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Posted: 5/9/2026 1:37:09 AM EDT
| Narrowed it down to these. I like the 16” barrels most because I want this to be compact, but my biggest deciding factor will be accuracy. |
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I would consider (did) picking up an old JM Marlin. Example. |
I wanted a mission, and for my sins, they gave me one.
No rules today, sport…just orders.
It’s not about how many people you kill, it’s about how many you save.
No rules today, sport…just orders.
It’s not about how many people you kill, it’s about how many you save.
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Already got a 357 JM - purchased by my late Dad in ‘92. |
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Originally Posted By playinARound: Already got a 357 JM - purchased by my late Dad in ‘92. When I was looking for a lever 44 that was the recommendation I received/followed Amd I’m glad I did. |
I wanted a mission, and for my sins, they gave me one.
No rules today, sport…just orders.
It’s not about how many people you kill, it’s about how many you save.
No rules today, sport…just orders.
It’s not about how many people you kill, it’s about how many you save.
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Originally Posted By playinARound: Narrowed it down to these. I like the 16” barrels most because I want this to be compact, but my biggest deciding factor will be accuracy. I started off with a Henry X in 44. Very well made, but horrible trigger and mediocre accuracy. Bought a Rossi M92 stainless with a 16” barrel. It ain’t fancy, but it’s really nice to shoot. Not a fan of those crescent buttplates, they hurt. Now I am thinking about getting a 357 to go with it. Not sure if I want to go with another Rossi or try the S&W 1854. I have handled a couple of them at the gun store, really nice, feel good. Just not sure about accuracy, I haven’t heard much about that. In to see what everyone else thinks. |
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I bought a Henry .44 X several years ago and have been very happy with it. If I were buying now it would be between it and a Marlin SBL (not available when I bought my Henry), the Marlins are a little lighter and imo a little more classic. Day one fixes would be a safety delete and a medium sized lever loop. You should also consider a .22, .22 and .44 leverguns makes a great combo. |
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I've owned Marlins, Winchesters and Henrys in .357, .44 Mag and .45 Colt. All were fine but my current favorite is Henry. I've owned three and will probably be buying a Big Boy X in .45 Colt. I also own a Henry Big Boy Steel side gate Carbine in .38/.357. I recently bought a CMMG Zeroed 46K silencer for another gun and it seems it would be great on the .45 Henry. If I were looking for a .44 Lever gun I would likely get the Henry X. |
Nobody is coming. It's up to you.
My new Marlin 44 SBL was a shit show from the moment I picked it up . It had so many debris in the action it wouldn’t cycle. Then it had frequent ftf that more or less has been fixed with a new extractor. It still requires an extra half cycle to chamber every 20-30 rounds. It’s such a cute little gun though. I bought my dad a new Marlin 44, then a 357, and they’ve been fine. They’re both classics, though Attached File Most of the debris: Attached File The usual FTF: Attached File |
Bleeding edge of retardation
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Owned several Marlins over the years. Never kept them long. Accuracy was never what I hope. Tried reloads, several factory rounds and couldn't get the groups I wanted. 5-6 inch groups at 100 yards or more isn't what I was looking for. My 629 does a lot better then that. Bought a Henry X. What a POS. Sure it shot and functioned fine. Gave up even trying to sight it in. 6-8 inch groups at 50 yards. Yes numerous different loads didn't even make a difference. Interesting my nephew bought a Henry 30-30 same thing. Couldn't hold a paper plate size group to sight it in. NEVER buy a Henry. Finally got a S&W 1854 Stealth Hunter. Night a day difference. Will shoot 2-3 inch groups at 100 with just about any load or reload I have. Sure point of impact changes a little but still holds the group. It's a keeper may work on loads to tighten up groups. Love shooting it suppressed. The treasure in the safe is my Ruger 96/44. That I bought new. Boy does that shoot. It's not a sniper rifle but compared to a Henry it is. Problem is with the crappy 4 round mag. What a pain to reload or switch mags while cold in the field. However the accuracy is worth it. FYI all shooting was done off my shooting bench. Using sand bags and scope. |
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I have the SBL. It’s really short. The 16” barrel guns almost look and feel like toys. I would’ve preferred an 18” bbl gun like the 1894 Classic, but the gun itself is very nice indeed. I think you’ll like .44 magnum in a lever action. It offers a significant increase in power over the .30-30, with top loads nipping at the heels of many .45-70 loads out of the same length bbl. All while being housed in a much shorter package and weighing a full pound less than the 336. In all honesty, both 1894s are better woods/mountain guns than their 336 caliber counterparts. |
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I bought a Henry Big Boy Side Gate..... it was minute of vw beetle randomly. Sent it back barrel replaced now its a 3" gun with xtp's. IIRC new barrel was still around a 12" with lead what i wanted to shoot. I would recommend some serious research if you want to use lead. I never thought it would be difficult to get a 44 lever gun to shoot lead. |
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