cowboy action lever purchase for range use only

[Jefferson]

never got into the cowboy action shooting but always liked the colt lightning and the lever actions

thinking of getting a cherokee commemorative as it already has the tang sight for fun

maybe a lightning replica just for fun as dad had a few old colts

where to buy, what will work and what caliber 357 or 44 mag or 45 colt ? resale in which caliber

like the pistol cartridge as low recoil

buy at an auction ? as dont need new but dont want junk so buy new and take a few hundred dollar hit when reselling in a year?

thoughts

thanks jeff

 

[Monk291]

Just my thoughts.

I've done CAS and used levers and a lightning and I prefer lever. First one I had was a model 94 winchester in 45 colt which was great but I wanted something more old school so picked up a Cimarron saddle shorty with short stroke kit. Sadly I never got to try it out and it's a safe queen but it's lovely to look at! It's actually up for sale here.

Calibre depends on your preference really. I've always enjoyed 45s and my pistols were the same so I had only one type of ammo to worry about. But I also handloaded them to lower power for target and competition. In a rifle though the recoil isn't as crucial.

357 will likely be cheaper as far as ammo goes and less recoil.

I'd say buy used or at auction. Most levers are work horses and will be in good condition if you're just looking for something to target shoot with.

The colt lightning I had I just could never get on to and I wasn't as fast with it as I was with a lever. But to each their own!

 

[boxhitch]

Prophet River has a nice selection, some of the Taylors are selected for looks, but they don't tweak anything
After looking for a long time and not finding what I wanted I bought new, lifes too short
Trying to get more steel challenge-type shoots going at our range or cowboy levergun on steel gongs

 

[Old Ranger]

A few years ago I bought a like new Rossi 92 in 45 Colt. An earlier model without the bolt mounted safety. A real good looking carbine that handles and shoots well. I would suggest that if you are not a handloader and/or bullet caster you get a 38/357. Going to be much cheaper to shoot and reload for. I happen to like new cartridges to play with so the big colt was a good choice for me.

 

[Valiant]

never got into the cowboy action shooting but always liked the colt lightning and the lever actions

thinking of getting a cherokee commemorative as it already has the tang sight for fun

maybe a lightning replica just for fun as dad had a few old colts

where to buy, what will work and what caliber 357 or 44 mag or 45 colt ? resale in which caliber

like the pistol cartridge as low recoil

buy at an auction ? as dont need new but dont want junk so buy new and take a few hundred dollar hit when reselling in a year?

thoughts

thanks jeff

Winchester 73 dominates cowboy action for a reason but buy and shoot what you like. Your not competing so get what you think is cool. Myself I would buy anything but a 357 or 44 magnum. But if you don't load your own I guess that's the way to go.

 

[old303]

If you were getting into Cowboy Action then something that not only fits that rulebook but is competitive in that game would be the suggestion (and for that the Uberti version of the Winchester 1873 in .38 special would be a good answer; the Miroku-Winchester is good too; 10-round capacity is a key thing to look for), but if you're not then any quality firearm that speaks to your interest should be a good thing to have.

 

[gunlaker]

The new Winchester 1892's are super smooth. Either 44 mag or 357. The 44 mag is good if you handload as you can load them right down for plinking, or full power if you want.

Chris.