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What to look for in a Lever Action Rifle?
11/9/2011 9:16:29 PM
I have the hankering for a Lever Action Rifle now. I have shot many, mostly in the .22s or 30/30 configuration. Have not shot a rifle in the .357, or anything in the .44 setup.
I would like to hunt with it, but Im not a big hunter and have a .308 bolt that I could use there as well. It will be more of a "fun" rifle, something I can leave in the truck (would be a better option than the single shot 12 I was thinking thats in the safe now....) and the rounds they are chambered in are very effective up close and for some distance, good for the "truck gun".
I dont want to spend too much, and dont want to buy new (heard of some issues with new guns, especially the Marlins). What do I need to look for in a levergun? Certain brands, stocks, barrel length to look for/stay away from? I was told to look at Henrys repeaters, but still dont know what Im actually looking for.
I do want either a magnum or 30/30 caliber, just for the defensive properties and range. I am open to any and all advice. Wont purchase until after Christmas, unless a huge deal comes across that I cant pass up.
I would like to hunt with it, but Im not a big hunter and have a .308 bolt that I could use there as well. It will be more of a "fun" rifle, something I can leave in the truck (would be a better option than the single shot 12 I was thinking thats in the safe now....) and the rounds they are chambered in are very effective up close and for some distance, good for the "truck gun".
I dont want to spend too much, and dont want to buy new (heard of some issues with new guns, especially the Marlins). What do I need to look for in a levergun? Certain brands, stocks, barrel length to look for/stay away from? I was told to look at Henrys repeaters, but still dont know what Im actually looking for.
I do want either a magnum or 30/30 caliber, just for the defensive properties and range. I am open to any and all advice. Wont purchase until after Christmas, unless a huge deal comes across that I cant pass up.
11/10/2011 4:33:21 PM
I would recommend cruising through some of the gun and pawn shops in your area and seeing what the market is like on used leverguns.
I like the Marlin in 336. In my area they are about as common as the sand gnats around here. Because of that they are not too rare and are usually had for decent prices. I'm near a military base with a bunch of young kids who want high speed low drag, newest weapons featured in their x-box games. So, a levergun usually goes sitting on the shelf for a while and is considered a "ho-hum" item to the primary consumers at the gun shops in the area.
I've now bought three, .30-30 Marlin 336s in the last year. I have not paid over $300 for any of them. All were made before the Remington take over of Marlin.
Marlins have a strong smooth action, are actually easier to disassemble and clean properly than Winchesters. The boxed action and predrilled top make the mounting of sights, rails, scopes much easier. All of them that I have shot are pretty accurate. They are common enough that there is not a lot of collector value to be lost in fixing one up to suit your needs.
There is a pretty decent aftermarket for custom parts to fix up a Marlin also.
Winchester is a big name and has a lot of nostalgia, and history behind it, but that's not what you need bouncing around in a truck.
I like the Marlin in 336. In my area they are about as common as the sand gnats around here. Because of that they are not too rare and are usually had for decent prices. I'm near a military base with a bunch of young kids who want high speed low drag, newest weapons featured in their x-box games. So, a levergun usually goes sitting on the shelf for a while and is considered a "ho-hum" item to the primary consumers at the gun shops in the area.
I've now bought three, .30-30 Marlin 336s in the last year. I have not paid over $300 for any of them. All were made before the Remington take over of Marlin.
Marlins have a strong smooth action, are actually easier to disassemble and clean properly than Winchesters. The boxed action and predrilled top make the mounting of sights, rails, scopes much easier. All of them that I have shot are pretty accurate. They are common enough that there is not a lot of collector value to be lost in fixing one up to suit your needs.
There is a pretty decent aftermarket for custom parts to fix up a Marlin also.
Winchester is a big name and has a lot of nostalgia, and history behind it, but that's not what you need bouncing around in a truck.
11/10/2011 6:29:17 PM
The older and the more obsolete round the better 
I have a marlin 357, a winchester 30-30 antique on the way and want a 336 to convert to 450 alaskan just because.
Lever guns are fun i will find a marlin 39 one of these days
I have a marlin 357, a winchester 30-30 antique on the way and want a 336 to convert to 450 alaskan just because.
Lever guns are fun i will find a marlin 39 one of these days
11/10/2011 7:21:47 PM
Originally Posted By SSN_Doc:
I would recommend cruising through some of the gun and pawn shops in your area and seeing what the market is like on used leverguns.
I like the Marlin in 336. In my area they are about as common as the sand gnats around here. Because of that they are not too rare and are usually had for decent prices. I'm near a military base with a bunch of young kids who want high speed low drag, newest weapons featured in their x-box games. So, a levergun usually goes sitting on the shelf for a while and is considered a "ho-hum" item to the primary consumers at the gun shops in the area.
I've now bought three, .30-30 Marlin 336s in the last year. I have not paid over $300 for any of them. All were made before the Remington take over of Marlin.
