What's a good first lever gun?

[Rorge Retson]

I'm thinking I am amiss by not owning a lever gun. What's a good one to start with?

FYI, I have no wheelguns as of yet so cartridge is not a consideration...

[Canucky]

Start small 22lr.

[Garv]

I'll assume plinking so:

.357/.38: Marlin or Rossi for starters, Winchester if you want to spend the extra money.

I have a Rossi 92 in .357, basic but fun.

Marlin re-started production, there is a thread here recently. https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/....php?t=1459256
I am not sure about any reviews.

Henry for .22

[Horrendo Revolver]

Marlin 336W.

[Kokopelli]

Since you posted this in centerfire rifles, I second the nomination of a Marlin 336 in 30-30. Try to find a pre Remington made one.

[elk hunter]

Marlin 336W.

Yep

[tomrkba]

People are still having trouble with current production Marlins. Research a bit; you will need to know what you are doing if you want to make sure you get a good 336. Pre-Remington models have “JM” stamped on them.

Henry 22 lever actions are excellent. I like mine quite a bit.

I like Winchester lever guns but they are pricey. They are probably worth it.

I also like the Browning BLR.

I am considering a Mossberg, but need to research it more. They seem pretty good.

[MyOdessa]

Henry .357

[MissiontoMars]

I'm thinking I am amiss by not owning a lever gun. What's a good one to start with?

FYI, I have no wheelguns as of yet so cartridge is not a consideration...

I've had a Marlin 336 in .30-30 since 2013. It has been gobs of fun, and a good learning experience on this particular type of firearm. I must have gotten lucky, as my particular specimen has good wood/metal fitting, and after a good fluff/buff of my interior surfaces, runs pretty smoothly. has been 100% reliable so far.

My next purchase is going to be a levergun in .357 magnum/.38 special. Either a new version Marlin 1894, or a Winchester 1892 takedown.

Those would be my recommendations for you, though I don't think you'd go wrong with anything from Henry, Rossi, or even Mossberg in .30-30 or .357/.38

Cheers

[elk hunter]

I bought a new Marlin a little over a year ago I put a Trigger in it and it shoots better than the old (50's) Marlin my wife has. Other than finish the new one is every bit as good as the old one. Winchesters are high but I bought one in 25-35 and have a second one on order in a SRC in 38-55 Cal a Deluxe with upgraded wood. BLR's are high to retail over 900.00 puts them in the same range as the Winchesters. The Winchester I have shoots better than I can shoot open sights, I just got off the phone with Skinner and 2 sights are on the way to fix that problem. What ever you end up getting get what "you" want, it's your money and your the one that is going to use it. I still have another Winchester to order a 86 in either 45-70 or 45-90, as you can see I am partial to the Winchesters even though I like most all of them. HTH
elk hunter

[Kokopelli]

There are a few “general” observations to consider on modern lever action rifles.

Henry - No side loading gate. You have to pull the magazine tube rod out from the business end of the rifle to fill the magazine. Then, reinsert the tube. I don’t mind this on my Henry H001 in 22 rimfire as it is one of my most accurate guns.

Marlin - Has a side loading gate AND side eject making it easy to mount a scope or other optic. Tends to weigh a little more than a Winchester in the same calibers.

Winchester - Side loading gate but top eject, making it not so scope friendly. A John Moses Browning design.

[RNE228]

Savage 99 in 243 or 308.

Otherwise, the Marlin 94c 38/357 is fun; is easy to reload for.

Marlin 1895c in 45/70 is fun for a big bore

Browning BLR in 223 is fun too.

The bigger question, is what do you want it for? Fun plinker, small game hunting, big game hunting?

[cholla]

Henry in .45 or .357. I have 2 old Winchesters, but find the Henry's much smoother. There are some great videos on YT about the Henry's

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifdpZJ_G_y8

[Sutcliffe]

Rossi's are great

Mine is in .45 and has a trajectory like a bowling ball.

I suggest the .357 version

Lots of fun and even anti-gun weinies can be won over by a lever gun's charms.

[plumbum]

If you aren’t hunting, a .357 lever is a thing of beauty!