Lever Guns - Winchester, Marlin, or ?

[Shrek926]

My Marlin 336RC 35 Remington has been my primary hunting rifle for 25 years. It's balance and feel is great, but more than that it's as familiar a firearms as any I own. No scope, no sling, just a simple lever gun that has shared my walks in the woods and been a constant companion for a good many years.

 

[Medic_9]

Just to throw this out the 1892 Winchester platform is one of the strongest action out there. The twin locking bars provide a lot of strength. They are quick handling, smooth and carry a decent amount of ammo. Rossi recently released the M92 in 454 casull. Plenty of power and eay recoil. Mike

 

[Kapp]

I've had Winchesters and Marlins, but I've settled on the Rossi Model 92. Get one and either send it to Steve Young or order his DVD on how to do the action/trigger job if you are fairly proficient with tools and do it yourself. Strip the god-awful orange/brown stain and refinish with TruOil. There was some nice figured wood under there on mine. You'll end up with one slick rifle. This one is a .357/.38 and it feeds and shoots anything you stuff in there. A 125g JHP over a healthy dose of 2400 in a .357 Mag case is a totally different beast even out of the 16" bbl rifle.

Kapp

 

[jrr888]

I like Marlin Micro Groove Barrels.

 

[Kyzrsoze]

Marlin all the way, tough workhorse of a rifle, been huntin with 336's for right at 40 years.
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I like the 336 Texan (straight stock) heres pic of a 30-30.

I also have a 336 Texan in 30-30. I refinished the stock a few weeks ago.

 

[Wheeler]

Wasn't 100% on that. Hence the "i believe". Thanks for the correction. Nice guns but even so the AE was still an afterthought to work around an oversight in the design. Shoot, now I want another Marlin....

It's not really an oversight in the design as it is a design that predates scopes being common and easily accessible. I'm a firm believer that a scope is a crutch unless it's long range. Unfortunately for me, the definition of long range keeps getting closer to the muzzle of the gun.

I think all the designs have strengths and weaknesses. I've run around 500 full powered .357 Mag through mine so far and it's doing very well. Using the semi-buckhorn sights the PoA/PoI is pretty much the same out to 50 yards. It's also fun to show up at a tactical rifle match crowded with magazine fed semi-autos with a lever action. I get more than the usual funny looks.

 

[shotgunman]

I love lever guns....Winchesters mostly pre cross bolt safety. two 30/30's, one scope and one without just in case, one 22 mag, one 44 mag and one Puma 44LC with an octagon barrell. Wish I had more. I'll probably get a Henry or Rossi next in 22.

 

[Patronus]

Well, y'all went and did it. I got my Marlin 30-30 today. And I do mean MY Marlin. I bought this gun 14 years ago from Wal-Mart and hunted with it. Got 5 deer with it before I sold it to my brother in law. Well, today I traded my Taurus PT745 to him and got my Marlin back. Color me HAPPY!

It's not really an oversight in the design as it is a design that predates scopes being common and easily accessible. I'm a firm believer that a scope is a crutch unless it's long range. Unfortunately for me, the definition of long range keeps getting closer to the muzzle of the gun.

LOL! Agreed and understood. I've always had less than perfect vision. I had a wee scope on my 22 for squirrel hunting when I was a teenager. On my Marlin I do have see through rings though, just in case.

 

[Sabocat]

I like playing with my Henry 22LR

View attachment 146795

I recently acquired a large loop Henry .22 as well. Has a Williams peep sight on it. But I really like the sight you have on there. What is it, if I may ask? BTW, Here's a group I shot at 30 yards the other day, standing, rapid fire.

 

[Probass]

Love my Winchesters and Marlins but ..... I have a PUMA (Rossi but it is not on the gun anywhere) stainless 20" in .480 Ruger and it is one of the best and most accurate lever guns I ever shot ... easy 100 yard shots with open sights. I would definitely buy more of them if I can find them!