Lever actions

[N3rday]

I've always had a thing for lever actions, so I plan on getting one along with the 10/22 when I turn 18. I will probably opt for a .357 or .44, leaning a bit towards .357 because of price and also in case I ever get a matching revolver.

Anyway, my main criteria are reliability and durability. Any suggestions? I haven't looked into any models much because I'm not real familiar with lever actions...

Also, I would appreciate any links to sites that describe the general operation of one, I don't exactly know how they work...

 

[sm]

A search here on THR and on TFL will provide lots of info.

Bottom line...they work, handy size and very effective. I prefer 30-30 in the Winchester 94 myself.
I have used the .44 and .357...one can't have too many levers...

Find a re-run or rent "The Rifleman" , an old TV series in B/W...that's how I learned, add Lone Ranger, John Wayne movies...heck by the time I was big enough to actually holdone ...I was already checked out on one.

 

[fallingblock]

Lever actions......

are so much fun that nobody ought to limit themselves to only a few!

The .357 is an amazingly versatile cartridge, especially if you handload.

My own experience is that it occupies the niche filled by the 'pistol caliber' lever action carbines of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Small to medium game-
up to and including deer, with the appropriate bullets and loadings

Personal defense-
if you think it's a good PD round out of a revolver, wait until you chronograph it out of a carbine.

I'm partial to the Marlins myself...they seem to be more rugged and easier to dismount than the Winchester based designs, but go along to a cowboy match and ask some folks what they use and why.

There are some lever action articles here:

http://marauder13.homestead.com/irons.html

and there'll be a bunch more if you do a search.

You won't regret any shooting time spent with a lever action.

 

[David4516]

"I prefer 30-30 in the Winchester 94 myself"

Ditto

The 2 big names in Lever guns are Marlin and Winchester. I like the Winchester better myself. It's much more 'handy'. Go pick up a Marlin, and then pick up a Winchester, and you'll see what I mean...

The real advantage to the Marlin is that it's much less of a hassel to put a scope on than a Winchester. But then again, I don't see the point in putting a scope on a lever gun...

If you want a lever gun and a 10/22, you could also kill two birds with one stone. Get the Ruger Model 96

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdResults?function=famid&famid=36

 

[Z_Infidel]

I have a Marlin 1894C in .357 Mag and it is a great carbine. Fun to shoot, reasonable ammo prices, and very effective within its range. It is also very handy, quick to put into action, and makes a good varmint rifle (again, within its effective range). I have handled both and I prefer the Marlin over the Winchester, but that is personal preference and I suggest you get your hands on an example of each before you buy.

You might also want to look into equipping the rifle with an aperture sight such as a tang-mounted peep (these can be used without the aperture in which case you will have an effective ghost ring sight) or a receiver-mounted ghost ring. Of course, some people like to use the factory sights.

One note about the Winchesters, some forum members have pointed out that the '94 has a longer action designed for the 30-30 cartridge and may not always cycle pistol-caliber rounds reliably. I cannot vouch for this personally since I have not owned one. They also make 1892 models that are designed for the pistol-caliber cartridges. I welcome correction on this if I have stated it wrongly.

 

[gburner]

I have a Winchester model 94 in 45 long colt and a peacemaker clone in the same caliber. Makes for less hassle carrying ammo. I like the pistol caliber in the carbine, handy, quick, light recoil and a solid thumper out to 150 yds. or so.
.357 or .44 mag. would be equally versatile with the nod going to .357.
Marlin and Winchester fans seem to be split about 50-50. The Marlin is the heavier of the two.

I'd recommend a Winchester 94 Trapper and a Ruger Vaquero or EAA Bounty Hunter in the same caliber to go with it.

 

[combat effective]

I too like the idea of a .357 levergun. Marlin makes several nice models. they make a .44 that has a 16" barrel that is very nice. If they ever produce that model in .357 I'll have to get one.

The .30-30 is also a great choice. I have a Marlin 336 that I have customized:

 

[Brian Williams]

I highly recommend the Marlin1894C, it is a 18 1/2' barrel 9+1 357 10+1 38. I added a Marble's tang peep sight to mine and that helps me with my longer ranges.
I have a 158 Gr LSWCGC mold that throws 165gr bullets with wheelweights and my Marlin is deadly with these.

Here it is again

 

[N3rday]

Thanks for the advice you guys!

So far I have only looked at Winchesters, but I will take a look at the Marlin site sometime later tonight.

So far I like what I see, but I am debating between the 20" and 16" versions...is there much of a difference in accuracy?

I am worried mostly about the distance between the sights...whats that called...well, anyway I know the 20" will have more of whatever that is called.

Anyone know the tube capacity of the Trapper? It says the Trail's End is 11 rds, but doesn't list the Trapper's capacity...

 

[sm]

Dang it Perfessr!!

Ok I grew up with Winchesters, mine are older and don't have all that "stuff" to protect me from myself.

I shot a Marlin like the Perfessr's...between that and that darn pic...and one more thing that danged revolver...man I am jonesing. Big Time...I need a fix.

 

[MeekandMild]

So far I have only looked at Winchesters, but I will take a look at the Marlin site sometime later tonight.

You really have to pick them up, look at the wood and feel them to appreciate the difference. Its sort of like the difference between a Lotus and a Jaguar, hard to explain without a test drive.

 

[tango3065]

combat effective
Where did you find that synthetic stock at and also who make it. Thanks

 

[combat effective]

The stock was made by Ramline. I followed a link from a thread on the old Marlin forum to a store in Indiana or Iowa that had it in stock. It's been about 3 years or so since I bought them. Sorry I can't be of more help with the store name.

 

[W Turner]

IIRC, Cabela's sells synthetic stocks for lever guns.


I bought my first one about 8 months ago (Marlin 1894-.44mag) and will definitely add some more lever guns to my list, thinking at least .30-30, .45-70, and .22lr. I prefer Marlins over the Winchester in pretty much every caliber, but your MMV.

Mino