Lever Guns in 38/357 with Side Gate Loading - What's Out There?
- Thread starter Zee705
- Start date
Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Chiappa has a wide selection and you can still find the occasional Rossi for sale.
If you like a heavier framed gun, buy a marlin. If you prefer thinner lighter ones look at the Henry and Winchester. If you're just looking for fun and cheap look at the rossi. I prefer a heavier rifle so sold off my rossi and Winchester and switched over to mostly marlin. I won't be going back.
I don't have any .357's, but I would recommend looking at the Miroku built Winchester 1892's. They are really nice and smooth. I have an older Marlin 1894 and I like it but I wouldn't consider a new one. I looked at one earlier this year and it was not well put together. I ended up buying a used Miroku/Winchester 1892 and like it a lot.
Chris.
Chris.
What sort of shooting do you have in mind, should you buy a lever gun? That might be helpful in narrowing down choices. For casual plinking, a Rossi will suit your needs. These have been hard to find lately, but do appear from time to time. Rossi rifles can be slicked up to run very fast and smoothly, without a lot of effort and expense. There are aftermarket parts available for these rifles.
If competitive shooting is your goal...ie: cowboy action.: The Miroku-Winchester 1892, 1866 and 1873 rifles are a good choice. Likewise, Uberti 1866, or 1873 rifles. Since Uberti has been on the cowboy action scene for a long time, there are more aftermarket competition parts readily available than, Miroku-Winchester. This does give Uberti an edge, when it comes to running at top competitive speeds. Still, Winchester is starting to catch up. I'm seeing more of these Winchester rifles appearing on a regular basis at major matches. So, I expect them to catch up, before long. Both brands of rifles are fairly pricey, though. But, quality comes at a price.
As a matter of interest, the Miroku-Winchester 1873 is capable of running competitively, right-out-the-box. If you'd like to see this in action, go to the SASS(Single Action Shooting Society)...'sass forum'.
There, you can view a video made a few months ago(may have to search the archives a bit).... by SASS World Champion: 'Deuce Stevens'. In the video, Deuce takes a stock Winchester 1873 right out of the box and straight into a match, without doing anything to it, other than cleaning out any grease or oil in the barrel and action. The video is a real eye opener. Plus, serves to offer insight into how good the Miroku-Winchester rifles really are.
Marlin rifles...a staple on the cowboy action scene for many years....have fallen on hard times, since the company's takeover, by Remington. Though steadily improving, new Marlin rifles tend to be hit and miss, when it comes to quality control. So, look one over very carefully, before laying down your cash. A lot of them tend to be roughly machined, internally. Most will need some work to get them running smoothly. If a Marlin 1894 suits your fancy...and budget...they can be turned into a reliable rifle, with some judicious stoning and polishing of the internal parts.
Note: Deuce also made another video, featuring a new, box-stock Marlin 1894, under the same match conditions, as the previous Miroku-Winchester 1873, video. As always, Deuce's observations and comments are right to the point. Plus, highly informative. Definitely worth a look, before you lay down any cash on a Marlin, or any of the other rifles. For your interest: Deuce frequently competes, with Marlin 1894 rifles. I believe he set the world speed record.. 10 shots in only 1.55 seconds...with an older, JM-marked Marlin 1894.
Hope some of this is useful, in helping you make your choice. In the interests of full disclosure, I have fairly extensive, firsthand competitive experience with all the rifles mentioned.
Lever action rifles are a lot of fun to own and shoot. I particularly like those chambered for .38/.357. Accurate, low recoil, and cheap to shoot. Especially, with .38 Special. Plenty of reloading components available, too.
By the way....you are correct: lever loop size and overall action stiffness can have some effect on rifle accuracy, or ease of use. Plus ergonomics, to some degree. Personally, I don't like the 'big loop' models. Particularly, for cowboy action competition. Clumsy, slow and awkward, to use. Okay for a cold-weather, plinking rifle, though.
If competitive shooting is your goal...ie: cowboy action.: The Miroku-Winchester 1892, 1866 and 1873 rifles are a good choice. Likewise, Uberti 1866, or 1873 rifles. Since Uberti has been on the cowboy action scene for a long time, there are more aftermarket competition parts readily available than, Miroku-Winchester. This does give Uberti an edge, when it comes to running at top competitive speeds. Still, Winchester is starting to catch up. I'm seeing more of these Winchester rifles appearing on a regular basis at major matches. So, I expect them to catch up, before long. Both brands of rifles are fairly pricey, though. But, quality comes at a price.
As a matter of interest, the Miroku-Winchester 1873 is capable of running competitively, right-out-the-box. If you'd like to see this in action, go to the SASS(Single Action Shooting Society)...'sass forum'.
There, you can view a video made a few months ago(may have to search the archives a bit).... by SASS World Champion: 'Deuce Stevens'. In the video, Deuce takes a stock Winchester 1873 right out of the box and straight into a match, without doing anything to it, other than cleaning out any grease or oil in the barrel and action. The video is a real eye opener. Plus, serves to offer insight into how good the Miroku-Winchester rifles really are.
