Lever fever

[raygun5000]

Thanks 200Apples and goldfish!

I'll try to write up a range report after I go.

Even though the action is very smooth empty, I had some issues closing the lever on a .357 mag snap cap. Had a bit of a hang up on the very last half inch of lever swing. I went though a dozen lever swings with the snap caps and it got a little better. Maybe a couple hundred rounds will break in the action.

[golfish]

Thanks 200Apples and goldfish!

Maybe a couple hundred rounds will break in the action.

It sure the hec can't hurt

[raygun5000]

Wow, that thing is awesome, nice move on that one. In spirit of the neighboring thread....how much was it?!? Haha, I kid. I'm embarrassed to say that I have two lever actions I've never used, a western field 740 (budgetized marlin 336) in 30-30 and a 1902mfr'ed 1894 in 25-35. Hope to change that soon though...

Thanks cedew! It was $1478.16 out the door. I got into lever actions about year ago. I've had the most fun with my Rossi R92. Hope this Alaskan is the same, if not more.

[zWade]

This is my lever.
This ole Marlin 30-30 was my grandfather's and he hunted with it for many years. My grandma also used it several times when she hunted. This rifle has taken many a deer and one bear. One time, the story goes, he got two bucks as they fed at an apple tree, with this rifle. The accuracy of this rife I would rate at "dead on balls".

The rifle scabbard was also his and has been on it as long as my memory goes back. This was attached to his saddle as he packed in on horse to hunt the high deserts and Sierra Nevada of CA.

When he taught me to hunt, the was the rifle I used, before I got my "own". When he died, he left it to me. Obviously it means a lot more to me than the money value of an old marlin with a beat up ole leather scabbard.

[23 Blast]

zWade, that's a GREAT rifle! looks to be in terrific shape for having been a working rifle for many years.

[p1choco]

Wow. That rifle looks right at home in that scabbard. I do enjoy my lever more so than any rifle I've ever owned.

[raygun5000]

Alaskan 1892 .357 range report

Went to Angeles Shooting Range, great day for shooting metal targets:



Here's the ammo I used:



Not the best stuff in the world, but it's what I had.

Some more pics of my two lever actions:







Caveat: I am by no means a professional shooter. I'm not capable of MOA shooting or putting 5 rounds in the same ragged hole in paper at 1000 yards. I 'm just a regular schlub who likes firearms. Please keep this in mind when I talk of accuracy.

I love how this carbine takes down and can be transported in a backpack or some other case that doesn't scream "Rifle/Carbine." It came with a case made by Skinner Sights (who also made the sights that were installed). It looks like a tool roll bag.

When I got the Alaskan, I did some test loading/ejecting with snap caps. The lever would hang up on the very last part of closing. Cycling 200 plus rounds today has made the action much smoother. I had a couple of hang ups: a stove piped round and the carrier didn't lift a new round into the action a few times. But I think it was because I didn't actuate the lever with enough authority. Show the lever who's boss and it will do what it's told. ;-)

The loading gate is still a little stiff, but it was the same with my Rossi R92. I probably loaded 1000-1500 rounds through the R92 and the gate is much smoother. Hope the Alaskan will be the same.

When the lever is used with proper technique, I didn't have a problem loading the .357 magnum, the caliber that's stamped on the barrel. I tested 3 brands of .38 special as well and they all loaded fine.

The Skinner sights are awesome! I like them much better than the traditional buckhorn sights. The aperture screws in/out and can be replaced with smaller or bigger ones. I think I could benefit from a smaller aperture to get a little more accuracy.The fiber optic front site pops very nicely against the dark metal targets.

I didn't have any failure to fires today. Even though I had budget ammo, they seem to fire nicely.

Recoil is almost nonexistent with the .38 special. The .357 magnum had a little more push behind it, but it wasn't painful. The stock has a rubber pad, a nice touch and I'm sure it helped reduce any felt recoil. I think the octagon barrel adds some extra weight up front and helped reduce muzzle rise for me.

Regarding accuracy (see caveat above), I was able to hit targets at the different distances at Angeles (35/50/60/100 yards). If I hear that ding, I'm happy. :-) With good technique, I think this carbine is pretty accurate. In the hands of a very good shooter (unlike me), I think this carbine can get even better results.

Thanks for reading!

[golfish]

I'm with ya on the Armscor stuff, its pretty weak..

Got to love that she cycles both rounds right out of the box I don't know why the .357\.38 Cal seems to be the worst match for these lever guns..

[zWade]

Wow. That rifle looks right at home in that scabbard. I do enjoy my lever more so than any rifle I've ever owned.

zWade, that's a GREAT rifle! looks to be in terrific shape for having been a working rifle for many years.

Thanks!!! I'm going to take it out next time I go plinking. I haven't fired it in a long time and this thread brought back good times!

[TruEdge]

Great thread guys I've been wanting a lever gun for as long as I remember. I almost got ahold of a very lightly used 44 mag lever gun but my buddy bought it before I could! Definitely some beautiful guns you all have and I'm looking forward to getting my own some day.

[Gary13]

Raygun, dang that thing is nice. I have a Rossi SS 16 that I love. I will have to look into those sights.

I'm with ya on the Armscor stuff, its pretty weak..

Got to love that she cycles both rounds right out of the box I don't know why the .357\.38 Cal seems to be the worst match for these lever guns..

Not sure about all makes, but the Rossi(at least mine) will shoot both if properly cleaned and adjusted.

[raygun5000]

Raygun, dang that thing is nice. I have a Rossi SS 16 that I love. I will have to look into those sights.



Not sure about all makes, but the Rossi(at least mine) will shoot both if properly cleaned and adjusted.

Thanks Gary13! I loved my blued Rossi so much that I wanted to get the SS version too. I couldn't find one and I kind of wanted a large loop (which the SS doesn't offer), so I held off. The Alaskan came on my radar and I looked into it. American Gun Works in Glendale was the closest distributor and I asked them to order one for me.

Here's a link to the Skinner Sights.

My Rossi also doesn't have any issues with both calibers. And I don't really clean it very well. ;-)