So I was at my outdoor range the other weekend, and somebody had a lever action .45-70.
They very graciously let me shoot it, and I love it.
However, I know nothing about lever guns, and am wondering what space in my safe, or what possible application this could serve, other than the "Ooooh, Kewl" factor.
I don't hunt, and I'm hesitant to get into a caliber that is going to be outrageously expensive, because I don't reload (one day, but not today...).
I was thinking about one in .357, because I already shoot that in pistols, but I have also seen them in 30-30 at the local funstore.
I really know nothing about the platform, but am interested.
For instance, why do some have a loading gate on the receiver, and others do not?
I'd rather not manipulate a tubular magazine to reload all the time...
They all have tubular magazines, well except for the Savage 99, Browning BLR, Ruger 96/44, and Winchester 1895. .22's don't have a loading gate because the cartridges are too small to be easily pushed into the magazine, and it's easier to just drop them in from the muzzle end of the tube.
I think the best caliber is the 30-30 since they are ubiquitous. Just a classic western gun in a great caliber. Every gun owner should have a 30-30. :rock:
All I can add is that I used to have a Winchester lever action Model 1886 in .33 Winchester.
The caliber is not available now, but the gun was a dream to shoot. Little recoil (somewhat heavy) with an action that was smooth as silk, solid and little effort to load each round.
There was enough momentum that I could flick the lever and it would complete the stroke right to the end. The relatively short length made it ideal for heavy Northwoods slogging, and in a heavy caliber it went through brush beautifully.
My BIL bought a cheap late Model 94 that felt like two pieces of dry Aluminum galling together. I know nothing of late model quality. I do think a .357 Magnum is a fine round for one. I would mate it with my .357 Magnum Revolver in the field.
My old .30-30 Marlin is a prime example of the traditional saddle gun look. This was my first lever gun, and I love the straight-stock look. Everybody needs at least one lever gun; I'd choose a Marlin 1894 in .357mag/.38spl if one was the limit.
So I was at my outdoor range the other weekend, and somebody had a lever action .45-70.
They very graciously let me shoot it, and I love it.
However, I know nothing about lever guns, and am wondering what space in my safe, or what possible application this could serve, other than the "Ooooh, Kewl" factor.
I don't hunt, and I'm hesitant to get into a caliber that is going to be outrageously expensive, because I don't reload (one day, but not today...).
I was thinking about one in .357, because I already shoot that in pistols, but I have also seen them in 30-30 at the local funstore.
I really know nothing about the platform, but am interested.
Well I am no expert but I do own a Marlin Carbine in 357mag and it is a fun gun to shoot while increasing the effectiveness of the round. It was actually my patrol carbine when ARs were not approved yet. I rolled out on several robbery calls with it and doubt I would feel under gunned with it even today. I know the SA Cowboy competitors use them. It was how the west was won so hard to find too much fault with them.
For instance, why do some have a loading gate on the receiver, and others do not?
I'd rather not manipulate a tubular magazine to reload all the time...
Other than 22 rim fire it's cheaper for Henry to produce their center fire rifles with tube loading rather than a traditional side loading gate and it's associated lifter/carrier and the timing issues that using a side gate involves. SJ 40
Perhaps cheaper, but they may have also wanted to reproduce the approximate loading of the original Henry. There was no loading gate on the original 44 rimfire Henry rifle. I believe that was the deciding factor. Henry has a good reputation with customer service.
As a lefty, I've always been drawn to lever guns over the bolt. I don't hunt so I'm more drawn to the pistol caliber guns that match my revolver. For me, that means 38/357 but a 44 may be even more versatile. Both would serve as a hunting rifle for small to medium game.
If I were in the market today to buy? Henry would be on my list. In fact, I am seriously considering a 357 carbine length gun. That brass carbine is just too sexy and fun looking.
If you want to get into the genre without spending too much money? I'm very pleased with my 16" Rossi 92 in 357 Magnum. With Rossi, I'd want to look over the gun before purchase. Some may be a bit rough in action (mine is pretty smooth and quite reliable). I removed the flimsy safety with a reversible plug from StevesGunz.
Marlin has had some recent issues after being bought by Freedom Group. The newest guns seem to be getting better. Anything from 2008-2014 would make me cautious. An older JM marked gun and you should be good to go. Finding a clean, JM marked Marlin may be the route to take if you don't like a muzzle loaded Henry. A Rossi if you want to spend less money and can look it over.
I have had a Marlin (.357) in the past, then I sold or traded it. Now I have a Rossi (new one) in the same caliber. I love it and wish I had kept the Marlin too. I recommend to the OP a lever .357 for fun and all the previous mentioned reasons.
IMHO, based on having one lever action, why have the weight and length of a rifle for a handgun cartridge? The .30-30 is the classic lever cartridge, and a highly functional one out to 100 yards or so.
I played with a .45-70 once.....
(But having since gotten a Mosin 7.62x54R the recoils may not seem that bad now...maybe...)
