.357 Lever Rifles

[Tyler94]

Where can you find them in stock? I looked all over for the Henry Big Boy and the Marlin 1894, but no one has them (and possibly the Marlin isn't produced anymore?) Does anyone have any others that I should look at? I got bit really bad by the lever action bug. Thanks

[MikeA04]

The stockade in Westminster has a few I think

[Cnynrat]

Marlins are definitely still being made. Production was transferred to a Remington factory in New York. They can be hard to find though.

[Oceanbob]

Yeah, the Marlin 1894 .357 isn't produced by Marlin anymore. Remington bought Marlin in 2008 and slowly moved the factory out of New Haven Connecticut.
The old employees hung around until about 2010...some retired, some were laid off. Remington did a poor job on QC after that and while they still sell "Marlins"
They aren't the same...

Join this group. Amazing wealth of knowledge and friendly folks.

http://www.marlinowners.com

I have several Marlins including a new Remington 336Y 30-30 Lever I just bought off Buds and Picked up last week. The fit on the wood is fine, but the finish isn't the good old blue we are used to. More like a frosted flat black.

I understand your obsession. Lever guns are very fun to shoot and collect.

I stumbled on to a used Marlin Cowboy Limited in .44 Magnum, 24 inch barrel in a LGS the other day. She spoke to me..

I pick her up next Friday.......

You might check Rossi, Chiapia, (spelling) and Winchester. My problem with Winchester is the top ejection. But that's just me.

I really love my Marlin Levers. And a .22 Browning.




Browning BL 22, 7000T, Camp 9, 1894 .357 lever, 336 30-30 , the new one made by Reminton. 336Y.

Soon the .44 mag....now a reason to reload .44.

[Tyler94]

After doing a little more research, I am liking the Rossi 92. Does anyone own that one? Ive heard they're not as expensive as the Marlins or Henrys, and that they work great.

[deadhawg]

I have a couple Rossi .357's, a 16 " and a 20". Both are great shooters, mild .38 SPL's are like shooting a .22, and hot loaded 180 grain .357 will take almost any north american game.

I'd recommend Steve Young's action job video, it makes it easy to smooth up the action, which is kinda rough from the factory.

[raygun5000]

Hi Tyler

I have a Rossi in .357, 16 inch barrel, large loop. It's the top one in this pic:



The quality isn't as nice a a good Marlin or a Winchester, but the Rossi probably costs half as much. The quality of the wood is just okay, but the fit is fairly decent.

The one I have functions just fine. I haven't fired much .357 out of it, but never had a problem with loading, firing, or extracting. I've run a few thousand rounds out of .38 special it and it works like a champ. Recoil of .38 special is not much more than a .22lr.

It's pretty lightweight (about 5ish pounds unloaded) and it "points" quick and easily.

If you are looking for a lever action to "get your feet wet," a Rossi is a good economical choice. I use mine as a plinker/range toy and in that capacity it's great. Just my opinion.

[Sutcliffe]

Rossi's are a great value

I've got a 20", stainless in .45 and love it. Accurate, mild recoiling and .45 slugs hit with a certain authority other calibers lack.

[wamphyri13]

I have the Rossi 92 with the 24" octagonal barrel in .357mag. It's a decent rifle. Plus there's some aftermarket support for them. My friend and I polished some parts and changed some springs in his large loop carbine and it really made a difference. Will do the same to mine someday.
Ryan

[Ugly Hombre]

There is a Rossi 92 on sale on cal guns right now.

They are fun as hell!

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1002247&highlight=rossi+92

[Tyler94]

I guess I'll just keep an eye out on the marketplace, none of my local gunshop a or Big 5s have anything like that in stock.

[Epaphroditus]

I've got got Rossi in 45LC and .357 both are good shooters after a bit of polish as described by Steve Young.

By direct from Rossi.

[The Last American Hero]

bit by lever bug?

don't forget about Rossi RanchHand mare's leg.

got to SSE them, so don't wait.

haven't even shot mine yet, but seems like a solid gun. very stiff, but they say that is how they are brand new.

Rossi used to be crap, they got much better.

Marlin used to be great, now they are iffy.

[tommyboy619]

I guess I'll just keep an eye out on the marketplace, none of my local gunshop a or Big 5s have anything like that in stock.

I ended up getting mine online from Grabagun. I've only seen them in Big 5 once in the last 4 years.

[Cowboy T]

Another vote for the Rossi 92. It does take a bit of breaking in to smooth out the action, but it is a fine little rifle.

LGS's have a hard time keeping this general type of rifle in stock because they're so popular. Why are they so popular? A few reasons:

1.) SASS. The Cowboy Action shooters LOOOOVE these things.

2.) Within 100 yards, they're powerful enough to deal with hogs or deer (whitetail and blacktail), with proper shot placement, without doing a "Mosin job" on your shoulder.

3.) The ammo and reloading components are everywhere. They shoot .38 Specials and .357M's (mild and wild) very well.

So, where to buy them?

Your LGS should be able to order one. If not, there are other LGS's out there that should be able to ship to a California FFL. I see them on Gunbroker a decent amount.

If you want to try before you buy, it might be a good idea to head to a SASS event, explain to the people there what you're shopping for, and if it's OK to try out a few shots (bring a box of factory ammo, of course) in someone's rifle, if they're willing.

- T