Best Lever Gun

S

scgunslinger

Inactive
I have been searching the web looking for the best 30-30 lever gun that does not load with the pull out rod like the 22s and the Henry. Why Henry done that I will never know. I went to buy one this week and gave it back to them. Way to akward to deal with in a tree stand hunting. They must be for range shooting only. I have heard bad news about quality control at marlin after they got bought out by remington and the mossburg price makes me wonder how they do it. I noticed the winchester still ejects from the top another wonder why but does that give trouble when mounting a scope and is the quality good at winchester, I heard they were bought out long ago and vered from them at that time. I only shoot ruger colt or smith wheel guns and would like a lever gun of that quality. Am I dreaming.
 
Marlin 336 is the way to go . If you can find a used one there is no worries. The new Marlins may have QC issues but they will make it right if it happens.
 
Over a period of many years the Winchester model 94 and Marlin 336 have proven themselves to be dependable.

If current Marlin quality seems "iffy" to you buy a good used one with some age. The Winchester model 94 is the biggest selling center-fire sporting rifle ever made. Over 7 million made since 1894. Here again, it would be best to buy an older one in good shape. One made before 1964.

Winchester also makes--or at least did make--the model 94 with "side-eject" which allows for mounting a scope on top of receiver. All the older 94s eject out the top and a side-mount was needed for scope.

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Shop around for a use but in good condition Winchester 94. Mine is an angle ejection model. Got it back in the '80s. I am not sure what year they changed it to the angle ejection but it was all guns made after that date are angle eject. It still throws them out the top but at enough of an angle to allow for a scope. I don't have a scope on mine and probably never will. It seems a shame to me to put an ugly heavy tube on my lever gun. That is what my bolt actions are for. The levergun only comes out on the short range woods hunts.
 
If you are going to put a scope on it I'd reccommend a Marlin 336, if not I'd look for an older Win. Model 94. With the Winchester I'd steer clear of those made in the late 60s to the early 70s. The receivers have a different finsih and if look inside when you open the action the lifter is stamped not milled.
 
I have a Marlin .444, Marlin .357, a Henry .22 LR and a Browning BLR in .300 WSM. I enjoy shooting all of them, but the best quality is the Browning which is not surprising since you pay so much more for one as well.

I am also planning on getting a Winchester 94 in .44 mag in a few months to complete my lever guns. They are all a lot of run and great for what you need them for. Get the gun that works best for you. You won't go wrong with a good lever.
 
I own marlins, winchesters, and henrys and they all have their place. They are all good guns. Just find one you like and go with it. Just be fair and try all of them, dont just go by what people say here. Go to a gunshop and fondle a few rifles.
 
what some of the other members said, check gunbroker and look for an older model Winchester 94 or Marlin 336. I have the exact same concerns as you regarding Marlin QC, but I decided if i'm going to invest in a 336 i'll just buy an older model from the 60's, 70's or 80's. I don't think you can go wrong with an older Winchester 94. I dislike the top eject feature as well, but I wouldn't put a scope on a lever gun, so it's a minor gripe for me.
 
I use Williams Foolproofs on my lever guns, well except 2. I have a Win. 9422M in .22 mag, that's scoped as I use it for longer ranges and have a Ruger .44mag. that has low powered Weaver Variable on it. My old eyes make the open sights a little hard to use.
 
I use Williams Foolproofs on my lever guns, well except 2. I have a Win. 9422M in .22 mag, that's scoped as I use it for longer ranges and have a Ruger .44mag. that has low powered Weaver Variable on it. My old eyes make the open sights a little hard to use. I'll say that receiver sights look good on lever rifle and work even with old eyes.
 
I like the Win M94 best for a lever rifle in .30-30, it just feels the best to me when shooting. That said my best .30-30 isn't even a lever and my best lever action isn't a .30-30!

Best .30-30:

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Best Lever:

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I have a few and found that mainly use the Henry .22's in LR and Mag, and the Marlin '95 in 45/70 which is ported and as long as I'm not standing to the side of myself shooting, is a great gun with low recoil. the 45/70 just has more flexibility. I have no reason to complain about any of my 30-30's a Marlin and two Winchesters, but until the Leverevolution came along they were a pretty mundane though viable load...a lot of people hype the side eject of the Marlin and it is a nice feature, but the Winchester feels really handy.
 
I haven't tried one, but the Mossberg 30-30 seems to be a fair compromise and I think it comes in a nice marine finish now too. Can't beat that.
 
Compare side by side A new Marlin and A new Mossberg. You will put the Mossberg back and go home with the Marlin. No comparison!
 
I hunt with a couple of scoped Marlins, an 1895 Guide Gun and a 336 in .35 Rem. Both are awesome rifles. I have a few 94's but only a couple have gone hunting and they seldom get uncased. They're beautiful, capable rifles but for serious hunting with a levergun it seems a Marlin will almost always get the nod from me.
 
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