Marlins have a strong smooth action, are actually easier to disassemble and clean properly than Winchesters. The boxed action and predrilled top make the mounting of sights, rails, scopes much easier. All of them that I have shot are pretty accurate. They are common enough that there is not a lot of collector value to be lost in fixing one up to suit your needs.
There is a pretty decent aftermarket for custom parts to fix up a Marlin also.
Winchester is a big name and has a lot of nostalgia, and history behind it, but that's not what you need bouncing around in a truck.
I would recommend cruising through some of the gun and pawn shops in your area and seeing what the market is like on used leverguns.
I like the Marlin in 336. In my area they are about as common as the sand gnats around here. Because of that they are not too rare and are usually had for decent prices. I'm near a military base with a bunch of young kids who want high speed low drag, newest weapons featured in their x-box games. So, a levergun usually goes sitting on the shelf for a while and is considered a "ho-hum" item to the primary consumers at the gun shops in the area.
I've now bought three, .30-30 Marlin 336s in the last year. I have not paid over $300 for any of them. All were made before the Remington take over of Marlin.
Marlins have a strong smooth action, are actually easier to disassemble and clean properly than Winchesters. The boxed action and predrilled top make the mounting of sights, rails, scopes much easier. All of them that I have shot are pretty accurate. They are common enough that there is not a lot of collector value to be lost in fixing one up to suit your needs.
There is a pretty decent aftermarket for custom parts to fix up a Marlin also.
Winchester is a big name and has a lot of nostalgia, and history behind it, but that's not what you need bouncing around in a truck.
Good advice. Most of these guns, even if they look beat up on the outside, have not fired very many rounds at all and will last a long, long time.
The part about the Marlin being simpler that the Winchester is important. The Winchester is a bear to take apart and put back together. The Marlin is almost AR-15 simple, almost.
I will add that if you're looking for a .22, check out the Henry lineup. The basic Henry 22 lever action is just about the most fund you can have with $250.
11/10/2011 8:54:57 PM
Despite common belief around this forum that officers do not carry lever-guns anymore, I can honestly say that I have. They are good for a truck gun, and an all around do-anything weapon. You can get SBR models (which are NFA weapons, and take a while to legally purchase because of ATF guidelines), or you can go up to models which have been hand-crafted for the pursuit of dangerous game.
You did not mention if you reload or not, as that may come into play a little, for which would be a better decision for you. Even some of the newer model Marlins can be found in good shape, but you have to thoroughly look them over, and do your own quality assurance. Any of the calibers you mentioned would be good to go. If you want cheap ammunition from the store, a 30/30 or even a .357 magnum would be a fine choice, provided you do not plan on shooting very far, or critters that are very big (No for Buffalo). The advantage of the 357 mag is the ability to shoot 38 special through it too. Ammunition is readily available, cheap to buy, and it is a pleasant shooting rifle. I have seen an officer, who had a 357 lever gun, with a big loop, full length rail, EoTech sight, with a flashlight/ laser combo on it. He used it occasionally for serving warrants, and a time or two for entry work. Not my personal choice of weapon, but it did the job for him.
If you can handle the recoil alright, and are ever thinking about getting into reloading, I would suggest a nice Marlin in 45-70. It can be loaded mild, and gentle for home defense, plinking, and small game..........or it can be hot loaded, for busting up heavy bones in Alaskan Brown Bears, and some have even taken them to Africa for dangerous game safari (I would get one of my bigger guns for that if it were me though). But it is a very flexible round, and even over the counter factory ammunition is available in a wide range of power/ bullet weights. Hornady Lever-evolution (available for almost all levergun calibers) are a 325 grain bullet with a plastic ballistic tip, and are good for extended ranges, as compared to normal ammo. Meaning you can reach out to 200-250 yards with a 45/70 without too much fuss. Again to have power coming out the business end, means you will have a deal of recoil. But the lighter loads of 405 grain soft points from Remington are weakened down to tolerable recoil, and this is what I keep it loaded with in the house............No need for the heavy bullets for home defense, and I can place follow up shots instantly with the lighter loads.
As you can tell I am a 45-70 fan, like the others too, just do not know much about them as compared with the 45-70. There are many places that do custom work on the Marlins, and you are limited only by your imagination. Some basic work and you can place .410 shells directly into the chamber, and make the first shot a birdshot, buckshot, or pest load. Prices for 45-70 ammunition is a deal higher than 357 or 30-30 but it is worth the difference IMHO
Good Luck OP
-PC-
You did not mention if you reload or not, as that may come into play a little, for which would be a better decision for you. Even some of the newer model Marlins can be found in good shape, but you have to thoroughly look them over, and do your own quality assurance. Any of the calibers you mentioned would be good to go. If you want cheap ammunition from the store, a 30/30 or even a .357 magnum would be a fine choice, provided you do not plan on shooting very far, or critters that are very big (No for Buffalo). The advantage of the 357 mag is the ability to shoot 38 special through it too. Ammunition is readily available, cheap to buy, and it is a pleasant shooting rifle. I have seen an officer, who had a 357 lever gun, with a big loop, full length rail, EoTech sight, with a flashlight/ laser combo on it. He used it occasionally for serving warrants, and a time or two for entry work. Not my personal choice of weapon, but it did the job for him.
