Lever action - Page 2

mehavey · March 27, 2017, 11:47 PM

Quote:

"...narrowed my calibers down to 44-40 45 colt 357 mag or 41 mag..."

echoing the question of another poster... why did you exclude the 44Mag?

IMHO, that would be the no-brainer/1st choice as best lever-action quarterhorse to do everything.

Tony Z · March 28, 2017, 04:23 AM

Since you delayed the immediate purchase for a few days/weeks, I would take the time to scour used sources and maybe even the web, to find a rifle that speaks to you. I've got many, many firearms, with levers being my current favorite. From what you describe, it seems a vintage Winchester or Marlin will fit the bill. Problem will be finding the right caliber. This leaves the Henry, Rossi (also a couple of far more expensive Italian made rifles).

Henry and Rossi are readily available in pistol calibers-handle both to see if they handle naturally. But, more than anything search out that gun that just feels right.

COSteve · March 28, 2017, 11:37 AM

In addition to the 30WCF (30-30) others have mentioned I also have leverguns in both 45colt or 357mag; carbines and 24" rifles in each caliber. All are fun to shoot and would work just fine for the OP's purposes. As a truck gun on the farm, I agree that a compact levergun shooting one of the pistol bullet calibers would be perfect.

While all are relatively inexpensive to handload for, as the OP hasn't said if he handloads, I'd suggest he consider the 357mag over the other calibers as it's the most economical to shoot using commercial ammo.

As the owner of 2ea Rossi M92s in 357mag; a 20" rd bbl carbine and a 24" oct bbl rifle, I really like the compact design. Both are pretty darn accurate ( I shoot the 24" rifle out at 300yds with a tang and globe front sight) and with over 4K rds through each, both have been very reliable.

The 20" carbine is probably the best bet for the OP as it has a great balance and performance and as the Rossis shoot both 38spl and 357mag ammo, it's economical to shoot as well. In addition, both 38spl and 357mag ammo is readily available everywhere in various powers and bullet weights; the most common being 125grn and 158grn.

So he could use 38spl ammo for plinking, decent 357mag ammo for varmints and such, and Buffalo Bore's 357mag heavy that produces 2,153fps with a 158grn bullet for deer hunting out to 100yds.

Camnus · March 30, 2017, 06:12 AM

Don't have much to add on the caliber choices to each his/her own. What I will say is best of luck to you finding the Rossi 92 in 357, been looking for months.

Tony Z · March 30, 2017, 11:11 AM

I have also been looking for a Rossi in .357, but with an octagon barrel. Has Rossi discontinued these?

Camnus · March 30, 2017, 11:35 AM

From what I was told from 2 lgs was that they ship them in 2 or 3 times a year, and they weren't sure when the distributers where getting the next shipment. when I get a little spare time I'll call Rossi customer service.

Cam

PatientWolf · March 30, 2017, 07:00 PM

When I was looking for my .357 Rossi, I just asked at Walmart. They pulled out the order book. I chose which one I wanted. They called the distributor and since it was in stock they could order it with a deposit. 3 days later it came and I was able to examine it.

Walmart may be limited, but it works for some things.

SaxonPig · March 30, 2017, 08:37 PM

None of the calibers listed would be my first choice for hunting. I would prefer a 44 Magnum. I have two pistol caliber lever guns, a 94 Trapper (16") in 44 Magnum and a Model 92 clone (24") in 45 Colt. The latter is strictly for fun shooting. If I were to hunt with such a carbine it would be the 44 Magnum. The 41 would also work but why when the 44 is just a little better?

Mycin · March 30, 2017, 10:37 PM

Quote:

MSRP: $635.08 for a beater gun. You must have a lot better job than I did as a teenager working in Michigan.

FWIW, I gave $425 for my Rossi M92 .357 about 16 months ago, new. Granted, it was a cyber-Monday sale, but the regular price at the time was under $500.

To the OP, as noted I have a Rossi 16" carbine .357, and love it. The only knock on it is that the front sight didn't fit properly in its dove tail slot (too loose). I bought a replacement sight from Steve's Gunz for 20-something dollars and called it good.

I'm also a fan of the .45 Colt, and plan to round up a revolver and lever gun in that caliber in the no-to-distant future. But for what you describe, I think a.357 lever gun would be a perfect fit. That is, unless you consider "varmint" to include bears or something.

