Which is the best lever gun in .357/.38sp? I need your opinion.

[jhc5]

I'm looking into buying a lever action rifle and a single six revolver in the same caliber; "one of each" as its called. I'm leaning toward .357mag. I like the idea of using low powered .38sp cowboy loads at the range while still having the ability to load .357mag for the woods.

My concern is whether or not most lever guns chambered for .357mag will be able to properly cycle the slightly shorter .38sp cartridge?

I'd appreciate advice/recommendations/comments/etc from those with firsthand experience.

Thanks!

 

[243winxb]

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/Cowboy/1894_45Colt.asp Marlin Model 1894 Cowboy because it has deep-cut Ballard-type rifling

 

[woof]

I have an 1894c Marlin and it has no problem with .38 spcl. I recall a post here some time ago that discussed overall length of .38 spcl rounds as a factor in feed problems. The longer the better. I use 158gr FMJ with no problem, but you might want to check overall length and compare before buying a quantity of ammo.

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

My Experience though I am not a CAS I have loved lever actions all my life. After watching my dad drop a 8 point West Virginian Deer with Lever 44 mag when I was 9.

I have a Marlin, Henry, and Winchester AE Trapper. All fairly new none of them have over 100 rounds through them. They are all in different caliber, with the Marlin in 357magnum.

Out of the box the Henry seems to be the smoothest lever out there. I can operate the lever very fast with little ease without ever leaving my shoulder. On the other hand the Winchester Trapper seems to be the stiffest out of the box. With the Marlin being in the middle.

My Marlin has been tested with 38 and 357 and I have had no issues. I reload my own 38 and 357 and the 38's are 158gr with an OAL of 1.550. I load them this long for the lever and my revolvers, they are so very accurate. I believe they are this accurate in my revolvers due to OAL because the bullet has less jump to the forcing cone.

I like my Henry because of it's smoothness, tube loading gate and its accuracy. Only down fall is that shiny big boy receiver if you plan on hunting with it. For hunting I would take my Marlin to avoid reflections from the big boy.

Hope this helps

 

[Seafarer12]

I prefer the Rossi Levers over the Marlins. I like the Navy Arms versions the best because they have better fit and finish. I like them over the Marlins because of the 92 action. It looks better and is smoother in my opinion. I also feel the Marlins are over inflated at the moment and are selling for more than they are worth. I have a 20 inch Navy Arms octagon 357. I did have to do a little tuning to it and replaced the rear sight to get it the way I wanted it but it has been a flawless gun and I have less than half the price of a Marlin in it and wouldn't trade it for a new Marlin any day.

 

[cornman]

Neat

 

[stormspotter]

If you want the best, then find yourself a Browning B92. Here is mine, with my Ruger 50th 357.

 

[243winxb]

Rossi, Puma, or Tauras? Who makes the Rossi Lever Action now?

include the replacement of the Rossi M-92 with the refined Italian PUMA product, as well as an expansion of the line that will be released at the NASGW Show.

http://www.legacysports.com/products/puma/puma_leveraction.html http://www.shootingsportsretailer.com/content/view/737/3/ Who is making the Rossi pictured above? I dont see it on the Rossi website? http://www.rossiusa.com/products/products-rifles.cfm

 

[243winxb]

Browning Timeline

When was that B92 made? 1978? Or is it a M92, is there a difference? http://www.browning.com/customerservice/qna/detail.asp?ID=202

 

[Shear_stress]

Marlin Model 1894 Cowboy because it has deep-cut Ballard-type rifling

I think all current 1894s have Ballard rifling. My 1894c does.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

the only lever .357 I've shot is my buddys Marlin. it sure shoots good. he loads his own for it, some hot loads - really whacks a steel disc at 100 yds.

 

[KI.W.]

.Which......

Why there is no .357 Rem Maximum leveraction?

 

[Shear_stress]

really whacks a steel disc at 100 yds.

Yup, even factory rounds come whipping out of that barrel and will cause you to owe a family member a new dueling tree. Not that I ever had to do that . . .

 

[Harve Curry]

Having had Rossi 92 in 357 and 44mg, and a Browing 92 in 44mg. I'd reccomend the Marlin 1894 Cowboy.
You can get a 20" oct short rifle, a handy length. In general I think the Marlins are more accurate then either 92 copy. Marlin's smooth up nicely with use or a action job.
Which ever you choose they are all Cartridge Overall Length sensitive.

 

[foghornl]

Lever-action rifle/carbine? ? ?

One Word:

Marlin

Oldest brother had a Winchester (don't remember which model) .30/30. One shooting session w/me & my Marlin Mdl 30AW, he sold his WIn that afternoon and bought a 336 in .30/30 And a .35Rem 336.

 

[Seafarer12]

Why there is no .357 Rem Maximum leveraction?

You would have to go to a longer action and then you might as well get a 35 Remington. I tried to see if a 360 DW would cycle in my .357 and it is a hair too long. It would be nice to get a couple hundred fps more out of it for hunting and just have to rechamber it.

 

[tkcomer]

I have the Puma. It cycles 357 flawlessly, but has trouble with some of the 38s I load. I hear it's an easy fix, just never got around to doing it. I just cycle it slow and it does OK. It's a blast to shoot with low power 38s.

 

[jhansman]

See if you can shoot a Henry before deciding. Affordable, ultra-smooth action, very accurate.

 

[Furncliff]

Marlin 1894c. Mine has occassional feed issues, but it's so seldom. And it could be my handloads. Other than that, clearing the jam is just cycling the lever again. Also there are guides available to help you correct this if by chance this is a big deal with the rifle you buy

I did the Marlin slicking on mine, works great, info here:http://www.hobbygunsmith.com/Archives/Aug03/FeatureProject.htm


Marlin Forum: http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/index.php


More: http://marauder.homestead.com/files/marlin94.html


Your choice is a great rifle in a very flexible caliber.


Your biggest problem will be finding one. It's a good sign really. Those that have them don't often part with them.

 

[Oddbod]

Marlin 1894 with a rail & an Eotech 512 (no kidding - my eye's ain't as good as they once were).

 

[woof]

When I got my 1894c is was pretty smooth but I made a point of working the action 100 times a day for a couple months and it smoothed out a lot.

 

[rocinante]

+1 on my marlin 1894CB. Women and kids love it too.

 

[mavracer]

My Marlins 44 and 357 don't feed specials very well.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

Not the best pictures I could've taken, too much flash didn't have the wood polished up, but an excellent rifle.
1977 Marlin .357. Maybe I'm lucky but it feeds .357 and 38 spec as good as the Blackhawk does.

 

[jjohnson]

Puma, Marlin

Well... I have a couple of "interarms" vintage Pumas. They're slick and handle well. On the other hand, if you wind up with a Marlin without the Micro-groove rifling, they're pretty good. The Ballard rifling is what you need for something that shoots lead. And... the Marlin strips so you can easily clean from the chamber end. Not so with the M92s of anybody's manufacture.

I like my Pumas - but if I were buying all over again, I'd look at the Marlins, too, and I think the Marlins might just win.