Lever Action...

[Bakerloo]

I have a desire for a lever gun. Never had one. I guess a 30-30 is what I want. It looks like .357 can get expensive. If you have a few minutes, could someone give some advice on what I should look for? Marlin, Winchester? Not sure I want a Henry. I know they are probably great, but I think I want an "old name." As you can see, I haven't a clue. I just know that I want one.
Thanks in advance

[snowdog650]

Henry is an "old name".

And it would be my choice.

[Flintlock Tom]

Only 156 years old and a good price, too!

Henry Rifle

[MJB]

New or used?

What's the model of Win that stacks the mag instead of tip to primer?

Lever action is a must have

[Garv]

If you want to shoot indoors, look for the .357/.38.

You might save money in the long run due to cheaper ammo.

I have a Rossi 92 in 357.

It is a pain to fight traffic to Angeles Range and Burro, so I have not shot my Winchester 94 in 30 30 yet.

[Duke Lukem]

Recently had to make that choice myself. Just did the paperwork on a Henry Big Boy Carbine in .44 mag today. Can't wait til it gets outta jail.

[Bakerloo]

Only 156 years old and a good price, too!

Henry Rifle

Wow! Unfortunately, my budget is only $60K.

[Dvrjon]

Henry Rifles load from the front of the tube. They are not side-ported.

Winchester, Rossi and Marlins load through the side port.

Cimarron Arms makes the Yellow Boy which is a side-ported, brass receiver rifle. Limited calibers, and equal in cost to the (Japanese-made) Winchesters.

[Sputnik]

Henry is an old name but the company doing business as Henry is not the same as the Henry of old. That company became part of Winchester and the Win 66 was an improved Henry with a side loading gate and fore end wood.
The new Henrys are nice enough but its just a name, not actual repros of the old Henry rifle of the 1860s. But by the same token the new Winchesters are made in Japan by Miroku...but at least they're reasonably accurate reproductions of period firearms.
I like my Japanese Winchesters

[Milsurps]

My Marlin 336C is scoped. Easy to do.
My Fathers Winchester 94 is not. Why because it's PITA to do.

Just an FYI.

[ianS]

Rossi 92. A good clone of the Winchester 1892 and like others have said you can take it to an indoor range if you want to get some quick practice in. If you're willing to pay more the Japanese made Winchester 92's are really nice. 92 action is strong and they chamber it up to .454 Casull.

Otherwise I'd consider Uberti's 1873, Yellowboy, or their clone of the Henry rifle for a historically accurate rifle.

For shooting, having fun, or as a future rifle for home defense in this hostile State I think the Rossi 1892 is a great way to get into levers.

[Oceanbob]

Nothing wrong with a Henry.

Impressive quality, some models a bit heavy so think about that. They load thru the front tube like a tube fed .22 rifle. Some people don't like that. Some don't mind at all.

YouTube has videos. Do a search on 'Henry Steel .357'

Also on the 30-30 model.

That being said, If you're looking for a 30-30 then find a Marlin 336 that was built before Remington took over in 2010 ish. They moved the Marlin factory from Connecticut to New York, most of the old time employees lost jobs and the machinery just wasn't refurbished. Quality went way down and these guns produced by Remington today are called "Remlins". The .357 by Remington is not being produced, the .44 magnum (both 1894 pattern) is but they have extractor issues. So generally I would avoid a Remlin.

A new remlin 30-30 isn't that bad, I bought a youth model for a trunk gun recently from Bud's Gun Shop for about $400. Yeah, the finish is Matt black not blue like the pre 2010 Marlins (called a JM marked for John Marlin and marked on the rear of the barrel) and I had to deep clean the innards and oil again, run the lever a few thousand times to smooth her out. Then clean again.

I swapped out the wood stocks for plastic champion stocks from midwayUSA.

It lightens the gun.





Look on the used rack at gun shops and find a JM marked 30-30 Marlin.
I bought a couple recently for $350 to $375. Built 2007, only 4 rounds fired, pristine condition. A better deal than a new Remlin.
Look for the JM Stamp left side rear of the barrel. Or take the first 2 numbers of the serial number and subtract from 2000. If the serial number is 13xxxxxx then subtract 13 from 2000 your gun is a 1987 model. Google this. (93xxxxxx is a 2007 model and so forth)





Another 2008 model from the same gun store....this one had Skinner Sights on it.... Worth 100 bucks



Be well
Bob

[CurlyDave]

I have a Browning BLR, which I think is one of the best lever actions ever made.

No, you can't get one in 30-30, but you can get one in .308 which is a much better choice. I has a box magazine instead of a tube, so pointed bullets are OK.

Accuracy is very tough to beat in a lever gun, it is much better than I am, and will shoot 1" groups @ 100 yards with Remington PSP ammo.

[dyson]

Get one in 357, and get a revolver to match, lots of fun.

[jeffrice6]

Marlin 1894 .44 mag