Help a new shooter out?

HKNova6

HKNova6

CGN Regular
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Middle Earth, NS
Hey CGN

I think I want a 44-40 lever.

What should I look for in a used lever gun?

I can’t pony up the big bucks for an Uberti or something fancy Like that.

Not looking for a collector. Just a shooter.

Any input is much appreciated.!

Thanks in advance
 
Haha. Good one!! Thanks for your valuable input Hoytcannon!!

Perhaps I was not clear.

Are there any specific items that wear quicker than others. I’ve never bought a pre owned (or new lever action) and I would think that some of these guns may perhaps be 100+years old.

Also. Black powder , what kind of condition should expect the bore to be?

What is considered. “Unsafe”?
 
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If you are going to buy a vintage 44-40 Win 1892, you are going to pay around 1K or more, depending on condition. The gun will be 100 years old, and likely seem the effects of black powder. This means the bore may have suffered unless taken care of scrupulously, and you get 100 year old metallurgy....
Alternatively, you can get a commemorative Winchester, but you'll find they shoot factory ammo poorly because the factory bored the barrels to 44 mag spec. Also, you'll choke over the price of 44-40 ammo, if you can find it.
Another choice is to go to a 44 mag based lever in a modern action. Then the possibilities open up alot - eg Browning, Rossi, Marlin, Winchester Miroku, etc. And you end up with a calibre with better ballistics for hunting big game.
 
cosmic said:
... Another choice is to go to a 44 mag based lever in a modern action. Then the possibilities open up alot - eg ... Winchester Miroku
Click to expand...

Brand new Winchester Model 1892 lever actions, made under licence by Miroku, chambered in .44-40, are still available.
Quality of manufacture is quite possibly the best ever. Under 200 yards (wherein most shots are made). the .44-40 will take deer no problem.

I own a pre-WWI Model 1892, long octagon barrel, in .44-40 ... that both my father and grand-father used to feed the families very successfully.
It is an exceptionally fine example of the art of firearm manufacturing.

1894's are fine rifles too (I own a pre-64) but, compared to a '92, they just seem to lack that indefinable special something.

-Dennis
 
This is good info.

I’m really only looking to have some fun at the local club and swing some gongs . No hunting.
Most of those guys reload; black powder or *gasp* trail boss. Cast bullets for the most part as well.

They let me try theirs and the 44/40 was the most fun for me of all. It was a Henry 1860 .

45 colt was close second. Uberti. 1860

But I’d be open to other suggestions as well.

I thought I was take this isolation time to learn a bit more. And possibly secure a new rifle as well!
 
If you liked 45 colt, I'd recommended it. Just because components and pre rolls are widely available. You can also load it from light to hot pretty easily. If you go 44-40 finding brass/dies can be a pain....or really easy. Depends on the day.

Also your firearm buying options open up considerably.
 
I would also recommend looking at a lever in 45 Colt. Or even a 357 Mag, as you could also shoot 38 Special.
Ammo would be easier to find and less expensive.
And there are cast bullets in lighter bullet weights if you want to get into handloading too, for more fun, and less recoil. Will cost some to get set up, but will save money over time if you spend a lot of time at the range having fun with it!
And as a pleasure shooter and not needing the power for hunting, the 44 Mag may be not be the best option for overall fun, as the recoil is heavier.
 
So I’ve got it narrowed down to a cimarron or Uberti 66

Any input on which is better?

Barrel length is my other conundrum.. 16, 19, 24?
most likely using smokeless.
 
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