School me: Lever .357

[JimB120]

I have always been a handgun guy, mostly autos. My only longuns are a .22 auto, a 22 bolt and a 9mm Hi-Point carbine, which I actually love!

I've acquired a hankering for a lever action. I'd like something in .38/.357 so I don't add yet another caliber, plus I like the idea of being able to head out with one case of ammo I can use in two or three platforms.

Wanted a Ruger, but that seems to mean looking vintage.

So: Marlin? Rossi? Is there a benefit to Henry, Winchester, Remington that would make it worth the big bump in bucks?

What should I be looking for ? I'm likely to use it more for target than hunting.

School the handgun guy! :lol:

 

[Quarterbore]

There are a lot of good options out there and I am sure not the person to try to describe them all. To get a basic overview, you might spend a little time at the following site:

http://www.levergunscommunity.com

You also really need to define a budget but there are some really nice clones out there that are not too expensive upto so very fancy Winchester 1892s that are comming out this year that will cost up over $1,000.

The 357 Mag out of a rifle is a capable deer rifle as with a 16, 20 or longer barrel you have much more velocity then you get out of a revolver. So, if you think you might want a scope on it later then plan for that ahead of time as it kinda sucks to have to drill and tap a nice lever gun when you could have just planned for it up front.

I have two, well actually I have a Wincester 94AE in 45 Colt and a new Winchester 1892 Deluxe takedown in 45 Colt that is at my dealers for me to pick up as soon as I can take an hour and a half drive to get it. My 94AE will get a scope as I plan to hunt with it. The 1892 is not setup for a scope and honestly is a bit too nice for my hunting habits so it will remain a range toy most likely.

Good Luck!

 

[four70nitro]

I really like my Winchster '92 -- but it is an ancient 32-20 that has been converted to .357 -- one of the handiest and most fun to shoot rifles I have ever owned. So much so that I believe I will acquire another 1892 in 45 Colt

Dave

 

[FergusonTO35]

I have a Marlin 1894 carbine. Its an awesome little gun, you can really wake up the .357 with handloads out of the longer barrel.

 

[Rocdoc]

Marlin is by far the best choice for the money spent given what you want.

 

[WAYNO]

My vote is also, for the Marlin. It's also the most available of what I consider to be a quality piece.

For the folks that have never experienced a .357 rifle or carbine...They're a real treat to shoot, and quite surprisingly accurate. That's my experience.

WAYNO.

 

[Del J]

I have or owned about all mentioned above. For the .357 the Marlin 1894 is hard to beat. Very easy to disassemble to clean, light easy to handle. If one is interested in add-ons the sky is the limit. Any I have shot will feed .38 Specials which is also a plus. Since Marlin has been sold, a new 1894 maybe hard to find. Winchester 92's are great lever guns also, fit and finish on the newer "Winchester" models is excellent. I have a US Repeating Arms 1892 rifle in .45 colt good looker and shooter. Uberti 1873's are in class of their own in my book. Many different models, different barrel lengths, finish, stocks, but the cost is higher. One caliber in different platforms is good thinking today. Good luck on your choice.

 

[prowler]

Many cowboy action shooters are using Marlin 1894 in .357 mag. including myself, they are an excellent and durable rifle, some have been shot over 10,000 rouns still shooting.

 

[rugnelli]

I have a Marlin 1894 Carbine. It is a blast to shoot. Everyone I hand it to won't give it back... unless to get it reloaded.

rugnelli

 

[Zadiex2]

I have a Marlin 1894 Carbine. It is a blast to shoot. Everyone I hand it to won't give it back... unless to get it reloaded.

rugnelli

IF you can find a Marlin 357 at a fair price.....somewhere near $500.....I waited quite a while to find one but boy was it worth it!

 

[PJR]

Had an 1894C. It was accurate enough and one of the few lever action rifles that easily permits use of optics. Mine fed .357 without complaint but hitched on most .38 Special.

It was one of the most poorly finished and assembled rifles I've owned and because of the .38 Special issue I dealt the rifle.

I got the rifle for varmints and other potential irriants on our farm and am much happier with my Ruger 77/44. Wish they came in .357 but can understand why Ruger doesn't make it in that caliber.

 

[MMichaelAK]

I picked up a Marlin 1894C years ago.
Its a 1982 gun so its got slim wood and no cross bolt safety so Im happy with that but what really makes it shine is how it handles and shoots.

Put a Lyman receiver sight on it after I had a Weaver V4 on there just to see how well it performed and havent changed anything since.

