Lever action .44 mag

[SCAR Face]

Agree with all of SCAR Face's points, the Alaskan Scout is nice! I got one (though, it's in .357 magnum) and it's my favorite carbine.

raygun5000, do you have a Skinner scabbard for your Alaskan Scout (http://www.skinnersights.com/scabbards_20.html)? It's awesome for securely and compactly carrying everything you need while hunting, hiking, camping or other outdoor activities.

- SCAR

[raygun5000]

Hi SCAR face,

Yes sir, the folding take down case came with the carbine. It's a sweet case. It almost doesn't even look like a rifle case, more like a tool roll or maybe a large chef's knife carrier. I can stow it inside my other "rifle bag" (cheap guitar bag) along with my Rossi R92. So, maybe my neighbors think I'm a chef that is taking guitar lessons, haha!

[dskit]

I have a Winchester '94 "Trapper" in .44 Mag. 16" bbl that I bought about 7 years ago. It's just "ok" and I don't care for the tang mounted safety thingy...

[NordicDave]

I have a Winchester '94 "Trapper" in .44 Mag. 16" bbl that I bought about 7 years ago. It's just "ok" and I don't care for the tang mounted safety thingy...

I have the same rifle DSKit. Mine is from the mid-90's. It's feeds everything including semi-wadcutters. 16" trapper is awesome in how fast it is to wield, point, and shoot. Light to carry as well.

For some reason the rifle just works for me. Super easy to keep nailing a coke can at 50 yards.

[B!ngo]

I've seen and heard some very positive reviews on the Taylor/Alaska and the .44 has made it to the top of my list. I'll miss the wood of a classic lever but I want a takedown and there doesn't seem anything current (or even reasonably current) available.
Please share what you can about your experiences with yours. How long have you had it? Where did you buy it?
Thx,
B

Agree with all of SCAR Face's points, the Alaskan Scout is nice! I got one (though, it's in .357 magnum) and it's my favorite carbine.





Love the Skinner sights over the buckhorn sites.

However, the Rossi R92 is pretty nice too. Way cheaper, but the quality is lower. The one I have functions well and is very fun. Pretty accurate up to 100 yards. Nice bang for the buck.

[raygun5000]

I've seen and heard some very positive reviews on the Taylor/Alaska and the .44 has made it to the top of my list. I'll miss the wood of a classic lever but I want a takedown and there doesn't seem anything current (or even reasonably current) available.
Please share what you can about your experiences with yours. How long have you had it? Where did you buy it?
Thx,
B

Hi Bingo,

According to Chiappa's website, they make .44 mag lever actions that take down with wood stocks. Maybe they stopped doing them? I'm not a purist, so I was fine with the rubberized wood. Just my opinion, I like the flat rubber buttpad on the stock compared to metal buttplate on my Rossi R92.

I got my .357 Magnum version from American Gun Works in Glendale. They had a .45LC in 16 inch and 20 inch barrels in stock when I was initially there in December 2013. Compared to my Rossi, the quality of the Alaskan was vastly superior (though the Rossi is still a fun gun). The take down feature is awesome! It makes the carbine very portable and when in a case/bag, it doesn't look like I'm carrying a rifle/carbine. I'm sure they can order .44's into the store.

Pete at AGW said they could order one in .357, but it would take a while. He mentioned that the .44 Magnum version took 11 months to get in for one customer! I figured I would be in for a long wait too, so I ordered one in January 2014. I guess luck was on my side, because he got one in a month later. It was $1478.16 out the door. A little high for a lever action, but compared to a Wild West Guns Alaskan , the Chiappa was a bargain.

Check out entry #98 on this thread for my thoughts on using the carbine:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?p=13643041#post13643041

Hope this helps!

[TKM]

I'd suggest the Ruger 96/44 or a Rossi 92. If you can find one, the Ruger is by far the slicker of the actions, even over an original Winchester 94 from back in the day. For those of you who haven't seen one, imagine a 10/22 with a lever. That's what it looks like. The magazines are similar as well, just for a bigger-bore cartridge, so it holds 4 rounds. Combined with one in the chamber, that makes it a 4+1.

Here's what one looks like.



On top is a 10/22, for reference. Below that is the 96/44 and its Redhawk buddy-pal, both chambered for .44M. Note that the 96/44 is machined for Ruger-style rings. The ones on this rifle are from a buddy's Mini-14; he was going to just toss the rings and instead gave 'em to me. The scope is an inexpensive Simmons 3-9x40, which works very well at 44M hunting ranges of 125 yards or less. I've shot .44 Special loads through it as a nice li'l gallery round. However, with this rifle, my 200gr LRNFP .44M loads will safely exceed 2,000 FPS.

Here's a direct comparison between the Rossi 92 and the Ruger 96/44.



