.357 Rem Mag Lever Action

[red-beard]

So, I'm looking to refill the safe, after that terrible boating accident...

I have rejected the Henry rifles, since they use a removable tubular magazine. I prefer a loading gate

Winchester - they make an 1873 and an 1892

Marlin - they make an 1894

Rossi - they make an 1892

Cimarron - they make an 1873

Navy Arms - 1873

Uberti Taylor's - 1873

Plusses and minuses on the different styles. Same on the manufactures. I am most interested in something that will be reliable, then accuracy.

I own a Winchester 1894 in 30-30 (1947 date).

[id10t]

You looking at only NIB or is NOS or LNIBOS or Just Plain Used ok? I'm not a lever gun fan, but I'd go Winchester or Marlin, but only older ones (pre-take over).

[red-beard]

I would love pre-64. But mostly looking NIB

The stupid thing, 44 Mag is much easier to find. Almost cheaper to get a .44 Mag 1894 Marlin plus a Ruger .44 Mag.

[brainz01]

My brother has the Marlin. You can't not like that gun (double negative) - - It's nice. You feel like a cowboy.


Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

[id10t]

Originally Posted by red-beard

I would love pre-64. But mostly looking NIB

The stupid thing, 44 Mag is much easier to find. Almost cheaper to get a .44 Mag 1894 Marlin plus a Ruger .44 Mag.

For the Marlin, pre 2005is (whenever Remington took over). Google says '07. There's a nice gently used one from '01 on GB ending tomorrow for 750 shipped... and some late 70s ones as well at about $1k


But for $2k ending soon is a Turnbull ...

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/770521454

[Jeff Higgins]

Avoid the 1873 unless you really need one to fit into a particular class in some sort of shooting competition, like cowboy action or something. It's a weak, inferior action compared to the others on your list.

The Rossi is an inexpensive, not all that well made example of the 1892. It's serviceable enough, but a little rougher and a little less durable than the Winchesters.

The new, Miroku made Winchesters are about the best guns ever made bearing the Winchester brand. They are kind of expensive, though. If you don't mind spending a little more, though, you really can't go wrong. Again, avoid the 1873 - go with the 1892. One of Mr. Browning's best designs.

The Marlin 1894 is the best bang for the buck. Avoid the first few years of Remington ownership. Find a used one just preceding that, or get the newest one you can find. Great rifles for half the cost of the Winchester. Not the same level of fit and finish, but smoother actions and similar accuracy.

So, for me, it would be down to the Winchester 1892 or the Marlin 1894. There are variations of both available, as far as barrel lengths, straight or pistol grips, etc. Either one will fill the bill. The Winchester will be prettier, if that's important.

[on2wheels52]

I had a Browning .357 once (B-92?). I was selling a guy a BL-22 and he asked if I had any others stashed away. I was happy with what he paid (at the time).

[KFC911]

I have a Marlin (right before Remington)....not even close in quality to my 40 yr old .30-30, but...
Wasn't happy with it "out of the box".... feeding issues, but all it needed was breaking in....and it also shot 7" to the right at 40 yds . Sorted out...it's great. Not a classic....but I love it now....in fact, it's the one that resides outside my safe...loaded for 2 or 4 legged predators. Sorta like my baby Ruger (LC9S) that lives in my truck tool box....they serve me well...and I don't treat them as tenderly as I would a Colt or Winny ($$$).

Oh yeah....dang you Higgins, Nostatic, et al

[red-beard]

Buds has NIB Winchester Carbine 1892, for $875. All of the Marlins are out of stock. In many respects, I'd prefer a SS Marlin, for the humidity down here.

How is the build quality on the modern Winchesters?

[red-beard]

On a side note, I did a search on "lever" in PPOT and there were a few threads. I miss Odd Job Uno and Nostatic.

[flatbutt]

What kind of range will a .357 rifle have? Or a .40 for that matter?

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

What kind of range will a .357 rifle have? Or a .40 for that matter?

I'll defer to Higgy....but with iron sights....I'd reach out to 100+ yds without thinking twice about it....but I'm not into distance (different needs) and any shots I take will be shorter...hth.

[Tobra]

How long is the barrel of the gun? 16" probably

Ballistics by the inch

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by red-beard

Buds has NIB Winchester Carbine 1892, for $875. All of the Marlins are out of stock. In many respects, I'd prefer a SS Marlin, for the humidity down here.

How is the build quality on the modern Winchesters?

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

...The new, Miroku made Winchesters are about the best guns ever made bearing the Winchester brand...

Having owned a few old Winchesters over the years, and having purchased two of the new Miroku made rifles (Model 71 and Model 1886 Extra Lightweight) in the last year, I can say the two new Mirokus beat the old originals hands down in quality of build and accuracy.

Originally Posted by KC911

I'll defer to Higgy....but with iron sights....I'd reach out to 100+ yds without thinking twice about it....but I'm not into distance (different needs) and any shots I take will be shorter...hth.

I would agree that 100 yards is no problem for these rifles with iron sights. If you really know the rifle and load, and know how much to hold over, 200 yards is entirely within range. It all depends on the nut behind the butt - the rifle is absolutely accurate enough.

[red-beard]

I have now found Cheaper than Dirt has the same rifle for $864. If I buy the Winchester, I will probably have to "upgrade" my revolver to a S&W...

I really like the idea of using .38 special. And I am serious about a .44 Rem Mag as well. I'll just have to get a pistol at the same time.

[red-beard]

Marlin 1894 in .44 Rem Mag - $583.15
Taurus DA 6RD, 4" or 6.5" Ported, .44 Rem Mag - $464.37

[Jeff Higgins]

One of the best things Winchester has done (and long overdue) is to correct the rifling twist rate in the new run of 1892's. Both Winchester and Marlin (and everyone else for that matter) have stuck with an extremely slow 1:38" twist for their .44 mag (and .45 Colt) lever guns, a holdover from the the old .44-40 and .38-40 calibers, with their very short for caliber bullets. This slow twist simply does not work well with heavier bullets, or for that matter, sometimes standard weight bullets (240-250 grain) in the .44's and .45's.

Well, Winchester has finally started producing the 1892 with a proper twist, somewhere around 1:18" or 1:20", or something like that (can't recall exactly right off the top of my head). It's about time. Marlin still has not caught up and corrected this problem. Accuracy can be hit and miss in the Marlins because of this. My own Marlin 1894 Cowboy in .45 Colt suffers from this. It will not shoot anything heavier than 250 grains or so with any semblence of accuracy.

Note that this is only a problem with the .44's and .45's. Both companies have always provided the proper twist rates in their .357 caliber rifles.

[red-beard]

So, all new Winchesters are Miroku?

I found the web-page. Yes, the 1892 has been made there since 2010.

[Jeff Higgins]

Model 70's and some shotguns are made in Portugal. I think at least one shotgun is made in Turkey. All of their lever actions and single shots are made by Miroku in Japan. There has not been an American made Winchester in years. It's a real shame that it has come to that.