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Posted: 6/28/2005 10:19:13 AM EDT

I am shopping around for a .357 lever action rifle. I want a 16 inch barrel. I would like the weapon to feed .38 as well as .357. I dont want the new lawyer locks that are currently on the Marlin's and Winchesters.

Has anyone here given the Rossi M92 a good flogging?

Does the Rossi have a lawyer lock?

Is there an advantage to the 92 over the 94 action?

And lastly, did Marlin ever offer a 16 inch barrel?

Thanks

Posted: 6/28/2005 10:23:22 AM EDT

[#1]

sounds like you need a used Marlin 1894C. you should be able to pick one up at a gun show for about $250-350.

Posted: 6/28/2005 1:20:02 PM EDT

[#2]

I am not sure what Laywer Locks are, I know many were displeassed with the Marlin and the Cross Bolt Safety in the receiver.

I have both the Marlin 1894 in .357 mag and the Winchester 94 Tapper in 44 Mag. The winchester was just bought earlier this year and has the push button safety located on the rear of the tang behind the hammer.

The Trapper has the 16 inch barrel, saddle ring decent bluing job with some having Walnut stocks. I bought both of mine form Big 5 for $320.00 eash on sale. Big 5 does however specify some sorta hardwood stocks, I think Birch. I hasn't please with the finish so I reid both and found some interest wood under the opaque stain/clear satin finish.

Both came with external locks, the Winchester has a cabble type you thear through the receiver and the Marlin came with a C Clamptype lock to keep the lever extended open.........Both got put away like so many 1911 ILS keys.

The Winchesters fit and external finish is a lot cleaner overall when compared to the Marlin. The Marlin still has a lot of tooling marks on the receiver were the Winchester after some polishing is like deep blue glass.

Karsten

Posted: 6/28/2005 3:39:20 PM EDT

[#3]

"Lawyer Lock" is my reference to the tang mounted or cross bolt safties in the new Marlin/Winchesters, the key operated locks on the Taurus/Smith revolvers. etc. I cant bring myself to buy a weapon with one of those.

Thanks for the info

Posted: 6/28/2005 4:26:57 PM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
"Lawyer Lock" is my reference to the tang mounted or cross bolt safties in the new Marlin/Winchesters, the key operated locks on the Taurus/Smith revolvers. etc. I cant bring myself to buy a weapon with one of those.

Thanks for the info

Just because the stupid things are there , don't mean you have to use them. We made it, what, about 120 years, from the first practical lever actions of the 1860s, til the 1980s when Marlin first started with the safeties, with just a hammer for a safety and a lot of us survived.
I wouldn't compare an easy to use safety with a keyed lock though, worlds apart. If it bugs you that much there is someone out there that makes a block out cross bolt for the Marlins that removes the crossbolt safety. I just don't remember who.
If it's just the principle of the deal, then you're gonna hafta find an older rifle.

Posted: 6/28/2005 6:41:51 PM EDT

[#5]

Marlin 1894C best gun I own.

Posted: 6/29/2005 5:52:43 AM EDT

[#6]

I will have to search the used gun racks. Most preople seem to prefer the Marlin. I have yet to find one with a 16 inch barrel. They all seem to be 18 1/2.

The Cowboy action shooters seem to be expert in the area of lever guns. The Marlin and the various copies of the 92 seem to be the most popular. Not too many use the 1894.

Posted: 6/29/2005 2:57:15 PM EDT

[#7]

I purchased a Marlin 1894C in April of this year. Added an XS Systems Scout Mount as well as a Leupold 2x Power Scout Scope...I feed it mostly Speer 135gr +P GDHP .38spl.

It works awesome!

Posted: 6/29/2005 3:07:01 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
I am shopping around for a .357 lever action rifle. I want a 16 inch barrel. I would like the weapon to feed .38 as well as .357. I dont want the new lawyer locks that are currently on the Marlin's and Winchesters.

Has anyone here given the Rossi M92 a good flogging?

Does the Rossi have a lawyer lock?

Is there an advantage to the 92 over the 94 action?

And lastly, did Marlin ever offer a 16 inch barrel?

Thanks

I have what you are looking for. 16" Rossi .357. (Not for sale) Just piped up to say that it is a great choice. Older Rossi models have no locks. EAA is now importing them, as well as Navy Arms. You will have to get your hands on one to see if they have the locks, but I bet they do.

I have used a Rossi 20" in SASS competition and it ran 100% for years. I gave it to my Dad when the Marlin CBII came out. I did keep a pristine 16" Rossi (I had several), which does not have the mag. capacity for SASS competition.

The 94 action was designed for rifle length cartidges and may cycle handgun cartridges, but won't do it fast, or reliably.

