Best lever action for short 38 special

[gvanzeggelaar]

Question is which lever gun is the least oal sensitive for cycling. I had a Miroku Winchester that was no good so that one is out.

What about the Marlin 1894s, Henry’s, Rossi’s etc..

The idea is to use light 100ish grain bullets in 38 special brass so the oal will be on the short side.

Thanks for the help

 

[Mulby]

The majority of rounds my Henry has seen are 38 spl. Only factory loads though. The shortest oal has been CCI 125gr fmj. I've had a couple hang ups with this, but I'd be more inclined to blame the operator as I may have short stroked the action. Otherwise it's been flawless with winchester, remington and federal 38 special.

 

[silverfoxdj]

That may be a great idea for me as I shoot 38spl but in a revolver and have loads of rounds prepared

 

[paul792]

I use a marlin 1894css (remlin) for cowboy action. Has run .38spl semi wad cutters almost exclusively and never had an issue.

 

[Yotarunner]

I shoot a Rossi 92 and have run thousands of 38spc lead round nose through it with no hicups whatsoever.

 

[stampede]

My Chiappa runs 38 specials (and 357s) flawlessly. The 357s prefer to be round nose or jacketed. Semi wad cutters 357s will jam if short stroked.

 

[sookie_69]

I’ve got a Rossi with no issues with 38. Runs great

 

[gvanzeggelaar]

I have heard the Rossi cycles 38s. Is it made slightly different than the Winchester? What kind of oal are your 38 specials.

 

[fingers284]

If you want to run a Marlin 1894, I have found the sweet spot for OAL at 1.515 for .38 sp rounds. I have tested this oal in dozens of Marlins over the years and haven't found one yet that wont feed them like candy. The RNFP bullets on the commercial cast market either 130 or 158 gr need to be crimped between the crimp groove and the first lube groove. That wont hurt the performance a bit, my wife and some friends have used 10's of thousands of them without so much as a "double-clutch" of the lever.

 

[PEKS]

Marlin 1894CP, 16.25" Barrel, has both the 38's & 357 Magnums well

 

[Funk45]

the only two I've heard of being good with 38 is the Rossi and Marlin, all other levers seem to have issues running 38. That said I did inform one friend to just reload 357 brass with a 38 spl load and he had far more success and fewer hang-ups with his Henry. But so far Winchester, Henry, uberti/cimmaron/taylor, chiappa, all seem to dislike 38 rounds.

 

[sheep100]

Henry east 38 specials no problem.

 

[gvanzeggelaar]

How do the cowboy action shooters do it with their 1873’s? Light loads in 357 brass?

 

[madcow]

marlin 1894 is what I use

 

[45CAT]

Marlin

 

[fingers284]

I think the Uberti/Cimmaron /Talor is the most used rifle in the Cowboy game by the "serious" performers of the sport, .38 Sp is prob. the most used caliber, the Marlin is a distant second in preference. The various offerings of the Mod 92 actions are used extensively but as a rule not by the "real seriously involved" competitor...to many live round expulsions and stove-pipe jams for anybody trying to be a "top performer".

Most of the 73's being used by the top shooters have had extensive gunsmithing to include spring changes, slicking up the internals, changing internals for a shorter stroke, milling a flatter slope to the front of the elevator facilitating an easier feed of a .38 sp length shell. Along with a magazine spring adjustment and the slope change on the elevator simply makes it easier to push "the next round" back into the mag when the elevator starts its movement. All that being said they will work very well right out of the box for anyone who doesn't want to invest more money in what is already a pricey tool. AS an add-on I will say that I have never un-boxed any of the Winchester/Miroku 73's that weren't in my view (and I'm very picky on this issue) competition ready.