I'm interested in a nice mare's leg lever action for thick brush/swamp deer hunting. My M70 in 30/06 is surgical in the field, but not very suitable in the thick stuff. Any suggestions? Chiappa? Rossi Ranch Hand? Henry? Who makes the best one? I really appreciate any and all opinions, thanks.
Ideas on best N.R. Mare's Leg lever action?
- Thread starter Squadron303
- Start date
This has been on my mind lately also.
Did some styding and reading reviews, but me tete can only
absorb so much, then gets itself all lost.
Let's hear your reviews.
Maybe get an old 92 and get a smith to chop it down............legal?
Did some styding and reading reviews, but me tete can only
absorb so much, then gets itself all lost.
Let's hear your reviews.
Maybe get an old 92 and get a smith to chop it down............legal?
Nope.
Not past about 18 inches and then you may as well get a 16" Trapper Mdl 94 or similar
I had one, a rossi and gave it away. I may have stuck with it if I got a full sized stock and a sensibly sized lever loop, but I bought an old 16" barreled winchester 1894 trapper in 30-30 and haven't looked back. It doesn't look as cool but it works.
Some of the reasons why I hated it (in the stock form, I can't comment on how they handle with a full sized stock).
1: Giant lever loops are the stupidest thing thats ever been invented for a lever gun, makes the gun twice as bulky and slower to operate. If they had any merit, they would have been invented before TV westerns.
2: The difficulty in carrying it by a sling and shooting it with a sling (again a sensible sling like the thin Levi ones, not those monstrosities that use up half a hide). You're not going to be walking far with that thing in a holster and mounting that thing on your back will get old fast. The balance was ackward carrying it with a sling and getting a good tight sling shot is not going to happen (again if I had a full sized stock this would have been different).
3. The pistol caliber annoyed me, if I forgot my shells (it happens) I was screwed and good luck getting those at a hardware store or Canadian Tire if you end up hunting in the boonies.
4. Capacity, it held 6 shots, my trapper holds 5 in the tube and one in the pipe in a rifle caliber.
I may try one again in the years to come but its going to have to have the full sized stock, but I've been thinking far harder about importing one of the old winchester 94s from the US that came with the 14 inch barrel, pricy/rare but interesting. That is the big downfall of the 94 trappers though, they're few and far between and they dont give them away like the full sized carbines.
Some of the reasons why I hated it (in the stock form, I can't comment on how they handle with a full sized stock).
1: Giant lever loops are the stupidest thing thats ever been invented for a lever gun, makes the gun twice as bulky and slower to operate. If they had any merit, they would have been invented before TV westerns.
2: The difficulty in carrying it by a sling and shooting it with a sling (again a sensible sling like the thin Levi ones, not those monstrosities that use up half a hide). You're not going to be walking far with that thing in a holster and mounting that thing on your back will get old fast. The balance was ackward carrying it with a sling and getting a good tight sling shot is not going to happen (again if I had a full sized stock this would have been different).
3. The pistol caliber annoyed me, if I forgot my shells (it happens) I was screwed and good luck getting those at a hardware store or Canadian Tire if you end up hunting in the boonies.
4. Capacity, it held 6 shots, my trapper holds 5 in the tube and one in the pipe in a rifle caliber.
I may try one again in the years to come but its going to have to have the full sized stock, but I've been thinking far harder about importing one of the old winchester 94s from the US that came with the 14 inch barrel, pricy/rare but interesting. That is the big downfall of the 94 trappers though, they're few and far between and they dont give them away like the full sized carbines.
Last edited:
I have the Henry 44 mag. I love it and carry it in a holster all the time. I can hit an 8 inch target at 50 yards most of the time, if I don't, it's my fault lol.
TIPS AND TRICKS!
My holster setup is a short shotgun scabbard from Wanstalls, attached to a military style 3 inch padded belt from OST, and supported further by a set of tactical suspenders from SEALS AG. I have the holster right side, ammo pouch left side, and knife horizontal on the rear setup for right handed draw. Weight is never and issue and I can walk miles, draw quickly, and never drop my gear.
The holster setup puts the butt of the rifle about 7 inches below my armpit, but it rides high enough the holster doesn't trip me up, and I draw with my thump sept up into the lever, pull up and as I point the gun with the left hand on the fore end, I can work the lever, chamber, and fire if need be. Easy, but took practice to get even semi-smooth with it. I wear it inside a Filson packet coat, it extends enough to be seen and therefor not concealed carry.
I shoot for more accuracy braced off the side of a tree or log, or off steady sticks of I have them handy. I find I can hit targets regularly with practice, but I need to practice a lot to stay consistent with the mares leg...short stock is a #####.
I am not a great hunter, but I carry when hiking, and quadding. Don't judge me too badly.
TIPS AND TRICKS!