I have two, both in 44mag. You need to decide if you want a rifle or pistol caliber. Then you should decide whether you want a box magazine, side load, or magazine tube load.
One of my lever guns is an 1892 clone. It feels compact and easy to carry, ejects from the top, and kicks considerably more than my Marlin. My Marlin is heavier, feels blockier, is side eject (which aids if you decide to mount a scope) and a joy to shoot. I am more accurate with my Marlin. Both feed from the side of the receiver.
I shoot 44special and 44mag. They also make these models in 38/357, 44-40, and 45LC.
I looked at Henrys, but not a big fan of loading via the magazine tube.
Check out the SASS sites. You can get reviews from shooters who use them in competition.
I can tell you from personal experience, while the pistol caliber leverguns are fun, they aren't accurate like the rifle caliber levers! I had an old Marlin 38/357 lever rifle, worst accuracy of ANY rifle I EVER owned! I even scoped it thinking groups would tighten up, NO GOOD! I have two Winchester 94's, one 1905mfg/32-40, one 1986mfg/30-30, you can hit anything you're aiming at! If you plan on hunting with it, stick with 30-30!
Started with the Volcanic rifle & handgun. Smith & Wesson IIRC.
Then came the original Spencer & Henry during Civil War.
Followed by Oliver Winchester buying New Haven and building the YellowBoy 66.
JMBs first design sold to Winchester, the 1885, lever action falling block.
Marlin 39 or a Winchester 9422 for rimfire fun.
92 for handgun cartridges
94 or 95 for bigger boomers
Cowboy old school shooting is fun.
Modern lever actions sorta wilted. Win 88, Savage 99, Ruger's few offerings, Remington's only lever action, the Nylon 76. Prices on those are weirdly high.
You need to decide if you want an Old West kind of lever gun or just a lever action gun in general. If the latter, you can get a Savage in .308 or a new production Henry Long Ranger in .223. My personal favourite is the Russian service Winchester 1895 in 7.62x54R, although those are scarce and expensive collector guns nowadays.
Yep. .33 Winchester in a round barrel. In the late 50's we used to have to buy our ammunition from a loader in Canada at $1 a round. Hens teeth.
My father used to get a kick out of having me shoot off a 2 or 3" tree, for the amusement of the farmer letting us hunt on his land.
I just remembered that about 2 years ago my local gun range had a .33 Winchester like mine, but with a rear peep sight, for $600.
Mine came West with a Mormon family when they moved to salt Lake City. We got it from a later kid in their family in exchange for 2 months rent at college in the middle 50's.
I bought a Rossi M92 in .454 with a 16 inch barrel. Just wanted a 454, and they were the only maker. It is surprisingly good. Smoother and tighter then I would have thought for Rossi. It shoots 45 colt with no problems. I cast my own and reload so it is cheap to shoot and fun. Sooner or later I'll pick up a 357 one to.
Can never have to many lever guns. For plinking I love my Browning BL22, although I always have my eyes open for a nice Marlin 39A. My Winchester 94 Saddle ring carbine is a blast to shoot and will handle .357 or .38spcl. For hunting I have an older Winchester 94 in 30-30 and a Marlin 336 in .35 Remington. I would love to find a Winchester 73 one of these days. So yes, get a lever gun and have a blast.
I have a marlin 1894 .357 its awesome! The loading gate is easier to use than the tube style on my .22 Henry. They have a cool factor but also a simple retro style (not scary black assault weapon). The .357 has no kick and could also be used for home defense and camp gun use where big critters are not a worry. They are also light and easy to maneuver.
I'm more of a bolt action guy when it comes to rifles, but I do have one lever action and really like it. Winchester Model 94AE Trapper in .44 Mag. Great for CAS in .44 Sp and still a nice whippy deer gun out to 100 yards in .44 Mag. Certainly more than adequate for a HD option. It may be a pistol caliber but .44 Mag out of a 16" barrel is a drop 'em proposition for most anything you can see through open sights. It came drilled and tapped for an easy scope mount, so you have that option too.
Just looked on gunbroker.com and they certainly do command a premium now; not sure if Rossi or others are making them at this time. I have much more powerful rifles but this one hits the sweet spot between a magnum pistol and a high power rifle.
The original assault rifle.
Used by cops, prison guards, railroad security, farmers, ranchers, and hunters for many years.
I love my lever-actions. One is a WWII flat-band model. Two others are 1952, the year I was born. I also have a 1952 Marlin similar to the one shown above. I call it my Malchester because it has the straight grip and thin forearm like Winchester, made for Winchester fans.
Winchester also made some pistol gripped rifles to complete with the Marlin (model 64).
There's a lot to choose from in lever guns. My personal preference is the BLR in .308, but it would be nice to have a 30-30 also. The BLR is a dream to shoot and handle. It is by far my favorite rifle.
One down side to the BLR is it's expensive and so are extra magazines.
If you decide to go the .308 route Savage makes a lever gun similar to the BLR that is less expensive though they can be hard to find.
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