Lever fever

[mattt]

Marlin is the last man standing as Winchester went under then went to japan.

[rromeo]

I favor the Marlins. I currently have a .30-30 and a 39a .22lr. A .35 Remington, .44 Mag, and .45-70 are on my wish list

[Pauliedad]

Wat!?!

I bought a 38/357 Rossi at the Big 5 in Redlands on 12/24 for 479.

I'll dig up the receipt tomorrow and verify. I can't believe Big 5 would have different pricing on firearms.

[23 Blast]

I'm sure the Rossi is just fine, but I've gotta say, Marlin lever actions are probably the beefiest actions out there. Buffalo Bore ammo and other high pressure ammo consistently says to shoot them out of only Marlin lever actions or Ruger pistols and names each model. That says something to me. If you're only shooting standard ammo through it though, you should be fine. I just like the feel and function of Marlin levers over just about anything out. The 1895gbl .45-70 is my new lever that makes the trousers a little tight.

Well dang, you CCW that thing IWB?!? No wonder it makes your pants tight!

[Gary13]

Went shooting on friends property and there was a line of kids and adults waiting to shoot my Rossi 16" stainless in 357. Levers are cool.

[Tom-ADC]

Have four lever actions, a Henry H001 22lr, Marlins in 44 mag, 30-30 & 45-70. I've had the 1894 Marlin 44 mag for many years have shot the heavy 44's out of it but the fun load is a 205 hard cast flat point with a few grains of unique behind it. Recoil is very mild. I put a Williams FP with target knobs on it so I can hit the steel chickens, pigs etc.

[Pauliedad]

I'll dig up the receipt tomorrow and verify. I can't believe Big 5 would have different pricing on firearms.

You're ok. Tagged was $479.00. I had a 10% off coupon.

Good times

[desertrider]

You're ok. Tagged was $479.00. I had a 10% off coupon.

Good times

Aww man, guess I should've checked the ad for coupons. I'd say live and learn, but I haven't learned yet. Still fifty bucks cheaper than any other LGS.

BTW, picked up my Rossi today, can't wait to get out to the range and try it out!

[SloChicken]

If you get a Rossi 44mag be ready to change out the sights. Mine was a solid 2 feet high at 50yd (from what I read this is a common problem) I replaced the rear sight in an attempt to fix (skinner peep), but it still would not zero - still a couple of feet high. I now have a brass (skinner) sight that is taller and intend to zero this soon next range or desert trip. The new skinner sight is obnoxiously tall, and will need to be filed to size but at least the thing will finally zero.
I will add that the 100 or so rounds I have put through this rifle and a couple hundred times cycling the lever at home (and some lube) have smoothed this action considerably. It was pretty tight when new but is much better now.
This is just a fun little lightweight rifle that is much lighter to carry than my ARs or many of my bolt rifles.
I am hopeful to do use this in upcoming pig hunts or possibly local deer. Probably not enough range for the Colorado or Wyoming mulies, but you never know.
At least until I zero this damned thing ...

[bombadillo]

OP, here is a Marlin for your viewing pleasure. 1974, pre-safety, JM marked, gold trigger. I really love this gun, and its chambered in .44mag.

[Tom-ADC]

I have the same Marlin a 1894 I bought soon after they came out.
I added the Williams FP with target knobs for shooting the steel chickens etc.

[bombadillo]

Beautiful sights. I would love to change them out personally, but I usually shoot it with a scope anyway.

[SpamNRice]

I am wondering if you guys have an issue with Marlin's action. When I was buying my Lever gun, I tried the marlin 30-30 and the action feels grainy and seems so hard to pull up and down compared to the Henry. That turned me off, and I decided to just pony up the extra cash for the Henry.

How is the action on the Rossi? Guy from Big 5 have the lever locked and won't let me try it.

[Sosoomi]

Personally I prefer the Rossi.... I have worked on mine and they are smooth....have both a Henry and Winchester but they are not as smooth and fast...

[bombadillo]

I've handled both, and with a little bit of time behind it, the Marlin lever typically has a very smooth, solid feel, but their claim to fame is the strength. They are the only lever gun action that will hold up to the Buffalo Bore hard cast lead in +P+

I would pick Marlin strictly on the strength of the gun itself. FWIW, check out the stats.