The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > The Hide > The Art of the Rifle: Bolt, Lever, and Pump Action

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old March 13, 2013, 10:20 PM   #1
.38Catt
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 4, 2006
Posts: 255
Lever action .357

Can anyone suggest a lever-action .357?

This is the first step in my search.

Thanks.

Catt
.38Catt is offline  
Old March 13, 2013, 10:53 PM   #2
chipchip
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 21, 2005
Posts: 247
Check out Henry Repeating Arms, They make one called The Henry Big Boy.
Come in 357,44mag and 45lc. Also Winchester make them but are a little more money. I'm looking to get the Henry for myself.
chipchip is offline  
Old March 13, 2013, 11:03 PM   #3
Striker1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 22, 2004
Location: TX
Posts: 710
I have a EMF Model 92 20" carbine that I really like.
Striker1 is offline  
Old March 13, 2013, 11:48 PM   #4
Wrothgar
Junior member
 
Join Date: January 28, 2009
Location: Colorado
Posts: 778
What about Puma?
Wrothgar is offline  
Old March 14, 2013, 09:17 AM   #5
PetahW
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 19, 2008
Posts: 4,678
It depends upon your "druthers".


The Henry Big Boy is often referred to as the FatBoy, due to it's excess (to some) weight - YMMV, here. The brassie receiver also gives it's fair share of "bling". .

If you intend to, or have to, scope the rifle - it's hard to go wrong with a Marlin 1894 - solid-top receiver, side-ejection, also peepable.

"Puma" is a copyrighted name owned by a US importer of foreign-made firearms - Legacy Sports International (LSI).
LSI once contracted with Rossi (South America) to make "Puma" Model 92's, beside all the other Rossi M92's; and currently has contracted with an Italian company (Chiappa, IIRC) to use the "Puma" name on several models.

Regardless, all Model 1892/92 Winchester-type leverguns since WWII have been made in either South America, Spain, Italy, or Japan (Browning & the new "Winchesters").

The Rossi's are the least expensive (new), followed by new Marlin's.
The Rossi's sometimes require a little personal attention to make them very nice - but I've owned two that were flawless out of the box.

The Italian Puma's cost approx 2x more than the Rossi's, but are finished fancier.

The most expensive .357 M92's would be the current "Winchester", made by Miroku in Japan - but also unquestionably the best-finished of the bunch.

There were also long-action .357 leverguns, adapted from .30-30 Model 94's, made by Winchester in CT, before production stopped in 2006, that can occassionally be found on the used-gun market.

They are almost all top-ejecting rifles, not easily scopeable - unless a Winchester M94AE (Angle-Eject) can be had in .357.



.
PetahW is offline  
Old March 16, 2013, 12:31 AM   #6
rc
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 28, 2001
Location: CA
Posts: 1,742
Good 357 rifles

There are a lot of good lever actions in 357. Here's some general points from someone who studied the subject several years ago.

1. If you want the ability to use optics, get a marlin.
2. If optics are not a requirement, then the winchester 92 and its clones are the cats meow. Now I say this because it has top ejection and was built for pistol length cartridges and has a very strong action design. Problem is that a lot of the current winchester 1892 models have safeties on them. The current winchester 92 rifle made in Japan has a thumb safety and the rossi has a stupid firing pin safety on top of the bolt. Others have mentioned the henry but I don't think they load traditionally if it matters. I believe there are some italian makes out there as well that are traditional without external safetys.

There are also used winchester 1894 rifles out there. They used to sell a lot of them at big5 when they were in production through about 2006. Most had a cross bolt safety like the marlins. I wasn't a fan of those. Some have reported feeding issues because the action was designed around the 30-30. Others have nothing but praise about their winchester 94s.

Lever action 357s have risen dramatically in cost lately becaue they are in short supply. Remington bought marlin and they haven't been putting out consistent production from what I see locally. I have seen Rossi/Taurus made 92s at big 5. I think these have the bolt safety.

