TSH77769
Member
I want a lever gun as a general purpose woods gun. I want to match it with a revolver. It needs to be either a .44 Mag or .454 casull with me currently leaning heavily towards the .44 mag (partly so that I can run .44 special through it for people at home). I do not have the matching revolver at this time, so it could go either way in the end though. I would prefer it to be stainless steel (a priority item) and have a 16" barrell. This is NOT for cowboy action shooting, just for carrying while hiking, camping, and the like. I would also prefer a curved or pistol grip (not a big deal though).
As far as I know, nothing meets all of my criteria and only the following are even close...
Puma/Rossi/Legacy 92 in .44 mag or .454 stainless steel and 16" barrell. Straight grip though. So far so good, majority of criteria are met, however, I am VERY concerned about the quality and strength of this design, especially being that they are foreign made and if something went wrong, who is going to fix or repair it, or if it blows up of its own fault rather than mine, how do I sue some overseas company if I lose an eye or some such thing. It is the only .454 lever gun at all as far as I know, but in a way that worries me even more, I mean how come no one else makes one? Is it unsafe? I am also having GREAT difficulty even locating any at the dealer level (as opposed to online auctions or private individuals).
Winchester Trapper .44 mag and 16" barrell. No longer produced if I understand correctly. No stainless. No .454. Known US manufacturer of good repute and quality. Found one locally, 94AE, (at FFL) in 95-98% for $275, could probably talk him down to $250. Has cross bolt safety and saddle ring. VERY tempted.
Marlin 1894 SS. .44 mag, stainless, 20" barrell. Well, it is .44 mag and stainless and it is a known US manufacturer of good repute and quality. EASILY obtained. I understand that it is possible though expensive to change it to a pistol grip (around $200).
BTW, I do not care about the much hated manual safeties, yes, they are ugly and unecessary, but just because they are there doe not mean that you have to use them and this gun is just a tool for me.
Of the options above, what would be your recommendation and why? What other options are there, am I missing anything.
Thanks.
Tsh77769
As far as I know, nothing meets all of my criteria and only the following are even close...
Puma/Rossi/Legacy 92 in .44 mag or .454 stainless steel and 16" barrell. Straight grip though. So far so good, majority of criteria are met, however, I am VERY concerned about the quality and strength of this design, especially being that they are foreign made and if something went wrong, who is going to fix or repair it, or if it blows up of its own fault rather than mine, how do I sue some overseas company if I lose an eye or some such thing. It is the only .454 lever gun at all as far as I know, but in a way that worries me even more, I mean how come no one else makes one? Is it unsafe? I am also having GREAT difficulty even locating any at the dealer level (as opposed to online auctions or private individuals).
Winchester Trapper .44 mag and 16" barrell. No longer produced if I understand correctly. No stainless. No .454. Known US manufacturer of good repute and quality. Found one locally, 94AE, (at FFL) in 95-98% for $275, could probably talk him down to $250. Has cross bolt safety and saddle ring. VERY tempted.
Marlin 1894 SS. .44 mag, stainless, 20" barrell. Well, it is .44 mag and stainless and it is a known US manufacturer of good repute and quality. EASILY obtained. I understand that it is possible though expensive to change it to a pistol grip (around $200).
BTW, I do not care about the much hated manual safeties, yes, they are ugly and unecessary, but just because they are there doe not mean that you have to use them and this gun is just a tool for me.
Of the options above, what would be your recommendation and why? What other options are there, am I missing anything.
Thanks.
Tsh77769