Am considering getting a 357 carbine / rifle . Was recently looking at 180gr loads for a 180 WFN . 1100-1200 from my 6.5 '' RBH vs 1700-1800 from a longer tube got my attention . So I'm trying to find out what's available & more important what to avoid . I do cast & tend to shoot lead when / where possible . I also want to be able to mount optics .
So far it seems my best choices in a lever gun are either Marlin or Henry . I'd prefer avoiding a micro groove barrel as that would most likely involve new moulds etc to get an oversize bullet . Models that might work are the Henry Big Boy Steel & the 1894C , 1894CP , 1894 CSS , 1894 CSBL , 1894 CB & the CB Ltd . Marlins listed are ballard rifled supposedly .
I'm leaning toward a 16 to 18 inch barrel for ease of handling . The Henry is heavier , maybe too heavy . So any info , suggestions would be appreciated .

Read up on the double feed issues that seem to come with pistol (and other) cartridges in lever actions.

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S&W factory revolver armorer

Take a serious look at the 1873 Winchester clones made by Uberti chambered in .357 Mag!!

There is a reason they are so very popular in SASS. 1894 Marlins can be made to run with the '73 clones as well. I use both.

Randy

Any of the actions that eject out the top make optics mounting iffy . I'm looking for something to launch heavy LBT slugs .

Never had one with my Winchesters/Marlins/Interarms or Rossi...........Guess some of you could break an anvil if you tried.

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S&W Accumulator

I'm a huge fan of the pre-WWII Winchester Model 92, the Armi Sport/ Chiappa made Model 92 copies and the derivative Rossi Model 92.

The Winchester Model 1892 is essentially a shorter version of the Model 1886 downsizes for the smaller pistol sized cartridges like the .44-40, .38-40, .32-20 and .25-20.

The Armi Sport is a very faithful copy of an older Model 1892, is very well made and very smooth and slick operating right out of the box. They also have a very nicely done color case hardened finish.

I have a Model 92 take down rifle from Armi Sport and it's an excellent rifle.





I also have a pair of Rossi 92s in .357 Magnum, a 20" short rifle and a 24" rifle. Rossi has been making Model 92s in modern straight wall pistol cartridges longer than anyone else - over 50 years, and they've got them figured out. They've modernized the design somewhat with coil springs and it has an incredibly strong action, able to manage the .454 Casull's 60,000 psi pressures.

They are also priced about half that of an Armi Sport or a Winchester, but on the negative side tend to need some minor tweaks to operate as smoothly. (Visit Stevesgunz.com for details).

I installed Marbles standard tang sights on both of mine along with Lyman 17AHB globe front sights. In that configuration both of them will produce 2 MOA five shot groups at 100 yards with both 158 gr Federal Champion or American Eagle 158 gr JSP or with handloaded 125 gr or 158 gr XTPs. Velocity is 1820 fps with the 158 gr Federal load and with a 150 yard zero it's maximum mid range trajectory is 3.7" at 80 yards and 4" low at 175 yards where it still has 1277 fps and 570 ft pounds.

The 125 gr XTP has a velocity of 2210 fps and with a 170 yard zero it has a maximum mid range trajectory at 95 yards and and is 4" low at 200 yards where it has 1313 fps and 479 ft pounds remaining.





Just for clarification, I'm pushing 55 real hard and have to use progressive readers as I flunked out of bifocals and then trifocals. However, I have no issues seeing the front sight clearly through the aperture of a tang sight. The aperture performs the same function as a small aperture in a camera - it increases the depth of field, so that even if your eye would not normally bring the front sight in sharp focus it usually can with a tang sight. The rear aperture is never in focus, but its not supposed to be as your eye just centers the front sight in the aperture.

In other words, don't get hung up on an optic. It'll ruin the lines and handling of a lever action and it really isn't needed at pistol caliber lever gun ranges.

I really love my Marlin 1894 Cowboy II with a 24" octagon barrel. It points perfectly and is really easy to shoot. I've just started shooting 180gr Remington SJHP factory loads in it.

I’ve got an older Rossi 92 carbine. I have not changed any springs or slicked anything up. It runs 357 well, but 38s get squirrelly unless cycled slow. The top eject does limit optic options. I have shot a brass Henry and it was extremely smooth but seemed quite heavy. I’ve only handled Marlins at the LGS. The particular one I cycled was not very smooth.
I’m with you on the extra FPS. I’m looking at slower powder now.
Good luck in your purchase, let us know what you choose.
David

You also need to decide if you like side gate loading or tube loading. The Henrys load from the tube like most 22LR long guns.