CCCLVII · March 30, 2017, 11:59 PM

I love my 357 magnum carbines. Great little guns. More so in ares that true rifle rounds are not allowed.

cdbeagle · March 31, 2017, 03:38 AM

Well OP are you or aren't you in an area where there are restrictions?
Like a number of others have stated if not restricted a 30-30 would be it for me.

Also why are you excluding Marlin from consideration? The "Remlin" issues are a thing of the past IMO though for a period of time they were very real.

Blindstitch · March 31, 2017, 03:58 AM

He already said.

Quote:

Yes my farm is in the shotgun and pistol caliber zone

cdbeagle · March 31, 2017, 06:16 AM

Didn't notice, thanks.

Camnus · March 31, 2017, 08:50 AM

Hey patientwolf, how long ago wasis that Walmart was able to order on?

Cam

Sure Shot Mc Gee · March 31, 2017, 11:50 AM

Quote:

I would use it for varmints and maybe the occasional deer inside 50 yds.

Forget the idea of taking deer in the field with a tractor involved its illegal.
i.e. Never can tell where those Yooper G/Wardens are hiding out with a pair of binoculars.
As for all other varmints you might come across in the field. 45 colt would be my preference. "Bigger is always better" Even if you miss?
That varmint it knows he/she was lucky to duck such a h~uge chunk of hot lead. ___ "No doubt you'll see it High-tailing it elsewhere."

Blindstitch · March 31, 2017, 12:07 PM

Guess it's a good thing he's not hunting anywhere near Yooper Game Wardens.

But since you brought it up I was pulled over in Baraga County before for shining deer and they wanted to search my truck. The guy kind of felt like an idiot when he read the address on my drivers license and it was the same as the mailbox he was standing next to.

Besides that I was on my way home from work after a long day and had no gun. It might not have even been bow or gun season but open for indian tags.

Deerhunt · March 31, 2017, 08:19 PM

I was at a gun and knife show today and ran across 2 older Rossi carbines in 357 mag. Both in great-excellent condition. Both were $600. Good deal?

Deerhunt · March 31, 2017, 08:53 PM

$600 each

Targa · March 31, 2017, 09:36 PM

No, that is not a good deal

Blue Duck · March 31, 2017, 09:42 PM

I might get blasted for what I am about to say, as I can see there are several fans of the Rossi on here, but be careful of the older Rossi's and maybe it has something to do with different runs or years of production, etc.

Any anyrate, I read glowing reports on the Rossi, but my personal experiences with two different Rossi .357's was not good, they both were accurate, but bad to jam, and I tried handloads, different brands of factory loads and finally gave up and took both back to the dealer and he traded back with me, for the Winchester 94 angle eject, in .357 that I had traded him. I do know there are gunsmiths that make a living on fixing and slicking up the Rossi leveractions for cowboy shooters.

I consider the Marlin .357 to be pretty good, although I have seen issues with the 44mag Marlins. I personally own a Browning .44 mag leveraction and it has been great, no problems with it. And I also own a Uberti 73 in .357 mag, and while I did have a little issue with it, at first regarding the loading gate area, I took it apart and cleaned up a couple of burrs and it has been golden ever since, and very accurate, and reliable, but about twice the price of a Rossi.

My Winchester 94 angle eject in .357 was very accurate and pretty reliable.

I know lots of people like the Rossi, but you might want to be prepared to spend some more money on it to get it to work good, maybe not. The Browning is out of production and expensive also, but if you get a chance to buy one, you would probably like it.

Personally, I rank the Browning and Uberti 73's at the top of the list, and then the Marlin and Winchester, but the Uberti is a weaker action, so hot handloads are out for it, but you don't really need hot handloads, anyway. Although the .357 with heavy bullets handloaded does have some wallop.

reddog81 · March 31, 2017, 10:46 PM

It's been a while since the .357's were easy to find. The .44's and 45's have been in stock with good deals on them for just the last couple of weeks. Hopefully the .357's are back in stock soon. I've been looking for one for a number of months.

Gunplummer · April 1, 2017, 01:07 PM

There is a .44 Mag lever gun on GunsAmerica right now.

ripnbst · April 2, 2017, 09:20 PM

I just paid $325 out the door for a 1972 production JM stamped Marlin 336 in 30-30 (albeit in a pawn shop). I'd say $600 for a Rossi is really high.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Tony Z · April 3, 2017, 02:35 PM

I was at a mid-PA gun shop (Grices) and there were at least 4 336 JM's on the used rack. All .30-30 and only one had safety. Prices ranged from $380 to $440. Conditions were decent and very acceptable. I believe there were a couple of Rossi's, but none of the octagon barrel that I'm searching for.

