Differences in quality of lever actions

[Fishwishin]

Generally speaking when comparing Winchester vs. Henry vs. Marlin lever action center fire rifles which company tends to show better quality? A friend of mine is interested in getting a lever in .357 magnum and I am interested in getting a .45/70.

Thanks!

[tmh1]

Assuming you are talking brand new, then the quality order (highest to lowest) would be Winchester (Miroku), Henry, pretty much anything else, Marlin.

The new Remlington Marlins seem to be having continuing quality issues at this point in time, so while they seem inexpensive to purchase, they are generally just cheap.

The "quality" I refer to above takes into account things like clean machining, quality of wood and metal parts, and overall fit and finish.

Another "quality" would be smoothness of the action. But this is based not only on the manufacturer but also the design. For example in the .357 MAG your friend wants the Models of 1866/1873 will always have a smoother action than comparable Models of 1892, 1894, etc. I personally don't find the Henry action to be as smooth and nice as some other folks do, but then again I am used to shooting slicked up Cowboy Action guns. The Henry's are heavily oversprung to make sure that they go "bang" every time, but that does not lead to smooth levering. I also can't get into the Henry tube loading, but once again, that is a personal preference.

Also don't discount the Italian made guns - Uberti, Pedersoli, Chiappa, etc. My Chiappa '92 has nearly the same overall level of quality as my Winchester (Miroku) '73's, and my Uberti '66 is very nice as well.

[javithewrench]

If your going to look at used I like browning, pre 2007 Marlins, miroku winchesters( 3rd only due to the safety and rebounding hammer), Henry rifles are well made and have a beautiful finish but I hate that loading tube so I avoid them. In that order.

[RNE228]

My direct experience is with Marlin(pre-Remington JM stamp) 357M and 45/70; both are nice fit, function and performance.

I would add Browning BLR new or used, or a Savage 99, but they don't have 357 or 45/70. Both of those are also very nice lever actions.

I would add, the 218 Bee in lever action is fun too...

[Jimmy's]

Winchester and Uberti are top choices the rest are well just that, just the rest

[stilly]

I am a Rossi fan because that Ranch Hand is just hella fun to shoot.

But Henry does have some NICE butter smooth firearms.

[bluzman]

Generally speaking when comparing Winchester vs. Henry vs. Marlin lever action center fire rifles which company tends to show better quality? A friend of mine is interested in getting a lever in .357 magnum and I am interested in getting a .45/70.

Thanks!

Besides quality, there are a few other factors to consider, IMO.

In terms of new firearms, Remington/Marlin is no longer making the .357 1894, only .44 and .45 Colt models. Used .357 1894s can be bought but JM stamped models usually command a premium price.

Also, of the 3 brands mentioned:

• only Henry and Marlin eject brass from the side (Winchester - top ejection) so if one wants the option to mount a scope, that is a factor;
  
• only Marlin and Winchester have a side loading gate (Henry - under barrel tube loading)

[etwinam]

Besides quality, there are a few other factors to consider, IMO.

In terms of new firearms, Remington/Marlin is no longer making the .357 1894, only .44 and .45 Colt models. Used .357 1894s can be bought but JM stamped models usually command a premium price.

Also, of the 3 brands mentioned:

• only Henry and Marlin eject brass from the side (Winchester - top ejection) so if one wants the option to mount a scope, that is a factor;
  
• only Marlin and Winchester have a side loading gate (Henry - under barrel tube loading)

Thank you for this breakdown, it appears I need. To look at Marlins then.

I have done lots of research and it's very confusing, I wish someone made a chart haha.

I have been waiting a side gate loading, side ejecting 357 lever gun to mount a scope/red Dot on.... And it's pretty complicated all the nuances.

Now if I can just find where to buy a Marlin 357 .... Any other lever gun in 357 that will have the option of scope mounting that side gate loads and side eject?

I have an extra eotech I don't use, it would be nice to mount it to a Lever action for hunting and plinking.

I contemplated Henry, the action is smooth but I'm not sure about the tube fed, I think it isn't that bad but it is time consuming. I've shoot them a few times and it certainly was kind of a pain in the ***.

[larkja]

Just my experience/observations:

Rossi Rio Grande (30-30) - mine was cr@p. Sent back to factory 3 times for jamming problems. Finally got it working right. Sold.
Rossi 92 in .357 - nice little rifle. Action was a little stiff, but cheap and functioned well. Sold.
Winchester 92 in 30-30 - lever rattled like a can full of rocks. Slick action. Sold.
Henry with blued steel (not the brass big boy) - Very nice. Slick action, funky tube magazine. Liked it but worry about tube getting bent, then what? Sticking with loading gates. Sold.
Uberti 1873 "Cody Matic" - This is the one I have kept. Incredibly slick, and short stroked. Super smooth and accurate. A keeper.

[milotrain]

The old Brownings are very nice.

[TMB 1]

Think the old Brownings were made by the same company in Japan that make the new Winchesters. The Brownings are nice I have two, 44mag and 45/70.

[DrewN]

The old Brownings are very nice.

Assuming he wants a "cowboy" style I suppose, but BLR's and Savage 99s are very,very nice guns.