Looking to get a new lever 357

[jmpeal]

Before the tax coming up. Have many many guns, but no levers except for a Henry in 22lr. Looking to buy a 357 with the ability to add a pistol red dot for my aging eyes or at least the fiber optics like the Big Boy has. I have a feeling if I get the Big Boy might start modifying it to a more tactical lever But I do like the classic lines of the Marlin.
Looking at the Henry Big Boy X and Marlin 1894. Any pros or cons to these?
Marlin Classic Series Model 1894 Satin Blued Lever Action Rifle - 357 Magnum - 18.63in | Sportsman's Warehouse (sportsmans.com)
Henry Big Boy X Model 357 Magnum Blued Lever Action Rifle - 17.4in | Sportsman's Warehouse (sportsmans.com)?

[golfish]

I'd go with the Marlin...I don't think there's a better made .357 levergun than the Ruger made Marlin.

[Imageview]

I've owned a Winchester and several marlins in 357, never a Henry. Of the two I prefer marlins, easier to work on and side eject rather than top. Adding an optic to any of them is easy, but especially the marlin or Henry. I like the scout rail from xs for the side eject models. The Winchester was the prettiest of the bunch, but maybe a bit too pretty.

[Spyder]

I'm not much of a Henry fan. The Marlins are great.

[bigbossman]

I'd go with the Marlin...I don't think there's a better made .357 levergun than the Ruger made Marlin.

Me, too. The CBC's are really nice guns, but only come in .38spl or .45 Colt (I think). The Cowboy Limited comes in .357, so if that is the caliber you want then I think that's the gun you should be on the hunt for.

[sghart]

I have owned 357 lever guns from Marlin, Henry, Rossi and LevTac. All were good shooters and did the job. What I recommend depends on how much you want to spend and what you are going to use it for.

Marlin either JM, Remlin or Ruger:

Easy to break down for maintence/repair. Easy to scope. Smooth, strong and accurate. My Remlin 1894 is just as accurate as my JM's. If you really want to get the top shelf Marlin (in my opinion) find a JM built Cowboy Limited with the 24" octagon barrel. I have one and it is the last lever gun I would sell. I liked it so much I found it's brother in 45 Colt. No experience with Ruger built but I don't think you can go wrong there either. If you go for the 24" Cowboy Limited be prepared to spend big bucks.

Henry:

Easy to scope. Smooth, strong and accurate. Beautiful well built guns. I really liked mine but there was something about the stock geometry. I couldn't get a good cheek weld because I had to lift my head to see the sights. It was even worse when I mounted a scope. I fixed the problem with a cheek pad/riser. The rifle seemed heavy to me for a pistol caliber carbine.

Rossi:

The new Rossi's are built in the new CBC factory in Brazil. I have owned Rossi's for many years and the new ones are easily the nicest ever made. Very accurate. Light and strong. Not as easy to scope as a Marlin or Henry. They seem to have a problem with oversized chambers bulging brass so if you reload your brass you may want to google this and decide for your self. Factory warranty support is basically non-existent for all practical purposes.

Levetac 92:

I really liked my Levtac. It was very light and comes with a rail installed to mount a scope scout rifle style. Actually slightly more accurate than my Marlin or Henry. Suffered from the same chamber/bulgng brass issues as the Rossi. No surprise since it is built in the same CBC factory as the Rossi. In fact, mine was so bad I sent it back under the warranty and after 10 months of arguing back and forth they replaced it with a new rifle. Still bulged brass but not as bad. I kept the brass fired in this gun and the Rossi seperated from my other brass. Sold it to a new owner with full disclosure. He said he didn't reload so he didn't care.

I hope this helps.

[golfish]

FWIW, I've owned 2 CBC built Rossi guns. They were the same old junk Brazteck built. Please, go with a Henry over a Rossi.

I've been very unlucky with Rossi. I've read were guys have bought 10 of them with out problems. I've had 5 of them and they all had problems. The bluing on Rossi R92s is second to none. Just beautiful guns. I'd really love to own a 20" round barrel R92 that worked.

[pennstater]

I have two Henry's, .357 and .45 Colt. They come apart just like a Marlin for cleaning and whatnot. Very simple. Both are reliable, accurate as heck. Thet are a bit heavier than the other lever rifles, but, it doesn't bother me, as I don't hunt with them. Strictly desert plinkers. I'm fine with Henry's.

MLC

[smle-man]

I put a red dot on my Rossi 92 .357, great set up for geezer eyes like mine. The barrel is drilled under the rear sight, and Rossi sells a rail to mount to the tapped holes for a red dot or long eye relief scope. I've owned 3 Rossi 92s and all were great

[golfish]

I put a red dot on my Rossi 92 .357, great set up for geezer eyes like mine. The barrel is drilled under the rear sight, and Rossi sells a rail to mount to the tapped holes for a red dot or long eye relief scope. I've owned 3 Rossi 92s and all were great

Not all R92s are drilled under the rear sight. I'm not sure which models. I don't think the rifles are.

[Soilguy]

I love my JM Marlins better but if it came down to the new Marlin and Henry X I would recommend the Henry X .357 and heres why. The Henry X comes stock with fiber optic sights and they are super easy to pick up on as my eyes arent that great anymore. The other features I like are the pistol grip style stock, threaded barrel , accessory rail on forend, and you can load from both sides of the tube magazine, it's super accurate and I think it cycles smoother then the Marlin. Also if you want to make it more tactical then I would also go with the Henry X. Ranger Point has a whole bunch of upgrades for it. I like the new Marlin 1894 just the way they come and I wouldnt change any thing on them. Oh ya and the Henry cost less then the Marlin. Although I did see a Marlin .357 today at Sportsmans for just over $1000 but still more expensive then the Henry.

[jmpeal]

Thanks all for the feedback. That is one option that has me going towards the Henry is the threaded barrel as I will be moving out of state within 5 years, but who knows for sure when. I love the fiber optic sights. The buckhorns do not jive with my eyes. However, most likely I will get a more tactical one now and a Marlin wood lever later. Surprised no one said get both yet I guess it will depend on availability before the new tax kicks in and with BPS I can get 10% off on Mondays but they just carry the Marlin in 357. Those Henry Xs are hard to find.

[k1dude]

Get both.

[RNE228]

My only experience is with a JM Marlin 1894cb.It's fun to shoot with 38spl or 357, and is plenty accurate with both for plinking. Fun to ring the gong at 50 and 100 yards. It's a nice combo with a Ruger Blackhawk.

[Elgatodeacero]

I recently got a new Winchester 1892 Short rifle in .357 and it is a very nice gun. I have put a few hundred rounds through it and I like it very much.

I prefer the Winchester over the Marlin and Henry.

Not sure about how the mount a red dot, but I am sure there is a solution for all these lever guns.