I Need a Lever Gun in My Life

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - I Need a Lever Gun in My Life (Page 1 of 4)

Posted: 9/27/2021 12:09:35 PM EDT

I have all sorts of common and classic semiauto's, a few bolt guns, handguns of many a flavor... but I don't have a lever-action. I remember when I was a kid I got to manhandle my Grandpa's brass-paneled .30-30 with this huge scope on it, and there was something that was just magical about it. The action was so buttery, you could feel every ratchet and clank of the mechanism as it was working, but it was so smooth, all gliding together like the parts of a well-oiled bank vault door.

I mostly just target shoot. I don't hunt anymore. I love the idea of big bore like a .45-70 mostly just because I love big bore anything. But I'd never put the round to use as it's intended.

I also love the idea of having that .30-30 again just because it is such an American classic, an heirloom gun I can pass onto my family once I get croaked.

Being able to whip out a shitload of .357 or .44 at watermelons and soda cans also sounds like a blast.

What do you got and why do you have it?

Posted: 9/27/2021 12:12:38 PM EDT

[#1]

Henry case hardened 357. Got for my son to be an heirloom, plus it makes a good gun for woods bumming, camping, and learning to shoot. Wife likes a red Ryder so she’s good with the manual of arms

Posted: 9/27/2021 12:18:22 PM EDT

[#2]

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Uberti 1866…because Uberti is about the only option out there for historically accurate copies of old west era lever guns. It is amazingly smooth and a true value for the money (I have no idea how these don’t cost 2x what they do, being made in Europe).

Posted: 9/27/2021 12:20:50 PM EDT

[#3]

I've got lever guns in 30-30, .44 MAG, .22 LR, and 12 gauge. I like the shotgun best.

Posted: 9/27/2021 12:20:53 PM EDT

[#4]

Yes you do.

Posted: 9/27/2021 12:21:16 PM EDT

[#5]

Give me the one from jurassic world

Posted: 9/27/2021 12:22:42 PM EDT

[#6]

I got a 1953 Marlin 39A a few weeks ago. Wanted a lever gun for a LONG dam time. Figured .22LR would be a good start!

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Posted: 9/27/2021 12:23:51 PM EDT

[#7]

Henry X in .357 shooting suppressed with .38 special, very quiet and just too much fun!

Posted: 9/27/2021 12:24:10 PM EDT

[#8]

The Marlin Dark Series are super sick!!! I would buy one if I had an extra grand lying around somewhere.

Posted: 9/27/2021 12:27:13 PM EDT

[#9]

You really need at least 2.

.22 for fun and a revolver caliber carbine for hunting, fun and as a travel gun. I went with a .44 for the latter.

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Posted: 9/27/2021 12:28:28 PM EDT

[#10]

Mines a R92 Triple Black in 357.

Posted: 9/27/2021 12:31:14 PM EDT

[#11]

I'm lusting after a marlin in 357.

They're going for almost a grand on GB though

Posted: 9/27/2021 12:32:14 PM EDT

[#12]

Have two - Marlin 1894 in .44 Mag and a Winchester 94 in .30-30. Waiting to see what Ruger brings back from the Marlin line...

Posted: 9/27/2021 12:33:53 PM EDT

[#13]

Lever guns are a sickness with no cure.
I would jump in by buying a Marlin 336 in 30/30. Almost everyone ends up with one, so in your case begin with one.
357's are a great caliber as well, mine is a Taylors Lever Scout. Everyone has their opinions on what is best.

Posted: 9/27/2021 12:34:31 PM EDT

[#14]

I just got a Henry BB in .44 a couple of days ago. I'd thought about "customizing" it, but I kinda like it in KISS configuration.

Posted: 9/27/2021 12:34:52 PM EDT

[#15]

Marlin model 336 in 35 cal Winchester with 8X scope and gold trigger

Posted: 9/27/2021 12:35:38 PM EDT

[#16]

I definitely want a .357, .44, or 45-70 in my life.

Posted: 9/27/2021 12:36:10 PM EDT

[#17]

When "tactical" lever guns first appeared I thought no one would buy them. This is why I don't sell guns for a living.

Posted: 9/27/2021 12:37:41 PM EDT

[#18]

Henry 357 X, Liberty Infiniti all titanium can

1959 WIN94 30-30

Posted: 9/27/2021 12:39:05 PM EDT

[#19]

Check prices on 30-30 before you pick that caliber…

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Posted: 9/27/2021 12:40:11 PM EDT

[#20]

I have three.

Marlin 1895 45/70 with octagon barrel.
Winchester 94 in .22 mag
Winchester 94 in 410

Posted: 9/27/2021 12:40:16 PM EDT

[#21]

If you can find an older Marlin or Winchester, go for it. That said, people want stupid money for them. I personally love the Uberti guns as referenced in this thread. I want an Uberti 1860 really bad since I reload a fair amount of BP 45 Colt.

