Recomend a Lever action .357

The Winchester 92s are really good designs, although there have been reports of QC issues with some of the foreign made copies.

Sadly, the price on 92s is on the extreme side of high. And they are more than just a bit uncommon.

I've had a couple of the Marlin 1894s, guns made before the crossbolt safety. A little heavier than the Winchester, but excellent guns.

Sadly, these are tough to find, and on the spendy side these days, too.

I have heard disparaging things about new Marlins, since Remington took them over, but have no personal proof (good or bad) to share.

One thing about the Marlin, they feed RN and JHPs very slick, but SWCs not so much. When shooting SWC bullets, you have to work the lever "just right" in terms of speed, or they can jam. What sometimes happens is the round bounces on the lifter, just enough for the edge of the bullet to catch on the edge of the chamber. IF this happens, simply back off the pressure to close the lever, and the round will drop back down where it belongs, and will then chamber smoothly.

The biggest problem with making 150yd or more shots with these carbines isn't so much the trajectory but the relatively crude open sights, and generally only "fair" trigger pulls. If a scope or a dot sight is in consideration, the Marlin is the way to go.
 
Winny model 94 Trapper is all there is, no points for second place. The only drawback for the OP is I bought mine (.357) when they were still affordable. Had the action massaged a bit by an excellent gunsmith after break-in and she's the sweetest lever gun this side of anywhere.
 
Your right there Sarge about a contest between Man and Machine.
I got stung on 2 out of 4 Rossi levers and have managed to get rid of 3 and was very open to the purchasers on the "fine" piece of craftsmanship they were chancing on.
I have "tried" Rossi levers in 4 calibers since the late 1980"s and they haven't upped their game any in my opinion in over those 30 years.
I cannot sell my last one as I really don't think it's safe at any speed.
The cost of shipping labour parts etc just make it penny wise and dollar foolish
to "fix".
The chances of getting a "good" one seem to be diminishing and even when purchased in store as opposed to mail order.
Problems with barrel indexing; sight dovetail off square; loose tubular magazines; cracked and broken magazine followers; loose guide screws which bind the action when tightened, barrel band screws so tight and jammed that have torqued the barrel.
I can honestly say in my opinion that on Winchester, or Marlin or Remington 's worst day new or old companies they have never put out a product as bad as this consistently.
And if they did at least they had a face and a repair and warranty department and sold parts!
I am happy for all those Rossi customers who have had wonderful experiences and enjoyment out of their purchases; but "No More Rossi For Me"
Doc.
 
I don't recommend them anymore, Doc. They can be DIY'ed into decent little guns but most people live under the delusion that new guns should work and shoot well in their as issued state.

I've finally got this 357 running to suit me and it shoots really well. 44AMP, the sights and trigger were the first two things I corrected. Has more steam at distance than I anticipated. This is a peripheral hit at 200 yards on a water-filled window-wash jug. Whatever's going on here, I don't want to get in front of it.

357WWJug200_2_zps4e4dfcf6.jpg
 
Based on personal experience, I will recommend the Rossi 92 .38/.357.

I bought mine new in 2008 and it hasn't missed a beat since I took it out of the box. It's still in its stock form.

I will say that all the .38spl I've run through it have only been 158gr. but they all functioned perfectly. All .357 have worked without a hitch.
 
Dang, I so wish Marlin would make a round barreled 16" .45 colt (preferably SS).

To the OP: Beware of Marlins made from 2007 - 2014. Caveat emptor. Have a gunsmith look it over before buying, like you would a used car.
 
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