Question: Lever action/.357/side feed

[recshooter]

New to lever action. Already have a smith revolver in 38 spl and am Interested in finding a lever action in .357/38. Looking for a side fed (not sure if that is the technically correct term), rather than tube fed.
Does anyone know of a make/model this combination of factors?
I have looked around a bit and have found only tube fed...what am I missing?

[alpha_romeo_XV]

The Rossi Puma is available new in what you want. The Henry Bigboy is the tube loading. In a used/no longer produced are several others - Marlin, Winchester. You didn't mention if you prefer top vs side ejection.

[tommyboy619]

Do you mean a "side" loading gate?


Edit: If this is what you are looking for then I will second the Rossi suggestion.

[chaps]

Rossi/EMF 92 is a great option for that!

[recshooter]

Tommyboy...yes, thank you....side loading gate is the term I was looking for

[recshooter]

Appreciate the info guys!
Going to take a long look at that Rossi.

[raygun5000]

I agree with the others recommending a Rossi. Best bang for the buck for a new lever action.

38 Special out of a Rossi lever action has very light recoil. If you don't mind the lower cartridge capacity, I recommend a 16 inch barrel version. The weight is about 5 pounds unloaded.

If you want more rounds in the tube magazine and a longer sight radius, check out the 20 or 24 inch models. Obviously, this will add more weight to the rifle.

Another thing to consider is the butt-plate profile on these Rossi lever actions. They can be different depending on the model you choose. The 16-inch one I have has a more blunt profile. I think if I were use the other models, the more "pointier" butt-plates would dig into my shoulder more and cause some discomfort.

Just my 2 cents, hope this helps!

[micro911]

I have both Marlin and Rossi. Marlin has a very strong receiver, but Rossi is lighter.

[NoHeavyHitter]

If you can spend the extra money, consider getting a Miroku-made Winchester / Browning 1892. It's a far superior quality / fit / finish type rifle. The 1892 is generally considered to be one of the strongest and smoothest cycling of the various lever guns. The take-down versions are especially sweet.

Oh yeah, if you buy in a store (as opposed to ordering) ask to check the cycling using their .38 special snap-caps (they use for safety demos) to ensure the rifle you buy will cycle .38 reliably - if you plan to shoot that caliber. The rifles are optimized for handling .357 and may not feed the shorter round as well.

[Oceanbob]

Try to find a clean used Marlin 1894C. With a JM stamp on the barrel. This indicates it was built by Marlin before Remington bought them. Much higher quality but they are in short supply and somewhat expensive.

The current Marlin 1894C on Buds isn't being built and its a Remington product that has a different finish (no real bluing, just a Matt finish) and considered sub quality by us Marlin snobs....haha

Even Rossi has some issues. Best bet to get one is sign up for email notification from Buds Gunshop and order fast when you get the message. It might be a year.

Levers are a hoot to shoot, especially the .357 calibers. !

I see you live part time in Arizona? That might be your best bet for a used Marlin sitting in a gunstore rack.

Good luck

Bob

[golfish]

Even Rossi has some issues. Best bet to get one is sign up for email notification from Buds Gunshop and order fast when you get the message. It might be a year.

Levers are a hoot to shoot, especially the .357 calibers. !

My .357 is probably my favorite rifle to shoot. I had some problems with mine but its a little older and was fixed by Braztech pretty fast.

This is my 24" barrel rifle. I bought it through buds. It was pretty beat up for a new gun but its a darn good shooter.


I have this one on Lay away at buds. These are a little harder to find.

[alpha_romeo_XV]

My .357 is probably my favorite rifle to shoot.

Nice set of western looking iron. Is that revolver the Ruger which can swap cylinders to a 9mm? If so, how do you like it?

[golfish]

Is that revolver the Ruger which can swap cylinders to a 9mm? If so, how do you like it?

I sure wish it was. I've read that Ruger wont sell just the 9mm cylinder so you have to buy the package deal. I'd sure like to have one.

I bought that Ruger.357 new back in the mid 80's from a buddy who had his FFL. I paid 207.00 for it delivered to my house. I really like that gun, I've never had a problem with it and it still looks brand new. Probably only 500- rounds through it.

[darkwater]

I'm with Oceanbob...Marlins are built tough, like Rugers. Remington is finally producing some quality Marlins in the last year or so, from what I've heard, but the Model 1894 chambered in .38/.357 is not yet back in production, so it's driven up the price on even the used rifles produced by the old Marlin plant, which are indicated by the JM proof mark. My first choice, though pricey, would be a used JM Marlin, second choice a Remington-made Marlin, assuming they come out with that caliber, and after that probably a used pre-64 Winchester.

[alpha_romeo_XV]

You guys got me wondering if my Marlin 1984C had the coveted JM stamp. Had to pull it out of the safe and check. I'll sleep better tonight now knowing that it has this distinguishing mark of quality. I already knew it shoots good. Bought at Big5 in 2006 for $299.

Note the Marlin is a side eject design which allowed me to put the nice Williams peep sight on the receiver (comes drilled and tapped for a scope base). This allows me to adjust windage as well as elevation, and with a flat front sight blade I can use the same sighting picture as my military rifles (rear peep / front post).