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chaim · January 12, 2013, 02:40 PM

I used to have a Winchester 94 in .45LC. Lever rifles in .45LC can be less reliable than other calibers (due to the thin rim I guess), and Winchester 94s can be less reliable in revolver calibers because the action was designed for rifle calibers. The combination was a rifle I bought for home defense as well as range fun but only felt comfortable shooting at the range (it would FTF a couple times per box of ammo).

I still want a lever rifle in a revolver chambering. I want it in .45LC or .357mag since I have handguns in those calibers. I want it for fun at the range, but also for home defense so it must be reliable.

I do seem to see more in .45LC than in .357mag, and usually at more reasonable prices. So, my question is, how big an improvement are guns like the Winchester 92 and clones, Marlin 1894, or the Puma/Rossi 92 which have actions designed from the start for revolver calibers? Would a Marlin or Rossi in .45LC be acceptably reliable for home defense?

January 12, 2013, 02:40 PM	#1
chaim Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2001 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,095	Lever rifle in .45LC I used to have a Winchester 94 in .45LC. Lever rifles in .45LC can be less reliable than other calibers (due to the thin rim I guess), and Winchester 94s can be less reliable in revolver calibers because the action was designed for rifle calibers. The combination was a rifle I bought for home defense as well as range fun but only felt comfortable shooting at the range (it would FTF a couple times per box of ammo). I still want a lever rifle in a revolver chambering. I want it in .45LC or .357mag since I have handguns in those calibers. I want it for fun at the range, but also for home defense so it must be reliable. I do seem to see more in .45LC than in .357mag, and usually at more reasonable prices. So, my question is, how big an improvement are guns like the Winchester 92 and clones, Marlin 1894, or the Puma/Rossi 92 which have actions designed from the start for revolver calibers? Would a Marlin or Rossi in .45LC be acceptably reliable for home defense?