Help my daughter find a light handy lever!

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Z06corvette

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My daughter came over last night all excited about a Puma 16'' 45LC lever gun she saw at Bass Pro. I went to look at it today and it looked good and was very light and handy, but due to their policy the wouldn't remove the trigger lock so I could cycle it and check out the trigger. Are Puma's any good? This one is $479. This will be her first rifle and I want to see her get something that she will enjoy shooting and will last. She camps and hikes so it needs to have enough energy to deter any critters from further advancement if required, but not be punishing, she's about 125-130 pounds. I can add a recoil pad and better sights, but I want to start with a rifle that is solid and of good quality. What other light, short levers might you recommend? there seems to be no shortage of Winchester 94's in 30-30, and from my recollection they are pretty mild on the recoil. Budget is around $500-$600 max, what do you fellas think?
Thanks in advance.
Gord
 
I just bought one in .357/38 Spl. Fit and finish is decent, and overall, it's really a fun gun to shoot (though I have only tried it with .38 Spl)--it sure 'grows' on you fast. It's just a hoot to work that lever. The trigger on mine is decent.

With the .38 Spl, recoil simply was not an issue. I imagine that the .45 LC would be similar to shoot, probably a bit more punch, but for someone her size, it should be no big deal.

Good luck!
Therion
 
I'd be more tempted to tell you to go with a 94 Winchester. More poop and a good hunting round (I don't believe that the 45 Colt is legal for hunting in a lot of places but stand to be corrected). But in the end, it's what she wants.
 
crazydave said:
Get a Marlin 336, easy to mount a scope on for hunting if she wants and reliable.
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crazydave,
She will likely never hunt, just shoot paper and for camp defense. I've got a Marlin 1895 and she felt it was too heavy for her, are the 336's lighter? 16''-18.5'' barrel is important to her.
Thanks,
Gord
 
Don't know if they are much lighter,my cousin who is 105lbs shoots my 30as not a problem. For bear defence a scope wouldn't be a good idea. But they are reliable and would be worth looking at imo.
 
Did you guys(and gals) check out the marlin .44 Mag. levers? Great all around gun for plinking and hunting.Prolly more reliable then the others.
 
the puma is based on a mod 92 win action, better, stronger, smoother, shorter throw, had one in 454 casull/45 lc amazing gun, shot well very comfortable and was really impressed with the overall fit, finish and feel.
 
Buy a used Marlin 336 or 1894, slim down the forestock, shorten the rear stock, add a limbsaver, sand off the checkering and you are gtg. Have her refinish the stock so it becomes her rifle. (these stock alterations are very easy to do with minimal equipment too).

Or you could wait for this NEW 336BL to arrive this spring. Its like the love child of an SBL and a 336 with an 18.5" bbl and laminated stock. I expect it may be over budget though:
G1895GBL.jpg
 
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I'm sorry to say, but if this is your daughter's first rifle, don't speak of budgets too much. There are always ways to find cash. Perhaps you should pawn off some of your own collection.

I'm only saying this if you find something really appropriate outside the price range. It is well worth it IMO.

When I got my girlfriend her first gun, I had some serious problems to overcome. She's only about 110 lbs with a very short LOP. I had to go through three guns before I found the "one".

It is well worth it. They will remember it that much more.

Good luck in your search.
 
burnsy56 said:
Buy a used Marlin 336 or 1894, slim down the forestock, shorten the rear stock, add a limbsaver, sand off the checkering and you are gtg. Have her refinish the stock so it becomes her rifle. (these stock alterations are very easy to do with minimal equipment too).

Or you could wait for this NEW 336BL to arrive this spring. Its like the love child of an SBL and a 336 with an 18.5" bbl and laminated stock. I expect it may be over budget though:
G1895GBL.jpg
Click to expand...

They better do one of those in a 450 Marlin soon, or I may start getting grumpy.:(
 
The gun she picked is EXCELLENT. get it for her. The Puma's are great, not just a great value but a great gun. In 45 Colt it will take care of EVERYTHING she needs. Being 45 Caliber she could hunt with it, but that is not what she wants it for anyway. The Bass Pro in Ontario at Vaughn I don't think even carries the 45 Colt ammo, but any REAL gun store would have the ammo. Any dealer who carries Puma would likely have the 45 Colt as it is a staple to the line. I have two and love them. Wish I could get the stainless in 45 Colt, just haven't seen one yet.
 
358 BLR said:
They better do one of those in a 450 Marlin soon, or I may start getting grumpy.:(
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They already have it in 45-70. The 450 Marlin cartridge is just a lawyers version of the 45-70, and you can handload the 45-70 up to exactly same pressures/velocity. There are also some companies that load the 45-70 up to the same as the 450 Marlin. (see Buffalo Bore ammo)

My daughters really enjoy shooting the couple Marlin 1894 in 44mag we have. We reload cast bullets at moderate velocities, cheap, recoil is a satisfying thump, and great fun.
 
I love my 336a. It is very light compared to the 1895 gs. I have both. You may want to consider Henry levers if you are set on pistol cartridges. You can get a .357 or .44 mag.

But I would recommend the 336 in 30/30. She can get bullets of various weights until she finds a round she likes.
 
I have a Rossi Model 92 in .357/.38. It is a great gun and I see no reason that the Puma in . 45 colt would not be a great gun. The .45 with factory loads will do everything you want to do for target and playing. If you ever want to hunt with it then a handload will also do fine.
You might find that the NIB PUMA is a bit stiff or feels rough. Nothing that a few hundred cycles of the lever cannot solve, and if you want there are a few websites that describe advanced means of slicking it up. I haven't done any of that with my Rossi.
 
I would say find her a nice used Pre-64 winchester 94 in 30-30, and put a lyman reciever sight on it. The 30-30 has plenty of thump for any situation required, and the 94 is a slick little rig. Especially if you don't reload, or if she needs to get ammunition on her own, because factory offerings for 45LC is very meager, and a 240 grain softpoint in a 44magnum is not a good choice for things with teeth.
 
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