Best .357 lever gun for the money?

[VictorFranko]

Best .357 lever gun for the money?

Surely it is not the Rossi Ranch Hand.

[JWHuey]

It would have been nice if you included this in the OP...it kind of narrows it down

I didn't know there was a difference until after I posted, to be honest.

The ability to quickly load ammo is definitely appealing..

[JWHuey]

It would have been nice if you included this in the OP...it kind of narrows it down

And, after considering the big boy x, I believe I am leaning towards the more classic walnut and blued versions.

[golfish]

I didn't know there was a difference until after I posted, to be honest.

The ability to quickly load ammo is definitely appealing..

Yeah man, it's a good advantage, especially for plinking at the range. Its easy on the fingers and easy to unload. Can't go wrong with a Henry...unless your me.

How could you not like one of these. They might be a half pound heavier then the other brands but oh my...plus the customer service is second to none.

https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/big-boy-steel-side-gate/

[bonesurf]

You are looking at 38/357 and available?
Henry probably best balanced bang for your buck
Rossi is hit and miss
Uberti makes reproduction levers that IMO are quite nice. But also somewhat hard to find. And you kinda should “know” exactly what you are looking for. 1873? 1892? Take down? Etc. relatively expensive as well.
I don’t have any experience with citadel personally.
The Miroku/winchesters are overpriced IMO. Also suffer from same issue as the Uberti’s. You gotta know what you want. Also hard to find. Your mileage will vary

Someone mentioned Marlin. There are no currently manufactured marlins (ruger now owns them) in 38/357. So if you find one it’ll be expensive and legacy and then some issues with when Remington took over manufacture etc. While ruger will PROBABLY get around to making the 94 in 38/357 they are currently only making 1895 variants in 45-70 I think.

Ditto Browning. Pretty sure the only levers they still make (I think Miroku makes these too) are the BLR which only comes in “hunting” calibers.

[FNGGlock]

And, after considering the big boy x, I believe I am leaning towards the more classic walnut and blued versions.

I liked the pistol grip and bigger loop of the X and swapped the stock to Henry walnut. Don’t recall which big boy options are available now.
Here is a link to that project to show what it looks like, I added a rds I had removed from a pistol as rds work much better with my eyes.

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1783280

Taking your time will help find the feel and options you want, there also seems to be more options from Henry and other manufacturers coming out. Seems like retro levers with some modern features are getting more popular.

[tigerpan]

Currently Henry side load is best quality and price

[JWHuey]

I am thinking I want this one...

https://youtu.be/YqAowH5IkUo

[JWHuey]

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1783280

Taking your time will help find the feel and options you want, there also seems to be more options from Henry and other manufacturers coming out. Seems like retro levers with some modern features are getting more popular.

That's awesome!

[FNGGlock]

I am thinking I want this one...

https://youtu.be/YqAowH5IkUo

[JWHuey]

Those look really cool, personally I didn’t care for how front heavy the octagon barrels felt (though they look really nice). I mostly shoot mine offhand and figured the weight may become an issue, but all about personal preference as some people love the extra front weight.

I think the shorter 16" barrel might mitigate that a bit from the rifle version. But, yeah.


That thing is sexy AF though. Damn.

I can't seem to find that specific version on Henry's website though. Might be unobtainium.

[FNGGlock]

I think the shorter 16" barrel might mitigate that a bit from the rifle version. But, yeah.


That thing is sexy AF though. Damn.

I can't seem to find that specific version on Henry's website though. Might be unobtainium.

You made me look and it seems listed on their site

https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/big-boy-color-case-hardened-side-gate/

[golfish]

I can't seem to find that specific version on Henry's website though. Might be unobtainium.

I think this is the one on their site. Anything .357 is harder to find these days. Keep an eye open on GB or you might ask your LGS to order you one. Your gonna be paying $1200+ for it.
Kind of makes the Winchester a little easier to buy.

https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/big-boy-color-case-hardened-side-gate/

[JWHuey]

You made me look and it seems listed on their site

https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/big-boy-color-case-hardened-side-gate/

Thank you!!!

[JWHuey]

I think this is the one on their site. Anything .357 is harder to find these days. Keep an eye open on GB or you might ask your LGS to order you one. Your gonna be paying $1200+ for it.
Kind of makes the Winchester a little easier to buy.

https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/big-...ned-side-gate/

Thank you!