Which lever gun in 357/38

M

marine6680

New member
I am looking at getting a lever in 357/38. I am eyeing the Winchester rifles the most right now, but they seem harder to locate. (unless you count the special models that cost upwards or 1800+)


I can get any brand, so long as it uses a loading gate. (so no Henry rifles) I prefer that style... Though I have no experience with the tube load past a few 22s I have shot.


One of the big reasons I am looking at getting a lever and Winchester the most... Is that several years ago, my grandfather gave me a Winchester lever with octagonal barrel that he had bought new in 1960... He never once loaded and fired the rifle. It sat unused until he handed it to me, and I loaded and fired it the next day.

That rifle was stolen, along with a pristine m1 carbine he gave me, about a year later.

My grandfather was very upset by this... And he is now no longer with us.


So while a new rifle isn't the same as the one he gave me... It will be in his name and memory.

So I want a quality rifle... So long as the price isn't extraordinary in height.

I know there are some companies making good copies, just wondering if I should go that route or Winchester.
 
Winchester 73 is Gorgeous, but $$$

In my opinion, the new Winchester 73 is an absolutely gorgeous and desirable rifle, but they want a lot of money for it.

I, too, would not consider a Henry due to the tube loading, so about a year and a half ago I bought a new Rossi M92. For me this has been a PERFECT purchase. Less than half price of the Winchester, much stronger action for magnum loads, great fit and finish, and flawless performance. You can get them in either round or octagon barrels.

Not everyone agrees about the Rossi - some will scream that they are junk. Just as many will yell they are great. You should not have any problem finding lots of both opinions in fairly recent threads on this forum and other gun forums. Good luck with your choice.
 
You don't say what you're willing to spend but the Uberti's look really nice. Some models available with the oct barrel, some 357 mag. I don't know all the available combinations, but it's worth a look.
 
Marlin 1894C over the Winchester 94 for the flat top receiver, if you like gates.

I didn't like having to cycle rounds thru the action to unload the rifle... so the Henry Steel (once offered in a carbine version) is on my list to replace the Marlin I got rid of. With the tube loading setup you can easily empty the rifle.
 
Saying you'd like to replace a Winchester lever action is vague, since there have been so many models over the years. Is the goal to get the same model or something similar to what you had? If so, it's hard to make recommendations without knowing what you had.

I have a marlin and like it, but it's not particularly similar to any gun Winchester ever made.

If I wanted a pistol caliber carbine that exemplified classic Winchester, I'd be looking at a 1873 or 1892 model (or replica).
 
Just something similar.

Just needs to be 357/38. There will never be a scope on it either, so that is not a consideration.
 
In your budget range, I would probably be looking for a good used Marlin with a JM stamp, but that's me.

I have a smaller budget, so I went with a Rossi in stainless steel.
 
"I'm thinking $1500 wouldn't be too bad. Its flexible to an extent. "

Geez guy, for that price, just get one of the new Winchester 73s!

The Rossi M92 is only $500. I could afford the Winchester too, but preferred the price of the Rossi!
 
I am leaning to the Winchester.

Any reason to go 73 over a 92 or vise versa?
Click to expand...

73s have a slicker action and tend to hold an extra round over a similar length barrel on a 92. Most cowboy action race rifles are 73s or 66s. But if you want to use hot loads for hunting the 92 is a better bet. The 92 action is significantly stronger than the 73 action

92s are lighter compared to the 73s.

The 73s are the gun that won the west, but 92s where invented by John M Browning and preferd by John Wayne.

its mostly about taste.
 
As noted above, the `73 action operates like water and is absolutely gorgeous
-- but is significantly heavier than a `92, and is by inherent design
significantly weaker.

In a one-or-the-other choice of Winchester designs, the `92 is far
lighter/stronger/more practical/flexible
 
Agree on the Winchester 1873 (Miroku). A bit pricey and a bit heavy, but I love mine. The action is smooth and the gun is very accurate. Very well made and finished.

I went a bit more for the case hardened receiver and octagon barrel and am glad I did. It is one gorgeous rifle. One of my favorite guns for sure.
 
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