I much prefer the side gate loading since it allows you to top off the magazine while you are walking.

Henry has started to add side gates to some of their models, but I think it is only a few of the rifle cartridges so far

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"Acta non verba"

I know the newer Marlins (Remington) have had some problems, I have an older 1894 Marlin that's great. My buddy's like their Henry's.
I have a couple of Henry rim fire no problems with them.

hi folks,
i have a marlin cowboy 357 mag, 24' barrel. shoot the nra pistol silhouettes, course of fire, 40, 50, 75, 100, yds/meters. most shooters find that these guns shoot best with 125 gn bullets. the 158's give shotgun groups. so you might want to think which bullet you would like to load. good luck, levers are fun to shoot....swdan

I have a Rossi 92 .357 in Blue and a 44 Mag in Stainless. There is a rail available now that screws into holes that are neatly hidden under the rear sight. I've mounted red dots on mine and they shoot great. I've had feeding problems and both shoot great

I have a Henry Big Boy 357mag. It is a bit heavy due to the octagonal barrel, but it is a sweet shooter. Like a 22 on steroids.

I just picked one up recently the Silver Big Boy - can't wait to get it out and shooting! I like the way it feels but I'm biased to the Henry products anyway.

"Don't short stroke the Winchester 1894s and wear a Stetson."
Just repeating a Cowgirl's words about using pistol cartridges in the '94s.

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I have a Marlin 1894 with my hand loaded Speer 170 Grn soft point I can shoot one inch groups at 100 yards. Feeding is a non issue. I got it for my son to go deer hunting with as he was quite small then took his first deer with it. I have taken a few deer with it too.

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Randy

I purchased a Marlin 1894 CSBL earlier this year. It was a bit rough to begin with but has turned into a smooth and accurate rifle. It feeds most any .357 reload including flush seated HBWCs with complete reliability. If I load Lyman 358429s in 357 brass at the crimp groove they are too long. My hunting load of a 158 grain Hornady XTP hollow point and a lot of H110 works great on the deer around here.

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I have two .357 Carbines.....................

A Winchester Trapper (16"barrel) with Skinner barrel peep sight......

and a

Ruger 77/357 ....... a stainless bolt gun,18" barrel, 5.5lbs, 5rd rotary magazine,synthetic stock....... I topped mine with a 1-3x20 Weaver shotgun scope (also has a skinner barrel peep sight installed as backup).

The Ruger has become my general utility rifle at the cabin in the Pa. Laurel Highlands.

I also have a Ruger American Ranch carbine in 5.56 which used AR mags. Weighs in at 6lb with a 16.12 barrel...... but that's another story.

Henry... the weight helps mitigate the recoil of those heavy LBT projectiles .
Side ejecting = easier optic mount . Also do not dismiss a receiver mounted peep sight . Those are still viable options .
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

The Marlin are my first pick. I have a Rossi 357 and it's functions just fine, but it's not on the same quality level as the Marlin. The Winchester 94's weren't designed for pistol caliber cartridges and have too long of an action cycle for me. I haven't been impressed with Henry quality.

July 2019 built 1894, eats .357/.38 with ease Fit and finish is great, looks like Marlin got it's act together

Love it!!!

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SWCA #2306
DAV in honor of POP

After lusting for several years I found a JM marked Marlin last year. Thoroughly enjoy handling and shooting it. For general plinking I'm shooting a 158 LSWC at 900 FPS and for deer I'm loading a Remington 158 JSP over a near max charge of Alliant 300MP for 1890 FPS. Both loads shoot well. To preserve the handling qualities I mounted Ranger Point Precision aperture sight.

There was a period (2014 +/-) when Remington produced some problematic 1894's but the actual purchasers of those released since mid 2018 have reported high satisfaction. I was about to buy a new 1894 when I found my JM at a great price.

I also have a Rossi and it works fine.

I like my Marlin 1894c. It's become one if my favorite firearms.

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Also look for Cowboy Action Shooters on You Tube. Thousands of SASS competitors shoot thousands of rounds a year through pistol caliber lever action rifles and they seem to work just fine.

