Silver Creek 357 Max Lever Action

[sixguntech]

Funny thing is, I was at their factory back in April 2023 and their prototype looked quite different from this? Trying to wrap my head around how it came out looking like this? I think the lack of any real firearm design knowledge (Silver Creek is an aero space company, that produces firearms as a fun side gig) they are trying too hard to make something different, than focusing on letting high quality sell the product. The revolver, in 6” configuration, was nicely balanced and reasonably well put together. I actually like the single action, solid frame design and making it double action, the inherent weaknesses of the swing out cylinder are eliminated, though it relegates the sales to outdoorsman, hunters and sport shooters. All that said, I am not sure the owner of the company has ears to hear? Steve

[wilecoyote]

amazing how the most beautiful guns, everywhere,  were engineered and produced when there were no computers, cad/cam, etc., all means that should simplify the work, but systematically produce unwatchable results.
I therefore believe that designers should still be kept away from guns production and design today

[cas]

Sorta like a Marlin, a Martini Henry and a Peabody had a test tube baby?

[wheelnut]

Silver Creek needs to get hold of an artist. The build quality of their revolver is exceptional but styling is proving their weakness.

[jeffh]

Jan 30, 2024 23:35:53 GMT -5 wheelnut said:

Silver Creek needs to get hold of an artist. The builder quality of their revolver is exceptional but styling is proving their weakness.

Regardless, the price is pretty exclusive - rather elitist.  It's apparent the seller is not interested in what makes sense to people of such a low caste as us humble folk.

Sounds harsh, I know, and I am being as kind as possible here, but someone SO out of touch with what works - and works for people who MIGHT buy, seems a tad narcissistic and overbearing to me.  Someone who can design a functional revolver and lever-gun is not a stupid person, so such a person could reasonably be expected to understand what people WANT to buy.  To foist upon the market something so totally off-beat, off the wall and just plain weird-for-no-reason seems a bit arrogant.  Someone who can afford such a venture, knowing full well that it will fail because it's NOT what the market is looking for, whether it be traditional or tactical is just plain arrogant and neither needs nor wants my business.  Someone who knows so much better than I what an ideal lever gun is, places himself out of my caste - on purpose.

In other words - not even worth looking at.

[weiler]

I’ll ask my 6 year old to draw a picture of a lever action and see how it compares design wise

[eagle1899]

Everything on that looks wrong. So much potential. What's really puzzles me is how can something get to that point and no one said "hold on, that doesn't look right".

Completely boggles me.

[cas]

I couldn't help but look again. Front sight looks like it's on backwards, even if it's not.

It has a real squared off "industrial", spartan IMI Timberwolf look. But honestly, that look full on would have been better. Parts of it are squared off, 90 degree hard angles and edges, yet it's loaded with swoopy 1950's, early 60's "space age"-ness?? (like the Whitney Wolverine) Like "If Buck Rogers had a lever action" vibe.

[wilecoyote]

styilsts/architects/designers have compromised the appeal of more than one modern European semiauto 12 and rifle, leta alone cars etc._ this sistematically, when derailing from the golden form&function rule _
being and having been at least part of my job, I recognize that it's not easy to ruin even a lever, but these guys did their best_

[jeffh]

Jan 31, 2024 10:21:27 GMT -5 eagle1899 said:

...no one said "hold on, that doesn't look right"...

Which is why I suspect a single, strong personality having held sway over more rational thought.

While I'm being cruel, how 'bout that nifty little that safety lever on the side?

Now, if someone were to stretch the 92 a bit and chamber it for the 357Max, that would have a profound influence on my small personal battery.  I'd ditch my single-shot 357  Max and forego further considerations of taking that step up to a 360 Buckhammer. 

[eagle1899]

Winchester built 94's in 357 Magnum. I can't imagine it would be too difficult to get a Max to run in one.

[eagle1899]

I just realized this is the company (Silver Creek) that builds the revolver that is also not pleasing to look at.

[jeffh]

Jan 31, 2024 19:05:24 GMT -5 eagle1899 said:

Winchester built 94's in 357 Magnum. I can't imagine it would be too difficult to get a Max to run in one.

In the latest Hodgdons annual reloading manual, there is an article about the 360 Buckhammer.  Really not a bad article either.

The author states in this article that Marlin, while occupied by Remington, had been planning a 357 Max 336, but the plans were back-burnered as the great slide began to manifest itself as blatantly obvious to the rest of the world.

I think that would have been cool - a great move, but for myself, as much as I admire the Marlins, I'd prefer the petite Winchester 92 design for such a thing.  Having long since given up on this concept, I started using H&R Handis for the 357 Max and eventually moved over to Contender Carbines as a 357 Max.  The light, short and handy traits outweighed the ability to rack another round into the chamber for me.  With the advent of the 360BH, I'd consider a 94 or 336, so chambered, but it's too much mass andvolume for me for the 'Max.

STILL, I'd rethink my current battery if a 92 clone showed up chambered for the 'Max.

BUT, it surely would not be for $3500.  I could have three more complete Contenders (with cash to spare) or FIVE Rossi 92s for that kind of cash, or hire a real gunsmith to build me a custom of some sort which would not be so difficult to look at.

[hunter01]

At least it has nice checkering.....wait a minute!😂
Id honestly be VERY surprised if they sell 10 of them much less the tens of thousands to stay in the gun biz.

[leeenfield]

Jan 28, 2024 16:40:43 GMT -5 rivercane said:

It’s not for me, but it’s an interesting idea, anyway. See below for further details.

www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2024/01/28/shot-2024-silver-creek-firearms-shows-new-4210-lever-action/

It looks like an ergonomically screwed up Stevens 425.