Lever Action Advice

[Pulp]

I have my grandads ‘94, a Rossi ‘92 in .44-40, a Rossi ‘92 in .357/38, and a Remlin 45-70. Love ‘em all, but the .44-40 is my favorite. If you go Rossi I highly recommend the Nate Kiowa Jones upgrade kit. Steve's Gunz | "The Rossi 92 Specialist".
The ‘92 is a very strong action, you can get them in .460 S&W if that’s your thing.

 

[Pulp]

Oh yeah, just remembered Leverguns 50 channel on YouTube. Talk about some thumpers! I had no idea any lever gun could handle what he puts through his.

 

[rickm]

I have a Marlin in 357, 45 colt, 30-30 and 444 the 30-30 is a 30AS model similar to the 336 and the rest are 1894 models

 

[Sooner67]

Sure like lever guns hope to find a decent 30-30 someday.

 

[Cat City Slim]

My personal favorite lever action design for hunting is the Savage 99. They are available in a variety of calibers. They use a rotary magazine, so one can safely shoot spritzer bullets, allowing for significantly extended range. I own and use a Marlin 94 in 357 and a Uberti Winchester 73 copy in 44-40 for Cowboy action shooting. The 73 action is probably my favorite firearm design. It is intrinsically smooth to operate, and has the classic old west style. The 94 is nice but not as smooth to operate or as aesthetically pleasing to me.

 

[dennishoddy]

I have the Henry .22 mag that is as smooth as butter. The fit and finish is top notch for a rifle at that price point.
Two Marlin 336 with the JM stamp, one in 30-30 and the other part of the trinity in .44 mag. The .44 mag completes the collection of a Ruger semi auto and a Ruger pistol in the same caliber.
I'm late to the lever gun game, but they are light, and easy to carry to the field.

 

[Jack Shootza 50]

I have a lot of experience surrounding handguns (revolvers and semi-autos) and a good bit surrounding rifles with bolt or semi-auto actions, but I have no experience when it comes to lever actions. I have always wanted one, just never got around to picking one up, mostly due to a lack of knowledge around them.

I have gone through the forums and done some research online, but wanted to see everyone's thoughts here. I want something nice that will last and be reliable, can either be a modern version or an older model, mainly just don't want some discount brand or model with issues. Not looking for anything big bore like 45-70, ideally would stay in the 30 caliber range like a 38 or 30-30, but I'll listen to whatever experience you all have. Anyone have suggestions on what to start looking at? Thanks

I've owned several Marlin's over the years from 22 RF-45/70 all were good for what I wanted them for, hunting and plinking ranges out to 150 yards, I still have one in 44 mag that I bought back in the early 80's and a 30/30 Guide Gun but the one I liked the best of all of them was my Cowboy model in 45 Colt, I kick myself every time I think about it for selling it. You just have figure out what you're going to use it for and buy the best one for the job....good luck!

 

[VTDW1]

I say go for it bro. I have owned many lever actions from 30-30 to 45-70 in various configurations. All but one have been Marlins. I forgot about the little Henry 22 which I still use shooting sub-sonic and a Sprite bottle for more silence. I don’t shoot bear or lions with it but you can use your imagination
Go with what your budget allows and enjoy!! Back in the day I owned a forum Marlinowners.com. If you get a Marlin lemme know and I can hook you up to knowledge.

 

[O4L]

45 Colt loaded up to its potential in a levergun is a major league stomper and can out perform a 30-30

Really?

 

[RickN]

I wish I could have bought the Savage 99 that was in the classifieds. They are great rifles. I had one in 243 for a brief while.