Hard use lever rifles

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bernie

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I remember listening to a Primary and Secondary Modcast sometime in the past that had a guy on it that did tactical lever gun classes, and I am not even sure who it was anymore. I went back and searched the Modcast list but was not sure which one it was on. This guy discussed what he considered to be the better lever guns, but I cannot remember what it was. I think I remember him saying that the Marlin typically had some problems. I am now wanting a pistol caliber lever gun, but was not sure which one he said was best. I am not planning on riding across the plains with it, but would like it to be as tough as possible. Do any of you remember this or have any insight?
 
I remember a lot of BS.

Marlin is a fine alll around lever gun. The "influencer" was probably referring to the early years of Remington takeover of Marlin which is a dead horse beaten to death too many times. Ruger owns Marlin now.



I am really starting to be impressed with some of the Rossi models I have seen of late in .44 and .357.
 
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"tactical lever gun classes"

I would have a hard time taking an instructor seriously if they taught a "tactical lever gun" class.
Anybody thats going to take someones money for a class like that without telling them to go spend that money on something more suitable for "tactical" applications is a crook, imo.
Seems like a waste of time when you could be spending that time and money on real training with real gear, becoming effective instead of massively handicapping yourself and then spending a ton of time and money learning to overcome the handicaps you have just given yourself, only to find yourself still at a massive disadvantage to literally anybody with a semi auto rifle and some trigger time.

Rant over.

Get a Rossi if you are going to beat a lever gun up.
 
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silicosys4 said:
"tactical lever gun classes"

I would have a hard time taking an instructor seriously if they taught a "tactical lever gun" class.
Anybody thats going to take someones money for a class like that without telling them to go spend that money on something more suitable for "tactical" applications is a crook, imo.
Seems like a waste of time when you could be spending that time and money on real training with real gear, becoming effective instead of handicapped and mediocre.
Click to expand...

I've got a binder full of defensive training certifications, handgun, carbine, shotgun, low-light, simunitions force on force etc. I've taken training from some of the better instructors as for a while it was a hobby of mine.

While I agree that we should all use the best tool for the job, some of my favorite instructors were the ones that taught students to use what they had effectively, rather than diss on their choices. There are also instructors that tailor their training to certain weapons, snub nose revolvers for instance. Not my cup of tea, but better to get some training than not IMHO.

IF a guy/gal is stuck in a non-AR15 friendly state a "tactical lever action" class makes a whole lot of sense.
 
bernie said:
I am now wanting a pistol caliber lever gun, but was not sure which one he said was best. I am not planning on riding across the plains with it, but would like it to be as tough as possible. Do any of you remember this or have any insight?
Click to expand...

From my armchair point of view, I'd pick a stainless Marlin 1894 with laminated buttstock and install a mag tube protecting forend like what's available from Midwest Industries.

Something like this discontinued Marlin 1894 CST, but with the laminated buttstock of the discontinued Marlin SBL/CSBL.

1894-CST.jpg
 
chicharrones said:
And the states that are increasingly anti autoloader.
Click to expand...

The "tactics" don't change that much, only the manual of arms. If you need a class for that, smh.

The basics are the same; cover, return fire, etc. Paid training is available in those basics for those that meet the criteria; ages 18-42, etc. See any Army or Marine recruiter. The other 3 services don't cover the basics well unless you join their 'operator' units; Seals, PJs or CCTs, and whatever the Coasties have- boarding crews?

About the only 'tactical' change I can think of besides taking the shorter range of most levers into consideration is learning to top off the tube mag whenever you can, just like a shotgun.
 
Bernie, are you interested in a pistol cal lever keeping it bone stock, are you looking just to replace known problematic components, or are you looking to convert it to a full up tactical lever rifle?

I have a rack full of pistol caliber levers and have toyed with the idea of converting one to the full up tac version. However, after I priced the components to do that, I was almost into the area of a decent OEM AR. At that point, it’s a whole different ballpark for decision-making.

If you’re looking to buy a pistol caliber lever and resolve the potential known problems, there’s lots of places you can look, including on this site to determine what you’d like to replace in advance to ensure reliable function.

Since a couple of members have already mentioned the brand. I handled several Rossi’s about two months ago up in Washington state when I was visiting my mother’s. I have to say for their price range I liked what I saw. They’re probably the most reasonably priced NEW lever gun for what you get out of the box.
 
My Marlins have always ran 100%. I'm giving serious thought to trading my Henry .357 for a new Rossi. Their newest guns are really well done. I would have zero hesitation to defending the homestead with this thing and may put it to that use. Need to put the light on it.

IMG_2987.JPG


silicosys4 said:
"tactical lever gun classes"

I would have a hard time taking an instructor seriously if they taught a "tactical lever gun" class.
Anybody thats going to take someones money for a class like that without telling them to go spend that money on something more suitable for "tactical" applications is a crook, imo.
Seems like a waste of time when you could be spending that time and money on real training with real gear, becoming effective instead of massively handicapping yourself and then spending a ton of time and money learning to overcome the handicaps you have just given yourself, only to find yourself still at a massive disadvantage to literally anybody with a semi auto rifle and some trigger time.

Rant over.

Get a Rossi if you are going to beat a lever gun up.
Click to expand...

Gunsite has levergun and single action revolver courses. Thunder Ranch might have too. I know Clint Smith is a whiz with the sixgun.

