Lever action .357

That "take down" 92 Winchester is a very interesting rifle. I wish they made a plainer version. I know that the OP said lever but the Ruger M77-357 is pretty nice rifle. IMHO, .357 revolver/rifle combinations make a lot of sense. I have a feeling that they will become even more popular real soon in some areas because of changes in politics. I am stocking up on .357 ammo and reloading components while this is still relatively easy.
 
I'm wanting a lever gun as well. I was able to shoot a Henry a couple weeks ago. It was a little heavy, but the action was very smooth. With open sights, We were wearing out an 8 inch plate at 40 yards.
I'm gonna look around for a Rossi or Marlin though. They seem to be a little cheaper on the used market, and I think I want the side loading gate too. I think I could shoulder a rifle faster with a straighter stock. The curved brass plate was pretty on the Henry, but did not shoulder quickly.
David.
 
I've got an older pre-safety Rossi 92 with a 16" barrel. Ain't nothin' fancy, but it shoots great.
I also own a pair of Winchester 94 Trappers in .44 Magnum and 45 Colt. Great rifles, but I think they would probably be a bit heavy for the .357 cartridge.
 
I have a Marlin Cowboy that I bought new back in the early 90s. It's super accurate and is easy to point shoot. I don't know what they go for now, but if you can find one that hasn't been messed with, I highly recommend it.
 
I have a Henry 16 ' carbine in 41 mag. I grew up hunting with a Savage 99 in 300 savage. I also have a Marlin 375 Win. For me, the issue is not loading or topping off, as all of these rifles hold more shells than I can legally use in most jurisdictions. My issue is UNLOADING. I vividly remember jacking that lever every time I moved spots to hunt. Now, with the Henry, I just slide out the tube and grab a handful of shells. So much easier!!!
 
Donn said:
Won't debate the ability to top off the Marlins and Winchesters. I've never found it to be an issue.
Regarding accuracy, mine's almost no fun to shoot. It goes right where I aim it, every time.
Click to expand...
Good to hear. The tube load does not bother me because of my application for the rifle, of course you can't argue the benefits of a gate load. I am actually leaning in the direction of the Henry due to the quality and availability in my area.
 
otis24 said:
I would like to get a lever action .357 as a companion to my .357 New Model Vaquero. Functionality and reliability are of the utmost importance. Which would you recommend, Marlin or Henry?
Click to expand...

I HAVE SHOT AND COLLECTED MARLIN LEVER ACTIONS, IN ALMOST EVERY AVAILABLE CALIBER, FOR DECADES. ALL OF THEM WERE MANUFACTURED IN NORTH HAVEN, CT.--PRIOR TO THE SALE OF MARLIN TO REMINGTON......

MARLINS OF THAT EARLY VINTAGE ARE SUPERB SHOOTERS, THAT ARE VERY WELL MADE, AND INFINITELY RELIABLE. I WOULD NOT HESITATE TO BUY A CLEAN USED ONE, AS A COMPANION TO YOUR VAQUERO.....

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING A BRAND NEW RIFLE, HOWEVER, I WOULD SUGGEST THAT YOU PURCHASE A HENRY "BIG BOY CARBINE". THEY ARE CHAMBERED IN .38SPECIAL/.357MAGNUM CALIBERS......

IMHO, THEY ARE GORGEOUS ! ! ! THEY FEATURE A POLISHED BRASS RECEIVER, CURVED BUTT PLATE, AND BARREL BAND. THE STOCK IS THE STRAIGHT TEXAN STYLE--SANS PISTOL GRIP. THE BLACK WALNUT STOCKS, ON THE TWO THAT I HAVE HANDLED, WERE VERY ATTRACTIVE AND STRAIGHT GRAINED. THE 20" BARREL IS OCTAGONAL, HIGHLY POLISHED, AND DEEPLY BLUED. FIT AND FINISH IS SUPERB.....

THE ACTIONS ARE SMOOTH, AND TRIGGERS ARE CRISP. BOTH OWNERS REPORTED THAT THEY ARE VERY ACCURATE, AND EACH WAS VERY PLEASED WITH THEIR PURCHASE.....
 
I have had several 357's, both Marlin 1894's, and 2 model 92's (both by Rossi). All of mine were pre lawyer lock!

I found the 92 design (John M. Browning) to be a little more smooth, but harder to disassemble.

