Pistol calibre lever
- Thread starter EL34/6L6
- Start date
freddyfour
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Brant County, Ontario
Most are side loading minus a few models. Win 92 Marlin 1894, Rossi 92, Chiappa 92, Uberti 1866, 1873 are some good ones.
When you find them the Rossi's are a LOT less expensive. But they don't come out of the box looking super fine. And while the actions work it really needs a trip to a good cowboy action gunsmith to slick it up to where it'll make you grin like a cat with TWO birds in its mouth.
I've heard about too many issues with Chiappa from my cowboy shooting buddies as well as a local smith. The LOOK great but in this case the good looks are all on the surface. A shame too since they do such a nice job on that part.
If you don't mind the money a Winchester branded Miroku are supposed to be superb right out of the box.
Uberti 1866's and 1873's are also superb. And get even better with some cowboy action prep work. But all this comes with a heavy base price and costly addons. It's enough to scare away most folks.
Marlin 1894's in pistol calibers are superb. But finding one and paying the steep prices are both problems. If you manage though you'll be a happy camper.
If you want to shoot magnums frequently I'd suggest that you stick to one of the Win '92 or clone options or a Marlin 1894. The 1866's and 1873's use a style of action which does not do well with stout recoil. On the other hand the Winchester 1892 action guns eat the stuff up and barely burp.
I've heard about too many issues with Chiappa from my cowboy shooting buddies as well as a local smith. The LOOK great but in this case the good looks are all on the surface. A shame too since they do such a nice job on that part.
If you don't mind the money a Winchester branded Miroku are supposed to be superb right out of the box.
Uberti 1866's and 1873's are also superb. And get even better with some cowboy action prep work. But all this comes with a heavy base price and costly addons. It's enough to scare away most folks.
Marlin 1894's in pistol calibers are superb. But finding one and paying the steep prices are both problems. If you manage though you'll be a happy camper.
If you want to shoot magnums frequently I'd suggest that you stick to one of the Win '92 or clone options or a Marlin 1894. The 1866's and 1873's use a style of action which does not do well with stout recoil. On the other hand the Winchester 1892 action guns eat the stuff up and barely burp.
I have Win 94's in .44 Mag and they are an excellent gun... as are Win 92's... the new production Miroku guns are excellent. I am hearing rumors that the Big Green Machine is starting to get their QC issues under control over at the Marlin plant... but older Marlins are a nice gun... if you can get over the whole "gate loading" thing (no big deal in my mind), then the Henry Big Boy's have a super slick action and enough weight for steady offhand shooting. Uberti makes a number of nice pistol caliber models... I have fired a few, but never owned one.
Great info guys, appreciate it.
Right now Ive narrowed it down to the Marlin 1894 and Henry BB, both in. 357.
Choosing that calibre mainly for availability and cost reasons. This gun will be a target plinker so will hopefully see alot of rounds at a somewhat reasonable ammo cost.
Right now Ive narrowed it down to the Marlin 1894 and Henry BB, both in. 357.
Choosing that calibre mainly for availability and cost reasons. This gun will be a target plinker so will hopefully see alot of rounds at a somewhat reasonable ammo cost.
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New Winchester's aren't a Winchester but are excellent... interesting. These are around $1000, right?
I have a new Winchester aka Miroku 1892 in .44 mag. Loving it so far just cycling the action. Can't wait to take it out to shoot it. 
The finish is beautiful, though the practice rounds seem to scratch up the loading gate. Oh well.
The finish is beautiful, though the practice rounds seem to scratch up the loading gate. Oh well.
freddyfour
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Brant County, Ontario
Correct me if I am wrong but I do not think the Henry's have side loading gate
I run an Uberti 1866 Yellowboy as my main cowboy gun. It only runs .38sp but that's what I run thru my pistols anyway so it fit great. The action is outstanding right out of the box (haven't done anything except break it in with normal use). My backup/long range is an Uberti (Cimarron) 1873 in .357 - also a superb gun and it's 100yd accuracy is great.
1866
1873
1866
1873
freddyfour
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Brant County, Ontario
I picked this one up off my WTB add a couple years ago for $600. There are still deals to be had on nice levers now and then.
Personally I wouldn't ever buy a Henry, they just don't look right to me. Unless you are talking about the new 1860 replica they came out with this year.........Oh baby that is a nice rifle.
Personally I wouldn't ever buy a Henry, they just don't look right to me. Unless you are talking about the new 1860 replica they came out with this year.........Oh baby that is a nice rifle.
freddyfour
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Brant County, Ontario
I have had a few Rossi in various calibers .357, 44-40, 44mag and 45 Colt. All functioned perfectly and were great guns, kept only one in 45 Colt. Just know that they are kinda ugly because of the cheap wood they use on their stocks. I took each one that I bought new and cycled the action about a 100 times before I put a single round through them. Just helps to smooth them out a bit.
