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Lever Action Advise Needed

7K views 90 replies 38 participants last post by  OneEyedTanker 
#1 ·
Hey fellas. I know there are several of you that own lever actions. I've wanted one since I was about 10 years old. Why I don't already own one is beyond me.

A Marlin 30-30 was what I wanted. But, what should I be looking at for around $1,000 to $1,500? New or used, I don't care. Well built and a pleasure to behold. It will not be a safe queen. I assume that some models are more desirable than others as well as the make. I plan to keep it and not flip it like I have done with so many 1911's. I also plan to eventually own a few. Probably in different calibers.

I'm getting older and I'm starting to appreciate the finer firearms. 1911's, lever action rifles.
Maybe some older shotguns and bolt action rifles. Certainly some revolvers also. Guns that will hold their value. I don't care about AR's or polymers any longer. But I own some and might buy a couple more. Plastic guns are just a tool to me. Wood and steel have soul and will be passed down between my four sons.

So, I'll thank you in advance as I know this thread will get some response. I trust you guys opinions and welcome your guidance.
 
#33 ·
Don't think you could go wrong with anything suggested. I have a Henry .22 LR, old Marlin 336 in 30-30, and Savage 99 in 300 Savage and really appreciate them all. I am also in the market for another, probably in .357 or .44 Mag.

One guy at my gun club is extremely knowledgeable, a skilled amateur gunsmith on 1911s and lever actions. He has most lever guns you can think of. He just bought a Rossi 92 in 44 mag with stainless steel octagon barrel. The wood is beautiful on that gun. He says it's the first lever gun he didn't have to do anything to. I hadn't seen that rifle mentioned in the thread so might we worth looking at.
 
#35 ·
Call me a wimp, but I don't want a .30-30 to plink with, not even my bolt action unless loaded down a good bit. A neighbor's Model 94 carbine was a nasty little kicker.
A friend had a Canadian Centennial with 24" octagon barrel that was a lot of fun with cast bullets.

The nicest casual shooters I know of were the Marlin Cowboys with octagon barrel in revolver calibers.
 
#37 · (Edited)
Personally, I think a .357 lever gun is more versatile. I bought a 90's JM marlin in .357/.38, 20" barrel - 10+1 capacity and heavy .357 loads are comparable ballistically to 30-30 out to 100 yds. Shooting .38s, even +p, is like a .22 mag. The JM Marlins have gone up in price, but you should be able to find one for $800 or less. There are some pre-safety models in .357, but those that I've seen usually go for close to $1000 - same with Winchester. I still kick myself for selling one I picked up for $450 about 10 years ago.

I've added a Skinner winged rear peep sight and a trigger, loading gate, and and large loop lever from Ranger Point Precision. Their products are available for any Winchester or Marlin (all calibers). I can't recommend the RPP stuff highly enough. The trigger is the cleanest, no take up, crisp breaking I've ever had installed in a gun and the pull is around 3.5-4#. Their winged loading gate makes loading a breeze, which is not the case on other lever guns I've owned - just look for the copper or lead marks around the loading gate on most lever guns as proof. I also have their "safety delete" for the crossbolt safety that I haven't installed yet.

If you want to get a 30-30, I'd recommend a pre-safety Winchester 94 or pre-safety Marlin. You should be able to find a nice one for under $1000. I'd definitely replace the sights on either - again, I recommend Skinner sights. The 20" Marlin and Winchester 30-30s will hold 7 in the tube, which is what I consider the minimum for a viable defense rifle. You could go 18" (not common) with 6 rounds or 16" with 5 rounds, but I prefer 7. The 20" carbines in any caliber are very handy. A 16" will feel even handier/more compact than a 16" AR and on par with an M1 carbine.

Edited to add: The main difference between the Marlin and Winchester rifles is the ejection - Marlin ejects from the side and Winchester from the top. The top-eject of the Winchesters bothers some with brass to the face, though I don't recall it being a problem on a .357 I owned when working the lever forcefully (which you should anyway).
 
#38 ·
@OldCuz , just a point of interest , what will you be doing with your lever gun , plunking, caressing, or serous hunting deer or dangerous game. What is important to you ?
Do you want something fancy that will remain “ pretty” and have limited use / range time , or something utilitarian for hard outdoor use ?
IMHO, the turnbulls are expensive show pieces , nothing wrong with that at all they are beautiful no doubt .
Do you mind owning a firearm made offshore ie: Japanese Winchester , or Italian replicas ?
Does caliber or recoil factor in.
Answering these questions may narrow down your choices .
Oh hell , just buy one of each :roflmaro:
 
#39 ·
@tac45, I dreamed about owning a 30-30 as a boy. That might be the one to get by Turnbull some day.
Y'all got me to thinking about a .357 as I am definitely going to get a Colt Python. Makes good sense to. A 22 lever action also. I haven't deer hunted in a long time. Might get back with it but not this year. Honestly I will shoot them but not a bunch. A .22? That might be a different story. With the way ammo is right now. 22 is still available to me readily.

Just left the package store with a couple of bottles.
Liquid Fluid Glass bottle Bottle Amber

Now about to slip into my LGD to see about the lever actions they have in stock.
A fellow member was supposed to hook me up with a couple bottles of Buffalo Trace but no word from him. Oh well. Can't find any ever around here.
When I get back home I'm gonna kick back on my PC. Do some surfing on the web. Make some posts on 1911 Addicts and sip on some bourbon. It's a rainy day here. Heck, might be unboxing a new gun if I find something I fancy. :D
 
#41 ·
@tac45, I dreamed about owning a 30-30 as a boy. That might be the one to get by Turnbull some day.
Y'all got me to thinking about a .357 as I am definitely going to get a Colt Python. Makes good sense to. A 22 lever action also. I haven't deer hunted in a long time. Might get back with it but not this year. Honestly I will shoot them but not a bunch. A .22? That might be a different story. With the way ammo is right now. 22 is still available to me readily.

