Best modern lever gun?

[Darto]

His opinion:

[mlazarus5388]

His opinion.
Mine?
Henry Supreme.

[Sputnik]

Best for what purpose?
cowboy shooting competition? Buffalo hunting? Plinking cans?

[RAMCLAP]

Uberti.

[OLD-skool454#3]

WINCHESTER "MIROKU" 1886 IN 45-70 OR 45-90. THE 1873's ACTION ALTHOUGH BEING THE SMOOTHEST RACE TYPE, IT IS ALSO ONE OF THE WORST FOR DIRT, FOULING, WEAR.

[Nego]

I'd go Henry lol it's what they do.,...,.

[splithoof]

My take on the “best” lever-action rifles:

Currently, Ruger/Marlin (Ru-Mar) and Miroku produce the best products as far as QC and build quality go for mass produced lever-action firearms.
After owning multiple Marlin products pre-RuMar, some of which were really absolute junk in terms of function and reliability, I wouldn’t own anything wearing the Marlin name from that era, with one exception: my 39A. Too many examples of poor quality from the past, including the highly praised “JM” versions.

As to Winchester, while they have made some great designs, Miroku made products have been of better quality.

[Jimi Jah]

I have Henry and Marlin here. Can't go wrong with either which is why I have both.

[RAMCLAP]

My take on the “best” lever-action rifles:

Currently, Ruger/Marlin (Ru-Mar) and Miroku produce the best products as far as QC and build quality go for mass produced lever-action firearms.
After owning multiple Marlin products pre-RuMar, some of which were really absolute junk in terms of function and reliability, I wouldn’t own anything wearing the Marlin name from that era, with one exception: my 39A. Too many examples of poor quality from the past, including the highly praised “JM” versions.

As to Winchester, while they have made some great designs, Miroku made products have been of better quality.

This could not be more wrong.

[Bakerloo]

I had a Miroku 1873 Short Rifle in .357. I was fun. Sold it and used the proceeds towards a Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon 1.

[aklon]

I had a Browning Model 1886 in .45-70 gov't, later adding a Winchester (Miroku) model 92 in .44 mag, and a Henry original in .44-40.

There's just something about lever action rifles. Whenever I took any of them to the range, they shortly became the center of attention.

[splithoof]

This could not be more wrong.

My experience with numerous lever rifles suggests otherwise. Got tired of all the older Marlin Jam-Feeders, Winchesters that were made with crappy sights and lousy triggers, and Henry products that had to go back.
My experience with Miroku products has been much better, as have several RuMar variants in .45-70, .357, and .44 Magnum carbines.
I do have a number of much older Winchester pre-1964 Model 92 and 94 variants, but the tolerances in the actions are not as precise as that of later Miroku rifles.

What is so wrong with that?

[SDDAVE56]

The Miroku's look nice. If I had the space I could see myself buying one. I do have the following, am pleased with all of them, and have no motivation to sell any of them.

Marlin 1894 Cowboy LTD 357, JM stamped. This is my favorite, I'll just put that out there right now. I did however replace the rear sight with a Skinner Peep Sight. Thats on me, not the rifle. Fit, finish, and trigger are all very good. Never had an issue with feeding, firing, extraction, ejection.

Uberti 1866. Fun, thats all folks. I only shoot non +P ammo out of it. Very smooth action. Love the trigger. Fit, finish no issues there.

Uberti 1873 357. Only fired about 200 rounds through this one. The action needs to smooth out a bit, not bad, but not good. Seems to prefer 357 over 38's. No issue with the fit and finish.

Marlin 39A. Not JM stamped that I can see. Bought new in 2011 - 2012. Only issue was the spring steel "paper clip" extractor. Replaced with a machined steel extractor from Wisner's. Other than that, no issues with fit, finish, function. Another great candidate for Skinner Peep Sight.

Winchester Mod. 94 XTR 30-30, circa 1980. I have only shot 40 rounds through this one. The trigger, well it's not great. Fit, finish, no complaints. I heard that the XTR series used a different steel composition for the receivers. Correct me if Im wrong. Accuracy is ok at 100 yards. But thats just me and the buckhorn sights. Always wanted a Winchester. Bought this off a coworker. Looked brand new, unfired. He did say it was shot, but not much at all.

[Imageview]

Remington likely never produced any parts for the 39, just continued assembly of existing parts from the old plant until eventually parts started to run low and they went custom shop only. Prices for the 39s were pretty non viable by the time Remington took over. Even now you can find good deals if you know where to look for a 39, there are just so many out there. My favorite that I’ve owned is a 39m, handles much nicer than a full sized version.

I’ve owned a miroku, a 92 deluxe trapper takedown. It was really nice although I hated the curved buttplate. If I decide to let go of my current 357 this would be the replacement, but I would have the stock squared off which seems a shame.

My Winchester made 9417 had issues with the bluing, causing the extractor to rust in place. Other than that was a very nice rifle.

i’ve owned 3 Remlins, one was great, one had bad contact on the forend when the barrel heated up and would have significant vertical stringing, and the current one is ammo picky. My ruglin is pretty much perfect in function.

i also owned 2 original marlins, a 1881 in 45-70 and a 1893 in 44-40. Both were beautiful, amazing pieces of art.

If I had to pick the best centerfire lever gun by my criteria it would be current production marlins, which is mostly down to reliability of function, overall feature set, and ease of maintenance. While I appreciate the smooth actions of jmb designs they are a bit more fiddly. I like the way winchester 94 rimfires take down better than marlins, but marlins have been consistently more accurate for me in rimfires. If I wanted a Winchester I would get a early production 63a instead of a lever gun.

[Horsewright]

Yeah best for what? Some contenders:















Some of the ones on this outfit. They're all besties!