If you do go with a Marlin, a simple C clip will lock out the stupid hammer block. Somebody also sells a plug to eliminate it all together, but I never got one. (I own 4 marlins, two in .22, one in .45-70, and one in .357) On my .357, I changed the hammer spring to a 'Bunkhouse' brand, and polished a few parts. It cycles very smooth!!!

There are several highly rated Cowboy gunsmiths that can shorten a Marlin, if you want one bad enough.

Posted: 6/29/2005 4:20:11 PM EDT

[#9]

thanks.

Posted: 6/29/2005 6:29:00 PM EDT

[#10]

I have an old Rossi 92 in .357, it's not as fancy as a Winchester or Marlin but it gets the job done.
It's accurate out to 100 yards, and the only safety is the half cock hammer.
I have fired about 800 rounds of full power Remington factory ammo out of it with no problems.
The only benefit of a Marlin would be side eject, that would make mounting a scope a heck of a lot easier.

Posted: 6/29/2005 7:38:04 PM EDT

[#11]

Looks like I am going to go with a Marlin. I'll just have to settle for an 181/2 in barrel.

The only used Rossi I could find was $375. The 1984 action doesnt seem to be at its best when used with pistol cartridges.

Thanks

Posted: 7/1/2005 5:40:37 PM EDT

[#12]

I don't no about lever gun in 357 but I do know my Timber wolf in 357 is a great shooter it's a pump action made by Iserial Arms.

Posted: 7/1/2005 7:13:07 PM EDT

[#13]

1894C Marlin gets my vote!

Posted: 7/2/2005 8:38:23 AM EDT

[#14]

Ranger compact is 16"

Posted: 7/2/2005 8:58:41 AM EDT

[#15]

A used Marlin 1894C is surprisingly tough to find in my area. I may bite the bullet, spend the $ and go this route:

http://stevesgunz.com/SalesSG.htm

Posted: 7/28/2005 7:02:43 PM EDT

[#16]

Thanks to all who responded. I purchased an 1894C that I found on gunsamerica. I put 1 box of 158 gr JSP through it so far. This is an outstanding little rifle. 10 ring hits were simple at 25 yds as fast as I could work the lever.

Posted: 7/29/2005 12:52:46 AM EDT

[#17]

Congrats

Posted: 8/3/2005 5:42:13 PM EDT

[#18]

try reloading for it.I do You can useabout 16-17 grain of 4227 and a good 140-150 grian bullet. Or about 19 gr.for a110-125...the lightweights go about 2000fps.make a 357 hole going in. Then,because they were designed to expand about 900fps.....poof

Posted: 8/3/2005 5:50:07 PM EDT

[#19]

I used to have a Marlin .357 , it would shoot clover leaf groups at 50 yds

Posted: 8/3/2005 6:07:27 PM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:
I am shopping around for a .357 lever action rifle.

Buddy, ARFCOM is a great site, no doubt. But when you want to ask levergun questions, I have a forum I want to invite you to: Paco Kelly's www.leverguns.com/Default.htm

Levergun history, exploded views, great articles, information about every levergun made, and it's populated by a crowd that is friendly, and helpful.

Comeon over, and ask all the ??'s you like. Then stay awhile and read some great olde-timer's tales.

C-Ya soon?

Can you trust a man that calls himself a rifleman but does not own at least one levergun?

Posted: 8/3/2005 7:26:05 PM EDT

[#21]

Thanks for the invite. I will check it out

Posted: 8/7/2005 3:28:16 PM EDT

[#22]

I'd add my vote to any Marlin. I have a 94 Cowboy in .44 mag. Couldn't resist the octagon barrel.

Posted: 8/11/2005 7:16:44 PM EDT

[#23]

anyone have any trouble shooting .38 in a lever gun chambered for .357? Someone was telling me you couldn't do it. Not 100% believing it.

Posted: 8/11/2005 7:52:00 PM EDT

[#24]

No problems at all. I just shot .38's in mine a few days ago.

Posted: 8/12/2005 7:42:08 AM EDT

[#25]

I'd wait for an older Rossi . Unless I'd "had to have" .357 mag I'd choose a .45 Colts . Ive got both , The .45 can be handloaded to wild power levels . My current load is 300 gr. Serria w/ 23.0 grs. H110 . THE BIG problem w/ .45 is you have to reload to get much out of it . I had the .357 mag. for years and was happy with it till I started playing w/ .45 Colts . Now I'm keeping an eye out for a nice .45 Blackhawk ! I've become a believer in Heavy slower bullets . My brother has a Marlin .357mag . We thought it would shoot .38s fine but it doesnt really like to cycle them ? AND if it "jams up it's a bitch to clear .