I have a stainless marlin 1894 and it's a reliable rifle but not all that accurate with lead reloads using open sights. I don't care for the safey but other than that it's reliable with 38s and 357s. I haven't shot enough factory jacketd ammo through it to be fair evaluating accuracy with open sights..

I would suggest you look for a marlin, especially a pre safety marlin made in the 70s to early 80s or a Model 92 without a safty like the Rossi Puma or even better the Browning B92. You can find these for less than a new winchester on the used market.

If you just want a 357 mag rifle, the Ruger 77/357 might be a good quality choice that is currently available as new production for all around ranch gun. I'd like to have one of these but don't really need it.

Have fun looking for your rifle. They are a very versatile caliber in a rifle. You can load them down with 38s and put them near 30-30 power with hot magnum loads.
rc is offline  
Old March 16, 2013, 12:45 AM   #7
chipchip
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 21, 2005
Posts: 247
We can't keep the Henry Big Boys on the shelf. As soon as we get them in they are gone, 357 being the most popular.
chipchip is offline  
Old March 16, 2013, 03:50 AM   #8
TheBear
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 11, 2011
Posts: 303
im very happy with my marlin 1894C.
TheBear is offline  
Old March 16, 2013, 06:38 AM   #9
giaquir
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 26, 2006
Location: Deerfield,New Hampshire
Posts: 512
I have a Marlin 1894 cowboy and it
is loads of fun to shoot.
It didn't seem to like SWC's so I only load
158gr RNFP .
giaquir is offline  
Old March 16, 2013, 06:47 AM   #10
az_imuth
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 27, 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 306
I have one of the Rossi's in 357 and it's been nothing but fun. Shooting 38's it was dead on out of the box and feels like shooting a .22, except the tin cans tend to jump a little higher.
az_imuth is offline  
Old March 16, 2013, 10:53 AM   #11
mehavey
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 17, 2010
Location: Virginia
Posts: 6,869
Don't forget the Italian Thoroughbred: Chiappa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRuMkxhNFTI
http://www.chiappafirearms.com/product/819

.
mehavey is offline  
Old March 17, 2013, 11:29 AM   #12
wnycollector
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 22, 2007
Posts: 1,996
I picked up a Rossi 20" 44 mag lever a few years ago. I foolishly sold it to fund an EBR project and have regretted it since. Several months ago, I ran across a 20" .357 Rossi for a good price ($445 otd) and picked it up. I love it. It accurate, fun and inexpensive to shoot. The action was a bit stiff at first, but after a few hundred rounds it has smoothed out nicely.
wnycollector is offline  
Old March 17, 2013, 01:24 PM   #13
Deja vu
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 14, 2010
Location: Border of Idaho & Montana
Posts: 2,584
I have an old marlin 1894 that my father had cut down for me when I was a kid. I love the gun. I recently bought a Rossi (puma) and to me it felt cheep and poorly made. I gave it to my brother in law in trade for 2000 rounds of 357 magnum.

I have handled the Henry and I like how it feels. The weight is not a problem in my mind. The issue I have with the Henry is the lack of a loading gate. Reloading the Henry is more of a pain than reloading the marlin.

I have also handled a Winchester (made in Japan) and it felt like a nice gun but it was still new so the dealer would not let me shoot it.

As far as Marlin. I would steer clear of the newer Marlins (Remlins)

unfortunately that does not leave much.
__________________
Shot placement is everything! I would rather take a round of 50BMG to the foot than a 22short to the base of the skull.

all 26 of my guns are 45/70 govt, 357 mag, 22 or 12 ga... I believe in keeping it simple. Wish my wife did as well...
Deja vu is offline  
Old March 17, 2013, 05:46 PM   #14
WIN1886
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 25, 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 604
The Miroku made Winchester 1892 in 357 magnum is what I own....the short rifle performs great and functions with all the .357 and .38 special ammo I've fed it so far without a hitch !
WIN1886 is offline  
Old March 17, 2013, 10:50 PM   #15
gak
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 28, 2005
Location: Aridzona
Posts: 2,767
Another Rossi fan. Have owned ten or so, all "pre-safety" Interarms and EMF. Great guns. Very generally - a Rossi is a Rossi - mostly for the good, but there some exceptions and differences in trim levels and "features" over the years.
As stated Rossis have come in many names (importers). Approximate guide:

