Dad wants a lever action

wheelgun_man said:
Object of Desire: Range toy/Nostalgia-esque range toy lever gun in .357 Magnum.

I own Marlin and Rossi in that configuration. I’ve shot a friend’s Henry enough to feel comfortable telling my impression of that ‘un.


Rossi M92

I love my Rossi M92. I have one in .357 and one in .45 Colt. You can get one new for around 550 bucks. Personally, I think it’s the best value. Mine is accurate and chambers .38 specials easily. Magnums are smooth as well.

Pluses: Affordable. Fun. Accurate. Any negative connection to Taurus does not carry over into their lever guns in my experience. Top eject just like them ol’ Winchesters from Saturday matinees. Once you get used to it, you can show off by ejecting the spent cases into a 5-gallon bucket very consistently (I just hate picking up brass!).

Minuses: Wood finish on some can be spotty. If the store has several, look at them all to get the pick of the litter. Top eject won’t allow for scope use, but from what you describe about how it will likely be used, that is a non-issue. Total disassembly for deep cleaning takes longer than Marlin or Henry, but once learned becomes a walk in the park.


Marlin

Pluses: Ease of maintenance. Accurate. Side eject so a scope can be easily done.

Minuses: Spotty build quality to go with the increase in cost over the Rossi.


Henry

Pluses: By far, the best-looking rifle of the three (IMHO). Easy to maintain. Buttery smooth action. Accurate.

Minus: Cost. Weight (my opinion, they are heavier than the Marlin or Rossi). Not a “traditional” loading procedure: no side gate on the .357’s yet. These you load through a tube via an opening near the muzzle.


Sorry for the length of my response. One parting mention: The only mod I made to my levers was to put a Skinner peep sight on them to replace the buckhorn sights. I’m 62 and my eyes just didn’t focus anymore. Don’t know your dad’s age, but something to think about regardless of brand purchased. It’s an easy, do-it-yourself thing.

Hope my ramblings helped some. Good luck with your hunt.
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your rambling was actually very easy to read and helpful. Dad is in his 70s wore glasses his whole life but when dr. gave him diabetes medication, his sight cleared up all the way back to near 20/20 for the first time in his life... in fact, he can see better today that he ever has in his life. He is excited to try irons. Mom knows NOTHING about guns and when she called she said "what about Henry's? I wouldn't mind spending some money with them"... Made me laugh. Thank you for taking the time to respond. You guys are great!
 
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I recommend the marlin.
I own several Marlin's and purchased another in 44 mag today.
And if Ruger brings back the old marlin catalogue I hope they bring back the 32 h&r cowboy just cause I want one
 
Im seeing a few of the henry 410s for around 700 new. Anybody got one? like it, hate it?
 
Wait, is that the standard price for a Winchester? Holy cow
 
Yeah, there about. I just picked up an 1886 Short Rifle in .45-70 and paid about $1300. They're top notch for fit and finish. The high grade models are a bit higher $500-1000 more.
 
ah man... I might need to go down a notch. Not all the way down to cheapest, but we are looking for closer to 800
 
Sorry if I didn't say that earlier... Your right, it always helps.
 
The Henry rifles are going to be just a tad over your budget. Rossi makes some within your requested price range, but I'm unfamiliar with their quality.
 
Seems that they are receiving great reviews from members on here. That's about all I've gathered
 
They're great rifles. My biggest gripe is the lack of the side loading gate, which they've have released some models that have them now, but it's not across their entire line.
 
The Uberties from Taylor firearms may make you want to save a few dollars more to add to your budgets. The few that I have seen have been on par with the old quality and beauty of the original winchesters from decades back. The wood is amazing and fit and finish seems to be great.

https://taylorsfirearms.com/long-guns/cartridge-rifles.html
 
You won't go wrong with a Henry Big Boy Steel in .357. Side loading gate is a matter of preference & I find them to be a PITA, personally. I mean, nobody hates on tube feeding the classic Marlin 39A.

I've got the BBS 16.5" carbine in .41Mag & love it. Beautiful wood, smooth action, good trigger, accurate & not a picky eater. I've shot a Bud's Henry .45-70 side by side with my .45-70 Guide Gun & wouldn't feel like I was missing out if I had the Henry instead of my "JM" Marlin.

Henry makes nice guns & their customer service, should you ever need it, is 2nd to none.
 