I have two 1894 Marlins, a .45 Colt I used in competition and a .44 Magnum that's a truck and range gun. I did have occasional issues with the .45 Colt, maybe two or three in every 1000 rounds when running it hard at matches.

While I have no personal experience, I have heard that there may be problems with pistol calibers in an action designed for rifle rounds. Pistol caliber Winchester 1894s for one example.

I have one of the earlier Rossi guns that is not marred by the "safety thingy" that sits on top of the breechblock on the more recent lawyer-friendly versions. Works slick and reliably, shoots accurately, and mimics John Browning's original pattern in all respects. I'm very happy with it; even like the quality and grain of the wood.

John


(click for larger picture)

P.S. As an additional vote for the old '92s, John Wayne favored them too!


(click for larger picture)

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

My JM will do an honest 2" at 100 with 10 shots with 158 jacketed. I have only tried once so it may so better.

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I had a Winchester Model 94 Trapper carbine in .45 Colt for several years. It never shot as well, fed as well, or operated as smoothly as my Model 92s.

The 94 action is longer by about an inch and a quarter to accommodate the longer .38-55, .32 WCF and .30 WCF cartridges, and it uses a lever link to increase the bolt throw without increasing the lever arc. It works fine but it is sloppier and clunkier feeling than a Model 92.

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The Model 92 is not a silky smooth as a Model 1973. But the 1873 uses a toggle link locking system that isn't very strong. The 1873 action works well at CASS/SASS "cowboy load" levels for the .38 Special and .357 Magnum. However, even with modern steels used in it's construction, full power .357 Magnum loads will eventually start stretching the toggle link pins, and you'll start getting head space issues.

If you want a CASS/SASS rifle for cowboy loads, then its hard to beat an 1873, but if you want a .357 Magnum for heavy hunting loads, then you will be far better served with a Model 1892 or a Rossi 92.

I have my eye out for a Ruger 77
No luck so far but still looking.



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Around 1980 I bought a Model 1894C. At that time they came with Microgroove rifling. When I first got it I shot about a box of .357s through it to try it out and it shot fine. I used it heavily for about 15 years doing SASS/Cowboy Action shooting. I only had one broken part – the firing pin extension (which was easily replaced). About 99% of my shooting has been with cast lead bullets sized .357 dia. which proved accurate enough for my purposes. Admittedly, the longest distance I remember shooting in a match was about 80 yards and this was with low velocity "cowboy" loads in .38 Special brass. I can’t recall a jam that wasn’t directly traced to a bad cartridge.

I’ve never had any experience with the Henry rifles line except the “New Original Henry” and that isn’t what the OP is looking for.

Yes I agree a 73 action won't work for my intended purpose as I want full pressure hunting loads . My concerns with a 92 action are mounting a scope or most probably an Aimpoint & short of the Rossi they're on the pricey side . The Winchester 94AE are also pricey & hard to find . I do already have a Henry BB in 41 mag with a 20" barrel . It's a nice rifle & accurate but @ 8.5 lbs it's heavier by 2 lbs than a Marlin 1894 .

You can a few options with the Rossi 92.

You can get a weaver/picatinny style rail that attaches to the 4 screw holes under the rear sight on the Rossi carbines:



Rails are available from Rossi and from a large number of other sources. once it is installed, you can add a long eye relief scope, a reflex red dot sight or a prism sight.

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Another option is to get a Burris Fast Fire III mount from Burris for a Winchester Model 94 and then drill and tap the receiver on a Rossi Model 92 to accommodate it. You may have to remove a little metal from the underside of the mount to clear the locking lugs, and you'll need to remove the safety and plug it (which I prefer to do anyway as the damn thing has a bad habit of getting activated or deactivated in brush). The Rossi 92 still has the quarter cock notch safety, the way God and John M. Browning intended.


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A third option is to get the Fastfire barrel mount for a Winchester Model 92/94 from Turnbull. If uses the existing rear sight dovetail:

Have a Winchester 94 AE trapper that is very accurate and functions flawlessly and the Cowboy carbine version that is also accurate.


