rainbow", Horn apparently decided to move on to smokeless powder and a flatter trajectory.

Since he was using a rifle and not a carbine, that 30-30 was probably developing some impressive velocity for the 1898 to 1903 time period.

He supposedly made several shots (kills) at over 200 yards with an iron sighted Winchester. I always wondered if he had a tang peep.

He sure as heck wasn't using a scope.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

IMHO the best place to start in lever guns is a Marlin 39a.

After that is the Marlin 1894 in .357

Then the .336 in 30-30 or .35 Rem

Then the Guide Gun in 45/70

As of a few days ago I am 1/2 way there

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

I have a few lever guns. By far my favorite is a 1892 Winchester (made in mid 1892) chambered in 38-40 (38WCF). At 116 years old it is still smooth as glass and will shoot a 2.5 inch group at 100 yards with a Marbles Tang Peep.

Wow, that is just too cool, Float Pilot - congrats!

 

[Domino]

Woah H20 MAN, what are the specs on that lever rifle. That's too cool!

Another vote for the Marlin 1894C, I can't wait to get one myself.

I just wish they made one in stainless steel with a synthetic stock. Put on some XS rail with a low powered scope and a set of XS sights for backup and you have what I consider the ultimate survival rifle! Paired with a stainless 4" GP-100 and you have a real do-it-all combo.

The Puma 92's are nice too, I got one in 45 colt and its been 100%.

 

[qajaq59]

If you can possibly find one, a Savage 99 is the way to go. However, they are hard to find and quite expensive. Certainly nothing clunky about them though.
Otherwise, most of the modern rifles will do the job for you. Just handle a few different brands and see which one you like best.

 

[22/22mag]

I have the Puma .44mag very smooth lever action .light easy to carry fast shooting.

Henry in .45 lc weighs more but shooting 250 gr,like shooting .22lr no muzzel rise also fast shooting a butter like lever action.Stock has been shortend, both rifles 20" barrels.

Scope mount will work on both models but need gunsmith to drill + tap.

 

[batmann]

My M94 Winchester in .30-30 is my 'go to; rifle. It is trimer, lighter and handles better than a Marlin. The Marlin is somewhat stronger and smoother when new, but the Winchester smooths out the more you use it.
Mine is NOT a pre-64 and has AE and tang saftey. I have found these features to be to be non intrusive and coupled with the round I have it to be a very capable rifle. Get one, you won't regret it.