My holster setup is a short shotgun scabbard from Wanstalls, attached to a military style 3 inch padded belt from OST, and supported further by a set of tactical suspenders from SEALS AG. I have the holster right side, ammo pouch left side, and knife horizontal on the rear setup for right handed draw. Weight is never and issue and I can walk miles, draw quickly, and never drop my gear.
The holster setup puts the butt of the rifle about 7 inches below my armpit, but it rides high enough the holster doesn't trip me up, and I draw with my thump sept up into the lever, pull up and as I point the gun with the left hand on the fore end, I can work the lever, chamber, and fire if need be. Easy, but took practice to get even semi-smooth with it. I wear it inside a Filson packet coat, it extends enough to be seen and therefor not concealed carry.
I shoot for more accuracy braced off the side of a tree or log, or off steady sticks of I have them handy. I find I can hit targets regularly with practice, but I need to practice a lot to stay consistent with the mares leg...short stock is a #####.
I am not a great hunter, but I carry when hiking, and quadding. Don't judge me too badly.
- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
As for price and aftermarket parts availability the Rossi is hard to beat.
If you're a half decent gun tinkerer you can do up a Rossi into a neat looking
and functional little rifle. Longer butt stocks are out there from numerous suppliers
such as Boyd's & Precision Gun Works. Better sights and lighter ejector springs as well
as steel followers can be had from Steve's Gunz. Brownells carries a good selection of
sights as well.
I love these little blasters....fun to build-up and shoot.
If you're a half decent gun tinkerer you can do up a Rossi into a neat looking
and functional little rifle. Longer butt stocks are out there from numerous suppliers
such as Boyd's & Precision Gun Works. Better sights and lighter ejector springs as well
as steel followers can be had from Steve's Gunz. Brownells carries a good selection of
sights as well.
I love these little blasters....fun to build-up and shoot.
I got a full length back stock from Rustywood trading; they are an affiliated (term?) dealer on here.
3 days...it was in my PO box.
Good wood, impressive delivery time.
As with Shellshucker's opinion, changes it into a fun little rifle. Original configuration...well, it's a shootable novelty IMO
Lets face it folks, it was built for a tv show. But it's light and handy, full-fills a obvious void as a replacement for a sidearm.
But it needs sight tweaking and a real stock to make it into a decent weapon. Without these two improvements it's kinda like a shotgun in most folks hands, not pinpoint by any means
3 days...it was in my PO box.
Good wood, impressive delivery time.
As with Shellshucker's opinion, changes it into a fun little rifle. Original configuration...well, it's a shootable novelty IMO
Lets face it folks, it was built for a tv show. But it's light and handy, full-fills a obvious void as a replacement for a sidearm.
But it needs sight tweaking and a real stock to make it into a decent weapon. Without these two improvements it's kinda like a shotgun in most folks hands, not pinpoint by any means
As for price and aftermarket parts availability the Rossi is hard to beat.
If you're a half decent gun tinkerer you can do up a Rossi into a neat looking
and functional little rifle. Longer butt stocks are out there from numerous suppliers
such as Boyd's & Precision Gun Works. Better sights and lighter ejector springs as well
as steel followers can be had from Steve's Gunz. Brownells carries a good selection of
sights as well.
I love these little blasters....fun to build-up and shoot.
Shellshucker were did you get that smaller lever loop from? (referring to the carbine at the top of the photo)
- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
The lever on the .357 at the top, I swapped out from the lever on my .44 magnum trapper.
I cut & reformed the lever on the .45 Colt below it. Also reworked the one on the Trapper.
I cut & reformed the lever on the .45 Colt below it. Also reworked the one on the Trapper.
Last edited:
I didn't like the look of the big lever but I've come to like it in use. I find I can drive my lever hand forward more comfortably because of the larger radius. It's a bit bigger then needed for that though and a modified version like shellshucker has posted is a pretty good compromise.
The other thing I've come to like is using the big lever as a "pistol grip" and relaxing my wrist angle by gripping my hand around the outside of the loop instead of putting it inside.
The 16" rossi's are just as handy and carry a bit more ammo.
The other thing I've come to like is using the big lever as a "pistol grip" and relaxing my wrist angle by gripping my hand around the outside of the loop instead of putting it inside.
The 16" rossi's are just as handy and carry a bit more ammo.
It sounds like I'd be better in just buying a shorter (16") model 94 or similar.. I don't really need it to fill the void of a sidearm. I need a smaller, nimbler rifle for thick bush/swamp. And I need it to shoot accurately and off hand.. doesn't seem like the Mare's leg will do. I guess I should have started a thread titled "Best swamp/bush rifle". However, I do appreciate all the input here.
The problem with that scenario is that Winchester Trappers command premium prices that are double or more compared to the various "Mare's Leg" models on the market. You can pick up the latter and a replacement buttstock for half the price of the Winchester.
