otis24
Member
I would like to get a lever action .357 as a companion to my .357 New Model Vaquero. Functionality and reliability are of the utmost importance. Which would you recommend, Marlin or Henry?
Lever action .357
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I'd probably look for a Marlin; have had several in 357 and 44. I have, though, a Winchester 94AE Trapper that shoots where you point it and functions reliably. A little harder to find than the Marlin but equally as good I think. Have never owned a Henry, seem a bit clunky by comparison to me, although I expect there are folks here who have had good luck with them.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
Jeff
SWCA #1457
fishwishin
Member
Big debate on the faster side gate loading of the Marlin and Winchester designs vs. the tube loading of the Henry.
How is the accuracy of that Henry?
Won't debate the ability to top off the Marlins and Winchesters. I've never found it to be an issue.
Regarding accuracy, mine's almost no fun to shoot. It goes right where I aim it, every time.
squidsix
Member
Henry shot more accurately for me with 158 grain JSP loads. The Marlin I traded off because it was blocky and clunky for a pistol caliber carbine.
I favor the Rossi 92 above the Henry, as it only weighs 5.2 pounds and is just the most fun thing in the world to shoot.
The Henry's lack of a loading gate is a big problem for me, but it's such a nice rifle I am able to deal with it.
I favor the Rossi 92 above the Henry, as it only weighs 5.2 pounds and is just the most fun thing in the world to shoot.
The Henry's lack of a loading gate is a big problem for me, but it's such a nice rifle I am able to deal with it.
I also have a Rossi 92 and it is accurate and fun to shoot.
I have a Henry Big Boy Brass 357, just put a 4x scope on it (old eyes), very accurate, 1" groups @ 50 yards, slightly bigger @100.
I bought a "JM" marked Marlin .357 a few months ago. It quickly became my favorite, most fun rifle. Light, trim and a joy to handle and shoot. Some will advocate looking for an older JM marked model but feedback from those who have bought the newly released ones this year has been very positive.
357-RevolverGuy
Member
It'll be easier to find a Henry than a Marlin. I've heard Marlin brought the 357 lever action back into production but I've yet to see one. Henry offers their rifle in a lot more configurations too such as nickel, brass, or case coloring receivers, mares leg models, and octagon barrel. Marlin made some good ones in the past but if I had to choose today it would be a Henry.
I picked up a recent (within the last 3 years) Rossi 357. Despite all the bad mouthing of the brand, mine has been stellar. I did not "slick it up" like you will hear people tell you it needs, just cycled the action while watching westerns. I did strip and refinish the stock with linseed oil, it gets a new hand rubbed coat a couple times each year. It is now the handiest, best shooting rifle I own.
GypsmJim
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Marlins are OK. But do you want a "real" one or an imitation?
94 AE Trapper all the way. Fit and finish, function and accuracy all outstanding.
Also a matter of value. I've had mine for about 20 years now and the current completed auction value is about 3x what I paid brand new.
94 AE Trapper all the way. Fit and finish, function and accuracy all outstanding.
Also a matter of value. I've had mine for about 20 years now and the current completed auction value is about 3x what I paid brand new.
JM stands for John Marlin. JM Marlins have a small JM stamped on the left side of the barrel in front of the receiver. This signifies an original Marlin barrel. If a gun has the stamp on the barrel and the serial number on the top of the receiver behind the hammer, the gun is an original Marlin. There are some with the JM stamp on the barrel and the serial number on the left side of the receiver above the trigger. These guns were made by Remington after they bought Marlin and they used up original Marlin barrels. Fully original Marlins are preferred by many.
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scooter123
Member
I have a 1892 Winchester with a receiver manufactured in 1904. It was also re-barreled in 357 Magnum by Winchester for some previous owner. With a rear tang peep sight and some coaching by a Range Master I've managed to group it at 1 inch at 100 yards.
I also have a Rossi 1892 that is equipped with a Weaver 4X Scout scope. Action is fully tuned with a 4 lbs. trigger break. Bummer is that it will only group around 6-8 inches at 100 yards so I wouldn't call it accurate by any stretch of the imagination.
The Marlin is actually a very nice rifle IF YOU CAN FIND ONE. Sadly production for the 357 Magnum version was a bit limited and those who have one tend to hang on to them. So they are really thin on the used market and carry a rather high price.
My advice would be to go straight to the Henry. That way you are looking for a rifle that is currently in production and rather easy to find.
As for a new Marlin, all I've ever seen in a pistol caliber had been 44 Magnum. There is also potential issues with current Marlin products. I've had to send a recent production Remington 870 back to the factory for ejection issues and I expect that Remilin's version of the Marlin may be problematic.
I also have a Rossi 1892 that is equipped with a Weaver 4X Scout scope. Action is fully tuned with a 4 lbs. trigger break. Bummer is that it will only group around 6-8 inches at 100 yards so I wouldn't call it accurate by any stretch of the imagination.
The Marlin is actually a very nice rifle IF YOU CAN FIND ONE. Sadly production for the 357 Magnum version was a bit limited and those who have one tend to hang on to them. So they are really thin on the used market and carry a rather high price.
My advice would be to go straight to the Henry. That way you are looking for a rifle that is currently in production and rather easy to find.
As for a new Marlin, all I've ever seen in a pistol caliber had been 44 Magnum. There is also potential issues with current Marlin products. I've had to send a recent production Remington 870 back to the factory for ejection issues and I expect that Remilin's version of the Marlin may be problematic.
Wee Hooker
Member
I also have a stock Rossi that has been great. I prefer the weight and balance over the big boy. They can be hard to find new but do show up on GB in clean shape regularly.
SLT223
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Depending on what you're looking to spend, Winchester (Miroku) is currently making a 16" take down 1892 in .357. It's a limited run. last time they did them was 2010. I have one from back then in .44 Mag. It's a very handy little rifle.
Model 1892 Deluxe Trapper Takedown Case Hardened
Model 1892 Deluxe Trapper Takedown Case Hardened
I have a multiple Henry's, in .357,.44, .45-70, and .22 or course, I bought the 45-70 used, it had a little hiccup in the lever action, they told me "send it to us we will fix it for free your warranty never runs out on a Henry, no matter 1st owner or 100th." Unless I found a crazy good deal on a Marlin JM, When I buy another lever it will be a Henry.
I have a Marlin 44 trapper I like. I wanted a 357 but couldn't find one that wasn't at a crazy price. I'd take a Remington version. I expect they've worked out the transition by now but they weren't making the 357 when I was looking. I looked at the Henry. I like Henry. I have one of their little 22 levers and it's the bomb. However, when I looked at the Henry 357 (Big Boy) I thought it was way to heavy for the caliber. I ended up getting the Rossi. I'm underwhelmed by it's accuracy. It is still very fun to shoot and I love how light and handy it is. If Henry would make a lightweight model in the Rossi's weight class I'd be all over it in a heartbeat.
Flyingfool
Member
Wish Henry would make a .357 pump action like they do the 22LR
THAT would be a super fun gun!
I love marlin and come saturday I will be in the deer hunting blind with my JM Marlin 336C in 35 Remington! I bought it new a couple years before Remington bought Marlin.
Held a new Marlin last weekend. I did NOT like the crappy matte finish at all. No way I would buy one with that finish.
THAT would be a super fun gun!
I love marlin and come saturday I will be in the deer hunting blind with my JM Marlin 336C in 35 Remington! I bought it new a couple years before Remington bought Marlin.
Held a new Marlin last weekend. I did NOT like the crappy matte finish at all. No way I would buy one with that finish.
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