Massive disadvantage, I don't think so. Skill trumps equipment.
 
entropy said:
The "tactics" don't change that much, only the manual of arms. If you need a class for that, smh.

The basics are the same; cover, return fire, etc. Paid training is available in those basics for those that meet the criteria; ages 18-42, etc. See any Army or Marine recruiter. The other 3 services don't cover the basics well unless you join their 'operator' units; Seals, PJs or CCTs, and whatever the Coasties have- boarding crews?

About the only 'tactical' change I can think of besides taking the shorter range of most levers into consideration is learning to top off the tube mag whenever you can, just like a shotgun.
Click to expand...

I always think of my limited experience using a lever gun indoors around left and right corners versus an autoloader. It's so easy to short stroke the lever using my weak side if I don't keep my practice up. It's so easy to not worry about that with an autoloader.
 
chicharrones said:
And the states that are increasingly anti autoloader.
Click to expand...
A lot has been said regarding the resurgence in popularity of lever guns in the last handful of years (and the skyrocketing prices).
Remington/Marlin closing up
Straightwall cartridge deer hunting
A neverending effort to rid the world of semi-autos

Only one of these is responsible for the concept of a tactical lever action and it ain't deer. Faster with more capacity than a bolt gun, no detachable mag...which is also on the anti-agenda. It's a predictable trend, whether we'd consider it progression or regression.
 
CraigC said:
My Marlins have always ran 100%. I'm giving serious thought to trading my Henry .357 for a new Rossi. Their newest guns are really well done. I would have zero hesitation to defending the homestead with this thing and may put it to that use. Need to put the light on it.

IMG_2987.JPG
Click to expand...

I swear, this thread is going to make me spend more money on my 1894. 😝
 
I am not wanting a tactical lever gun, I am looking for the most bomb proof design that I can have. The guy I was referencing was talking about it from the space of having seen many, many lever guns operated in classes. And some of them were prone to certain failures. I really wish that I could find that podcast again.

I have not bought a new gun in a bit and am thinking a suppressed .44 lever carbine for deer hunting would be the shiznit. I am at the point in my life where I am not really buying many guns, but am buying spare parts instead.
 
While I wouldn't describe the typical lever gun as delicate, it's entirely possible to dent your mag tube or bend your lever. Or seriously damage the gun in some other way.

Wouldn't be a problem for most users and use cases. Try not to drop it down a ravine or run over it with a vehicle and all should be well.


I did go on to get an SKS (or two) down the road in light of the above. But as stated, that may not be an option in your state/area of residence. I'm not going to touch the whole "tactical" thing with a 10 foot pole.
 
bernie said:
I am not wanting a tactical lever gun, I am looking for the most bomb proof design that I can have. The guy I was referencing was talking about it from the space of having seen many, many lever guns operated in classes. And some of them were prone to certain failures. I really wish that I could find that podcast again.

I have not bought a new gun in a bit and am thinking a suppressed .44 lever carbine for deer hunting would be the shiznit. I am at the point in my life where I am not really buying many guns, but am buying spare parts instead.
Click to expand...

My suggestion in post #6 is all about function over appearance.

The Marlin 1894's action is robust and is simple to take apart for cleaning. Just remove the screw that holds the lever on and the parts slide out.

A laminate buttstock is stronger than a non-laminate wood buttstock. Anyone that has chipped or broken their levergun's buttstock would know.

The "tactical" forend is simply to give nearly full length impact protection to the mag tube.

And of course, stainless steel does "stain less" than blued steel.

Take that rifle in post #6, stain the stock brown and hydrodip a wood pattern on the metal forend for a less tactical appearance.
 
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bernie said:
I am not wanting a tactical lever gun, I am looking for the most bomb proof design that I can have. The guy I was referencing was talking about it from the space of having seen many, many lever guns operated in classes. And some of them were prone to certain failures. I really wish that I could find that podcast again.

I have not bought a new gun in a bit and am thinking a suppressed .44 lever carbine for deer hunting would be the shiznit. I am at the point in my life where I am not really buying many guns, but am buying spare parts instead.
Click to expand...
I get that. The best thing you can do to ensure reliability is don't short stroke it. Lots and lots of practice is the key to running them fast. Case in point, 30yrs ago I was doing a lot of shooting and rabbit hunting with Winchester 94/22's. I worked for a gun shop and got ammo at cost, which is to say that I was broke. Later on, when I went to the deer woods with my trusty .30-30, I brained a small doe at 50yds and without even thinking about it, put one through the shoulders of second doe, which I didn't even see before, as she turned to run. The guys I was hunting with thought it was somebody else with an automatic.

The only issue with watching CAS shooters is that you will overwhelmingly see 1873's. Simply because they're easy to add a short stroke kit to and run them fast. I love them but it not be the best choice for general purpose work.
 
I think there is merit to this. Marlins are bomb proof. Henry design is very close to Marlin. I would avoid the brass butt plates because the are slippery as hell. Some Henry’s are still lacking the side loading gate. Tube loading is a tactical nightmare, LOL.

I still carry my JM Marlin 44 magnum, 45/70 Cowboy or the 336 30/30 in my truck a lot. It’s not a bad idea to know how to fight with them. The original “assault rifles”. Accurate, hit hard and are easy to load for.
 
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