"Garretts Hammerhead" site is a real eye opener

. And you can load your own "LBT" type bullets . Ive tried the "LBT" theory with .357 mag........180 gr at @1000 fps hand gun and @1200 fps

. Nearly 1600 w/ 300 gr. .45

Posted: 8/13/2005 12:16:29 PM EDT

[#26]

Quoted:
anyone have any trouble shooting .38 in a lever gun chambered for .357? Someone was telling me you couldn't do it. Not 100% believing it.

Absolutely no problems in my Winchester 94. Whoever told you that was full of it. (shit that is)

Posted: 8/15/2005 4:41:48 PM EDT

[#27]

just picked up a Marlin 94 in .357! on sale for $319 new.

this thing looks like fun.

oh, and unlike the winchester, it says .357 mag or .38 special on the barrel.. phew!

Posted: 8/16/2005 7:41:09 PM EDT

[#28]

Quite a few of the SASS shooters use the Navy Arms 1873 and 1892 models....

Woody

Posted: 8/22/2005 8:03:57 PM EDT

[#29]

I just bought a Marlin 1894C in .375 Magnum, and shot it for the first time on Saturday the 20th.

On the first day of shooting I tried Sellier & Bellot, Mag-Tech and American Eagle cartridges, all JSP 158 grain. I never had a failure to feed.

However, I did break-in and polish the rifle before the shooting session. I did this by working the finger lever ~300 times, and letting the hammer back down slowly about every 4-5th time.

Then I dissembled the rifle completely. All parts were degreased. Noting where there were rub marks on the bolt, locking bolt, and finger lever, I polished these areas with a buffing wheel & rouge to a mirror finish.. {I left the carrier alone as it was recommended to somewhere}
Then the previously blued areas were re-blued with cold blue. The moving parts were re-coated with LPS2 Industrial Strength Lubricant. {Good enough for aircraft = great for the Marlin!}
www.marvgolden.com/aircraft-supply/lps2.htm

I cleaned the barrel and coated it with a light film of Kroil.
www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/137203

The lever action was noticeably easier to cycle after my work. Now, did I do this because I think the Marlin is more prone to jam? In a word, NO! I’d have done it to the Winchester also.

But it would have been harder to disassemble the Winchester because of the design. Something you may want to think of. . . .

I can also say that the Marlin is as accurate as claims by shooters on many Internet forums. I was quite pleased by a tight group @ 75 yards with the American Eagle. So pleased in fact, that I may never scope the rifle.

Hope this helps!

Posted: 8/23/2005 8:42:58 AM EDT

[#30]

Guys I have been shooting mainly 38 special out of my Marlin 1894C with nice results...what do you suggest for a nice "anti-zombie"

round in 357mag?

Posted: 8/23/2005 8:57:15 AM EDT

[#31]

Quoted:
...what do you suggest for a nice "anti-zombie" round in 357mag?

I shot my new Marlin for the first time on Saturday the 20th, and brought along a Chrony chronograph to test ammunition. I tried Sellier & Bellot, Mag-Tech and American Eagle cartridges, all JSP 158 grain.

All ammunition was fired more than 10 times. The barrel was cleaned between each brand. One of each, the highest & lowest velocities were discarded to normalize the results. Here they are:

Sellier & Bellot
Avg Velocity 1434.69 - Extreme Spread 46 - Std Deviation 15.98

Mag-Tech
Avg Velocity 1689.25 - Extreme Spread 41 - Std Deviation 12.16

American Eagle
Avg Velocity 1853.50 - Extreme Spread 21 - Std Deviation 7.36

The Sellier & Bellot had the accuracy advantage at 25 yards, but opened up to a larger group than the American Eagle after that.

The Federal American Eagle is a really great ammunition, considering it sells for nearly the same price as the other two, but out performs them both out to 75 yards for velocity & accuracy.

Wave; I punched some numbers into Load from a Disk last night. If I have the correct BC for the 158gr JSP bullet, and I think I do at .17, then the math sez the AM 158gr JSP passes 100yrds with more velocity than out of the muzzle of a pistol.

If you think a 158gr JSP fired from a Colt Python can kill your zombie at 6ft, then the Marlin will give you the same results at 100yrds!

Posted: 8/23/2005 9:15:32 AM EDT

[#32]

FN Browning--

Thanks for the results. I ran a box of the American Eagle 158 JSP through my gun to check functioning. This is excellent ammo. Glad to see it chrono's at 1700 + fps.

These lever guns are a lot of fun. I live in Illinois and wanted to have a non "assault weapon" weapon in case my dumb ass govenor gets his way and our evil black rifles become a thing of the past.

Posted: 8/23/2005 9:52:47 AM EDT

[#33]

FNBrowning...thank you very much. Currently I'm running Speer 38 Spl. 135 gr. +P GDHP, not very accurate out of the long barrel but good enough for "social work" and Speer Lawman 38 Spl. 158gr +P JSP which my rifle seems to favor.

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