I'm thinking he will shoot it very little but he will love it so much it will be his go to gun if anything were to happen at his house (which is not likely at all around a bunch of old retirees). I just want him to have a respectable version of the lever gun platform. I personally like the loading gate, but if the price is right on a tube, I'd go for that too. I think he really just likes the lever motion itself... that said i want him to have a decent gun cus he's mah dad you know. Thank you all for advice. Really great group of guys here!!!
 
I’ve got a Henry Big Boy Steel carbine. Lever is smooth as silk and gun shoots very well. I’ve not had it on any African Safaris but I suspect it would do just fine taking a deer here in NC. And it you don’t like the sights @Tailhunter alluded to you can do what all the Glock fan boys do and simply change them. Several very nice aftermarket options.
 
Mr. Bggs said:
I'm thinking he will shoot it very little but he will love it so much it will be his go to gun if anything were to happen at his house (which is not likely at all around a bunch of old retirees). I just want him to have a respectable version of the lever gun platform. I personally like the loading gate, but if the price is right on a tube, I'd go for that too. I think he really just likes the lever motion itself... that said i want him to have a decent gun cus he's mah dad you know. Thank you all for advice. Really great group of guys here!!!
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With those requirements the Henry will suffice.
 
Ok guys last questions...You've all been great by the way, thank you immensely for your help. I see there is a Winchester 1892 in 357 mag on armslist in Winston at a shop for 1100. I'm guessing its new, is that a fair price? are the new ones garbage?
 
Mr. Bggs said:
Ok guys last questions...You've all been great by the way, thank you immensely for your help. I see there is a Winchester 1892 in 357 mag on armslist in Winston at a shop for 1100. I'm guessing its new, is that a fair price? are the new ones garbage?
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Can you post the number to the shop in Winston? :D
 
hahahaha hey i dont mind 3366920317... says their in east bend/winston salem. I was just wondering if the new ones were decent quality and if the price seemed to be fair
 
:DI gotcha buddy, no worries. Full transparency is my motto, but somehow the wife can still see me when its time to take out the trash.
 
The new one's are solid and the fit and finish are top notch. To me, I believe they're the best looking out of all manufacturers. And yes, that should be around the price of a new one.
 
Thanks alot grim! Looks like ima try for it. I'll let yall know how it goes.
 
well darn... He said he already sold the two he has and he seems to think the 3rd one that he is still waiting for will be bought before he gets it in stock......
 
Yea he was confusing in his message.... he says the 2 are gone and I'm expecting the 3rd mid next week. So I say I'll check back tues or weds and he says it'll be gone by then... so I'm assuming that meant someone would pre order. Since I wanna inspect this one I told him I'll keep searching. I think he's a ffl out of his residence. The whole thing felt weird
 
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Honestly, I'm tempted to drive up to Henry's main office there in WI and try:

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The guy just called me saying he has the rifle in stock now. Driving up after work to inspect/buy and ill report back. Thank you all again for your help...Ill take the experience on this forum over a gun mag at wal mart anyday.
 
I have a 1940s Winchester 30/30, A 1990s marlin 45/70 and a octagon case hardened Rossi from the early 2000s 38/357. I can find no issues with any of these guns. The Winchester is the smoothest (likely due to being older and more rds down the pipe) The Marlin is the most accurate, The Rossi is just beautiful and useful in hard hitting 357.
 
Mr. Bggs said:
The search is over fellas. I got the Winchester 1892 357 with the short.. er barrel. I think dad is going to love it. You guys have all been a huge help. Thank you thank you!
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Wonderful rifle. I really like the one I got several years ago. Like the other "92's I have, it is somewhat sensitive about cartridge overall length. It works great unless you try to use really short ammo. I was also interested that mine came from Japan with two magazine followers in the magazine tube. Strange. Some worker must have been distracted while assembling mine. Enjoy!

Edit: I removed one of the followers so I could load 10 rounds into the magazine.
 
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Charlie said:
Wonderful rifle. I really like the one I got several years ago. Like the other "92's I have, it is somewhat sensitive about cartridge overall length. It works great unless you try to use really short ammo. I was also interested that mine came from Japan with two magazine followers in the magazine tube. Strange. Some worker must have been distracted while assembling mine. Enjoy!

Edit: I removed one of the followers so I could load 10 rounds into the magazine.
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Thanks for the tip... if I can't get 10 in, check for an extra follower.
 
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