lever action pistol caliber rifles

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guskody

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I would appreciate your opinions and advice as to which caliber and also which brand-make model of lever action pistol caliber rifle I should purchase.

I currently have revolvers in .38/.357mag and .45colt. But I have been looking for an excuse to buy a 629 or similar .44mag anyway...so recommending caliber based on my revolvers won't matter much.

Will use this rifle for fun at the range more than anything, so primary consideration would be based on that.

But I am also intrigued about its use within my home defense and hunting options.

Your suggestions on caliber and brand-make model? Thanks in advance!
 
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I have Winchesters in 357, 44, and 22 mag. I have a Marlin in 32/20. I love them all but the 357 gets taken out and shot (with 38 specials) more than the other three combined. I will tell you that the 16 inch 44 mag will get uncomfortable real quick (a longer and heavier Marlin in the same caliber may be a better choice for extended range sessions).
They are great guns and will handle most (if not all) of my needs and I wouldn't feel under gunned in a defense situation (I don't hunt, but that's only because I'm too lazy to clean and dress my kill).

I have Ruger Vaqueros for each of my leverguns (except the 22 mag - still need a Single-Six convertible)
 
There are lots of old Winchesters out there for good prices. For a new gun, I would recommend a Marlin. I have not handled one of their new production guns since they moved the factory, but I would hope the quality has not faltered.

As far as caliber, 38/357 is best for a range gun due to economy and light recoil. However, a 44 or 45 would be better for serious self defense or hunting use. An 1894SS in 44 Mag. would be my top pick. Be warned, however, that once you are bitten by the lever action bug you will soon want some .22s, a 30-30, and a Guide Gun in 45/70. :D Ask me how I know. :rolleyes:
 
I have had 3 Marlins, 1 in 44 and 2 in 357. The 357 is far more versatile. Love this caliber in a short lever action carbine, it extends the effectiveness of the cartridge, and with the right loads it is used in our neck of the woods for deer and if pressed Black bear. Makes the 357 a 100yd hitter. I carry identical loads in my Marlin and in my 586. I don't do that with my 44s.
 
You might consider a 41 mag in a marlin. Ballistics from revolver are good, from the lever even better. Just a thought. Be Safe,
 
I would highly recommend a Marlin 1894. It comes in all three calibers you mentioned. I'm assuming you do not handload so it would be much cheaper to shoot the 357 because you can buy 38 special for a more reasonable price than 44 or 45.
As far as a defensive caliber the 357 is quite well respected being shot out of a handgun and you would realize about 400 more feet per second out of the rifle.
In my opinion the 44 or 45 would make a better hunting caliber but at a considerable higher cost for the ammo. The 357 and 158 grain bullet with factory loads would probably have a velocity of around 2000 feet per second out of the rifle and the venerable 30 30 shoots a 170 grain bullet about the same velocity so you can base the hunting aspect on that. The difference would be that the 158 grain 357 was made as a pistol bullet and may not hold up to the higher velocity thereby sacrificing penetration and causing more damage to the meat. Again that's my opinion and I'm sure there will be someone to come along with another.
Have fun choosing and shoot em up!
 
I have the Marlin 1894 in 44 mag. My son has the same gun in 41 mag.With the bullet weight the Marlin "likes" I get fantastic accuracy. I als have an early Ruger 44 carbinee which is a lot of fun.
 
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I highly recommend the Rossi 1892 clone. The 1892 has a super smooth action, unlike the Winchester '94. Mine is a EMF (made by Rossi) 1892 saddle ring carbine with 20 inch barrel and color case hardened finish in .38/357. Handles both 38 and 357 with ease. With .38 Specials it's like shooting a .22 LR on steroids, but stoke it with 158 grain .357 magnum rounds and it shoots like a real man's rifle. I've taken several south Arkansas whitetails with mine.

396287119.jpg
 
Marlin and Winchesters are both winners. Uberti's also have good reps. I like my .44 Rossi as well.
 
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Dragon88 said:
There are lots of old Winchesters out there for good prices. For a new gun, I would recommend a Marlin. I have not handled one of their new production guns since they moved the factory, but I would hope the quality has not faltered.

As far as caliber, 38/357 is best for a range gun due to economy and light recoil. However, a 44 or 45 would be better for serious self defense or hunting use. An 1894SS in 44 Mag. would be my top pick. Be warned, however, that once you are bitten by the lever action bug you will soon want some .22s, a 30-30, and a Guide Gun in 45/70. :D Ask me how I know. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Know EXACTLY what you mean! Only I started on the other end!
45/70 Guide Gun first (love this beast!) then a old Win.94 30/30, and now looking for a pistol caliber carbine. Problem is I already have an M1 Carbine that handles those chores nicely. But I am studying those Rossis' intently. Dale
 
Lever actions are definitely cool. Just remember that pistol caliber bullets are designed to operate at pistol velocities. JHPs pushed 400 fps faster than they were designed may expand explosively and under penetrate. Jacketed soft points may be worth a look though. As I recall, Skeeter wrote that 1300 fps was the threshold to move to JSPs over JHPs for 357 Magnum.
 
I've got several revolvers chambered in .32 magnum and .32 long, and have looked for a Marlin 1894CB in .32 magnum for some time with no luck. I know they're discontinued, but you'd think one would pop up occasionally...
 
I have quite a few lever guns chambered in handgun cartridges.

Marlins, Winchesters, Henrys and Puma/Rossis. I kind of like the 1892s.

Mine are chambered for 22LR, 357, 41 and 45.

One of the 45s is also threaded for suppressor use. Take a 300 grain XTP and load it up to 1000FPS fire it through the can and you have a silent sledgehammer. Just do not put that ammo in a Colt SAA.
 
Faulkner said:
I highly recommend the Rossi 1892 clone. The 1892 has a super smooth action, unlike the Winchester '94. Mine is a EMF (made by Rossi) 1892 saddle ring carbine with 20 inch barrel and color case hardened finish in .38/357. Handles both 38 and 357 with ease. With .38 Specials it's like shooting a .22 LR on steroids, but stoke it with 158 grain .357 magnum rounds and it shoots like a real man's rifle. I've taken several south Arkansas whitetails with mine.

396287119.jpg
Click to expand...

I'm very happy with my Rossi 92 in .357. It's a dream to shoot.
 
I have a Henry Big Boy in .45 Colt that gets teamed up with my 625-9 Mountain Gun(.45 Colt) and/or my Ruger SS New Vacquero in the same chambering. The Henry is smooth and accurate. I like the brass receiver's looks. The .45 Colt is a great cartridge that functions perfectly with a variety of powders including black powder and Triple 7. I think the .45 Colt is most useful when one reloads it since factory ammo is pretty expensive and choices are limited. For range shooting on a budget, .38/.357 may be a better choice. I really like having a revolver and carbine that uses same cartridge.
 
Don't discount the 30-30 as it can be down loaded with 150 grain lead bullets and approximately 10 grains of Unique powder to make a very nice mid range load..This my personal load but some experimentation with various loadings should show similar results.....Tin..
 
Used to have all the Marlin .41Magnum lever actions. Now, I've got the 1894 SS/lam LTD carbine. This one likes just about anything I run through it. I usually use a 220gr.LFNGC ahead of a healthy charge of 2400.
 
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