Lever Gun Recos?

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thefaculty

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Hi everyone,

I am quite new here but have so far received amazing advice and input from this community so here I go again. I had great advice for my first rifle and ended up with a beautiful CZ457 Premium purchased from a member here. It's fantastic and lots of fun at the range. I then pulled the trigger (sorry!) on a Mossberg 88. I was looking for a 590RM but saw another fantatsic deal on a good 88 with reddot and while I know it's not the quality of the 590 it more than good enough for me at this stage and is a great way to end a session at the range with the 457.

So now I am after a lever action. This one is a bit different in that it would be my first entry into something with some historical value. I am very interested in owning some rifles of historical relevance to I can still enjoy. No safe queens. I want to use my firearms. A big fan of the history of North America (I am British and have been living in Canada since 2005) and am considering a Winchester 1873 or 1894. But, as a new license holder i know very little and am learning fast.

So if you have any reco on a lever action that would be better I would love to hear them! I also would like some recommendations on the best calibre. I don't want anything too expensive to shoot but something most certainly more "interesting" than the .22LR CZ457.

I don't hunt.... yet... but I am very much considering getting my hunting license and would of course be starting small if this helps guide any recommendations.

Thank you all in advance - can't wait to see what this thread bring up! :)
 
If looking for something of historical significance, keep your eyes open on the EE for a decent used Winchester. I’ve had a few over the years and they’re fun. Personally I never noticed a huge difference in performance between the pre/post 64 models.

Alternatively, Henry rifles are awesome too and more affordable than the new Marlins. Chiappa makes some awesome rifles as well.

Not sure if that is helpful or just gives you more to think about.
 
I love the styling of the 1873 and you can buy modern replicas that shoot smokeless powder. If you want history, then a model 94 would be a great first lever gun. Pick a .30/30 as the ammo is widely available and not expensive. The older they are the more interesting they become. Buy a "pre 64", ie one made prior to 1964...they went downhill after that and have less collecting value. You can tell the age by the serial number which helpfully are consecutive: anything below 2,700,000 is a pre 64. There's a very interesting and informative online group you could join called the Winchester Arms Collector's association. You can also look at the model 92 which was made with pistol cartridges in mind.

Another family of interest is the Savage 99, which is a complicated and interesting bunch. These have a rotary magazine, not tubular, so "spitzer" shaped bullets can be safely used. Many would argue this is a better hunting rifle out past a hundred yards for that reason.

There's a lot to know about buying antique or classic firearms as many have been altered so as to reduce their value. Research is important.
Anyway it's a huge family of firearms with many fans so you'll get lots of input in this post! Drop into a gun show near you and have a look...prices will be high! Gives you a chance to see some up close.
 
Arcosdad said:
I love the styling of the 1873 and you can buy modern replicas that shoot smokeless powder. If you want history, then a model 94 would be a great first lever gun. Pick a .30/30 as the ammo is widely available and not expensive. The older they are the more interesting they become. Buy a "pre 64", ie one made prior to 1964...they went downhill after that and have less collecting value. You can tell the age by the serial number which helpfully are consecutive: anything below 2,700,000 is a pre 64. There's a very interesting and informative online group you could join called the Winchester Arms Collector's association. You can also look at the model 92 which was made with pistol cartridges in mind.

Another family of interest is the Savage 99, which is a complicated and interesting bunch. These have a rotary magazine, not tubular, so "spitzer" shaped bullets can be safely used. Many would argue this is a better hunting rifle out past a hundred yards for that reason.

There's a lot to know about buying antique or classic firearms as many have been altered so as to reduce their value. Research is important.
Anyway it's a huge family of firearms with many fans so you'll get lots of input in this post! Drop into a gun show near you and have a look...prices will be high! Gives you a chance to see some up close.
Click to expand...
This is super helpful! Thank you so much for taking the time!!
 
Stick with the most common calibers: 357 Mag, 44 Mag, 30-30. 357 Mag would be most cost-effective.

Stick with established manufacturers: Winchester (Miroku), Marlin, Henry, Uberti, Rossi. US-made brands are ridiculously priced now because of tariffs.

Miroku and Uberti may be best in quality (opinions will differ). Rossi would be most cost-effective (plain blued or stainless with traditional wood furniture).
 
Thefaculty: Since you're interested in a historically relevant rifle and mentioned either the 1873, or 1894 Winchester. Here are some thoughts about both rifles which may be useful.

Starting with the 1873: Currently, there are two contemporary versions: Uberti. Also: Winchester (Miroku-Winchester)

Of the two, the Uberti is the most period accurate model. Both externally and internally. The Miroku-Winchester rifle, though similar in appearance, does vary internally. But, not enough to affect function or reliability, in any way.

I own versions of both brands. Aside from the minor differences noted, they are essentially identical in performance.

Note: Should replacement parts be a consideration. Uberti enjoys readily available OEM, plus aftermarket parts. The Miroku-Winchester not so much. Though as the Winchester brand becomes more popular....especially with cowboy action competitors....this situation is slowly improving.
Still, Winchester parts can be somewhat difficult to obtain. Especially here in Canada. So keep that in mind, when making your choice.