PatientWolf · April 3, 2017, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Hey patientwolf, how long ago wasis that Walmart was able to order on?

Camnus - I believe it was last August so a little farther back than you indicated, but it was pretty painless. I picked up a SS 18".

I just looked at the Rossi website and see the model I got (with the barrel band not the end cap) doesn't seem to be listed in .357.

March 30, 2017, 11:59 PM	#35
CCCLVII Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2012 Location: Idaho Posts: 432	I love my 357 magnum carbines. Great little guns. More so in ares that true rifle rounds are not allowed. __________________ Always looking for a good hunt!

March 31, 2017, 03:38 AM	#36
cdbeagle Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2012 Location: Justin Texas Posts: 313	Well OP are you or aren't you in an area where there are restrictions? Like a number of others have stated if not restricted a 30-30 would be it for me. Also why are you excluding Marlin from consideration? The "Remlin" issues are a thing of the past IMO though for a period of time they were very real. __________________ Assistant Secretary - U.S. Dry Bean Council

March 31, 2017, 06:16 AM	#38
cdbeagle Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2012 Location: Justin Texas Posts: 313	Didn't notice, thanks. __________________ Assistant Secretary - U.S. Dry Bean Council

March 28, 2017, 04:23 AM	#27
Tony Z Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2013 Location: North Central Pennsyltucky Posts: 749	Since you delayed the immediate purchase for a few days/weeks, I would take the time to scour used sources and maybe even the web, to find a rifle that speaks to you. I've got many, many firearms, with levers being my current favorite. From what you describe, it seems a vintage Winchester or Marlin will fit the bill. Problem will be finding the right caliber. This leaves the Henry, Rossi (also a couple of far more expensive Italian made rifles). Henry and Rossi are readily available in pistol calibers-handle both to see if they handle naturally. But, more than anything search out that gun that just feels right.

March 28, 2017, 11:37 AM	#28
COSteve Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2009 Posts: 1,344	In addition to the 30WCF (30-30) others have mentioned I also have leverguns in both 45colt or 357mag; carbines and 24" rifles in each caliber. All are fun to shoot and would work just fine for the OP's purposes. As a truck gun on the farm, I agree that a compact levergun shooting one of the pistol bullet calibers would be perfect. While all are relatively inexpensive to handload for, as the OP hasn't said if he handloads, I'd suggest he consider the 357mag over the other calibers as it's the most economical to shoot using commercial ammo. As the owner of 2ea Rossi M92s in 357mag; a 20" rd bbl carbine and a 24" oct bbl rifle, I really like the compact design. Both are pretty darn accurate ( I shoot the 24" rifle out at 300yds with a tang and globe front sight) and with over 4K rds through each, both have been very reliable. The 20" carbine is probably the best bet for the OP as it has a great balance and performance and as the Rossis shoot both 38spl and 357mag ammo, it's economical to shoot as well. In addition, both 38spl and 357mag ammo is readily available everywhere in various powers and bullet weights; the most common being 125grn and 158grn. So he could use 38spl ammo for plinking, decent 357mag ammo for varmints and such, and Buffalo Bore's 357mag heavy that produces 2,153fps with a 158grn bullet for deer hunting out to 100yds.

March 30, 2017, 06:12 AM	#29
Camnus Member Join Date: May 19, 2016 Posts: 41	Don't have much to add on the caliber choices to each his/her own. What I will say is best of luck to you finding the Rossi 92 in 357, been looking for months.

March 30, 2017, 11:11 AM	#30
Tony Z Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2013 Location: North Central Pennsyltucky Posts: 749	I have also been looking for a Rossi in .357, but with an octagon barrel. Has Rossi discontinued these?

March 30, 2017, 11:35 AM	#31
Camnus Member Join Date: May 19, 2016 Posts: 41	From what I was told from 2 lgs was that they ship them in 2 or 3 times a year, and they weren't sure when the distributers where getting the next shipment. when I get a little spare time I'll call Rossi customer service. Cam

March 30, 2017, 07:00 PM	#32
PatientWolf Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Location: NC Posts: 947	When I was looking for my .357 Rossi, I just asked at Walmart. They pulled out the order book. I chose which one I wanted. They called the distributor and since it was in stock they could order it with a deposit. 3 days later it came and I was able to examine it. Walmart may be limited, but it works for some things.