Just left the package store with a couple of bottles.
View attachment 602455
Now about to slip into my LGD to see about the lever actions they have in stock.
A fellow member was supposed to hook me up with a couple bottles of Buffalo Trace but no word from him. Oh well. Can't find any ever around here.
When I get back home I'm gonna kick back on my PC. Do some surfing on the web. Make some posts on 1911 Addicts and sip on some bourbon. It's a rainy day here. Heck, might be unboxing a new gun if I find something I fancy. :D
I’ll drink to that :D

Liquid Glass bottle Bottle Alcoholic beverage Fluid
 
#40 ·
@OldCuz My Marlin .357 pairs nicely with my 686+ and I wouldn't feel undergunned at all with them. Even heavy .357s don't kick nearly as hard as a 30-30. Just me, but other than my C&R rifles, I like to turn any rifle I buy into something that is set up for defense in a pinch, so that's what I did with the mods to my Marlin - loaded with .38s for defense and .357s for hunting. I still need to add a rail section at the front for a light.

I know 30-30 is as American as apple pie, but I just don't think it's a very good caliber considering the alternatives and it's a recoil'er for what it is. The only advantage I see to a 30-30 over a .357 is better ballistics from 100-150 yards, which still aren't great.
 
#43 ·
Almost left with a Henry 22. Also had a 30-30. Then saw they had a used Colt Commander .45 had come in. $879
Been having an eye out for another commander. Might would have gotten it, but the safety was spongy. Didn't like that. It looked to be a rather low round count Colt. Except the magazine indicated otherwise.

They also had a Rossi in .357 and a Winchester. Not a fan of Rossi. The Winchester was a nice & heavy. Blued and nice hardwood stock. About to head to GB. I'm on the hunt.
 
#44 · (Edited)
Does the Henry still load through the front of the magazine tube. I think it was Henry that did that. Seemed like a PITA.

Only own 1 lever gun, JM marked Marlin XLR 45/70. Zeroed at 50 (could have been 100, I forget). First time I shot it (scoped) at 200 grouped smaller than a chipmunk w/Hornady 45/70 lever evolution, 7.1" (?) drop at 200. Typical Oregon winter day..raining with gusting winds from the west. I thought it did OK. Would like to tear it down and burnish the action to make it smoother and work on the trigger. But it's very functional out of the box.

I hear the Japanese made lever guns are really sweet.
 
#46 ·
Those of you talking about a Uberti. They are a very nice looking lever gun. Sweet gun. I want one.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/876956312
Or this..https://www.gunbroker.com/item/878500937
And the Henry https://www.gunbroker.com/item/879440554

But, primarily because of the ammo shortage I believe I should buy a 22. I would like to be able to shoot it this year. Even 38 Special is about a dollar a round! Sucks. Going to look a while longer and possibly go back later today but most likely tomorrow and nab the Henry in 22LR. I'm about to pour my second two fingers of Larceny. Should be wise and stay inside.
 
#51 ·
@monster that's a nice lever action!
Been awhile since I last shot it, but I don't recall it having issues cycling .38's.
Peep is nice, but only if you still can see the front sight:shy:
I can relate to that also. I really like a gold bead front sight. On everything.
 
#54 ·
Called my LGD back and asked about the Henry Golden Boy 22 inventory. Since guns are selling so quick I just wanted to make sure I could pick one up tomorrow. They only had one. It was on display. So, I didn't want to risk it. Jumped in my Tundra and drove there. When I walked back to the rifles a fella was holding it looking down the sights. Then begin to carefully look it over. Nice he said. Dang, he's going to buy it I thought. He handed it back to his salesperson and asked to see another 22 lever action. Another salesman was near his and was watching me watching the guy handling the rifles. He had seen me in earlier looking at the gun the customer was now looking at. A blued Winchester 22 I think, maybe a Henry. He already knew what I wanted to see as he was also the one I had talked to on the phone. He asks me if I want to see the Golden Boy. I say get the box I'm buying it. The customer's wife was with him and he was still looking at the blued 22. She says to me. That's a beautiful rifle. It's the one I like the most. I smiled and said me too.

Musical instrument accessory Tan Natural material
Denim Textile Iron Machine Thread
 
#62 ·
Called my LGD back and asked about the Henry Golden Boy 22 inventory. Since guns are selling so quick I just wanted to make sure I could pick one up tomorrow. They only had one. It was on display. So, I didn't want to risk it. Jumped in my Tundra and drove there. When I walked back to the rifles a fella was holding it looking down the sights. Then begin to carefully look it over. Nice he said. Dang, he's going to buy it I thought. He handed it back to his salesperson and asked to see another 22 lever action. Another salesman was near his and was watching me watching the guy handling the rifles. He had seen me in earlier looking at the gun the customer was now looking at. A blued Winchester 22 I think, maybe a Henry. He already knew what I wanted to see as he was also the one I had talked to on the phone. He asks me if I want to see the Golden Boy. I say get the box I'm buying it. The customer's wife was with him and he was still looking at the blued 22. She says to me. That's a beautiful rifle. It's the one I like the most. I smiled and said me too.

View attachment 602699 View attachment 602701
In any caliber that is a beautiful piece of Art the metals & wood oh hell do not get me started LOL. The henry is just as American as a gun can get it's like riding an Indian Motorcycle well
it's like shooting a legend.

Now I want one 2.
 
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