357 Magnum Survival Rifle

[Domino]

Ok here's what I want...

I would like a .357 Magnum lever action that would be suitable for all types of weather and would be suitable for virtually any survival situation.

Marlin 1894 lever action rifle in stainless steel finish, with XS sights and a synthetic stock. I know the lever action purist cringe at the thought but I am convinced that this would be the ultimate combination for durability and versitility. Why isn't something like this made!?

It would also compliment my 4" Stainless Steel Ruger GP-100 with Hogue grip perfectly.

Does anyone else want something like this?

 

[Brian Williams]

A blued one with a good coat of Johnson's Paste wax will last just about as well.
Marlin did make a run of 250 1894C's in Stainless and black/grey laminate stocks.
They are not cheap.

 

[Domino]

I didn't know Marlin made a small run of SS 1894c's, it sounds like they would be really hard to find though. I definately like the 1894c the best out of the available 357 lever rifles, anyone have any experience with the new Puma 92's or Taurus Thunderbolts? I have an old Rossi M92 in .45 Colt and it is extremely tough but the workmanship isn't all that great and its more complicated than the 94's. Plus I like how the 94 is easier to upgrade to good sights and such.

Is there anything else on the market that is close to what I'm looking for or should I just switch to .44 Magnum?

 

[ThomasT]

Blued steel guns were carried all over the world for the last two centuries with many examples surviving today. And thats after they were fired with corrosive powder and primers.

I think your gun will outlast you just the way it is. But if you wanted you could have it hard chrome plated or have one of the modern coatings installed and be money ahead. The simple wax coating mentioned works fine also.

 

[9mmepiphany]

i'd rather plate a 1894 than go with stainless

the ultimate (hardest) would be Hard Chrome

a more cost effective alternative would be Electroless Nickle...i can recommend Cera-Plate by CCR (NP3 w/o the hype)

if you like to keep the metal dark, there's always Melonite. it is excellent on handguns, i'm note sure if they do longguns

 

[woof]

Why does it need to have a synthetic stock? And unless you are near salt water, why does it need to be stainless? You can keep it from rusting and who cares if they scratch the stock on their "survival rifle?" The synthetic stock might take a little weight off but the 1894c is only 6lb.

 

[jojosdad]

Thunderbolts are out of production, and AFIK they never actually produed any in .357. The .45Colts are problematic as far as usability. Mine had to go back to the repair facility twice before it would run right. It's now very fast and reliable (crosses fingers). It's also very accurate.
There is a .357 pump action called the Timberwolf, but it too is out of production. I have heard good things about them, but have never seen one.
I'd go with a blued 1894, and paste wax.

 

[streakr]

There are some 357 Thunderbolts now available but based on the past experiences of Cowboys shooter you should AVOID them as if they were the plague!!

Marlin carbine is the only and best choice. You could send it to Robar for a refinish. Past wax works well.

streakr

 

[Domino]

Thanks for the advise guys, sounds like I just need to get an 1894C and send it off for refininishing. I will post pics when I'm done

 

[W.E.G.]

would be suitable for virtually any survival situation

Except circumstances that require you to make a shot at "real rifle" distance.

Don't get me wrong. I like the .357 carbines.
It just isn't my idea of a good choice for a "survival rifle" - especially if you are willing to buy the rifle and then pay top dollar to send it off for special plating.

 

[joneb]

http://www.legacysports.com/products/puma/specs/specs_carbines.html

 

[Float Pilot]

One Rossi M-92 trapper carbine from pawn shop=== $130
One can of Corrosion X heavy duty==============$12
Quarterly cleaning while in maritime Alaskan climate===$5

Hitting the 100 yard gong with 16 inch barrel and open sights 100% of the time

PRICELESS.

 

[Omaney]

Jibjab and Float Pilot are on the money. The Rossi/LSI Puma rifle is a nice firearm and pretty reasonable.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

a shooting buddy has a Marlin lever .357 I've shoot some. that thing is nice.
get one and Duro-Coat it.

 

[Domino]

Would Duracoat prevent the action from working properly? I've used it in the past and I wouldn't put it on any moving parts, I had a bad experience with a 1911 and duracoat that took some serious time to get it functioning.

 

[bearmgc]

Float Pilot, +1, all the way! For "survival" situations, I'm all 44mag, in a carbine length. My truck gun.

 

[Smaug]

I'm with bearmgc. Why settle for 357?

Marlin's 1894SS seems like the way to go:

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/1894centerfire/1894SS.asp