Need Lever Action Advice

[Capybara]

Today I shot my 1955 Winchester Model 1894 in .30-30 at my in laws ranch with my father in law. We were very happily ringing my 8" AR500 gong at about 125 yards. My father in law really liked shooting the rifle, he is on the shorter side and the length, handling and lever action really appeals to him.

He looks to me for gun advice and I want to steer him right. He doesn't reload and the sheer cost per round of .30-30 make me think he would be better off with a pistol caliber lever gun. He owns a Ruger GP100 and a few .38 SPL revolvers so a .357 lever action sounds like it would be perfect for him. After a bit of research, this is what I am reading.

1. A modern Winchester or Uberti lever gun is going to cost him over $1,000.00

2. Marlin's quality is in the toilet these days?

3. Even though the sample quality can vary, it seems as if the Rossi M92 might a be a good, inexpensive candidate?

This rifle may occasionally be used in a scabbard on horseback or a quad but will spend most of its life as a backyard plinker. Might be used to shoot rabbits, squirrels or an occasional coyote, but mostly for targets and under 100 yard plinking.

What say you lever action aficionados? My 1894 is my only lever action rifle, I love it, but it is old and in .30-30 so I need buying advice. I could keep my eyes open on my C&R trips to Arizona, I see plenty of lever actions but it seems most are in .30-30, I don't see too many C&R lever actions in .357 mag. He has plenty of money but this will be a working gun/plinker so I feel as if him buying something fancy would be money wasted. What would you recommend to him? I think the 16 or 18" carbine will be what he wants, he likes the shorter length.

Advice about what to tell him to buy?

[chuckdc]

While I have a Winchester 94 in .357, they are kinda pricey these days. The Braztech/Rossi alternative sounds pretty good to me. I've been considering getting one in .45 Colt to go with my SAA clone. Think about it, this is not going to be a "pretty" gun, but a working/plinking gun that is going to live a relatively hard life with little care. If he messes up a Rossi, no giant whoop, versus messing up a nice Winchester.

[ar15barrels]

I have a winchester 92 in 357 magnum.
Guess how many of those were ever made?

[coq]

I still have and love my first gun, a Winchester '94 in .30-30...but I've since picked up a Rossi 92 16" in .357. Big fun in a really small package. Good customer service, too if there are any issues. For the money, the Rossi is a very good rifle...IMO.

[Tom-ADC]

Plus 1 for the Rossi. Although I understand Remington is finally making good Marlins again.

[Pauliedad]

I have Rossi in .44 mag and .357
They always go bang and shot straight out of the box.
New Marlins have rough grindy actions. They do seem beefier and after a lot of use, mine is starting to smooth out.

[GunDog]

Have you thought about a Henry?

http://www.henryrifles.com/

[gunboat]

Winchester M92 in 357 -- how many made ?
None in the original run ending in '45 -
Some were made in the large loop run in about 2011 or 12
Quite a few originals were rebarreled or rebored to 357 after WWII

[Oceanbob]

Yep, lever gun shooting is addictive.

Probably a .357 lever would be the most cost efficient for ammo costs.

Marlins (JM mark on the rear left side of the barrel) are best In my opinions they are rare these days because people keep them. Sure Remington bought Marlin in 2009 and finally moved the factory to New York by 2011. New workers pumped out some crap..

Even now they build the straight comb 1894 in .357 but they are also hard to find.
I would hold out for a used Marlin 1894 .357

Reports this last year on several gun websites say that Remington has made improvements in quality control, so I decided to build a Lever Trunk Gun
For the usual reasons...(I don't know, I just act on impulse...haha)

......I went ahead and bought a new Reminton 336Y (youth model, shorter stock) I wanted something handy, something cheap ($404) and in 30-30 because none of the other calipers were available. 30-30 has some punch and I really like shooting it. Don't reload it yet, but something to consider.

You might consider a .44 magnum Marlin. I found a 1997 model on the used gun rack recently. Keep checking gun stores.

.44 on the top. The 336Y with plastic champion stocks (MidwayUSA) on the bottom..those plastic stocks shorten it up another inch. I added some skinner sights.....real light weight and handy.

[RNE228]

Got a 357 Marlin used a few years back. It shoots really nice, and is a nice combo with a 357 Ruger Blackhawk.

Personally, I do not care for the "94" style rifle/action except in pistol cartridges. In rifle cartridge, I like old Savage 99 hands down over a "94" style lever. That or a Browning BLR...

[Capybara]

That Henry Big Boy looks sweet. He already has a Henry Golden Boy he scoped and he likes it. But the Henry is so pretty, that receiver would get all scuffed up on the ranch I think. He babies that Golden Boy, mainly shoots squirrels from the back porch but he doesn't take it out on a horse or the quad. I may tell him that if he wants a beautiful, classy rifle, the Henry is a looker and probably shoots well for $900.00 But he could pick up the Rossi for half the price, it would be a lot easier to ding up the Rossi.

Good choices though, I personally would be happy with either, I am sure they are both good shooters, fun and accurate.

[Capybara]

Some good advice guys, keep it coming and thank you.

[Sputnik]

If it were me...http://www.winchesterguns.com/produc...22C&mid=534162

Actually, it was me and I had the Win. 92 in .357 but sold it to fund another in .45 Colt. IMO the build and finish is well worth the extra few bucks.

[maxx03]

I have a Henry Big Boy to compliment my 686 and shoot .357 and .38 Special, I am extremely happy with the smooth action of my rifle and the customer service is top notch.

[cannon]

Bought a 357 rough action Remington/Marlin. Got a good price because everyone says how lousy they are.

$135 later to the gunsmith I have the smoothest shooting lever I have ever touched. %100 reliable too.

It's a matter of choice but I prefer the side eject on Marlins.