Lever Action Carbines

[Notblake]

Hey gunners, for a long time now I have been romancing a lever action rifle, and not for any particular reason (although the tactical lever-action makes me really happy for no particular reason) I have my HD squared away (12ga and reliable .40 cal) and I'm no hunter, so this gun will primarially be for plinking/range, and of course living out my zombie apocolypse fantasies in my mind.

I have been thinking about getting the marlin model 1894C chambered in .357mag/.38spl. I like it for the following reasons:

1 clean action (some aren't as nice)
2 side ejection (no rounds down the back of the shirt!)
3 drilled and tapped reciever (the thought of a cowboy gun with an acog [although I could never afford one] makes me happy!)
4 .38 is cheap(er) to buy and .357 out of a 18" barrel is scary (think 7.62X39 ballistics within 100yards)
5 compainon sidearm!!!!!!!!! forget your P90 and five seven, this is old school!
6 no magazine lugging around
7 liberals wont want to hang me for having a cowboy gun
8 9 rds capacity plus the ability to top off like a shotgun
9 ITS NOT TACTICOOL (unlike everything else I have)

SO, my question to you guys with lever action experience, keeping in mind that I am NOT a hunter, is .357 a good choice? If not, what would you suggest? what brand of lever action do you suggest? would there be another type of rifle that you would suggest for me considering my situation. I've got about $500 to spend here.

Thanks so much for any input, and thank god we have a forum of people who understand all the BS that we get pigeonholed into as Californians.

-Blake

[yellowfin]

For #7, they should be the ones who are on trial. Turn things around on them.

[Notblake]

For #7, they should be the ones who are on trial. Turn things around on them.

While I agree with you, theres not much I can do and I'm sure you agree that a lever action is alot less "scary" to Mr. CHP who is curious why I have an "illegal" ar15 in my trunk. also I dont have $2000 to spend on a rifle, or I'd already have an ar15.

[Noobert]

I think it is fine for the 9 reasons, but if I were to get a lever action, I might drop the .357 and go for a 30-30 at the cost of capacity

[El Gato]

Hey gunners, for a long time now I have been romancing a lever action rifle, and not for any particular reason (although the tactical lever-action makes me really happy for no particular reason) I have my HD squared away (12ga and reliable .40 cal) and I'm no hunter, so this gun will primarially be for plinking/range, and of course living out my zombie apocolypse fantasies in my mind.

I have been thinking about getting the marlin model 1894C chambered in .357mag/.38spl. I like it for the following reasons:

1 clean action (some aren't as nice)
2 side ejection (no rounds down the back of the shirt!)
3 drilled and tapped reciever (the thought of a cowboy gun with an acog [although I could never afford one] makes me happy!)
4 .38 is cheap(er) to buy and .357 out of a 18" barrel is scary (think 7.62X39 ballistics within 100yards)
5 compainon sidearm!!!!!!!!! forget your P90 and five seven, this is old school!
6 no magazine lugging around
7 liberals wont want to hang me for having a cowboy gun
8 9 rds capacity plus the ability to top off like a shotgun
9 ITS NOT TACTICOOL (unlike everything else I have)

SO, my question to you guys with lever action experience, keeping in mind that I am NOT a hunter, is .357 a good choice? If not, what would you suggest? what brand of lever action do you suggest? would there be another type of rifle that you would suggest for me considering my situation. I've got about $500 to spend here.

Thanks so much for any input, and thank god we have a forum of people who understand all the BS that we get pigeonholed into as Californians.

-Blake

very cool...
24/7 sight and you are good to go...

[Trapper John]

Blake,

I just went through the same reasoning you have and will pick up a Marlin 1894 .44mag/.44spc next Wednesday. Can match it up with a revolver (already setting the stage for my next purchase) and do my own reloads for anything from plinking to short range hunting. I think it will also do well for HD. The only lever gun I have is a Marlin 39 22 and it is a blast to shoot. So now I'll be able to add lots of noise and recoil! LOL

Good luck in your search.

John

[smle-man]

I like the Rossi/Navy Arms copy of the Winchester 92 for .357 mag. More compact, smoother lever throw, lighter. The Marlin it a bit chunky for a .357 mag.

Here's my tactical lever, a Marlin 336T in .30-30



The Rossi 92 with a 16" barrel in .357



The ultimate sporting tactical hunting carbine: Remington 760 carbine in .30-06!

