357. lever action

[tomtheturner]

I have a Marlin 1894SS in .357. I mounted a Leupold EER 2 power on it in a Scout Scope configuration. I have other lever guns, Marlin, Winchester, & Henry. This .357 is quickly becoming my favorite.
My other Marlins are older guns, 22s, .44, 30/30, 45/70s, but the .357 is a newer production "Remlin." It shoots as good as my older ones. The front sight was messed up upon arrival, but Remington sent me a new one immediately. I had to fix up where they had mounted it wrong, but it is fine now. The action is a bit rough, but is smoothing out with use.
I really enjoy my lever guns, and I don't think that you can go wrong with a .357. I would recommend an older one over a new one, but my new one compares well with my older ones.

Best Wishes,
Tom

 

[gregintenn]

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I've been well pleased with this Rossi Puma in 357 Mag. It isn't a Winchester, but I didn't pay for a Winchester either.

I would prefer prettier wood, and an upgrade on the BB gun sights it came with, but it is pretty smooth and shoots great. It's a lot of fun.

 

[feralmerril]

I have a 357 rossi puma. I also had a original 92 winchester converted to 357 about 40 years ago and a browning 92 in 44 mag. They are a great idea. They could be a good deer rifle too at ranges not much less than a 30-30. The .357 kicks a lot less than the 44 mag and is sweeter shooting. Sometimes work does have to be done for reliability. Rossi 92 Specialist, Nate Kiowa Jones a.k.a. Steve Young - Professional Gunsmith is the top guru at this. If I was doing it again I would give him a call and see if he will sell you one blessed by him and get the configuration you really want.

 

[WPWarhawk]

I have four 357 lever guns, a pre safety Marlin, a stainless Rossi trapper, and two Browning B92's.

The Marlin is simpler, easier to disassemble for cleaning, and the only way to go if there is any chance you'll be mounting an optic.

The 92 clones are lighter, more authentic, and Rossi is the only one of the three that is readily available. If you can find one, the Browning B92 is probably the best pistol caliber levergun ever made.

I prefer the 92 in the trapper version, I also have a stainless Rossi trapper in 44 magnum. Both of these are light, fast and accurate. Both have made a trip to Steve Young for an action job and are smooth as butter.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Are the new Winchesters even made in the US?

I bought a Rossi M92 in .44 magnum and am still in love with it. I ignore lock in the hammer and keep thinking of buying the button replacement for the safety but it's never given me a problem yet. It feeds the sharpest edged SWC ammo and everything else I've fed it. I don't know if all the Rossi rifles are drilled and tapped but mine is under the rear sight. You would need to mount a scout (long eye relief) scope for it though. My only regret is I wish I had bought the .357 instead...!

 

[cowart]

The Marlin is simpler, easier to disassemble for cleaning, and the only way to go if there is any chance you'll be mounting an optic.

Not true in re. scope mounting. Winchesters made in the last 30 or so years mount a scope in the exact same way that a Marlin does.

1. Attach scope base to top of receiver with 4 screws
2. Attach scope rings
3. Add scope

The Winchester is indeed a bit harder to disassemble/reassemble. Having the correct screwdrivers from Brownells helps.

 

[finesse_r]

I own and would recommend an OLDER Marlin 1894 carbine in .38/.357 caliber. They also made a version called the Cowboy Rifle which has a longer octagon barrel. I have the shorter Carbine with the smooth round barrel and it feeds and shoots like a champ. The REAL key here is OLDER Marlin as the new ones over the last 3 years have gotten pretty bad reviews since they became part of Remington. I believe they call them "Remlins". The older ones work great!

I have an older pristine Marlin lever action .357 with a nice peep sight and it is amazingly accurate and totally reliable. Has had a nice trigger job done on it also. This one is here to stay, as I will not be parting with it ever.

I can't figure out why the older Marlin 30-30 lever action rifles have not become as much in demand as their older lever action .357 rifles. Today I think that is about the best buy out there. Outstanding rifles in a great caliber. It may be because they sold so many of them, but the newer ones just are not cutting it. I have yet to see another manufacturer whose new rifles can equal the older Marlins.

As nice as the .357 is, it just does not have the knock down power of the 30-30. Still those .357's gets the job done on these east Texas deer quite well. One thing that is not bigger in east Texas is our deer. For some reason our deer are small compared to deer in other parts of the country.

 

[thomasinaz]

I've got one, a Winchester 94 Trapper 357. I don't shoot it much but it is a good little carbine.

