Frank46
US Veteran
Two marlin's in 357 Magnum, 44 magnum. Two marlin's in 30-30, Three Winchesters in 30-30, one in 375 Winchester. Oh almost forgot, One marlin in 444 marlin. So yes I like lever action rifles.
Frank
Frank
Lever guns popularity
- Thread starter Hawg Rider
- Start date
My gun collection....
I'd like to have an example of every kind of action in my collection. When I realized I didn't have a .22 or a lever, I got a Henry and even though it's 'just' a .22 I have a great time with it. Maybe one day I can get a .357.
I'd like to have an example of every kind of action in my collection. When I realized I didn't have a .22 or a lever, I got a Henry and even though it's 'just' a .22 I have a great time with it. Maybe one day I can get a .357.
Capt. F.
Member
Up here in the northeast still see a lot of Winchester ‘94’s, Marlins, Savage 99’s etc. during deer season. Levers are far from dead.
Although I no longer deer hunt, my primary rifles were a Winchester Model 71 .348 and a Winchester 1886 .45-70 carbine which I still own, although with pressure from my son, may rehome 50 miles south in the near future.
If limited to one gun to hunt anywhere in the U.S., either of the above would suit me just fine.
Although I no longer deer hunt, my primary rifles were a Winchester Model 71 .348 and a Winchester 1886 .45-70 carbine which I still own, although with pressure from my son, may rehome 50 miles south in the near future.
If limited to one gun to hunt anywhere in the U.S., either of the above would suit me just fine.
Grayfox
US Veteran
I think it may be a combination of factors.
TV and movies.
The pushing for "assault rifle" bans.
They're just cool!
My first centerfire rifle was a Winchester Model 94. I've had a great fondness for lever guns ever since. Particularly Winchesters. They just look, feel and balance right in my hands.
I currently own 6 ranging from .22LR up to .45/70.
TV and movies.
The pushing for "assault rifle" bans.
They're just cool!
My first centerfire rifle was a Winchester Model 94. I've had a great fondness for lever guns ever since. Particularly Winchesters. They just look, feel and balance right in my hands.
I currently own 6 ranging from .22LR up to .45/70.
Lever action is pretty much what I grew up with. Dad had the Model 94 Win. in 30-30, I had the marlin 336 (I think) in 30-30, and the Marlin 39A in .22. The only bolt action was dad's single shot .22, scope adjusted 75 yds., and deadly accurate on groundhogs. I quit hunting around '85. If I wanted to start hunting again I have a Sears Ted Williams M100 (Winchester 94) in 30-30. I'm sure there are way better options, but I'd probably pick a lever for PA whitetails.
Back in the Pre-AR and Pre-CAS era Jeff Cooper wrote that he thought the 30-30 Lever Action Rifle was a perfect urban defense gun especially for women. He praised it’s light weight, the fact the magazine could be left fully loaded and the stock could be cut to fit smaller people. He said with a 150 yard range capability it was ideal urban stand-off gun.
Now days largely thanks to Cowboy Action Shooting and SASS we have reliable pistol caliber lever action carbines and rifles in pistol calibers like the 32-20 (ok it is a rifle cartridge but it is small and little recoil), .357, 44’s (44/40, 44 Magnum), and 45 Colt. The .357, .44 and 45 Colt can be modified for use with shorter rounds like the .38 Special and 44 Special.
Like the old 30-30 they are lightweight, can be left fully loaded and easily handled by women. In todays’s crowded urban cities the shorter range is actually better than hunting cartridges such as the 30-30 and 35 Remington.
I feel well armed with my 32-20 revolvers and Uberti 1873 but that is a topic for another post..
Last edited:
Maybe the 45-70 punches their man card.
The Marlin 45-70 ruined me on the cartridge for many years. I have a friend that owns a Marlin 45-70 and reloads his own ammunition. He believes in the 45-70 loaded with hot (fast) 300 gr. Jacketed Bullet. It is not a fun gun to shoot. I can not convince him that the round is still effective and more fun to shoot if he will slow it down.
Later on I discovered how mild the 45-70 is at 1200 fps +/- is fun to shoot but I will not own it in a lever gun. I stick to pistol rounds and the old standby 30-30 and 35 Remington.
My favorite cartridge is the 32-20. I feel well armed with my carbine and handgun combination. I have a fox roaming the property which I need to shoot before it starts getting to my chickens. I am planning on using a rabbit call and am thinking my 32-20 will be ideal for the job.
Last edited:
SAFireman
SWCA Member
I'll take mine in 10 bore
This Winchester stood guard at a cattle ranch in Atascosa County TX most of it's life. Now it guards my homestead.
