I'm in the market for my first lever gun.  I've been wanting a lever action since I was a little kid so I figured its time to finally get myself one.  I'm not getting one for a specific purpose other than shooting at the range and maybe using it as a truck/brush gun when I'm out cutting wood and what not.  I'm thinking maybe a .44 mag would be a fun caliber to have.  I don't plan on putting any optics on it.  So my question is, what is the best gun for the price.  I'd like to keep it around $600 if possible..

Any recommendations?

Used pre safety Marlin 1894

I've never liked the clunky feel of the Marlin 1894.

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Rossi 92 is far and away the best bang for the buck.  They clean up very nice but they need a little work.

You'll need to:

1.  give it a good cleaning as the new ones come with some metal chips and grease in the magazine tube;
2. replace the ejector spring with a lighter one from Stevesgunz.com; and
3. eventually replace the yellow plastic magazine follower with a stainless steel follower (again from Stevesgunz.com.

As an option you can also:

4.  shorten the magazine spring;
5. lighten the spring for the loading gate;
6. shorten the hammer spring slightly; and
7. polish the detents in the receiver for the lever detent pin and the detents in the cartridge guides.

You can get a DVD from Steve that outlines the process for 1-7.

The end result is a very smooth and slick operating lever action.

Rossi has also upped their game on the stock finish in the last couple years, but you can still add some Tru-oil or tung oil on top of the finish to fill the grain and improve the quality of the finish.  With a  half dozen coats of Tru-oil the end result is very nice.



You can get them in both rifle (20" or 24" barrel) and carbine (16" or 20") configurations, and on stainless steel, blued or color case hardened finishes.



With a Marbles Tang sight they still retain great lines, but are capable of very good accuracy for a lever gun. The rifles come drilled and tapped, the carbines will need one 10-32 hole drilled and tapped.



This one also has a Lyman 17AHB globe front sight.  

Rossi.  I have a 357 twenty inch.  Haven't done a thing to it and doubt I will.  Works great and is surprisingly accurate.

Thanks for the input gents

I would go with a Marlin 336 in 30-30 for a first levergun.

Winchester 94 in 30-30 would be my second choice.

Get a used Marlin 336 in 30-30.

I say either used Marlin or Winchester in 30-30.
or
Rossi 92 in 357.

Used Winchester 94 in 30-30 would be my choice.

Any decent gun store should have a few on the rack or find a nice one on GB.

IMO get a used JM marked Marlin 336. They go for $250-300 around here.

Henry Big Boy!

This is my thoughts also. On the 94 though, change the butplate for a 1/2  to 3/4 inch thick recoil pad. Stock is kind of short to begin with and a soft pad will keep it on your shoulder and from smacking you in the cheek. Both are a blast to plink with loaded with cast bullets running about 1500 fps.

 

Thanks for the input guys. I'm going to check out some local shops today!

X3 with the lever evolution you can reach out to 250 yards easily if you decide to hunt or need to kill a pita coyote.

I Just picked up the big boy steel carbine in .357, I like it

OP want to hunt or play? I use it for beer cans.

Not planning on hunting with it, mainly just want a new fun range gun.  I've been checking out the Big Boy at a local shop and I'm leaning in that direction!

This , I saw a nice Marlin built one for $350 last week

Hate to say it but go to walmart and get a marlin 336w, its parkerized and not fancy but for 378 dollars it can't be beat.

 

JM Marlin 30-30.

My first lever gun was a Marlin 39A when I was a teenager. I have a number of Marlin centerfires from .357 to .45 Colt, but I would recommend for your consideration a Marlin 1894C .357 as a first centerfire gun; cheap to shoot, no recoil to speak of, accurate, adequately powerful for game up to deer/black bear. What's not to like?

That gun is beautiful!! What caliber is it?

Where did you find a model with a octagonal 20 inch barrel with a saddle ring?

How do you like that marbles tang sight? Yours looks a bit different than most.

I hopefully will be picking one up soon. I just have some things to take care of first.

After you get your levergun OP, which ever you decide to go with, check these guys out.

http://gunstockcover.com/

I am kind of leaning towards the John Wayne package myself.

As of now I've decided on the Henry.  Now I'm just having second thoughts on caliber.  I was originally planning on .44 mag, but I'm curious about .357.   Pros and cons to either round?

Strictly hunting, go with the 44 Mag, anything else go 357/.38. A 357 mag  is still a good hunting round for deer and such to 100 yds with good shot placement , and 38's can be found for less than half the cost of the cheapest 44 mag.  If you plan on plinking a lot the 357/38 is more bang for the buck, plus lower to almost no recoil for younger shooters.

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Excellent, thank you!  My plans are to use it as mainly a plinking gun and a brush gun from time to time.  Also my wife will enjoy shooting a lever gun, but she does not like recoil.

Deleted wrong post oops.

Maybe my age is showing, but I'd suggest a .22 lr levergun as your first.  You can likely afford to shoot it enough to learn proper technique.  Then once you have acquired the necessary skill you can change to a caliber you prefer.  But don't be surprised if you find yourself dragging the .22 gun out more often than the larger caliber.

Thanks for the input, gents.  I've finally made up my mind and after watching several videos and talking to people I've decided on the Rossi 92 in .357!  Hopefully be picking one up next week.

The Price... That is if you can find one.

Ditto on this. The Henry H001 can be found at Wal-Mart for under $300. Fun and cheap to shoot as far as .22 ammo prices go these days.

Great choice on the Rossi 92, and on the 357 caliber. The 357 really comes alive out of a rifle barrel.

That stock looks great.

Just rub some Tru-oil on it a few times?

For $600 or less WHERE AT.....

Yes +1 This is a best bet.... No Remlin's allowed JM only......