.357 Lever Action Suggestions

[DeadWhiteGoose]

I'm looking to purchase a .357 lever action rifle and was wondering if any of you had opinions on what company is a solid buy. So far Rossi is the easiest brand to find chambered in .357. Any others I should take note of?

 

[canoeguy]

A used Marlin made in the New Haven, CT Plant, not one of the new Remington made ones, are good rifles. I have a 2006 vintage "Cowboy Special" in .357 that I have put many a round through, and have been very happy with it.

The new Marlins made by Remington have quality problems...

I also have a fairly new Rossi 20" .357 carbine that I have bought recently, it is more utilitarian in looks, but shoots great. It is also quite a bit lighter than the Marlin, I think it weighs five pounds, same as a Ruger 10/22...

I like shooting cast lead, and both rifles like cast lead bullets. An older Marlin with Micro-groove rifling may not like cast lead as well as one with Ballard cut rifling.

Rossi's cost less, Marlins hold thier value more, both are good rifles.

 

[ralph7]

An older Marlin with Micro-groove rifling may not like cast lead as well as one with Ballard cut rifling.

that is the only drawback to an otherwise excellent rifle.
never was an issue w/me as i hardly ever shoot lead.

i love my Marlin lever guns!

 

[Buckey08]

Thinking that a new Winchester model 92 would be real sweet!

 

[kb5601]

Henry Big Boy...
American Made...Italian Owner
KB

 

[Erich]

I've got one of the Rossis that were imported by Navy Arms - upgraded wood and no safety - great guns. I have one friend who had lifter issues with a recently purchased new Rossi, but that's the only issue I've ever heard of with one.

 

[Thuer]

Do not buy a model 1873 Uberti. I have seen many broken one's.

 

[Rule3]

Marlin

I must say the Rossi Stainless is a really nice looking and appears to be well made. Only thing I didn't like is the safety which looks/feels like it would break off. JMO though.

Local Shop sells a lot of them. For the price if I did not have a Marlin, I would buy one.

 

[Stevie]

I bought a Rossi stainless carbine last year chambered in .44 magnum.

It ain't the fanciest or 'best made' but it is reliable and accurate.

My only real functional gripes are the plain iron sights made the gun shoot rather high...I had to work the rear sight down somewhat to get the cool little rifle on target.

Some minor issues were I didn't like the funky little bolt safety(which I removed and plugged)...and that the wood is a slippy fit on the left side of the receiver at the buttstock/receiver junction.

A nice feature which I may take advantage of is that my Rossi carbine is drilled and tapped for scope mounts underneath the rear sight. I need to order me a mount.

 

[Thuer]

Do not make the mistake to dissambly the Rossi leveraction.
It is a pain in the %^$#&( to place all parts back.

Beside that. I like the Rossi.

 

[steveno]

you don't say how much you want to spend. Scheel's in Lincoln has a Japanese Winchester M-92 Trapper in 357 mag. a nice looking rifle but at $1,000 that is too much for me

 

[mg357]

I suggest a Marlin model 1894c also check cimarron firearms they sell replicas of the winchester model 1873 and the model 1892 that are chambered in .357 magnum.

 

[growr]

PM sent regarding a Winchester 92 in .357 Mag that is for sale here in Montana. NIB for $900

Randy

 

[Rock185]

A friend has both a Winchester and a Marlin in .357. Both function well. I think he just uses jacketed bullets. I believe he said the Marlin tends to be a little more accurate. I have a marlin in .44 Mag with the 16.25" bbl. that has been a very good gun.

I have handled, but not owned, the Henry and late model Winchester 92 in .357. Both very solid. The nicest, best looking, with by far the smoothest action was the new Winchester 92. It was also up around the $900.00, IIRC, price range though...

 

[LouisianaJoe]

I recently bought an H&R .357 Handi-rifle. It cost me $275 and I shot a 3 shot cloverleaf at 50 yds with it shooting .38 Special reloads with 148gr wadcutters. It also fired 180gr reloads accurately. If you want a inexpensive shooter, I recommend this one.

I have a Henry Big Boy in .45 Colt that I love also.

 

[586L-Frame]

I have a Rossi .38/.357 92 SRC lever action that I bought after my two 586 L-Frames in 1981 & 1984.

Lightweight, accurate and fun to shoot!
586L-Frame

 

[pilgrim6a]

You should try the Rossi Ranch Hand.
A friend just got one in .357 mag., or so it says on the barrel. We have been unable to get a magnum in to the magazine as yet. But loaded single shot it does fire, and hits 12" high at 25 yds. This should hit POA at about 376 yds.
Handles poorly as a firearm but make a great, but heavy, club.

 

[rojodiablo]

The Marlin. I have a 336 in 30-30. It is a great rifle, with a trigger far better than one would expect. I have shot a 357 rifle several times (Buddy's rifle) and it too is a very good unit.

 

[BUFF]

I have a Winchester Model 94AE Trapper that seems like a fairly well-finished, handy, solid little carbine. They made a few of these and you might find one priced better than the Model 92's.

 

[zonker5]

I have an early Marlin 1894 that I love. I have found that it doesn't like 38 or low power 357s, but load up some hot 357 mags and the groups get smaller.