[Sheepdog1968]

Your reasoning sounds good to me for the 38/357. I can't help you with makes. I would not reccomend a 30-30. I find the recoil to be on the unpleasant side. More than a 308 Rem bolt action. My friend says his 30-30 beats him up more than his 300 Win mag bolt action. The only other caliber I'd consider would be a 22 LR. Still just as fun and for $25 you can shoot 500 rounds.

[Notblake]

I think it is fine for the 9 reasons, but if I were to get a lever action, I might drop the .357 and go for a 30-30 at the cost of capacity

Thats what I was thinking too, but check this out, .357 mag 125GR JHP ballistics:
out of a 4 in revolver: 1603FPS
out of a 18.5 inch marlin: 2298FPS!!!!!!

VS. 7.62X39 russian 125 GR JHP: 2400 FPS

GRANTED: the .357 is wider in diameter than the .308 russian and 100FPS slower but still! I cant imagine a situation where as a civ I would rather have the .30-.30 when the .357/.38 is, cheaper to train with, holds more ammo and I can hand load only one caliber for both handgun and rifle. And really I think you would have to be past 150 yards for the .30-30 to be a significantly better round.

[Notblake]

Smle, you like the rossi over the marlin? I have heard the exact opposite. Hmmmm more bolt running I will have to do!

Edit: Wait this has got me thinking now, People justify buying military rifles for the SHTF situation where rule of law breaks down and they wont be tried for doing what it takes to survive, because in court ANYONE would rather have a cowboy gun than an m16, BUT if the S did HTF for the price of your ar15 you could have a lever action or pump action for EVERY MEMBER of your family! they are easy to learn, they don't jam, they don't have complicated malfunction clearing drills. If the SHTF I'd much rather have 4 people with Marlins/winchesters/whatever than a single AR15.......................... HMM

OK CALGUNNERS, tomorrow we all need to go buy a bunch of cheap rifles to prepare! GOGOGO!



Just kidding of course ...... kind of ....

Edit again: and don't say "what if cost isn't a problem?" cause IT IS! and if it isn't for you, then good for you! Now get your butt down to orange county and buy me a M1A, I want an EBR stock, and a matching qcb trigicon daylight and nightvision sight.

[G-Man WC]

You forgot to mention the best part, there is almost no recoil! A lever is a very accurate type of rifle open sighted and quick on the point to aquire your target. Also 357's coming out of an 18" pipe at 100yards or less will drop a deer. I have one and love it. -g

[jinggoyd1967]

I have a .357mag Marlin 1894C for the very same reason listed by Notblake. I have had it for 4 years and will always be part of my collection.

You can add 1 more reason to the list. Kids and women love shooting the little rifle because the recoil is so gentle yet makes bigger holes than a .22lr.

[Killawhale415]

Your reasoning sounds good to me for the 38/357. I can't help you with makes. I would not reccomend a 30-30. I find the recoil to be on the unpleasant side. More than a 308 Rem bolt action. My friend says his 30-30 beats him up more than his 300 Win mag bolt action. The only other caliber I'd consider would be a 22 LR. Still just as fun and for $25 you can shoot 500 rounds.

Dont mean to cap but the recoil is pretty managable on a 30-30, even comparable to my .308 lever action. Its a great round with pretty good stopping power. Even then id go with the 38/357 cause its great to have a rifle and a revolver on hand that uses the same round(s).
Vote marlin for your lever action in 2010.

[ColdDeadHands1]

There is a Winchester Mod 94 Legacy in 44mag in the "Private Firearms For Sale" forum. My Dad has one and it is a BLAST to shoot. Very accurate too.

[Quiet]

In CA, the great thing about tubular magzine fed lever-action firearms is that they are exempt from the large capacity magazine law [PC 12020(c)(25)(C)].



IMO...
If you get a lever-action go big! .45-70 FTW!!!



Penal Code 12020
(c)(25) As used in this section, "large-capacity magazine" means any ammunition feeding device with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds, but shall not be construed to include any of the following:
(A) A feeding device that has been permanently altered so that it cannot accommodate more than 10 rounds.
(B) A .22 caliber tube ammunition feeding device.
(C) A tubular magazine that is contained in a lever-action firearm.