If you can handle the recoil alright, and are ever thinking about getting into reloading, I would suggest a nice Marlin in 45-70. It can be loaded mild, and gentle for home defense, plinking, and small game..........or it can be hot loaded, for busting up heavy bones in Alaskan Brown Bears, and some have even taken them to Africa for dangerous game safari (I would get one of my bigger guns for that if it were me though). But it is a very flexible round, and even over the counter factory ammunition is available in a wide range of power/ bullet weights. Hornady Lever-evolution (available for almost all levergun calibers) are a 325 grain bullet with a plastic ballistic tip, and are good for extended ranges, as compared to normal ammo. Meaning you can reach out to 200-250 yards with a 45/70 without too much fuss. Again to have power coming out the business end, means you will have a deal of recoil. But the lighter loads of 405 grain soft points from Remington are weakened down to tolerable recoil, and this is what I keep it loaded with in the house............No need for the heavy bullets for home defense, and I can place follow up shots instantly with the lighter loads.
As you can tell I am a 45-70 fan, like the others too, just do not know much about them as compared with the 45-70. There are many places that do custom work on the Marlins, and you are limited only by your imagination. Some basic work and you can place .410 shells directly into the chamber, and make the first shot a birdshot, buckshot, or pest load. Prices for 45-70 ammunition is a deal higher than 357 or 30-30 but it is worth the difference IMHO
Good Luck OP
-PC-
11/11/2011 9:18:01 AM
I have a 30-30 and .357. I tak the .357 out way more than any other gun. It is so much fun to shoot. Buy one with a "JM" stamped on the barrel if you can.
I have owned a Rossi 16" .357. I shouldn't have sold it to be honest. I was a good gun for the money.
I have owned a Rossi 16" .357. I shouldn't have sold it to be honest. I was a good gun for the money.
11/11/2011 12:47:24 PM
I should have put that in there, I do not reload. I have been considering it, but I dont have the time to really put into it. I would like to for my .308 when its all done, but that will be some time.
I do prefer factory loaded ammo, and I dont want heavy recoil (want my fiancee to be able to shoot it as well, and she is a very petite woman). I am thinking more of the pistol calibers, .357 or .44, really leaning more of the .357.
What do I need to be looking for on the rifle, bore, action, anything in particular on the rifle itself? The info on the Marlin and winchester being simpler is a good thing to keep in mind. Any finish better than the other? Im not looking for a collectors peice, definitely a shooter and something for the truck, but want something to hold up.
Thanks for the information!!
I do prefer factory loaded ammo, and I dont want heavy recoil (want my fiancee to be able to shoot it as well, and she is a very petite woman). I am thinking more of the pistol calibers, .357 or .44, really leaning more of the .357.
What do I need to be looking for on the rifle, bore, action, anything in particular on the rifle itself? The info on the Marlin and winchester being simpler is a good thing to keep in mind. Any finish better than the other? Im not looking for a collectors peice, definitely a shooter and something for the truck, but want something to hold up.
Thanks for the information!!
11/11/2011 2:41:32 PM
Low recoil go with the 357, with 38spl its like shooting a .22. Mine hates wadcutters jammed it up real good 
11/11/2011 4:33:55 PM
The .30-30 doesn't recoil much at all, but, yes a .357 would still be gentler on the shoulder. The .30-30s just seem to be more common,and more likely to have been shot less. The pistol caliber carbines tend to be priced a bit higher as well.
Things to look for are some of the standard things like, no pitting in the bore, obvious signs of abuse, missing or buggered up screws. Most Marlins will have the front sight hood missing which doesn't really affect function. Test the lever, and the trigger and half cock stop for the hammer, (Just kind of keep your thumb on the hammer while you test it so you don't dry fire it in the shop). Guns after 1984 will have a cross bolt safety, while models before that do not and the half cock is the only safety you have besides an empty chamber. If you are thinking of using it as a truck gun I don't think the cross bolt safety is a bad thing. With the lever not fully in battery the Triggers should be prevented from being pulled, and it should pull with the lever fully up.
Things to look for are some of the standard things like, no pitting in the bore, obvious signs of abuse, missing or buggered up screws. Most Marlins will have the front sight hood missing which doesn't really affect function. Test the lever, and the trigger and half cock stop for the hammer, (Just kind of keep your thumb on the hammer while you test it so you don't dry fire it in the shop). Guns after 1984 will have a cross bolt safety, while models before that do not and the half cock is the only safety you have besides an empty chamber. If you are thinking of using it as a truck gun I don't think the cross bolt safety is a bad thing. With the lever not fully in battery the Triggers should be prevented from being pulled, and it should pull with the lever fully up.
