A 336 would be your best bet in my opinion. I had a 1980 vintage 94 bought brand new from Woolco. It developed a small rust spot by the loading gate so I decided a little "cold blue" was in order. What a bloody mess, after I can't remember how many attempts, I took it to one of the best gun shops in San Antonio and found out about the iron plated/washed receiver. I sold it to a friend who didn't care about the quarter size spot and found an old 36 Marlin. For myself, I would avoid one of these vintage 94's and look for a latter USRAC 94 with the forged receiver if I had to have a 94 on the cheap.
Best value in a lever gun?
- Thread starter Ocraknife
- Start date
stubbicatt
New member
I may be off base here a little bit. There are a lot of choices, and if OP wishes to buy a new rifle, I would suggest that he carefully check warranty terms and the experiences of others with the durability and suitability of rifles now available new.
Here lately, I have found that while it may cost more initially, an original Winchester 92 presents a good value. Just have to keep your eyes peeled for the right example. They are usually well sorted and have better quality moving parts than current clone offerings. The limiting factor is that you might have to change your cartridge choices to one of the old timey 44 40 or 38 40 or 32 20 type cartridges.
My most recent acquisition is a 1904 vintage 1894 Winchester in 30 WCF. It took awhile to find the "right" example.
I also have a Uberti clone of an 1873 in 357 magnum which took a little fine tuning, but it has been 100%. I've put just shy of 1000 rounds of 357 magnum through it and it just soldiers along.
Here lately, I have found that while it may cost more initially, an original Winchester 92 presents a good value. Just have to keep your eyes peeled for the right example. They are usually well sorted and have better quality moving parts than current clone offerings. The limiting factor is that you might have to change your cartridge choices to one of the old timey 44 40 or 38 40 or 32 20 type cartridges.
My most recent acquisition is a 1904 vintage 1894 Winchester in 30 WCF. It took awhile to find the "right" example.
I also have a Uberti clone of an 1873 in 357 magnum which took a little fine tuning, but it has been 100%. I've put just shy of 1000 rounds of 357 magnum through it and it just soldiers along.
Sure Shot Mc Gee
New member
My opinion:
Wanting to shoot a pistol cartridge out of a rifle. Try not to get hung up on the magnum labeled. No doubt the biggest lead is always the best lead for someone who wants to plunk pumpkins and whatever else.. Any of the rifles you commented OP are satisfactory. It would be just a matter of fit & finish and those open barrel sights in how well they appear to you in your eyes. Are the highest priorities.
Wanting to shoot a pistol cartridge out of a rifle. Try not to get hung up on the magnum labeled. No doubt the biggest lead is always the best lead for someone who wants to plunk pumpkins and whatever else.. Any of the rifles you commented OP are satisfactory. It would be just a matter of fit & finish and those open barrel sights in how well they appear to you in your eyes. Are the highest priorities.
Waspinator
New member
I would go for a Henry Big Boy Steel edition. Made in the USA by a company that will go out of its way to make sure you are satisfied with your purchase. I wasn't thrilled with the loading of the Henry rifles compared to , say, a Marlin or Rossi while researching rifles. But after using a coworker's Henry .357 side by side with another coworker's Marlin 44 mag, I found the loading of the Henry was fast and a LOT easier on the fingers 
. Also, I think that the Henry is, hands down, the slickest working lever out of the box compared to pretty much everyone else. Go out and compare side-by-side at the stores, you will see.
Never ended up buying a pistol caliber Henry, but I did buy one of their .22lr lever actions to scratch my lever action fix. I think it is a great rifle and has performed flawlessly
. Also, I think that the Henry is, hands down, the slickest working lever out of the box compared to pretty much everyone else. Go out and compare side-by-side at the stores, you will see.Never ended up buying a pistol caliber Henry, but I did buy one of their .22lr lever actions to scratch my lever action fix. I think it is a great rifle and has performed flawlessly
Obambulate
New member
Henry makes the Big Boy in a 16.5" carbine, but it still weighs 7.75 lbs!
If I had to carry any distance I'd go for the Rossi 92. My 16" Trapper is right at 5-lbs.
If I had to carry any distance I'd go for the Rossi 92. My 16" Trapper is right at 5-lbs.
jetinteriorguy
New member
I've been shooting my Big Boy Steel .357 for a few months now and totally love it. Fits me perfect, points naturally, and is dead nuts accurate. Slick action and nice trigger and beautiful to look at. Personally I prefer the tube loading style, the side loading gates kill my finger tips and the idea of some tactical reload advantage means nothing to me in the real world. This one will be with me for the rest of my life.
Ben shooting my Big Boy Steel in .357 for about six weeks and it is one of my most "funnest" guns. I've worked up loads for shooting indoors (145 grain lead round nose over 3.9 grains Bullseye) and the gun is very accurate.
We all would do something different with firearms, and with the Henry, I would have liked a hard rubber butt plate, or perhaps a steel one, like the brass butt plate that comes on the Henry Big Boy Goldenboys. But that's it.
We all would do something different with firearms, and with the Henry, I would have liked a hard rubber butt plate, or perhaps a steel one, like the brass butt plate that comes on the Henry Big Boy Goldenboys. But that's it.
gearhounds
New member
If hunting is in the plan (deer, I'm assuming) then look for a pre-Remington Marlin 1894 in .44 magnum. It is so much better suited for white tail than the .357, and more bullet choices are available than the .45 LC.
If you reload, or plan to, even better. There are a ton of .44 caliber bullets to choose from. You can load mild (plinking) to wild (any game up to black bear and hogs) and spend less than half than what you would for factory rounds.
GB is filthy with good specimens, but prices are climbing due to Remarlington's shoddy craftsmanship. Check the local pawn and gun stores; there are often gems hidden on the used gun racks.
If you reload, or plan to, even better. There are a ton of .44 caliber bullets to choose from. You can load mild (plinking) to wild (any game up to black bear and hogs) and spend less than half than what you would for factory rounds.
GB is filthy with good specimens, but prices are climbing due to Remarlington's shoddy craftsmanship. Check the local pawn and gun stores; there are often gems hidden on the used gun racks.
Im a huge lever-action geek, but if I were in your position I would actually opt for a 77/357.
Stainless for all weather situations, lighter and more compact than a LG, easier to use optic then most LGs, etc.
Now with what you likely didn't want to hear out of the way
Barring your finding of killer deal on a used LG, the best 'value' in a new PC LG is without a doubt the Henry Big Boy Steel. They run about $100 more than the Rossi but are a much nicer carbine without the known bugs, and far less expensive than most of the other options while offering equal performance.
Stainless for all weather situations, lighter and more compact than a LG, easier to use optic then most LGs, etc.
Now with what you likely didn't want to hear out of the way
Barring your finding of killer deal on a used LG, the best 'value' in a new PC LG is without a doubt the Henry Big Boy Steel. They run about $100 more than the Rossi but are a much nicer carbine without the known bugs, and far less expensive than most of the other options while offering equal performance.