The way a Marlin functions internally, A large thumb shaped protrusion of the lever rides the underside of the elevator. On the 357 model only, there is so much ware that the magazine disconnector won't be engaged properly and the 38 Special length cartridges come back and jamb up the action. (44mag/Special models don't have this problem!) The simple fix was to replace the elevator, but with the JM Marlins gone, I don't know if that is an option any more. The hard fix is to epoxy or braze a short section of toothless hack-saw blade on the bottom of the elevator. (only read about it, never tried it!) But when (not if) this happens, the gun will still function perfectly with 357"s.

Ivan
 
I have a pre safety Marlin with the JM barrel marking but I think all of
the older Marlins have this marking. It is a compact trim machined steel
carbine that should last a lifetime with reasonable care. It has the classic
lever action look with it's smooth wood and straight stock.
 
We picked up a minty Winchester Miroku M92/24" in 45 Colt and another NOS M94/16" in 44 Mag...... just lucked out!
For the 357 Mag we'll try to find one, new, old or convert one as
a Winchester lever gun/Colt SAA road trip must happen!!!

Hickok45 has a video about their Win357.
Colt 1860 Army with the new lever gun.
Until last week I haven't held a Winchester since '68 when the MSGT said...... "take this home with you."
 

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Here's my two cents ;
Having spent the last two years in search of a .357 lever gun, and Marlins being not available, I looked at the Rossi, found it too cheaply built for my taste.
I looked at the Henry steel, nice gun but heavy, and loading from the muzzle too big an issue for me, so I passed.
Recently, the Marlins have come available again ( kn Kentucky gun co.) And I now have a .357 and .a .44.
Perfection! Handy light little rifles and accurate!
But the .44 wins overall, I like it much better than the .357
So get you a 629 and a 1894 .44 and be done.
 
I tried the Henry in 357. Rifle shot great, but just could not make myself like the tube loading. I have a 24" octagon barrel Rossi 357 that shoots great, is accurate, reliable, and soft recoiling, but is slow handling because of the barrel length and weight.

The other day I shot a friend's new Miroku - Winchester 1873 in 357, and it is everything I want in a 357 lever, except the hit on my wallet. It is smooth cycling, fast handling, and accurate. My LGS has a beautiful case colored short rifle 357 in the rack for just under $1500.
 
Ribwizzard said:
Here's my two cents ;
Having spent the last two years in search of a .357 lever gun, and Marlins being not available, I looked at the Rossi, found it too cheaply built for my taste.
I looked at the Henry steel, nice gun but heavy, and loading from the muzzle too big an issue for me, so I passed.
Recently, the Marlins have come available again ( kn Kentucky gun co.) And I now have a .357 and .a .44.
Perfection! Handy light little rifles and accurate!
But the .44 wins overall, I like it much better than the .357
So get you a 629 and a 1894 .44 and be done.
Click to expand...

I'm beginning to think along the same lines. Really enjoy shooting 44s, and my My 44Mag Winchester Timber Scout is fast handling and accurate, and is so soft when shooting 44 Specials, and moderately recoils with 44 Mag hunting rounds.
 
otis24 said:
Functionality and reliability are of the utmost importance.
Click to expand...
For that purpose, the John Browning design lever gun from 1892 is well regarded for handgun calibers.

20" Rossi 92 round barrel .357 rifles are a good example of the design, and it's shipping in numbers to the USA now.
 
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I echo bigwheelzip's recommendation. Mine is practically a clone of the original Browning design, and is a reliable and accurate gun that will feed both 38 spl and 357 cartridges equally well.

pzkJn4r.jpg


I have a Miroku Winchester in 45 Colt, and it is a very well made gun. I'm not fond of the lawyer mandated rebound safety or the sliding tang safety, but other than that, an nice gun:

itqfOx5.jpg


Best Regards, Les
 
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While not specifically mentioned, you might give consideration to the Miruko mfg. Winchester copy of the '73 in .357.

SASS shooters have very warmly embraced it as well as the Uberti clones. They use their rifles very aggressively and they must be smooth in all aspects. Just a thought.....................

Randy
PS.
I am a SASS shooter and use a Uberti clone in 44-40, and .38 and am very happy with them. In addition my back up rifle is my dad's Marlin 1894 carbine that is a pre-cross block safety that has been as they say "slicked up". My, oh my, is it ever smooth and accurate now!
 
From the two choices the OP cites, I would choose the Marlin. Marlin is currently making the 1894 CST in .357 magnum. Take down carbine. Ghost ring sights, picatinny rail and a threaded 16" barrel. Stainless steel. Nice kit.
Having said that, I just bought a Winchester 1892 Deluxe Trapper takedown in .357 magnum. Beautiful wood, octagonal, 16" barrel, a very, very nice little carbine. But, it is significantly more expensive than the others. But whatever works for you. The Marlin 1894 CST is a cool little gun.

GS
 
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