I would like to pick up a 357 lever action rifle. Would like to be able to put a scope on it. They seem crazy expensive and scarce. Any suggestions on model and where to look without ridiculous money? Pros and cons of different models?
357 lever gun
- Thread starter Wheeler57
- Start date
semperfi71
US Veteran
Older marlins are probably about the best for scope-mounting.
They will also be accurate and long-lasting. They can still be found relatively inexpensive if one Is careful.
The newest Marlins have picked up a bad reputation. I do not know why, you probably should investigate that.
Good luck.
They will also be accurate and long-lasting. They can still be found relatively inexpensive if one Is careful.
The newest Marlins have picked up a bad reputation. I do not know why, you probably should investigate that.
Good luck.
feralmerril
Absent Comrade
For the money a rossi 92 is the best bet. I bought mine 3 or 4 years ago for $390 counting tax. A browning 92 is considered the best but if you can find one they are expensive. (I have one of those in 44 mag) I see winchester now has one made by mauki (sp?) and they were the same company who made the 92 for browning. Very expensive.
Model 1892 Short, Model 92 Short Rifle, Lever Action, Hunting, Cowboy Action -- Winchester Repeating Arms -- Product Model
Personally I would much rather have a peep than a scope on that rifle. I have found my levers to be accurate with a peep and I have examples of all of them, scope, peep and open. If you insist on a scope try to find a marlin.
I dont have experiance with him but steves gunz is the top guru from everything I have read.
Rossi 92 Specialist, Nate Kiowa Jones a.k.a. Steve Young - Professional Gunsmith
357 mag in a 92 clone is one sweet rifle! Here is my rossi and browning.
Model 1892 Short, Model 92 Short Rifle, Lever Action, Hunting, Cowboy Action -- Winchester Repeating Arms -- Product Model
Personally I would much rather have a peep than a scope on that rifle. I have found my levers to be accurate with a peep and I have examples of all of them, scope, peep and open. If you insist on a scope try to find a marlin.
I dont have experiance with him but steves gunz is the top guru from everything I have read.
Rossi 92 Specialist, Nate Kiowa Jones a.k.a. Steve Young - Professional Gunsmith
357 mag in a 92 clone is one sweet rifle! Here is my rossi and browning.
35Rem
Member
venomballistics
Member
Same here ... only I got it for my wife
didn't think I'd warm up to a lever gun ... till it adjusted my tude
10mmauto
Member
I have a Marlin. Just keep in mind the true expense of a .357 lever gun comes AFTER you purchase it!
I have a Marlin 1894C and a Rossi 92 in 357, that are a little older. Marlin 357's develop a problem with feeding 38's, but just replacing the elevator starts the round count over without correcting the issue. 92's by any manufacturer have proven reliable for over 115 years. My Rossi is a stainless steel before the bolt safety was added. I have worked on the actions of 6 92's (2 were Rossi) and there are some tricks to smoothing the actions up. The easiest to do, and the most beneficial is to do is: True/Flatten the locking lugs. They usually have a slight "banana" shape to them, stone the high points off a few 1/1000ths on both sides of each lug. Easy to do with a good fine Arkansas or diamond stone (or 1200 wet sand paper on flat surface).
As far as scopes go: Marlins win hands down also receiver sights. The new Rossi models have a safety on the rear of the bolt, somebody is making a sight to replace this patterned after an old Model 71 Winchester sight by Lyman (Not allowed in SASS competition, but neither are scopes or receiver sights).
If I had to choose between Rossi and any Marlin I'll take Rossi (Even though I more Marlins). New Winchesters are unknown and Browning 92's are better than originals, but unattainable! Enjoy. Ivan
As far as scopes go: Marlins win hands down also receiver sights. The new Rossi models have a safety on the rear of the bolt, somebody is making a sight to replace this patterned after an old Model 71 Winchester sight by Lyman (Not allowed in SASS competition, but neither are scopes or receiver sights).
If I had to choose between Rossi and any Marlin I'll take Rossi (Even though I more Marlins). New Winchesters are unknown and Browning 92's are better than originals, but unattainable! Enjoy. Ivan
I bought a Rossi last August from Buds through Gunbroker. Buy it now was $382, with shipping and transfer I was in about $425. I scoped it with a kit that replaces the front sight and it shoots well.
semperfi71
US Veteran
I agree with feralmerril on everything he said.