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I have heard that rumor also. Only problem I bought a Marlin 1894 Microgroove back in the 80s. From day one I have been shooting .358 diameter cast bullets through it with no problems in accuracy. Like any gun likes some loads better and some loads a little less. Recently I decided to quiet it down with my mystic X can. First try with 200gr lee cast bullets sized to .358 at 1050fps I had 1 inch groups at 100 yards. Only problem I cant find a gunsmith that can thread the barrel on a levergun.
Mike

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Mike

I have 4 357 lever action rifles and about 6 other pistol caliber lever actions. 8 Rossi’s and a new marlin 1894 CST with a hybrid 46 suppressor. If I had to mount optics I would chose a marlin. I have 2 marlin levers new in the last few years and the quality is fine. I am a big fan of the Rossi 92 but they’re not terribly optic friendly. The newer ones are drilled and tapped under the rear sight but you’ll have to get a scope mount from NOE and find a scout scope that suits your needs. I have a 4x leupold FX-4 pistol scope on one of mine and they eye relief is fine. The older leupold M8 EER doesn’t work well. I don’t really care for the look of the scope on a 92 but the rifle is a 44 mag and I don’t like the 1-38 twist marlin uses.

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-Matt

I also prefer the 92s to the 94s
As for magnified scope mounting on a 92, you do it just like a scout rifle and use a medium eye relief scope

For a red dot, or in the case of BB57 a Micro red dot, do it just like in post 32

Darn you BB57, now I got to go out and by some micro red dots

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"Acta non verba"

I believe Rossi no longer sells their scope mount. I need one myself and haven't been able to find the cheaper Rossi version. I'm surprised that Weaver doesn't make one.

I own just about every Marlin in the Grey Lam and Black stocks - I just love the looks and handling. For what you listed as requirements I'd say definitely look hard at the CSBL or the CST if you own a suppressor.

I prefer a Henry for the smoooooth action but I'm not a fan of the tube. I like the King's Gate.

For the record I also own some winchesters in .357 but I don't shoot them alot as they are case colored with higher grade wood that I don't want to mark up.

Marlins really smooth out after a little use and all of mine are accurate. Best luck.

A.

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Is this heaven? No, it's Iowa.

I have been happy with my Henry Golden 357 solution for a long time now...

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I have a JM Marlin which I paid the magnificent sum of $160. Typical Louisiana working gun. Few dings here and there and freckles on the metal, 4/0 steel wool and some CLP took care of most of them. Put a Lyman All American 6x scope on it for load developement and was amazed by the accuracy. 158 grain JHP with some IMR 4227. Later took off the scope and added a Williams better grade rear sight. Which reminds me I better dust off my load data books and load up some more. And while we are talking lever actions,a few months later bought another JM Marlin. Little pricier than the 357 at $249 and in 44 magnum. With 240 grain soft points and some 2400 turns out I have another shooter. Though I wish someone comes up with a better system for sling mounting. Buttstock no problem, mag tube ring doesn't quite cut it. Frank

Actually, I use a shotgun sling that has a loop on the front that tightens around the tube and barrel and mounts to a sling swivel in the rear. works like a Swiss watch.

I sure enjoy the Henry steel carbine. If a person does not need a side loader then it's a nice rifle. Won't be long until they add this model to the side loaders option I hope. Best of both worlds when you can load on the fly and unload completely safe.

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USMC RETIRED

Well just read another article by Glenn Fryxell on the Marlin 1894 . Seems that 2 bullets I cast & use will not feed thru action if loaded in 357 cases ie the Keith designed 358429 & the LBT 180 WFN . They will work if loaded in 38 special cases . I wonder if the Keith bullet if crimped over the front driving band like one must do to use it in an N frame S&W would feed in a 357 case . This just blew my original idea right out the water which was the 180 WFN @ 1700-1800fps . Seems that the 358156 GC & the LBT 160 WFN are OK & will feed when loaded in 357 cases .
Rather or not my preferred loads will feed thru a Henry or an 1892 action remains to be seen . This project might just wind up on the shelf .
My Henry in 41 mag will feed both the NOE 240K & the LBT 240 LFN @ respective coal of 1.666 with the SWC & 1.700 with the LBT . I have not tried the LBT 250 WFN yet as I do not have that mould .

I bought this Rossi .357 used a while back. No feeding problems with 38 or 357. Maybe the previous owner slicked it up for cowboy action games, even feeds 38 wadcutters most of the time! Smooth trigger and nice looking.

All I've ever done is load and shoot it. And clean it of course. Cost me $400 I believe.

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