March 30, 2017, 08:37 PM	#33
SaxonPig Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2006 Posts: 1,900	None of the calibers listed would be my first choice for hunting. I would prefer a 44 Magnum. I have two pistol caliber lever guns, a 94 Trapper (16") in 44 Magnum and a Model 92 clone (24") in 45 Colt. The latter is strictly for fun shooting. If I were to hunt with such a carbine it would be the 44 Magnum. The 41 would also work but why when the 44 is just a little better?

March 31, 2017, 08:50 AM	#39
Camnus Member Join Date: May 19, 2016 Posts: 41	Hey patientwolf, how long ago wasis that Walmart was able to order on? Cam

March 31, 2017, 12:07 PM	#41
Blindstitch Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2013 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 2,693	Guess it's a good thing he's not hunting anywhere near Yooper Game Wardens. But since you brought it up I was pulled over in Baraga County before for shining deer and they wanted to search my truck. The guy kind of felt like an idiot when he read the address on my drivers license and it was the same as the mailbox he was standing next to. Besides that I was on my way home from work after a long day and had no gun. It might not have even been bow or gun season but open for indian tags.

March 31, 2017, 08:19 PM	#42
Deerhunt Member Join Date: March 18, 2017 Location: Michigan Posts: 90	I was at a gun and knife show today and ran across 2 older Rossi carbines in 357 mag. Both in great-excellent condition. Both were $600. Good deal?

March 31, 2017, 08:53 PM	#43
Deerhunt Member Join Date: March 18, 2017 Location: Michigan Posts: 90	$600 each

March 31, 2017, 09:36 PM	#44
Targa Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2014 Posts: 2,084	No, that is not a good deal

March 31, 2017, 09:42 PM	#45
Blue Duck Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 2006 Posts: 402	I might get blasted for what I am about to say, as I can see there are several fans of the Rossi on here, but be careful of the older Rossi's and maybe it has something to do with different runs or years of production, etc. Any anyrate, I read glowing reports on the Rossi, but my personal experiences with two different Rossi .357's was not good, they both were accurate, but bad to jam, and I tried handloads, different brands of factory loads and finally gave up and took both back to the dealer and he traded back with me, for the Winchester 94 angle eject, in .357 that I had traded him. I do know there are gunsmiths that make a living on fixing and slicking up the Rossi leveractions for cowboy shooters. I consider the Marlin .357 to be pretty good, although I have seen issues with the 44mag Marlins. I personally own a Browning .44 mag leveraction and it has been great, no problems with it. And I also own a Uberti 73 in .357 mag, and while I did have a little issue with it, at first regarding the loading gate area, I took it apart and cleaned up a couple of burrs and it has been golden ever since, and very accurate, and reliable, but about twice the price of a Rossi. My Winchester 94 angle eject in .357 was very accurate and pretty reliable. I know lots of people like the Rossi, but you might want to be prepared to spend some more money on it to get it to work good, maybe not. The Browning is out of production and expensive also, but if you get a chance to buy one, you would probably like it. Personally, I rank the Browning and Uberti 73's at the top of the list, and then the Marlin and Winchester, but the Uberti is a weaker action, so hot handloads are out for it, but you don't really need hot handloads, anyway. Although the .357 with heavy bullets handloaded does have some wallop.

March 31, 2017, 10:46 PM	#46
reddog81 Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,634	It's been a while since the .357's were easy to find. The .44's and 45's have been in stock with good deals on them for just the last couple of weeks. Hopefully the .357's are back in stock soon. I've been looking for one for a number of months.

April 1, 2017, 01:07 PM	#47
Gunplummer Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2010 Location: South East Pa. Posts: 3,364	There is a .44 Mag lever gun on GunsAmerica right now.

April 2, 2017, 09:20 PM	#48
ripnbst Senior Member Join Date: November 24, 2010 Location: Spring, TX Posts: 1,552	I just paid $325 out the door for a 1972 production JM stamped Marlin 336 in 30-30 (albeit in a pawn shop). I'd say $600 for a Rossi is really high. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

April 3, 2017, 02:35 PM	#49
Tony Z Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2013 Location: North Central Pennsyltucky Posts: 749	I was at a mid-PA gun shop (Grices) and there were at least 4 336 JM's on the used rack. All .30-30 and only one had safety. Prices ranged from $380 to $440. Conditions were decent and very acceptable. I believe there were a couple of Rossi's, but none of the octagon barrel that I'm searching for.