 

[blujax01]

I have a new 1894C and couldn't be more happy with it. There's not one single issue with the gun. I tried to find one in stainless steel, 1894CSS, but the prices are reaching registered magnum levels on those.

I grabbed an 1894SS Big Loop chambered in 45/70. It's an absolute beast!

 

[Alpo]

Not true in re. scope mounting. Winchesters made in the last 30 or so years mount a scope in the exact same way that a Marlin does.

Winchester 94s made in the last 30 or so years. There have been some Winchester-branded 92s, made by Miroku (same people that make Browning and the new Winchester 73), but still Winchesters They are top eject, and can't, easily, be scoped.

 

[WPWarhawk]

Not true in re. scope mounting. Winchesters made in the last 30 or so years mount a scope in the exact same way that a Marlin does.

1. Attach scope base to top of receiver with 4 screws
2. Attach scope rings
3. Add scope

The Winchester is indeed a bit harder to disassemble/reassemble. Having the correct screwdrivers from Brownells helps.

I didn't comment on models I don't own, or haven't owned. Didn't mention the win 94' Henry, or any of the Italian repros either.

 

[billwill]

I think there is a Marlin 1894 carbine in .38/.357 that has my finger prints on it. Nice rifles but always wanted on in .41 mag.

 

[feralmerril]

I have a batch of lever actions in 30-30, 357, 44 mag, 308, and 30/40. The 357 is the sweetest shooting. To me a scope dont belong on a lever to start with. A good peep is nice. I do have a scope on my win model 88 lever in 308 but that is similar to shooting a bolt anyway. I shot a buck at about 220 yards in a wet snow storm with my win 94 30-30. It has a peep and I bought the gun new when I was about 16 about 56 years ago. Its still spot on and I havent had to adjust the sight. I think a lever in 357 should be a great gun and makes a lot of sense. I would prefer it on a 92 action to a 94 or marlin though.

 

[webley green]

I was fortunate to pick up an old Marlin .357 Carbine at a local gun show a number of years ago. The Williams peep sight was already on it. Nice little carbine, light and accurate. I've shot .38 special loadings mostly but will shoot the .357 occasionally. Semi-jacketed bullets work best but hard lead shoots without leading. The older Marlins can lead with softer lead bullets. Usually upping the powder charge to take advantage of the carbine's inherent performance requires jacketed or semijacketed bullets. YMMV

 

[the ringo kid]

Are the new Winchesters even made in the US?

I bought a Rossi M92 in .44 magnum and am still in love with it. I ignore lock in the hammer and keep thinking of buying the button replacement for the safety but it's never given me a problem yet. It feeds the sharpest edged SWC ammo and everything else I've fed it. I don't know if all the Rossi rifles are drilled and tapped but mine is under the rear sight. You would need to mount a scout (long eye relief) scope for it though. My only regret is I wish I had bought the .357 instead...!

When I last talked with someone there, they told me all their lever action rifles are made in Japan. Get a rope!!" However, I was told those made in Japan are nicer. Somehow-- I just CANT get a Japanese Winchester.

 

[redlevel]

Skinner Sights work well on the Marlin.

 

[oldbill]

Where is the JM stamp

I forgot to add that I was told if you want a true Marlin made rifle, you should look for a "JM" stamp on the barrel

My Marlin is at least 20 years old. I did not see the JM stamp.
Could it be under the scope mount? Is there a way to tell the year of mfg. from the serial number, or address on the barrel?

 

[Harrison]

I have a Marlin made 94 Cowboy that I shoot 180 gr cast gas checks through. I have used it for deer and hog hunting out to about 100 yards. A great rifle. The Rossi's are not quite as slick, but they are a durable and sturdy rifle. If I could not find a Marlin in 357 I would not turn my nose up at a Rossi. I have a Rossi in 44 mag and it is a decent carbine that will get the job done and a lot more inexpensive than a pre-Remington Marlin.

 

[mc5aw]

A quality lever gun has been on my list for some time. First choice is a JM Marlin, then a Henry. The Remlins were disasters when the Ilion move happened, but have steadily improved. Looking carefully at a new Remlin is vital, as QC is still iffy. I really like Henry products, and I've heard the company is great to deal with.

If you have $3K and a year's time, you could always look up Wild West Guns custom.

 

[sps282]

I have an older .357/.38 Rossi (pre safety) that I really like, it shoots fine and has been a problem free gun for me. No it isn't Winchester quality but it does everything I need in lever gun.