Picking a .357 lever gun-the internet hasn't helped!

[Nuck83]

Hey guys-I thought this might be an easier decision, so turning to the collective here for some valuable, first-hand experience. I'm wanting to pick a .357 lever gun, and wanting it to be a Winchester 94 or 92. I'm wanting to avoid pot metal, brass, plastic, anything black/tactical. Don't like stainless unless it's completely satin and barely then. lol So I may have answered my own question, but the "internet" rabbit hole I ended-up in most recently had me wondering if 357 lever guns can even be relied upon to feed/eject properly?

My own Winchester 94 experience is limited to once owning a 9422 (don't miss it) and shooting a friend's old 94 in .32 Special. Didn't want to put that gun down, what a beauty. Anyway, since there are no hunting plans for it..just steel/reactive targets...is there a better option than a Winchester 94/1892? I'm not "runnin' and gunnin" with it, more for taking it to the farm on weekends in decent and putting a box or two through it. Years to avoid? Models to avoid? ammo to avoid?

Large loop preferred if shooting with even thin leather gloves? Upgrade to Skinner sights right away or leave as-is?

Any reason the 1873 isn’t in the mix?

 

[Can-down]

Only buggaboo with the model 92's is they be not an ideal platform for optics.

The newer Rossi's are drilled and tapped for a scout rail and peep on the barrel and some of Levtec's as well though the tactical look is not for everyone.... the Citadel Levtec's are the best budget option if you don't mind the look.
The lever on the Levtec is a mid size and nicer then the big loop that rossi also makes.

A guy could by a .357 Levtec, sell the Plastic stock and railed fore end and use that money to buy some walnut if he wanted to.....