I really like the Marlin lever actions that match my pistols. This one is a 1894FG in 41 Magnum. I got it to pair with my S&W Model 58's. There isn't anything in NA that it won't handle (including the T-Rex )
This Winchester stood guard at a cattle ranch in Atascosa County TX most of it's life. Now it guards my homestead.
I really like the Marlin lever actions that match my pistols. This one is a 1894FG in 41 Magnum. I got it to pair with my S&W Model 58's. There isn't anything in NA that it won't handle (including the T-Rex
)Attachments
OP
As the OP of this thread, I'm glad I started it because it's gotten some great responses. I, too, am a fan of lever actions but only have a few. I have an original .38-40 Winchester 1873 (ca. 1891) and a .50-95 Winchester 1876 (ca. 1882). I also have a modern .45 Colt Winchester 94AE (Trail's End SRC), and a Century Arms PW87 (copy of a 12 ga. Winchester 1887). I once had a .45-70 Marlin 1895 (ca. 1975) that was pretty beat up and I used for gunsmithing practice...I later got rid of that one.
Attachments
6 rounds of 400 gr cast bullets out of my Marlin LTD III. 16 in octagon barrel..........And I'm ready to put it back in truck.
smoothshooter
Member
I think there is a growing demand for rifles that are of lower profile that don’t attract the negative scrutiny of the general public when neighbors or passers by see someone loading or unloading a car at home when hunting or just shooting are on the agenda.
More anti-semi-auto gun legislation is in the future. Some people don’t want to put a lot of money in something they may have to get rid of at a loss, or be banned from ever selling.
More anti-semi-auto gun legislation is in the future. Some people don’t want to put a lot of money in something they may have to get rid of at a loss, or be banned from ever selling.
Last edited:
Alton
Member
I like a lever action just like the next person, but $1600 to $2000 for the new Ruger / Marlins?
Frank V
Member
a good lever action is a good choice in places where shots are under 200yds. In dark timber hunting deer or elk, areas that have grizzlies, a .45-70 Winchester, Marlin, or Henry, is a very good choice. They can give “spooky” fast aimed, repeat shots from someone who knows how to use one. I like them!
My gunsmith apologized for having to charge me MSRP for my MM (Mayodan made) Marlin Guide Gun. Just my opinion based on a sample of one, but I believe these are the best Marlins made in decades. The barrel is cold hammer-forged with a threaded muzzle. No more microgroove rifling. The loading gate doesn’t try to take a piece of finger every time I load it (please talk to my 1990s 1895 LTD about that). The lever loop is perfect - just big enough for winter gloves with nicely rounded edges that don’t beat up your hand. All of the metal seems to be finished well with minimal matching marks, if any. Metal to wood fit is fine. I will gladly pay $1,239 for a 30-30 Model 336 as soon as Bill can get one of those.
I’ve purchased 2 Winchester 1892s in the past few years, one new and one used (1990s so still Miroku). They were more expensive than Ruger’s list prices and worth every penny to me. I paid over $1,600 for a LNIB 2001 JM Marlin 1895 in 45 Colt late last year because it’s going to be a long time before the new Marlin gets around to that chambering.
The Henry lever actions are more affordable, and I do understand that Marlin made a working man’s gun years ago. However, Marlin prices kept going up while the quality went into the toilet. I am OK paying for a high quality firearm. Heck, that’s why I prefer 1960 or earlier Colts.
I doubt that a ban on semi-auto will happen anytime soon and real assault rifles are already banned under the NFA. Lever action rifles are as American as apple pie, in pistol calibers they can hold 10 rounds which is definitely a plus, and after decades of movies that featured such guns there is probably no American gun person alive who holds lever action rifles in any kind of disdain. And they're prettier than ARs, anyway!!!!
See for yourself!
Am I right or am I right?
See for yourself!
Am I right or am I right?
HOUSTON RICK
Member
.357magger
Member
I'm down to 2 lever actions at this time. The last 3 words of the previous sentence being the most important.
Marlin 39a, pre safety from 1973
And
Daisy Red Ryder lever action air rifle but without the Thing in the Stock That Tells Time.
(on the look out for Marlin/Winchester in 357 and 45 Colt, but just "purchased" major back surgery, a 2022 Python, and a Uberti Remington 1875...the gun fund has to be restocked.
)
Marlin 39a, pre safety from 1973
And
Daisy Red Ryder lever action air rifle but without the Thing in the Stock That Tells Time.
(on the look out for Marlin/Winchester in 357 and 45 Colt, but just "purchased" major back surgery, a 2022 Python, and a Uberti Remington 1875...the gun fund has to be restocked.
)Attachments
Last edited:
Winchester, before sinking sold 11 million 94's. Speculating that levergun sales are based proposed gun laws.........Won't wash.