Though I like both rifle brands. Of the two, I recommend purchasing Uberti, for the reasons listed above.

Since you're also looking for an inexpensive-shooting rifle, I'd suggest the .38/.357 version. Very economical to shoot, especially with .38 Special ammunition. Rifles chambered in this caliber are generally quite accurate. Plus pleasant to shoot. With very little recoil. Makes a great plinking rifle on the range, or in competition. Very popular caliber for cowboy action, for example.

Should you eventually wish to hunt with the 1873 though, a more practical choice would be either .45 Colt. Or, .44-40. Either make very effective hunting calibers. Care would still need to be taken though, as there could be some restrictions for their use. This should be noted in your provincial wildlife regulations.
The most practical choice for a hunting round would be .45 Colt. Powerful and effective. Ammunition is also plentiful and readily available. Far more so than .44-40...which can sometimes be difficult to find Though still an effective round. Will boil down to personal choice.

1894 Winchester: Or, you could go with an 1894. A perennial favourite in many deer camps. The classic caliber choice for this rifle: .30-30 Winchester. Though a .38-55 version is also currently available. You might also see the odd one in .32 Winchester, on the used market.
The .30-30 version is relatively inexpensive to shoot. Has moderate recoil. Plus, easy availability of ammunition.

The Miroku-Winchester is hands down the best rifle in this class(in my opinion and experience). Pricey, but worth it.

There are any number of other brands available. Including: Marlin*, Henry and Rossi. To mention only three of the most popular.

Special note: *Marlin Model 336 is the classic .30-30 version. In 1894 guise: Marlin .44 Mag would be a versatile combination target/hunting rig. Worth considering. Likewise: Henry. Solidly built. Accurate and reliable.
Henry rifles are available in either .30-30(Similar to Marlin 336). Or: .44 Mag (Marlin 1894).

In the end, it will boil down to personal preference. Plus ,practicality.

Hope this helps;

Al
ps: Also worthy of consideration: 1892 Winchester. One of these in .44 Mag would make a versatile rig, for both hunting and target shooting. Very popular and readily available from several makers. A personal favourite: Miroku-Winchester 1892.
Less expensive, though still good: Rossi 1892. I also own a Rossi.
 
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yea, the 1895 are great for the nostalgia. Ran a 303 brit for a while, and was def not a safe queen.

Savage 99's, or the Winchester 88's I think they are are interesting as well.

You could always try and find the new Henry supreme in 223, (new lever) now out for a cheaper to shoot option. 44 mag, or the 357 will be plentiful as well and still on the cheaper side of things.

The newer Browning BLR are also nice.
 
I highly recommend going to a gun store and handling the different brands if possible.
Each one is slightly different and on some the action will be smoother and on others the sights will catch your eye better.
I'm a bit cheap when it comes to what I feed my guns so I only buy guns that have the most commonly available ammo. (during covid this was a huge save for me as a lot of calibers just couldn't be found) I use 30-30 and 357 in my lever guns.
Some of the more historical lever actions do not have side loading gates. I consider this a bit of a negative but then I'm not going for the most historical gun out there.
I'd suggest getting a nice 30-30 and not worry too much about historical value and then after that get a Sharps or high wall single shot with the peep sites to really get that historical feel.
 
Find a nice used marlin 336 in 30-30. Easy to shot and easy to find ammo for. A marlin 1894 in 357 or 44 mag would also work for a first time lever gun buyer.

I would stay away from any thing 45-70 or really odd ball caliber that ammo is hard to find or extremely expensive.
 
Another thing to think about is the 1873 model is the easiest gun to take apart and work at. Like others have said the uberti models have the best aftermarket parts support.
73 model dominates cowboy action and there is a reason for this.
Buy whatever floats your boat.
Cartridge chamberings don't matter if you load and cast your own.
I would buy top quality and shoot it. I wouldn't want or buy new cross bolt or tang safety versions
I shoot very old iron all the time. Cast lead bullets and low pressure loads don't hurt em.
Old guns are like old women and old trucks. You should take em out and play with them.
 
For what it's worth, the 1894 ( model 94 ) has been in production the longest, is easiest to find in decent nick, and easiest to feed, if it's a .30-30. Whether you wind up with a carbine or full length rifle is largely a matter of taste, though carbines are more common. You can lump them roughly into several categories; pre-'64 ( pre-war & post-war) post-'64 till roughly 1980-ish, then the angle eject and crossbolt safety era, and finally the current Miroku production.

 
30/30 in a 1894 is an awesome round. If you are going to shoot alot. Cast lead bullets is the way to go.
30/30 is a great cast bullet cartridge as long as wind isn't blowing.
With factory 30/30 loaded rounds. It all depends on how much you plan on shooting the gun. Factory or full load jacketed bullets heats up the barrel really fast.
For a full size rifle round at longer ranges there are much better cast bullet rounds than 30-30.
But pre 64 30-30 s are a wonderful guns.
 
The 1860 Henry is a sweet ass lever gun
Henry Repeating Arms and Uberti both make reproductions of it
They are pricey though but if you want a historical lever gun that’s where they started from
 
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