Lever Action Rifles...

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imagine_74714

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I'm new to this, but I'm geting quite interested in Lever Action rifles.
But as interesting it may be, I can't quite find out which rifles, or even which manufacturers are generally considered superior. And there are all those different models...
What do you guys think are the better rifles? Which manufacturers?

BTW, are those "Trapper" or those shorter carbine models with 16" barrel non-restricted, as to take'em in the woods?
 
Yes trapper's and other 16" levers are legal (unrestricted). I have a couple winchesters and a marlin and I prefer the marlin it seems a whole lot smoother than my win 94's. There is nothing wrong with winchesters either, especially pre 1964 models. You didn't say what you plan to use the rifle for so it is hard to recomend a specific model or caliber.
 
I wouldn't consider the #1 a lever action. It's a single shot falling block action.

I really want an 1860 Henry reproduction of some sort. Especially in the 'golden boy' configuration, maybe in 44-40
 
Like this:

976682295-1.jpg
 
Well, I think I'll hunt with it, IF my friend keeps his promise and take me hunting next time, but in the mean time, I'll take it to the range, honing my skill.
Reason I like Lever Action is because it looks slim enough, and light, for packing, and I do long-range hiking that last 3-5 days in the woods, so I need something to keep me company. Shotguns are fine, but I prefer rifles, and since XCR isn't coming out anytime soon.......

I quite like Winchester Model 94 "Trapper", but how's Cimarron 1873 Trapper? Is it same as Winchester, some modified form of Winchester?
And how's the reputation of Uberti?
 
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I think you need to take a step back first and define what you want to shoot with the rifle; that determines the cartridge and the cartridge in some cases the cartridge limits what rifle you can shoot it in. If you want it for bear protection for example, a 44-40 is pretty anemic and even for deer I would not particularly recommend it. Your restriction of weight eliminates many of the guns also so that for example if light weight and mid range power are your criteria then probably a carbine version of the model 94 in one of its 30-30 class cartridges is the way to go.

cheers mooncoon
 
Hmm... I guess there's many things I need to consider, before getting one.
I suppose the rifle will be a protection, but since I have never encountered any animals dangerous enough to warrant a protection, so I really don't know. I suppose bears would be number one concern, if any. Weight wise, I can tolerate quite a bit, and my past experience tells me I might be ok with 45, but I suppose 30-30 would be adequate, seeing as the rifle wouldn't be a for full time hunting.
You're right mooncoon, I need more time and reasearch on this. Thanks.
 
My conclusion (based on ALL the same criteria you have identified above) was to buy a Winchester Model 1894 carbine chambered for 30-30. Over time I will supplement it with more appropriate 'specialty' guns for deer hunting and bear defense... but as I'm just getting started on my 'collection', it seemed to cover off a lot of potential scenarios, they're reasonably priced new and even cheaper if you don't mind a used one (there are always a few on the EE here).

Good Luck!

/gc
 
Have you considered a Marlin guide gun or Marlin 1895 in .45-70, they might warrant some consideration too. There is nothing wrong with the 'ol thutty thutty either. I have a Winchester M-94 in .45 colt and when hand loaded with 300 gr RNFP bullets I get 1750 FPS out of its 20" barrel. This has more power than any .30-30. I wouldn't hesitate to use it for black bear hunting but I think it may not be an ideal bear defence load either.
 
If someonw would do quick comparison for me, between Winchester, Marlin, and Henry? Calibres would be anything from 30-30 to .45 Colt. I'm quite interested in Henry's Big Boy series, but I can't find any information about reliability, or whether they are built as strong as Marlin.
Some smaller companies like Cimarron's rifles are interesting as well, but again, I can't find any information regarding performance or reliability...
 
The Henry's AREN'T ar strong. Nor are the henry reproductions (Uberti, Cimarron, etc). They're based on the 1860/1866 design with is not a strong action.

But the action is much smoorther, due to the way the cartridges are fed. It's a glorious feel. If you take one of these for what tey are, you won;t be disappointed

But who cares? They're adequate for the calibers they're chambered in.