Paid $175 for it too!

 

[JimB120]

Sounds like there are plenty of satisfied Marlin custormers, unfortunately no more Marlin!

Only route is to find previously owned I guess? They seem to be in short supply even on GB.

Can't help believing Ruger could offer something in this space instead of an oversized 9mm pocket pistol. :?

Anyone have experience with Rossi? Frankly I like the look of their SS 1892.

I have a couple of Tauri, that I'm happy with, but admit I know nothing about Rossi.

 

[DeletedMember58]

I have had three .357 levers so far, and still own the last I bought.

The first was a Browning B92 that I picked up in a Big 5 Sporting Goods. I was dissapointed at first because it wasn't a .44 Magnum, but it worked perfectly and shot well after I changed the front sight. Can't recall if I needed a higher or lower sight, but something from Brownells fixed the issue. That was close to thrity years ago and my only gripe was that it had an aluminum barrel band! Oh, and the '92 design actually delivers more felt recoil to me than a Marlin, regardless of caliber.

Next was a standard Marlin 1894C that was darn near perfect. Only reason it was sold was to buy something else, which was a mistake given my constant swapping in the search for "perfection".

Last and still here is a Marlin Cowboy with 20" octagon barrel. Perfection as far as I am concerned but the wife prefers a lighter rifle so I am keeping my eyes open for another round barrel carbine down the road. This, however, will stay in the rack as well.

Some things to be aware of. As a few have stated, the .357 out of a rifle is a very effective deer round, especially if using some of the 180 grain loads available. Out of a rifle this chambering is a "death ray", and performs like what most folks "think" it will do out of a handgun. I would venture to say it may be effective for black bear but I have not hunted bear so I cannot really give more than an internet opinion. If it was what I had when up in the Blues and a bear came along I wouldn't feel naked.

Another note. Marlins are sensitive about cartridge length, there is a sweet spot. 1873 replicas seem to share the same issue, but my old B92 would feed whatever you stuffed in it, regardless of length.

 

[rugnelli]

I looked for years for a decently priced 1894C. About 9 months ago I went into the large, local sporting goods store and there it was, $325.

I picked it up and never put it down until I got out to the car.

rugnelli

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Consider the kind of grip you want, either pistol grip or straight grip. Also the barrel length, anything from 16" to 24". Blue or stainless. The Rossi and Henry are good guns. The Marlin is the most dependable with the most variations. The Winchester the most 'classic'. There are lots of used guns out there. I like my Winchester Legacy.

...Jimbo

 

[Quarterbore]

Jimbo - how do you like that 24-inch barrel? I handled a Winchester 1982 Takedown Deluxe in 45 Colt with a 24-inch barrel and while the balance was not bad I just really couln't see myself liking that long barrel.

So, I ordered the 20-inch and it is at my dealers and I am anxious to go and get it but the darn snow around here messed up my plans to get it today.

 

[mike-c]

Greetings,
I have owned winchester and marlin, and the marlin wins hands down. Further, while the 357 is great fun to plink with, the traditional 30-30 or 44 magnum is better suited for serious hunting. A 100 years ago, having a cartridge that would work in both handgun and rifle was a good thing, but is not so important today in our modern society. Given a choice, I would much prefer some caliber more powerful for hunting. I would not want to face a bear with a 357 if I could have something better. The real wilderness requires real firepower. However, if it is just for shooting at the target range, the 357 will put holes in paper. 8)

 

[Yosemite Sam]

I had a Winchester AE in .357 with the 24" barrel and thought it was overkill for the round. IMO, such a gun should be small, light, and quick handling, and the longer barrel detracts from this. I was also underwhelmed at the power level of the .357 in a long gun. I have since gotten a .44 mag rifle and feel this round is much more suited to this platform. To each their own, of course.

-- Sam

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Jimbo - how do you like that 24-inch barrel?

I had a Winchester AE in .357 with the 24" barrel and thought it was overkill for the round. IMO, such a gun should be small, light, and quick handling, and the longer barrel detracts from this. I was also underwhelmed at the power level of the .357 in a long gun.

Agreed. The gun does not balance well. Works fine on a rest but holding that barrel up to take more than a couple of shots gets tiring. I'm thinking about having it cut down to 20". I had the chance when I bought it to get one in 38-55 with a tang mounted peep sight and I wish I had got it. I think the old black powder cartridge could have used the extra barrel length effectively but the 357 magnum, not so much. :shock: :shock:

...Jimbo