Posted: 9/27/2021 12:42:16 PM EDT

[#22]

Henry .45-70. Big boom, fun shoot.

Posted: 9/27/2021 12:50:02 PM EDT

[#23]

Not looking to branch into new calibers, I've serious considered one in .38 Special/.357 Magnum or .45 Colt.

Posted: 9/27/2021 12:50:21 PM EDT

[#24]

My very first gun was a Marlin 336 in .30-30 made in 1984. The second is an 1895 Cowboy 26” full octagon.45-70 made in 2007 I think, when they were a bitch to find.
Still have both.

Posted: 9/27/2021 12:54:20 PM EDT

[#25]

JM stamped Marlins. The .357 mag a. 44 mags are super fun and cheap to shoot. And should you want to hunt, they make fine deer rifles for shots under 100yds.

Posted: 9/27/2021 12:55:28 PM EDT

[#26]

I’ve had two Marlins (1895GG and a 336W) and managed to get both to jam up on me.

The 1895GG I had to disassemble in the field to unfuck it. No idea what jammed it up so tight. Really gave me pause for using this gun for bear protection.

The 336W will lock up if you cycle the action slow. Normally you cycle it fast and never have a problem but I was teaching my kid to use it. She’d jam up the lever half the time. Good thing is all you need to do is push on the back of the bolt to unstick it. Must be some tolerance in the cam action.

Posted: 9/27/2021 12:58:39 PM EDT

[#27]

My 1981 Marlin 30-30.

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My son just ordered this Henry 45-70. Hopefully here by the end of the week so we can shoot it on the weekend before he goes back to Camp Pendleton.

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Posted: 9/27/2021 12:59:23 PM EDT

[#28]

Glenfield 30a

Glenfield was the house brand for JC penny and made by Marlin. The 30a is a 336 with a birch stock.

Lower demand than JM Marlins therefore lower price.

I’m not paying >$1000 for a brush gun. My 30a is scratched and dented and I don’t care cause it cost me $300.

Posted: 9/27/2021 12:59:38 PM EDT

[#29]

I've got a Henry .22 and have wanted a Marlin .45-70 GS Guide Gun for years. But I don't get the blacktical railed, scoped, suppressed lever guns. I mean I'm all for people getting what they want, but a tactical lever gun seems like a /0 error to me. Is it mostly just a people who live in commie coastal states thing? I've got 7 ARs that would be deployed long before I resorted to using a lever gun. I like lever guns for the old school vibe, and only irons. But I do understand having a scope on there for people who want to hunt with them, though most lever gun cartridges don't routinely get used at distances that demand scopes. A .30-30 would be an exception. And the Model 71 .348 Winchester that I stupidly sold could have been scope-worthy, though I never would have messed with that gun. Anyways, I'm sure feathers will be ruffled by my opinion. But I'm sure that I'm far from alone in my old school vibe.

Posted: 9/27/2021 1:04:35 PM EDT

[#30]

My favorite hunting lever gun is my Marlin 1895SBL (.45-70). My prettiest lever gun is my Henry case-hardened .45-70 with octagonal barrel (non-side-loading). I would suggest you get the case-hardened side-loading Henry in either .45-70 or .30-30. Rounds for both cartridges are sort of "out there" right now in terms of price. These case-hardened Henrys are gorgeous. You can add a case-hardened large loop if you want gloves to fit in easily in the fingerguard. I did this with my Henry .45-70. I also replaced the buckhorn sight with a Skinner ladder sight.

My flawless-conditioned Winchester 94 Ranger in .30-30 is not pretty but it is practical . . . especially in a scabbard on horseback. The shorter carbines are better suited to horseback.

Posted: 9/27/2021 1:05:24 PM EDT

[#31]

Quote History

Quoted:
I got a 1953 Marlin 39A a few weeks ago. Wanted a lever gun for a LONG dam time. Figured .22LR would be a good start!
https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/179898/IMG-8923_jpg-2108029.JPG

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Ha!

I just picked up a 50s "Mountie" (straight comb) 22LR: figured it would be cheaper than 44, 30-30 and 45-70.

It's a sweet little rifle.