Otherwise, Marlin has a reputation for building strong actions. Winchester not as much, but the later models (post 1876) are quite strong. Not as much so as the Marlin, mind you


Check this out, for a timeline to the different models:

http://www.winchestercollector.org/guns/w-history.shtml
 
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The Henry Firearms Big Boy series is not based on the original 1860/1866/1873 style action, it is a modern design. It is supposedly quite strong but I not sure if it is as strong as Marlin or Winchester 1892. Prosper is right about how slick the original Henry action is , they are absolutely amazing especially if the have seen some use or had a bit of smoothing done to them. If .45 Colt is on your radar I would look at the Marlin Cowboy 1894.
 
I suspect the Marlin and the Winchester 94 are similar in strength. The advantage of the Marlin is that if you are shooting black powder loads, one screw will allow you to remove the whole internal mechanism. Very simple to strip and reassemble. The advantage of the Winchester is that the lever loop is larger than on a Marlin and more comfortable to my hand at least. Unless the Henry has some dramatically different engineering from the original action, it remains a relatively weak action and only suitable for pistol calibers.

cheers mooncoon
 
For the purposes you indicate, I would go with a Winchester or a Marlin. They have strength, dependability and 'modern' strong actions. I would feel much better sticking to one of these for serious bush work.

As has been indicated, you need to then figure out if you want to shoot pistol type cartridges or rifle. If you want to shoot pistol type cartridges (44 magnum, 45 Colt, 44-40 etc.) then you are looking at a model 1892 Winnie or a model 1894 Marlin. If you want to step up to rifle cartridges your into a 94 Winchester or 336 Marlin in modern guns and shoot 30-30 and similar stuff. And you think there might be big nasty creatures or if you just like big bore you can step up agian into a Winnie model 1886 (or more affordabley a Browning reproduction) or the Marlin 1895. Now you're into the 45-70 class..

Myself, I'm a biased Marlin nut. I have a 1894 in 44 magnum and this could be an OK pack rifle. I'd probably prefer it in 45 Colt though. I'd consider this a 50 yard gun for big game, maybe more. I'd feel a little better though taking one of my old 30-30s on a backpack trip. Well, knowing me it'd probably be the 45-70, who the hell am I kidding...:rolleyes: ;)
 
Virtually everyone has a horror story about 1 or more firearms that they have owned. He's my lever horror story;

In '94 I was looking for a lever in .357 because I was doing alot of .357 shooting out of my M66 and wanted a cheap and easy round that I could reload in abundance. After looking around for about 6-8 months I couldn't find one, I even phoned Winchester! The nice lady said that they didn't have enough calls to start manufacturing them again. Remember this was before Cowboy Action got bigger.

I finally gave up on .357 and found a Winchester Wrangler in .44 Magnum. Shades of John Wayne that large loop lever was kewl! Little did I realize that with 2 years, I'd start shooting Cowboy Action. I did lots of testing and came up 7.2 grains of Unique pushing a 240 grain LSWC bullet as an accurate target load.

Within the first 20 rds down range, the pot metal feed ramp broke. Off for warranty work! Eight months later I get the rifle back. After every 50 rds the rear sight elevator would fall off. So we have to install a Williams rear sight! Shooting again after every 50 rds the screws in the receiver would work loose. Locktite!! After 1,500 rds the tubular magazine spring gave up the ghost! Wolfe Gunsprings to the rescue. After this the Lever Link broke, 3 months and 5 nasty letters later, Winchester told me they would sell me the part but without warranty! They wanted me to send the gun to the warranty centre again!

That was the last straw, I found a sucker to buy the Winchester and bought a Marlin M1894S, after 8,000 rds through it, it broke a firing pin. I love the quality Marlin builds in. That said I do have a 1906 manufactured Winchester M92 Carbine and a 1913 manufactured Winchester M94 rifle in .38-55 that i can't say enough good things about.

P.S. My Wrangler was one of 4 Wranglers in town with the same problems.
 
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