Marlin rifles...a staple on the cowboy action scene for many years....have fallen on hard times, since the company's takeover, by Remington. Though steadily improving, new Marlin rifles tend to be hit and miss, when it comes to quality control. So, look one over very carefully, before laying down your cash. A lot of them tend to be roughly machined, internally. Most will need some work to get them running smoothly. If a Marlin 1894 suits your fancy...and budget...they can be turned into a reliable rifle, with some judicious stoning and polishing of the internal parts.
Note: Deuce also made another video, featuring a new, box-stock Marlin 1894, under the same match conditions, as the previous Miroku-Winchester 1873, video. As always, Deuce's observations and comments are right to the point. Plus, highly informative. Definitely worth a look, before you lay down any cash on a Marlin, or any of the other rifles. For your interest: Deuce frequently competes, with Marlin 1894 rifles. I believe he set the world speed record.. 10 shots in only 1.55 seconds...with an older, JM-marked Marlin 1894.
Hope some of this is useful, in helping you make your choice. In the interests of full disclosure, I have fairly extensive, firsthand competitive experience with all the rifles mentioned.
Lever action rifles are a lot of fun to own and shoot. I particularly like those chambered for .38/.357. Accurate, low recoil, and cheap to shoot. Especially, with .38 Special. Plenty of reloading components available, too.
By the way....you are correct: lever loop size and overall action stiffness can have some effect on rifle accuracy, or ease of use. Plus ergonomics, to some degree. Personally, I don't like the 'big loop' models. Particularly, for cowboy action competition. Clumsy, slow and awkward, to use. Okay for a cold-weather, plinking rifle, though.
Agree 100%. Can't go wrong with a Henry.
Overall build quality, attention to detail and reliability of these rifles, is second to none. Customer service and support is likewise, top notch. Mr. Anthony Imperato: President of Henry Repeating Arms, will often personally ensure any customer concerns are dealt with immediately, and with total satisfaction. Can't beat that, for customer service.
As a matter of interest, I received a personal e-mail from Mr. Imperato, only yesterday. In it, he thanked me for some comments I made on another shooting forum, regarding my positive experience with one of his products. To me, that is someone who is really paying attention. Plus, sincerely appreciates feedback about his company's products....whether good or bad.
I am really looking forward to the rollout of the new Henry side-loading gate version, in .38/.357. Plus, other 'pistol' calibres, over the next while. In my view, having the option to load/unload either through the loading gate...or magazine tube... is a smart and efficient option to have on a tubular magazine rifle. Particularly when it comes to safe firearm handling, while unloading. As a general purpose .38/.357 rifle, I believe the Henry will be a solid contender.
Overall build quality, attention to detail and reliability of these rifles, is second to none. Customer service and support is likewise, top notch. Mr. Anthony Imperato: President of Henry Repeating Arms, will often personally ensure any customer concerns are dealt with immediately, and with total satisfaction. Can't beat that, for customer service.
As a matter of interest, I received a personal e-mail from Mr. Imperato, only yesterday. In it, he thanked me for some comments I made on another shooting forum, regarding my positive experience with one of his products. To me, that is someone who is really paying attention. Plus, sincerely appreciates feedback about his company's products....whether good or bad.
I am really looking forward to the rollout of the new Henry side-loading gate version, in .38/.357. Plus, other 'pistol' calibres, over the next while. In my view, having the option to load/unload either through the loading gate...or magazine tube... is a smart and efficient option to have on a tubular magazine rifle. Particularly when it comes to safe firearm handling, while unloading. As a general purpose .38/.357 rifle, I believe the Henry will be a solid contender.
freddyfour
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Brant County, Ontario
It's really a shame, the Chiappa's do a great job with the looks of their rifles. Wish they would spend some time making them work properly.
I'm looking solely for a plinking rifle. I'm trying to expand my collection and I've always wanted a lever action. Thanks for all the feedback, I'm going to check out my LGS and talk to some of the boys at the range to see about trying a few of theirs.
Cheers
Cheers
BullOnParade
CGN Regular
- Location
- Eastern Ontario
Loading gate was a requirement for me too. Henry might be smooth, but such a fudd loading style.
Love my Chiappa mare's leg.
Love my Chiappa mare's leg.
I like my Marlin 1894c 357Mag/38Spl. Date of Manufacture May 2018, bought May 2018.
Nice light easy to carry afield, the short barrel swings quick in the bush.
It just keeps on getting smoother with use. Up just over the 400 rounds now with 357Mag & 38Spl hand loads.
Best advice on buying a Marlin is to buy in person where you can cycle the gun.
Marlin 1894 357Mag/38Spl c/w Vortex Diamondback 2-7*35 Rimfire
Nice light easy to carry afield, the short barrel swings quick in the bush.
It just keeps on getting smoother with use. Up just over the 400 rounds now with 357Mag & 38Spl hand loads.
Best advice on buying a Marlin is to buy in person where you can cycle the gun.
Marlin 1894 357Mag/38Spl c/w Vortex Diamondback 2-7*35 Rimfire
BullOnParade
CGN Regular
- Location
- Eastern Ontario
What do you have against Chiappas? Mine has run smooth, most who have them seem to like them.
I have owned several, shot many more, and had many discussions at the gun club and reloading store with gun nutz… my personal experiences were all negative; poor fit & finish, cheap and inferior materials, sloppy actions, poor accuracy... IMO, they are made to look good in a catalogue and sell buyers on them, thus far, as far as I can see, they do not satisfy shooters... YMMV.
