Lever action folks!

Rickysa · 07:39 AM

I've read all the Longmire books, and the CJ Box books, and watched the Longmire series on Netflix (not as good as the books, but I digress

)...I mentioned that Walt carries a "really cool rifle" and my wife picked up on it and wants to ask Santa to bring me one.

I found out it's a Winchester/Browning 1894 (94) and did a little research, finding out the pre-'64s carry the most clout etc (not really interested in a "collectors rifle")...but wanted the brain trusts suggestions.

I don't hunt and not really a "gun-guy"...my "arsenal" consists of various pistols, shotguns, AR, CZ .22 (for practice) and a Browning .308. I just think it would be fun to own something like the 94 for killing paper.

Should I stay w/ a 94 and if so what vintage?...or look for a model 73?...or something else?

I look at buying stuff like this as an fun investment regarding the $$, rather than going after a cheaper look-alike (even if that is available)

aigel · aigel's Garage

I am not an expert but i think there was a time post 64 that was poor quality but they sure came around later. I'd look at a 2000+ model with the side eject action so you can mount a scope easily (blasphemy IMHO). It will be cheaper than a pre 64 and just as good, if not better because newer.

G

Rickysa · 11-30-2017, 07:48 AM

Quote:

(blasphemy IMHO).

I agree!...everything else I have is scoped, so I would like to stick to iron sights

aigel · aigel's Garage

Mine carries ghost ring iron sights. Really good for close in work on game with teeth ...

What caliber will you get? 30-30 or a pistol caliber?

G

flipper35 · flipper35's Garage

You could put a nice set of Skinner peeps on it with the side ejector.

id10t · 11-30-2017, 08:06 AM

I'd look really hard at teh Henry options - either rimfire or a pistol caliber centerfire (357/38 spl)

https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/big-boy/

Rickysa · 08:11 AM

I kinda want to go with the classic top ejector...30-30, and either pre-64 for quality (no late 60s = cheap), but maybe mid 70's when the cheap stuff was improved but before the side eject and the newly added safety.

eta: I've looked at the Henry's and was quite impressed...I think I want something older though

Rickysa · 11-30-2017, 08:12 AM

Love this video:

flatbutt · 11-30-2017, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aigel

Mine carries ghost ring iron sights. Really good for close in work on game with teeth ...

What caliber will you get? 30-30 or a pistol caliber?

G

I've been told that pistol caliber in a rifle has nowhere near the power or range of a proper rifle round. Seems right but YMMV.

Arizona_928 · 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatbutt

I've been told that pistol caliber in a rifle has nowhere near the power or range of a proper rifle round. Seems right but YMMV.

Naturally. Need to go magnum/p+ Rounds. Then they start to equalize... Kinda
Price per Pb, and availability of 30-30/45-70 should be considered.
Makes the high power pistol cartridges a serious contender...

My next lever will be a sbr in a magnum cartridge. Talk about fun fun fun

also if you want range.... Don't pick a lever spoon. I'll let you shoot my 45-70... Range with drop is quite severe

Rickysa · 11:07 AM

After watching that video a few times, I think I'll go with pistol rounds...I've got a boom stick that punishes my shoulder already, and one that sends tiny pew pew rounds down range, so something in the middle. I going to a local shop tomorrow to look at 73 vs 92, although I'm leaning to the Browning 92.

Still need to learn about what rounds to go with, barrel length and all the other things I haven't thought of...thanks for the feedback

vash · vash's Garage

minor hijack:

the ending of the Longmire series on Netflix blew chunks.

craigster59 · craigster59's Garage

I used to own a Browning 92 in 357. It's a nice caliber because you can also shoot 38 specials. My buddy had the 44 magnum model and wished he'd bought the 357.

Rickysa · 11:08 AM

Quote:

the ending of the Longmire series on Netflix blew chunks.

No argument here...books are soooooo much better. Vic (the Terror) and the Cheyenne Nation were much better characters.

Jeff Higgins · 11-30-2017, 11:19 AM

While '73's are wonderful rifles, they have notoriously weak actions. There are no locking lugs of any kind that hold the bolt in battery, but rather a toggle link that gets pushed over center to hold the action closed. This mechanism allows them to be the slickest lever actions ever made, but it does severely limit them. Their traditional ammo - .44-40, .38-40, .32-20, etc. is quite expensive and not all that common anymore. I believe some of the replicas are available in more modern calibers but, with the higher pressures those generate, I would be leery of firing them in a '73. Oh, and the firing pin is not restrained in any way. There have been several reports of shooters getting killed and injured when it comes flying out the back of the action having fired an over pressure round. So, unless you need one for some specific reason, like Cowboy Action Shooting or something like that, I would steer clear of '73's.

'92's are great little rifles. They have the dual rear locking lugs that John Browning first used on the big '86 action, so they are hell for stout. They are perfectly safe with modern high pressure magnum revolver ammunition. I would recommend a .38 Special / .357 Magnum for plinking. Brian Pearce has developed loads for strong lever guns that approach .30-30 ballistics, if you are inclined to hunt with it.

Be leery of the .44 and .45 caliber versions. Until this latest introduction form Miroku, the '92's in .44 and .45 calibers had very, very slow twist rates (1:38 or so) that simply will not adequately stabilize heavier bullets. 240 grain .44's and 250 grain .45's test those limits, with some rifles not even stabilizing those, especially at lower velocities. Forget the 300 grain stuff - these rifles just won't shoot them well. Miroku has now fixed all of that, and offers these calibers with a 1:20 or so twist, which will stabilize the heaviest bullets in either caliber.

Personally, I would stay away from the modern guns with their rebounding hammers and big ugly safeties. Typical advice with lever guns is to buy the oldest one you can afford. Do avoid the '64 through about 1990 or so Winchesters at all costs - fit and finish, and overall quality, really sucked. It got much, much better about the time they turned production over to U.S. Repeating Arms, but then the external safeties and rebounding hammers came in. The newest ones from Miroku are the best of the modern ones.

Rickysa · 12:04 PM

Jeff, you should (and probably do) write for a shooters magazine.

I've copied and printed your response to carry with me as I shop. I think my next avenue of research is to look at a number of older 92s to get a feel for what a fair price might be.

GWN7 · 11-30-2017, 02:29 PM

I remember reading about my 94 when I got it (.30-.30) about the pre 64 guns and then the unwanted ones 65-81 vintage. Then quality improved starting in 82 when the gun was redesigned. I was happy mine was a 87 model with only 1/2 a box of ammo run thru it.

Prices on new ones up here are $1700 with them being $1200-$1300 in the US

flatbutt · 11-30-2017, 02:41 PM

FWIW my Marlin .22lr is a lot of fun to shoot. Of course that's all it's good for but heck I can play all day with it. Whereas my Springfield 30-06 wears me out pretty quickly, but that's bolt action.

sc_rufctr · 11-30-2017, 02:51 PM

I'm certainly no expert so I wont give any advice...

But I've always loved how lever actions work! It's a brilliant design that's still great today.

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

My buddy has two Winchester lever guns in .357. Inherited one from his father, and is willing to sell me one, as that is something I covet greatly. If I do get it, I will get another wheel gun in that flavor to go with it.