Levergun fever...

[Guest bkelm18]

Well I've got the hankerin for a lever gun. What are the manufacturers to look at? I see Marlin is pretty popular. I'm kinda on the fence with either .357Mag or .44Mag. The price difference in ammo if you look hard enough is pretty slim so I don't think thats really a factor. Which would be better? I would use this mostly to plink with and maybe something to hunt with if the urge ever moves me, or possibly a trunk gun for when I go camping in the woods. Thanks for any advice.

[Curiousgb]

I have a few levers. Two Marlin's a 45-70, 35 Rem. I also have a couple of 1892 clones one in 45lc and another in 44mag. The clones are nice for the price but I have had a problem with the 44 (overbore) and getting it repaired has been a pita. But that just seems to be a problem with a batch of 44's. I am looking for one in 357 also. Don't know if it will be Marlin or clone.

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/Default.htm

http://www.stevesgunz.com/

I like them all but the pistol calibers are a hoot. The 92 clones have a very strong action.

Steve at http://www.stevesgunz.com/ is a really knowledgeable person and will give you all the info you can stand.

[Guest Glknknox]

I've been wanting one of these myself.

44 mag would be my choice, like to have a Henry or a Marlin.

Just another toy though, so I haven't been that serious about it.

Like to see some of the feedback on this also.

[strob2000]

I've got a Marlin 1894 in 44 mag. Love the handling, size, and looks, but the recoil bothers me. Thought it was just me, but I let a buddy shoot it and he said the same thing. After 5 shots, shoulder is bruised. To be fair that is with full power magnum loads. Anyway, thought about getting rid of it for a 357 in the same gun if that helps you any.

[Guest bkelm18]

Hmmm, interesting. Never thought that recoil of a handgun caliber would be much of a problem in a rifle. From what I understand, the .357Mag rifle will also shoot .38Spc, which is considerably cheaper than .357Mag or .44Mag. Decisions decisions.

[strob2000]

Yea, maybe it's just me not dealing with the recoil well. I kinda wish I had gotten the 357 so I could shoot 38 specials at $10-$15 a box. But I bought mine used and took what I could get sorta because I hardly ever see the 357's for sale.

[Guest bkelm18]

The .357s are pretty hard to find now. That's one of the reasons I was considering the .44Mag.

[Curiousgb]

I really like my 44. I can load it down to plinking loads all the way to detached retina. The mild loads with cast bullets are just a hoot. The 250 BTB's pushing 1800+ fps will rattle your teeth. Mine is a Rossi Puma with 16in barrel. Love the rifle.

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=109371759

Be warned Leveritus is very difficult to cure.

Edited September 8, 2008 by Curiousgb

[Guest bkelm18]

I really like my 44. I can load it down to plinking loads all the way to detached retina. The mild loads with cast bullets are just a hoot. The 250 BTB's pushing 1800+ fps will rattle your teeth. Mine is a Rossi Puma with 16in barrel. Love the rifle.

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=109371759

Be warned Leveritus is very difficult to cure.

Damn that's a nice looking rifle. Is EMF a good brand?

[KahrMan]

Leverguns are a lot of fun. Here is mine in 45-70. I think one in .357 would be cool. I also have a henry levergun in .22.

[cknight8]

i'm a levergun man myself...always have loved them. Marlins are my favorite, followed by Winchester's.

i have a Marlin 1894 in .357 and i absolutely love it! i mounted a Williams peep sight on it and it is killer fun at the range. i'd love to add a .44mag to my collection of levers that matches my .357, but never can find one when i have the funds available... here is a pic of my 1894 .357:

[ShaunM]

I picked up a very nice Browning BLR 308 from a member, couldn't be more happier.

[Mark@Sea]

I had Steve (steves gunz) work his magic on a new EMF 1892 clone (.357, stainless, 20 inch saddle ring carbine). He gave it an action job, a winchester metal follower, and removed the funky safety. I installed a Marbles tang sight on it, and bought some very nice walnut furniture for it. All this was for my wife, who of course decided (about a month afterwards) that the rifle for her was one of my CMP M1 carbines, so it now sits in the closet, unloved.

The rifle is a joy to shoot. Cycles very easily (one finger on the lever), handy, fairly accurate with the regular sight (probably better than I am, I just never got used to buckhorn sights) and very acceptable with the tang sight. Lightweight (5.5 pounds?), very handy, recoil with 38's is nil.

[mousegunner]

I picked up a nice 30/30 Glenfield Marlin a couple of years ago for $175 in a local pawn shop. 30/30 ammo is holding at about $12.97 per box of 20 at Walmart in either 150 or 170 grain bullets.

[Curiousgb]

Damn that's a nice looking rifle. Is EMF a good brand?

A buddy of mine bought the same rifle in stainless 45lc. It is a great rifle. EMF is just an importer the rifle is Brazilian made. They are not hard to "slick up." The EMF has better sights than the Puma's. Steve @ Stevesgunz will sell you one with all his action work at a reasonable price, he also recommends the EMF.

[Rightwinger]

pssst....http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11262

[ShaunM]

Stop doing this to me rightwinger!!!!

[jeepster106]

I ordered a blued 20" octagonal barrel .357 1892 clone directly from EMF last month for my father-in-law. fit and finish is nice and it shot pretty good out of the box with WWB .38 specials. I found instructions on "slicking up" the action and we are going to try that in the near future.

[Rightwinger]

Stop doing this to me rightwinger!!!!

[tnroadrunner]

I have a Marlin 336W in 30/30.

[Guest GUTTERbOY]

I'd love to have one. Few years back I got to shoot with a friend whose stepdad had just picked up a Win lever in .45LC. That thing was a blast to shoot- barely any recoil at all. Although my perception of recoil may have been tainted by shooting my 7mm mag not too long beforehand.

[my82cam]

try an old winchester a 1894 is a great gun for the money!

[Guest Wilson1]

Three for me: Marlin .44 mag, Marlin .30-30, and Winchester Model 1892 .38-40.

And yeah - the .44 mag Marlin (full house loads) kicked much more than I thought too.

Mike

[petro]

I took the plunge earlier this year and got a Chapparel 1873 with a 24" barrel in 38/357. The 38 loads shot like a 22lr and the 357 shot like an AR15 (recoil-wise). The only issue I had was that it would rupture 38 blazer cases and then it ruptured a 357 brass round. I sent it back under warranty and now I am waiting for the replacement to be shipped.

I definitely recommend 38/357.

[Guest Bronker]

Between me and my son, here's our list:

Marlin Model 336 RC .30-30---1949 model. My son will be the fourth generation in my family men to hunt with this gun.

Winchester Model 94 .30-30---Pre-64. Given to me by my father.

Henry Youth Model .22LR --- My son's first firearm.

Daisy Red Rider --- my son's 4th birthday present.

Next up...an Uberti Replica Henry Rifle in .45LC. No reason, just always wanted one!!!

Not a big list, but among my greatest loves.