Recommendations for a .357 Mag Quality lever action rifle.

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Valcrow

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Ever since I got myself a Marlin 39a last year, I've totally fallen in love with the idea of a really good quality lever action rifle. Not to say the Marlin wasn't good but the fit and finish just doesn't spew quality. It also needed a trip to Gravel to clear out some of the Remlin problems.

This year, I've set my sights on lever rifle in .357 mag. The obvious choice was the Marlin 1894css which I ordered last month. However, disappointment set in the moment I received it as the barrel was over-torqued and the sights were off. Action was atrocious as well. After spending over $70 for both the initial shipment and then back to the store, I think I'll stay away from Marlins unless I can inspect it myself. Unfortunately, there aren't many local stores with stock to do this where I am.

So lately, I've been enamored with what I want in my perfect 357 lever rifle in the following order of priority.

Quality Craftsmanship (great fit and great wood)
.357 mag / .38 spl
Stainless / White / Case Coloured / Nickel
Pistol Grip
Side Ejection if possible

Obviously after this list I found out that it was going to cost quite a bit more than the original Marlin budget. I looked at offerings from Uberti, Rossi, Winchester and Taylors & Co.

So far, the most appealing is the Taylors and Co. 1873 Special Sporting Rifle Deluxe White 20" Pistol Grip ($1630) with the Uberti 1873 Short Rifle Steel ($1380) close behind it.

Cost-wise, this is a pretty hefty investment but one I'm willing to make for a rifle I'd be happy with for a very long time. My question is, are there any others with the criteria above that I should look at? Would I be better off getting something less costly? Or saving up even more? Any insight would be highly appreciated.
 
A Vote for the Rossi ! Good value for the money, and fun to "Play with" !

... Well, I've a Rossi ( Octagon barrel, Rifle ) and I really like it. To maximize it's potential, I'm planning on replacing the Factory sights, with similar to the old style Marbles ones, and doing away with the ridiculous safety ! ( Total est.cost, around $60 +/- )..... The action is very slick, and the 357 Magnum, is both accurate and easy to reload. Metal work is good, the wood is dark and lacking visible grain, perhaps a refinish will find some lighter wood beneath, and maybe, a a little grain ! But all in all, a fun and acceptably accurate rifle, that's good value, for these days, Dollar! ...... David K :) ('Bought mine through Wanstalls on-line )
 
maybe try to find a pre remington Marlin....i have a 1894 Marlin Cowboy .357 mag and it a great piece of what Marlin was capable of.

Marlin357CB.jpg


this is a real accurate carbine and mine loves .357mag....38 spl not so much

there out there you just have to look, if its at all possible look at one before you buy it
 
I agree, stick with the original plan, go somewhere and handle(fondle) them, if still not impressed go with a slightly used when made by Marlin before the takeover.
 
I got to handle one of those older Marlin 357magnum levers. It had a glossy stock finish, and the book said it was from sometime in the 80's or 90's. I hesitated at $500.00 and some guy came in and snapped it up right from under me. Everything about that rifle seemed better than the new offerings. The 1894c 357 just seems like a cheap piece of crap, and it's expensive.

I was given the opportunity to fire a Browning model 92 in 357 and that was a real nice gun. I think they sell for $900 - $1200 used though. There's the new Japanese winchester 357 lever guns, which seem to be better than the new Marlins. I'd suggest fondling one of these. The Rossi 1892 357 wasn't that great, and I'm glad I didn't buy it.

I really wish I had picked up that Marlin 357 when I had the chance. I may even offer the guy $550 for it if I see him again.
 
If I could get a good Marlin in .357 that would be great. Le Baron near me doesn't stock the pistol calibers. I might be able to find a 1894c but definitely not an 1894css.

So I take it most of you don't think the Taylor or Uberti is worth the high price tag?
 
I am very found of my Henry Big Boy in 357 mag, action is slick and the finition is top, it shoot around 2.5 inch groupings.... neat rifle and Le Baron stock them... JP.
 
Valcrow said:
Ever since I got myself a Marlin 39a last year, I've totally fallen in love with the idea of a really good quality lever action rifle. Not to say the Marlin wasn't good but the fit and finish just doesn't spew quality...
Click to expand...

Huh! I must've got a good one then :D

GG39A.jpg


Top one of course is a GG.

Decent Marlin .357s are hard to find as people tend to hang on to them, especially now with Remington making a mess of things the way they have.
I also have a .44 that followed me home. You might want to give that a look too as it's fun gun, especially if you handload.
 
Edward Teach said:
Huh! I must've got a good one then :D

Top one of course is a GG.

Decent Marlin .357s are hard to find as people tend to hang on to them, especially now with Remington making a mess of things the way they have.
I also have a .44 that followed me home. You might want to give that a look too as it's fun gun, especially if you handload.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately I don't reload at all and mostly plink indoors so the .357 is a must.

That's some really nice leather you have on your lever guns. :rockOn:
 
The cowboy version is a bit more money but the octagon barrel would be harder for the monkey's to over index......
 
Edward Teach said:
Huh! I must've got a good one then :D

GG39A.jpg


Top one of course is a GG.

Decent Marlin .357s are hard to find as people tend to hang on to them, especially now with Remington making a mess of things the way they have.
I also have a .44 that followed me home. You might want to give that a look too as it's fun gun, especially if you handload.
Click to expand...

How many lever guns do you own?
 
I believe that the 94Marlins are the ones that can get the Marlin Jam? But that's fairly easily fixed as I similarly understand.

If you're after a classic lever gun in .357 then the hot setup seems to be an 1873 clone which has seen some work on it.

Mind you there's no lack of Rossi/Puma '92's that work well once they get some work done to them.

The trick seems to be to get a bit of slicking up work done to any of them.

But from talking to folks the easiest to slick up for rapid shooting is the '73 Uberti clone.

Or if you're just looking for a gun that can be slicked up a bit and handles the Mag rounds without any signs of distress then the '92 action is a bit stronger than the '73 design.

My own Rossi '92 is still being worked on in small stages as I learn about this stuff. It's far from perfect yet but it's well along the road. Right now it feeds and shoots great with a few different bullet styles and overall lengths. But some info I just got should slick it up a bit more and make it more tolerant of differnet bullet shapes as well as eliminating the occasional fast load jam where it points the round up too high and it jams or ends up pointing at the sky from a fast cycle.

Considering that the Rossi 92 action and barrel can be had chambered in both .44Mag and .454 Casull it says a lot about the ability of this gun to withstand the relatively mild .357. So in the end it may be worth getting a Rossi and then send it off to be slicked up by some good cowboy action smith.
 
The Uberti 73 looks really nice too, I wonder if the quality and craftsmanship difference is worth the higher price?

Can't seem to find too many reviews on it.
 
my Rossi 92 stainless works reliably every time, is reasonably accurate and the fit and finish were better than most.
I too had a Marlin 1894 that had the barrel mounted sights cocked to the side due to over-torquing. I really hate it when such obvious problems are shipped to the consumer! Mine was from the pre-Remington manufacture, so not all old ones were good!
 
My first choice would be a Winchester 1892 Trapper Takedown...$1500 ish.
But they are extremely hard to get right now...in my neck of the woods at least.

1892-Trapper-Takedown-MID-534167-m.jpg



My second would be a Marlin 1894CSS....$700 ish.

photo-1894CSS.jpg



Any of these would be a fine choice...the latter being a more affordable and available.
 
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