Picking a .357 lever gun-the internet hasn't helped!

.22LRGUY

.22LRGUY

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Hey guys-I thought this might be an easier decision, so turning to the collective here for some valuable, first-hand experience. I'm wanting to pick a .357 lever gun, and wanting it to be a Winchester 94 or 92. I'm wanting to avoid pot metal, brass, plastic, anything black/tactical. Don't like stainless unless it's completely satin and barely then. lol So I may have answered my own question, but the "internet" rabbit hole I ended-up in most recently had me wondering if 357 lever guns can even be relied upon to feed/eject properly?

My own Winchester 94 experience is limited to once owning a 9422 (don't miss it) and shooting a friend's old 94 in .32 Special. Didn't want to put that gun down, what a beauty. Anyway, since there are no hunting plans for it..just steel/reactive targets...is there a better option than a Winchester 94/1892? I'm not "runnin' and gunnin" with it, more for taking it to the farm on weekends in decent and putting a box or two through it. Years to avoid? Models to avoid? ammo to avoid?

Large loop preferred if shooting with even thin leather gloves? Upgrade to Skinner sights right away or leave as-is?
 

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.22LRGUY said:
Hey guys-I thought this might be an easier decision, so turning to the collective here for some valuable, first-hand experience. I'm wanting to pick a .357 lever gun, and wanting it to be a Winchester 94 or 92. I'm wanting to avoid pot metal, brass, plastic, anything black/tactical. Don't like stainless unless it's completely satin and barely then. lol So I may have answered my own question, but the "internet" rabbit hole I ended-up in most recently had me wondering if 357 lever guns can even be relied upon to feed/eject properly?

My own Winchester 94 experience is limited to once owning a 9422 (don't miss it) and shooting a friend's old 94 in .32 Special. Didn't want to put that gun down, what a beauty. He bought it from an older fellow in town with a ZipLoc full of old ammunition. Anyway, since there are no hunting plans for it..just steel/reactive targets...is there a better option than a Winchester 94/1892? I'm not "runnin' and gunnin" with it, more for taking it to the farm on weekends in decent and putting a box or two through it. Years to avoid? Models to avoid? ammo to avoid?

Large loop preferred if shooting with even thin leather gloves? Upgrade to Skinner sights right away or leave as-is?
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The Winchester Model 94 is a great design that works very well with the 30-30, 32 Special, 35 Remington, and other mid-length cartridges.

From my experience the Browning Model 92 is a tough rifle to beat in 357 magnum or 44 magnum. The 1892 design just seems to be very reliable with those shorter pistol caliber rounds, as well as the 32-20, 25-20, or the 218 Bee. I have a Browning Model 65 in 218 Bee which is a Winchester Model 65 copy. It's a tack driver, and loads, feeds, cycles, and ejects with no issues.

I would not buy a Winchester Model 94 in a 357 magnum, or 44 magnum caliber. Just my opinion........:)
 
all very subjective/personal criteria. Personally, I like walnut and shiny polished blue steel, 16" or so. I hate large loops, standard ones have a much nicer 'snick snick' positive feel instead of 'flopping' around in a large loop. The (miroku) 94 is a nice gun, and I don't care for the ergonomics of the Marlin, or the aesthetics of the Henry. I think I'd look for a '73, though, which means I'm probably looking at an Italian replica.


It all added up to too much cost, and I got a 12" turkish morrison instead, walnut/cerakote, and it's treating me really well. Despite not being my 'ideal' lever gun, its super fun, and I haven't had any issues with reliability or feeding. Am happy with it, for now.
 
The 1892 is awesome. If you could find an earlier Browning one that would be a little better than the newer Winchester ones. I only say that because the new Winchester ones are nice, but the rebounding hammer and tang safety are annoying and the trigger on my Miroku/Winchester 1892 is a bit creepy. But it's still a great little rifle.
 
Winchester 92 made in Japan is top tier these days for 92's and if you've got the budget go for it.... the Rossi factory upped it's game about 5 years back and is making nice rifles and they also make rifles for Heritage Arms and Citadel at the same factory.
The Citadel Levtac is not a traditional wood stocked gun but the price is right, as the quality went up so did the price for Rossi's so you might get lucky and find a Winchester for only about $400 more.
 
gunlaker said:
The 1892 is awesome. If you could find an earlier Browning one that would be a little better than the newer Winchester ones. I only say that because the new Winchester ones are nice, but the rebounding hammer and tang safety are annoying and the trigger on my Miroku/Winchester 1892 is a bit creepy. But it's still a great little rifle.
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Thanks for posting that! I didn't realize the newer Winchesters had a rebounding hammer.
 
.22LRGUY said:
Hey guys-I thought this might be an easier decision, so turning to the collective here for some valuable, first-hand experience. I'm wanting to pick a .357 lever gun, and wanting it to be a Winchester 94 or 92. I'm wanting to avoid pot metal, brass, plastic, anything black/tactical. Don't like stainless unless it's completely satin and barely then. lol So I may have answered my own question, but the "internet" rabbit hole I ended-up in most recently had me wondering if 357 lever guns can even be relied upon to feed/eject properly?

My own Winchester 94 experience is limited to once owning a 9422 (don't miss it) and shooting a friend's old 94 in .32 Special. Didn't want to put that gun down, what a beauty. Anyway, since there are no hunting plans for it..just steel/reactive targets...is there a better option than a Winchester 94/1892? I'm not "runnin' and gunnin" with it, more for taking it to the farm on weekends in decent and putting a box or two through it. Years to avoid? Models to avoid? ammo to avoid?

Large loop preferred if shooting with even thin leather gloves? Upgrade to Skinner sights right away or leave as-is?
Click to expand...
Don't rule out the Winchester/Uberti 1873. Very slick action....

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Whatever you do, don't get seduced by the beauty of the Chiappas. Some great advice above..I do like the Rossi's also..Do you have an SASS chapter near you? Would be a great place to mingle and get some direct input on what you're seeking or maybe find a nice used piece.
 
If you want a Winchester then get an actual one
The Japanese made ones are top quality
If your looking for something that’s cheaper and still decent the Rossi is good and don’t overlook the Chiappa either
They are more true to the original design but some people have had issues with them
I’ve got a 357 and 44 mag and both have been good
Have a couple Rossi/heritage and they are good as well
 
My older Browning 92 looks like it was rode hard and put away wet.
It is very smooth and reliable with both 38 Special and 357 ammunition.
It can be cycled and cocked with one finger. The only other lever rifle my arthritic hands could do that with was a Marlin Competition Cowboy rifle that was tuned up at the factory. The 92 was designed for bottlenecked ammo, so Browning/Miroku got it right.
The elevator of the 73 makes feeding a hair more reliable but it's longer stroke makes it awkward for.me.
YMMV.
 
I've got some lever guns.
Browning M92 44 mag. This one is nice and shoots well but I've read about some accuracy issues with some of these rifles.
3 Rossi M92's, 357, 44 mag and 454 Casull. All of these have worked fine but can be a bit finicky with some cast bullets.
Winchester M86 Short Rifle in 45-70. I haven't put a lot of rounds through this one but it's well built, smooth and reliable.
I've also had several Winchester M94's in 30-30 and 32 special, these are good rifles.
 
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