Lever Guns ?

[steveb]

I have little experience with lever guns. Have had an itch for a Marlin in 45/70. With a mild case of SASS interest going on here,well, whats available in current production in .44spec/.44mag ? I was warned that the new Marlins are not so good. I was lent a Rossi carbine in .38/.357 for the SASS shoot I went to. It seemed Ok, they said it was available in .44. Opinions ? Other choices ? steve b

[hammerdown77]

I have a Rossi 92 in 45 Colt. It's a way nicer gun than the low price suggests. For Cowboy action, a Rossi in 44, with some slickin' up work done according to the DVD produced by Steve's Gunz, would serve you well.

Mine really needs to be slicked up. It's very accurate, even with the Red Rider BB gun sights, but for fast work it could be improved. Still, it feels very solid and well put together, unlike some other makes I've handled in the stores. I think a little stoning and some spring clipping would do wonders.

[agrizz]

From what I understand the Winchester 73 with a short stroke lever kit in 357 or one of the smaller calibers is the way to work with the SASS.

[toroflow]

Look for a used Browning 92 in .44 mag. I have one, and they are really nice!!

[robl]

My Rev Taylor Tuned .357 Puma is my favorite lever action. The newer taurus/Rossi 92 in 44 mag is affordable and reliable feeds LSWCs in .44 special. My marlin 357 like the Puma will feed full wadcutters, it's that slick and reliable.

[Lee Martin]

I only have two Marlins but have been pleased with the quality. The first is an early "ported" SS Guide Gun in 45-70. The second is this .444 Marlin:



I've shot the latter hard and it functions well and is pretty accurate (seems to like 320 grain hard casts at 1,900 fps).

-Lee
www.singleactions.com
"Building carpal tunnel one round at a time"

[Gary @ R&G]

"I was warned that the new Marlins are not so good."

I think there is a lot of hype out there about the Marlins made since Remington bought them. I cant tell any difference. I have a dozen or so Marlins and think they can hold their own if not out perform anything out there.

Another option is the Henry rifles. I dont own one but the reports are good. They are listing a 45-70 now. 22 style mag tube with no loading gate.

[steveb]

Thanks Gary, I'll keep an open mind at this point in the search. If the SASS interest holds, I'm held to pistol caliber cartridges. I load for 38/357 and 44spec/44mag now. I'd prefer the .44 bore, as the rifle will have to be able to double as a deer and ? rifle. A back-up deer gun is why I initially wanted a 45/70. Sigh..gotta hit that lotto ! steve b

[robl]

Gary , et all I have watched, in person, the Marlin sales rep apologize for the crap that was being turned out last year.... Wood to metal fit was terrible to non existent. Call Davidsons and ask about their return gun list full of marlins personally seen 1/4 and 3/8 gaps and high spots on the pistol grip/wrist fit of stock to action... the learning curse was a long one for the new guys... seems to have gotten much better. Still a Lot of hand fitting on those lever actions... I hope it continues to get better.

[bud]

As Agrizz states...if you wanna be serious in CAS save yerself some dough and get a Uberti '73 in 38/357. You can get one in 44spl too but you'll have to look. The Marlins and Rossi's are great rifles, but once you get 'speeded up' those leverguns just don't go as fast as a '73.

[blueroan]

IF you're going to do a lot of SASS style shooting, a 66 or 73 are THE RACE GUNS. Fast and slicker than spit! If you want something more durable, the MARLINS or 1892 clones are a better choice...the SASS types seem to consider the MARLIN as an entry level gun. Keep your eyes open and your wallet handy at SASS shoots...bargains do come up when somebody wants to up-grade or get out of the sport. Either one might be a bargain.

Originally, I had 44 magnum VAQUEROS and 1894 MARLINS for daily use and possible SASS competition. After looking around some, I bought the same guns in 357 in case I decided to compete...good excuse for new toys! (Bought a second 550B so I'd have reloading outfits in 357 and 44 both set up at the same time.) I'm too cheap for a rifle dedicated to competition use only, but a 24 inch 1866 replica crosses my thoughts too d*** often!

A 45/70 isn't too expensive to feed either IF you reload....and if you cast your own, you know how inexpensive target/plinking ammo can be. I've got an 1895 Cowboy and the Guide Gun is on my list if I encounter an older un-ported one.

Being just short of 64, IF I don't have what I want, I have the means to get it fairly soon. AND IF I can't get it, it won't be the first..or last!...time things don't work out the way I want.

[ohnomrbillk]

I've owned an older Marlin Cowboy in 45 Colt that was very nice. My friend owns its big brother in 45-70. They were both superb with very minor tuning.

If you are wanting an alternative to the Marlin in 45/70, the Winchester or Browning 1886 may be the toughest yet. When I talked to a few levergun smiths, they said it held up to 50 Alaskan conversions better than anything else.

I too have heard first hand horror stories with the Marlins that came out after the recent move. I'm going to let them sor t a few things out before I make any purchases.

[temmi]

I have a Marklin XLR in 450 Marlin and I love it
and Steve Young (Steve's Gunz) did my Rossi 92 in 45Colt.

It is the overall best... but

If you only do cowboy action...

I think Winchester 73 with a short stroke lever kit is the one to run.

I wanted to hunt too

Snake

[Tx Gun Runner]

My 44-40 Rossi I've shot in SASS/CAS matches for 14 years without 1 hiccup and got 3 deer in TN with it .

[hogdoc357]

Do the SASS thing! More fun you'll ever have for a few bucks and it's legal! ;D