If you decide on a peep the Brownings are the best (save an original).
The Rossi's in their later/latest configurations are shot by a lot of Cowboy Action shooters and well liked.
All M92 actions do not feed fast enough, nor smooth enough for the top Cowboy shooters though.
I forgot about the Henry's so I assume they rank with the Marlins for scope mounting.
Again to add to feralmerril's post. If your eye balls can handle a quality peep sight will be as accurate as a scope.
If you decide on a peep the Brownings are the best (save an original).
The Rossi's in their later/latest configurations are shot by a lot of Cowboy Action shooters and well liked.
All M92 actions do not feed fast enough, nor smooth enough for the top Cowboy shooters though.
I forgot about the Henry's so I assume they rank with the Marlins for scope mounting.
Again to add to feralmerril's post. If your eye balls can handle a quality peep sight will be as accurate as a scope.
finesse_r
Member
They have gone up quite a bit in one year.
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2013
- Messages
- 3,358
- Reaction score
- 5,479
I used to really want a .357 lever gun, to go with my .357 Blackhawk. Until somebody sold me a .30/30 Marlin for a song. Now I want a .30/.30 single action revolver to go with it!
Seriously with the number of used lever action rifles on the market, I could never convince myself to pay a premium for the .357.
Good luck, on what ever you decide. Ed
Seriously with the number of used lever action rifles on the market, I could never convince myself to pay a premium for the .357.
Good luck, on what ever you decide. Ed
feralmerril
Absent Comrade
In a post above I showed two 92 clones, the rossi in 357 and browning in 44 mag. Both are almost identical in configeration and weight. The browning is a lot nicer finish. The .357 is a lot sweeter to shoot. Hardly any recoil compared to the 44 mag. I have read articles that claim the .357 gives the 30-30 a close run in the real world for effectiveness. Years ago I read a article stating that by Jeff Cooper! I also have a 30-30 and owned it since I was a kid. I never really tested them against each other, but I would tend to belive it around a 100 to 120 yards or so. Maybe farther. I would rather have a light 92 in .357 than 44 mag, and I own both. I probley will put a peep on mine. I have a peep on my 94 30-30 and its a huge help. A peep on a lever is a big improvement over open sights and I dont belive a scope belongs on a 92 or 94. I also have a peep on a 30-06 remington pump. I shoot it effectivly about as well as a half dozen scoped bolts I own. A lever is about being handy and light and fast. A scope takes all that away on that type rifle. I do have a scope on a winchester lever model 88 in .308, but that rifle and combo might as well be a bolt and from a couple standpoints it is a bolt! Its kinda like putting a scope on a handgun. That dont turn me on either although I do have a contender with a scope. Dont shoot it either. Thinking of selling it.
I was just like you and was searching for months for a .357 lever gun. The Rossi was very hard to find but are showing up now but most dealers want about 20-30% more in that caliber just because it is so popular. I wanted a scope also and don't like scout scopes so that only leaves the Marlin and Henry and I don't like the looks of the Henry. The current Remington Marlins have had some terrible quality issues so everyone wants an older Marlin that has JM stamped on the barrel meaning it was made by Marlin before Remington bought them. Those guns in .357 go for $800 bucks and up, and I was just about to give up and a pawn shop next to a construction project I was working at had a sale a couple of weeks ago. I found an old JM Marlin 30/30 in 98% condition for $265. The gun is solid as a rock with beautiful bluing and the action is as slick as glass. The 30/30 ammo is cheap and with Leverevolution ammo, it has a lot more power and range than a .357 so I am a Happy Camper!
Had a Rossi years ago, liked it; but traded up to a Winchester Trapper in .357 about 10 years ago. Don't new Rossi's have a goofy safety?
Mine currently has a Skinner replacement rear sight....... it's a peep/ghost ring that replaces the factory rear sight.... a real improvement on the factory buckhorn!
Mine currently has a Skinner replacement rear sight....... it's a peep/ghost ring that replaces the factory rear sight.... a real improvement on the factory buckhorn!