- Interarms/"Puma" 1980s (late 70s?) to mid 1990s.
Some of these in the middle years actually had a puma-head emblem on the saddle ring side of the receiver. In the last several years as CAS popularity was on the rise and Rossi really cranked up production, cosmetic quality seemed to suffer with a goofy almost black mystery stain over a sort of generic South American hardwood. Good rifles nevertheless. How to spot an Interarms from a distance? Generally, if you see no safety switch (see LSI) combined with the front sight mounted on the barrel band, it's an Interarms. I'd say the sight alone will usually tell you, but someone said they believed some very early LSI's had that too? I had not seen such but it's possible though would be a minority of LSI's. Most early to mid-year Interarms carbines sported saddle rings like the original Win 92s, the last to do so in any number 'til Navy Arms and EMF.
- LSI (Legacy Sports International) "Puma" - took over from Interarms in the mid-late 1990s and resumed Interarm's position as Rossi's biggest distributor up 'til 2008 or so. Early on, LSI for awhile ran its operation out of the same old Interarms location in Virginia. Dubious achievement award: LSI introduced the much maligned (but generally benign) safety switch atop the receiver - "fixable" aftermarket (minor smithing or DIY). See note above in Interarms, but most LSI carbines sported front post sights finally relocated off the barrel band, per the original Win 92s. This "correct" position was adopted by EMF, Navy Arms and the currebt era Rossi-Bretech as well.
- EMF Co. Mid-late 1990s to present (with an interruption in most models' availbility (ca 2019-2012 or so?). Lately have seen them on the website looking to be a regular offering again. EMF's had no extra safety switch 'til mid 2006. Older EMFs are generally a little nicer wood/finish, sights, etc., than their Rossi competitors save for Navy Arms
- Navy Arms. Mid-late 1990's to 2006 when they got out of the Rossi/92 business. Only one to supposedly wear genuine walnut furniture. Always a low volume 92 importer, used ones are now scarce and 20" carbines especially hard to come by. Also, like Interarms and older EMFs, no extra safety switch.
- Rossi, courtesy new parent company Taurus-Braztech. Ca 2008 to present, AFAIK, until EMF recently started carrying Rossis again, was the only importer of "its own" 92s following LSI's '08 switch to Chiappa. Following the old LSI-Rossi pattern, all Braztech Rossis have the safety switch.
- As suggested, contrary to the popular assumption, not all Rossi 92's are "Pumas." only Interarms and LSIs are the ones to formally have the "Puma" marketing name. However, because these distributors were the biggest importers in their respective years of operation, many folks have used it to refer to any Rossi 92 (some any 92 period) like many say "Coke" for any cola.

So, there are a bunch of different names you can look up for Rossis.
I'm sure I've missed an odd one or two or missed a specific year, but that's about it.

Last edited by gak; March 17, 2013 at 11:37 PM.
gak is offline  
Old March 18, 2013, 07:51 AM   #16
Slowhand
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 9, 2010
Location: Irmo, SC
Posts: 263
Henry Silverboy .22LR



I was out making the rounds of the local gun shops this afternoon. At Sportsman's Warehouse they were having a boat registration for a local fishing tournament. The place was packed, since it was a Saturday. At the front entrance a group of ladies were soliciting donations for Cancer Awareness. I make a donation and received 5 tickets for $20.

I went home and around 4:30 a bright, cheery young lady calls and informs me I had won a Henry Golden Boy .22LR Rifle, Silver in color. I of course went down to the store, about a half mile from the house and received the rifle. I got my picture taken and thanked the store manager and the store for its participation in such a worthy cause.