Posted: 9/27/2021 1:06:37 PM EDT

[#32]

Quote History

Quoted:
I've got a Henry .22 and have wanted a Marlin .45-70 GS Guide Gun for years. But I don't get the blacktical railed, scoped, suppressed lever guns. I mean I'm all for people getting what they want, but a tactical lever gun seems like a /0 error to me. Is it mostly just a people who live in commie coastal states thing? I've got 7 ARs that would be deployed long before I resorted to using a lever gun. I like lever guns for the old school vibe, and only irons. But I do understand having a scope on there for people who want to hunt with them, though most lever gun cartridges don't routinely get used at distances that demand scopes. A .30-30 would be an exception. And the Model 71 .348 Winchester that I stupidly sold could have been scope-worthy, though I never would have messed with that gun. Anyways, I'm sure feathers will be ruffled by my opinion. But I'm sure that I'm far from alone in my old school vibe.

View Quote

That’s a very FUDD like perspective.

Posted: 9/27/2021 1:09:02 PM EDT

[#33]

Quote History

Quoted:
Glenfield 30a

Glenfield was the house brand for JC penny and made by Marlin. The 30a is a 336 with a birch stock.

Lower demand than JM Marlins therefore lower price.

I’m not paying >$1000 for a brush gun. My 30a is scratched and dented and I don’t care cause it cost me $300.

View Quote

I paid $190 for mine and sold it last year for $500.

Posted: 9/27/2021 1:10:39 PM EDT

[#34]

Marlin GSBL 45-70 Govt.

Why? Because BIG BORE!!

Honestly it was a random purchase and I do not regret it at all. Besides the fact its one of the most fun firearms to bring out and finger bang(that lever action is just oh so sweet) it will put down damn near anything in the NA. Now I want another that I can slap a can on the end and make a Gucci Gun as some of the previous posters did.

I have shot mine a total of 6 rounds. Go get the lever big bore or wait until the RugerMarlins start coming out and pick one up.

Posted: 9/27/2021 1:17:48 PM EDT

[#35]

Quote History

Quoted:
I'm lusting after a marlin in 357.

They're going for almost a grand on GB though

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@GUNGUY148

I ran into some Ruger corporate folk last week at a bar. They said October marlins should start shipping.

Posted: 9/27/2021 1:25:15 PM EDT

[#36]

Quote History

Quoted:

@GUNGUY148

I ran into some Ruger corporate folk last week at a bar. They said October marlins should start shipping.

View Quote

Good news

Posted: 9/27/2021 1:27:01 PM EDT

[#37]

Attached File

Posted: 9/27/2021 1:28:36 PM EDT

[#38]

Quote History

Quoted:

@GUNGUY148

I ran into some Ruger corporate folk last week at a bar. They said October marlins should start shipping.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
I'm lusting after a marlin in 357.

They're going for almost a grand on GB though

@GUNGUY148

I ran into some Ruger corporate folk last week at a bar. They said October marlins should start shipping.

@NUJbrown

That's awesome news

Posted: 9/27/2021 1:41:19 PM EDT

[#39]

I like lever guns and I can not lie - well accept about talking about canoeing anyway.

45/70's are fun (I have had more than my fair share). But even if you reload, bullets cost a lot of lead and powder. They also add up on the shoulder - you don't shoot that many times per range trip, ever... Not saying you don't want one, or you will not enjoy owning it, or you will regret getting it. Just it is pretty much never going to be the only gun you take out to the range for a couple hours of shooting.

30-30 used to be a great compromise if you did not reload. Ammo used to be universally available. You can shoot it several times more often before your shoulder really starts to complain - but a light 30-30 (Winchester 94 carbine) will still make your shoulder groan. Decent for hunting, but this is the one I kind of like the least - even if I killed my first deer with one.

Lever action pistol caliber carbines are just plain fun to shoot. You can fun 100 rounds through one, and only want to stop because of money. 38's are both low recoil and low noise, they make me smile a lot. Suppressed 38's and 44spl make me all giggly inside. Few guns suppress as well as a 38 lever action. That said, my current favorite is a Marlin 44 dark.

Posted: 9/27/2021 1:45:55 PM EDT

[#40]

Winchester 1873 is my favorite. Very smooth action. Got mine in 45 Long Colt to go with my cowboy revolver.

Posted: 9/27/2021 1:47:26 PM EDT

[#41]

Quote History

Quoted:
The Marlin Dark Series are super sick!!! I would buy one if I had an extra 2 grand lying around somewhere.

View Quote

Fixed

Posted: 9/27/2021 2:11:47 PM EDT

[#42]

Besides having a few Winchesters (including an 1887) and Marlins in 44, 30-30 and 12 gauge, I scratched the 45-70 itch with a Marlin Cowboy.

Posted: 9/27/2021 2:15:27 PM EDT

[#43]

'cause im a cowboy, of course !

Posted: 9/27/2021 2:19:59 PM EDT

[#44]

I bought a Rossi 38/357 carbine. Wanted to scratch the itch as cheaply as I could.

I'm looking for others now. The Rossi has been fantastic. I'd like to get a 45/70.