Both guns shoot very well. If I had to pick? I'm not sure, actually. Both are very good rifles and I enjoy 'em both.

If you enjoy a project, I've seen Desert Eagle mags modified to work in the 96/44.

I own one of the Trapper model 94s, it's been on sale all week if anybody is interested.

[003]

Keep an eye out for one of the Browning's made in the early 90's. Excellent quality.

[NordicDave]

Keep an eye out for one of the Browning's made in the early 90's. Excellent quality.

Ditto on the 1990's Browning cowboy rifles, beautifully made and shot awesome. Even the single shot reproductions they made were aces.

[3006mv]

any carbine lever .44 is gtg.
be careful working up or down your sneeze loads

[kendog4570]

Keep an eye out for one of the Browning's made in the early 90's. Excellent quality.

This. Better made than original Winchester 92's.

[bombadillo]

I realize you were asking about a .44, but how about a Winchester USR 1892 Trapper .357mag takedown. Sweet 16" Bbl, and smooth action, and octagonal to boot. Otherwise, I'd say a Marlin 1894 .44mag like this;



Picked this up for $300 about 5 years ago, and it will be one of the last guns I sell.

[B!ngo]

RayGun,
Thanks for the info. The 11 month wait is daunting, but I'm not in that much of a hurry. I also have a deposit down, with a very long wait for a Browning BLR TD in .223. That will be a while before it arrives.
Glad to hear that you like the Taylor Alaskan. Visually I would like it a bit better if it didn't have the enlarged lever opening (I don't wear gloves a lot here in the Bay Area), but it seems like a great design with more modern materials.
I've also seen a review or two for that Co-Pilot. It's a beautiful thing but as you note, just a bit pricey. But hey, you only go around once.
I'll follow up on your pointers. Thanks again,
B

======= Edit =======

I followed up on your suggestion of contacting the folks at AGW. They must be the most helpful and understanding gun shop staffers/owners I've ever met. Looks like they'll be the folks I'll be working with to get the Taylor Alaskan but in .44mag/16" barrel in the mid-future. They also said, though like the Alaskan there would be a wait, that they could get a Browning BLR Takedown in .223. A longer term hope of mine. Most LGS I've visited, when asked about it show the face of the puppy that just heard a new sound.
Great reference. Thanks muchly.

Hi Bingo,

According to Chiappa's website, they make .44 mag lever actions that take down with wood stocks. Maybe they stopped doing them? I'm not a purist, so I was fine with the rubberized wood. Just my opinion, I like the flat rubber buttpad on the stock compared to metal buttplate on my Rossi R92.

I got my .357 Magnum version from American Gun Works in Glendale. They had a .45LC in 16 inch and 20 inch barrels in stock when I was initially there in December 2013. Compared to my Rossi, the quality of the Alaskan was vastly superior (though the Rossi is still a fun gun). The take down feature is awesome! It makes the carbine very portable and when in a case/bag, it doesn't look like I'm carrying a rifle/carbine. I'm sure they can order .44's into the store.

Pete at AGW said they could order one in .357, but it would take a while. He mentioned that the .44 Magnum version took 11 months to get in for one customer! I figured I would be in for a long wait too, so I ordered one in January 2014. I guess luck was on my side, because he got one in a month later. It was $1478.16 out the door. A little high for a lever action, but compared to a Wild West Guns Alaskan , the Chiappa was a bargain.

Check out entry #98 on this thread for my thoughts on using the carbine:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?p=13643041#post13643041

Hope this helps!

[raygun5000]

RayGun,
Thanks for the info. The 11 month wait is daunting, but I'm not in that much of a hurry. I also have a deposit down, with a very long wait for a Browning BLR TD in .223. That will be a while before it arrives.
Glad to hear that you like the Taylor Alaskan. Visually I would like it a bit better if it didn't have the enlarged lever opening (I don't wear gloves a lot here in the Bay Area), but it seems like a great design with more modern materials.
I've also seen a review or two for that Co-Pilot. It's a beautiful thing but as you note, just a bit pricey. But hey, you only go around once.
I'll follow up on your pointers. Thanks again,
B

Hi Bingo,

Glad to help if I can. Maybe Taylor's and Co (the ones who import the Chiappa Alaskan) have their supply chain issues resolved and can get the .44 magnums in sooner? Along with AGW in Glendale, I think the Fowler Gun Room also can get them into their shop. They're in Orange County, so I guess they are both far for you. Maybe this might help some in in SoCal.

When you get your Browning in, please post a review with pics!

Raygun

[Caribouriver]

My Rossi 92 in .44 shoots really well. When it shoots. Some are dreamboats right out of the box. I've seen and shot them. Mine's kind of a lemon. Went to the factory when it wouldn't extract or eject. They fixed that but now the mag tube works itself off. Must have been assembled on a Friday afternoon or Monday morning!