I'd been looking at adding a lever action rifle to the collection and had been checking them out. I'd rather have a heavier caliber one, but what the heck!
Slowhand is offline  
Old March 18, 2013, 08:29 AM   #17
SR420
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 12, 2005
Location: Georgia, USA
Posts: 3,336
I picked up two Winchester 94 Trapper carbines about 12 years ago.
Shot one often and liked it a lot, sold it for a profit and kept the one
pictured below. It's a .357 Magnum and it's new in the box.

SR420 is offline  
Old March 18, 2013, 09:52 AM   #18
Slowhand
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 9, 2010
Location: Irmo, SC
Posts: 263
Sweet. Those Trappers look great.
Slowhand is offline  
Old March 18, 2013, 10:02 AM   #19
Water-Man
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 23, 2008
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 2,126
LSI/Rossi Puma M92 .357 mag
Attached Images
File Type: jpg PUMA M92.jpg (4.1 KB, 36 views)
Water-Man is offline  
Old March 18, 2013, 10:13 AM   #20
Txpitdog
Junior Member
 
Join Date: February 28, 2011
Posts: 8
Re: Lever action .357

Got a 1981 Marlin 1894c. Taking it to the range today as a matter of fact to let my 6yr old try it after he shoots his Henry 22 first. We loaded some 38sp 125gr XTP's over TiteGroup this weekend. Should have a rifle muzzle velocity of about 1000fps. Low in recoil, high in fun.

Txpitdog is offline  
Old March 18, 2013, 01:19 PM   #21
giaquir
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 26, 2006
Location: Deerfield,New Hampshire
Posts: 512
I have targets out back,some I hung for the winter,
others-steel gongs.
I shoot out of my upstairs bedroom window.
there were a handful of small branches:thumb size and smaller,
in the way of the targets
I shot them and cleared them out with my Golden boy
with surprisingly few shots
very accurate rifles-you'll love it.
giaquir is offline  
Old March 22, 2013, 03:17 PM   #22
mike7.62
Member
 
Join Date: May 25, 2012
Location: Down South
Posts: 95
When I bought my Rossi 92 in .357mag. I knew I'd have to do some work on It to get what I wanted. The rifle worked fine right out of the box with both .38's and .357's. I took It apart and cleaned It, polished the parts, installed a spring kit, and refinished the stock & forend. Also put marble sights on It there way better than the stock sights. In the end I have just what I wanted. A good looking .357mag. lever action rifle that's smooth and shoots every thing I've put in It (hp,sp,swc) very well. I paid $500.00 otd and put about $100.00 in parts to tune It up. For a total of $600.00 I feel like I got a good deal.

mike7.62 is offline  
Old March 23, 2013, 11:02 AM   #23
Slowhand
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 9, 2010
Location: Irmo, SC
Posts: 263
Very nice.
Slowhand is offline  
Old March 23, 2013, 02:42 PM   #24
-Xero-
Junior member
 
Join Date: March 14, 2013
Posts: 51
I have reservations about brass receivers. I suppose it stems from black powder and that brass frames on BP revolvers are prone to stretching.

Used gun racks are full of lever guns. I picked up a Marlin 1894, 44 mag. for about $250, in about 90% condition. Marlin has been making this style of rifle since 1894.
-Xero- is offline  
Old March 23, 2013, 02:59 PM   #25
draidt
Member
 
Join Date: February 3, 2013
Posts: 18
I have a NITB Henry Big Boy 357/38 special, never been fired except at the factory and have the tag that matches the Serial number dated May 2012. Anyone interested give me a shout before it goes on GunBroker. I will only strictly follow the letter of the law and will handle the transfer through my FFL holder at my expense to a verified FFL holder at the other end. Protects me and you from any BS.

If this does not belong here then I apologize and will remove this post.
draidt is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:24 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.11985 seconds with 11 queries