I'm in the market for a budget .357 lever action. I've seen a few of these available.
Any good?
Reasonable price?
Pros?
Cons?
Other suggestions?
Thanks!
Any good?
Reasonable price?
Pros?
Cons?
Other suggestions?
Thanks!
Winchester 94AE in .357?
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Magdump
Well-Known Member
I've had the pleasure of shooting a few 94AE 357's in the past. They all functioned well for me. They do have a very long lever throw and can feel loose/clunky in pistol calibers because they were primarily designed to cycle 30-30 ammo. If you can spend around $1k, I highly recommend a Winchester model 1873 made by Miroku. They are beautiful and probably the slickest and fastest stock lever action. If you can find one, the Marlin 1894 is very smooth also after adding a reduced power hammer spring and a non-pivoting trigger. The Rossi's are priced very well but they require a lot of work to slick up.
OP
Thanks for the info!!!
I've got a line on an rossi and I'm not that worried about slick for now, just want another gun that I will never use/shoot....
RedneckFur
Smith & Wesson is a religion of peace.
Rossi 92's are good! I've owned several. Great little carbines, and they do slick up really will with some use!
Slacker
Liquor and Whores...
+1 on the Rossi. They break in really well.
However, I absolutely hate the cowboy buckhorn sights.
The older ones came with Winchester style flat blade rear, which I like very well.
However, I absolutely hate the cowboy buckhorn sights.
The older ones came with Winchester style flat blade rear, which I like very well.
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Crunchy Frog
Happy to be here
We use pistol caliber rifles in cowboy action and .38/.357 is the most popular chambering. The Winchester 1894 is designed around rifle cartridges (it is derived from JMB's 1892 rifle which was designed to shoot pistol cartridges).
You might get a pistol caliber '94 that works but they have a poor reputation in cowboy action circles. Keep in mind that we run the rifles as fast as we can and we use only lead bullets. In other words we demand a lot from the rifle.
The Winchester 1873s are the most desired with the mechanically similar 1866 in second place. The 1894 Marlin is a good rifle but very few .357s have been made in recent years. The Rossi/Braztech '92 is the most affordable rifle.
You might get a pistol caliber '94 that works but they have a poor reputation in cowboy action circles. Keep in mind that we run the rifles as fast as we can and we use only lead bullets. In other words we demand a lot from the rifle.
The Winchester 1873s are the most desired with the mechanically similar 1866 in second place. The 1894 Marlin is a good rifle but very few .357s have been made in recent years. The Rossi/Braztech '92 is the most affordable rifle.
I have a Chiappa in 357 mag that I got on trade. It's a neat little rifle, but it's in hiding somewhere in the house and doesn't come out to play often.
Crunchy Frog
Happy to be here
Yes, for matches that follow SASS rules. Bullets must be lead; no plated, jacketed or gaschecked. Coated bullets are fine and are starting to gain in popularity.
Slacker
Liquor and Whores...
Coated was my next question, thanks for answering it.
I am wanting one bad, but I really want a allweather version.
Hate to break the news, but there is no such thing anymore as a "budget" .357/.38 lever action rifle. The cheapest will be a Rossi/Taurus, but beware, their rifles have only a 1 year warranty and there is a reason for that. I know some folks have good luck with them, and if it is an old ROSSI and not a TAURUS made Rossi you will be fine. Oh, and if you plan on taking a Rossi '92 apart, for cleaning and/or tuning, you better have some valium/Zanex or maybe some nice bourbon whiskey, because it isn't for the faint of heart.
But even for a Rossi expect to pay upwards of $500 for one in this caliber. Winchesters are nice, the AE is the budge '94 and it is a good shooter, but you are still going to play over $600 as a general rule. The Marlins are the easiest to maintain, they are heavier than the Winchesters as a general rule, but don't expect to find one much under $700. If you want new, either a new Winnie as suggested already, or possibly a Henry rifle if you don't mind tube loading.
If you are serious and want a very nice rifle for $1000+ either find a used original Marlin (don't bother with a new Remington made Marlin), a New Miroko Winchester, OR if you REALLY want something classic go get a Uberti 1873 in whatever length barrel you want, 16"-20", they are heavier, but they are absolutely gorgeous! Or get a Henry rifle. But the Uberti's are outstanding, you will be a hit wherever you go with it I guarantee it!
Good luck with the purchase! I have only one .357/.38 lever action, it's a Marlin 1894 Cowboy with a 24" octagon barrel. Worth every nickel if you can find one!
mazer
But even for a Rossi expect to pay upwards of $500 for one in this caliber. Winchesters are nice, the AE is the budge '94 and it is a good shooter, but you are still going to play over $600 as a general rule. The Marlins are the easiest to maintain, they are heavier than the Winchesters as a general rule, but don't expect to find one much under $700. If you want new, either a new Winnie as suggested already, or possibly a Henry rifle if you don't mind tube loading.
If you are serious and want a very nice rifle for $1000+ either find a used original Marlin (don't bother with a new Remington made Marlin), a New Miroko Winchester, OR if you REALLY want something classic go get a Uberti 1873 in whatever length barrel you want, 16"-20", they are heavier, but they are absolutely gorgeous! Or get a Henry rifle. But the Uberti's are outstanding, you will be a hit wherever you go with it I guarantee it!
Good luck with the purchase! I have only one .357/.38 lever action, it's a Marlin 1894 Cowboy with a 24" octagon barrel. Worth every nickel if you can find one!
mazer
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OP
Thanks for the feedback!
For better or worse I picked up a Rossi!
Action feels smooth. For a gun that I have and will probably plink a little with then never use again, this should be perfect!
For better or worse I picked up a Rossi!
Action feels smooth. For a gun that I have and will probably plink a little with then never use again, this should be perfect!
Slacker
Liquor and Whores...
Word is that the front sights are often too high, requiring filing. I'd verify your POA/POI with your chosen ammo.
Is the rear sight a semi buckhorn?
OP
Yes. Looks like a buckhorn rear sight. Can't wait to get it on the range!
20"barrel, 10+ rounds .357 fun!
I added a Marbles tang sight to my Rossi and really like it. It helps my old eyes, I was getting 1.5" @ 50 with it. I left my rear sight on so I can still use it, but I can flip up the Marbles sight when I want better accuracy.
If you reload for 357, I've had great results with 300-MP powder and Hornady 158gn FP/XTP bullets. 1800fps and very accurate.
If you reload for 357, I've had great results with 300-MP powder and Hornady 158gn FP/XTP bullets. 1800fps and very accurate.
Combat Diver
Well-Known Member
I know you found a Rossi but another gem to keep an eye out for is a Browning B92 in either .357 or .44 Maggies. 
Always hoped they chamber it in .41 mag. Still have to settle for my Marlin 1894S in 41 that I picked up in 87/88'.
CD
Always hoped they chamber it in .41 mag. Still have to settle for my Marlin 1894S in 41 that I picked up in 87/88'.CD
OP
thank you sir! I suspect I will be requiring more lever actions...LOLI know you found a Rossi but another gem to keep an eye out for is a Browning B92 in either .357 or .44 Maggies.
CD
Combat Diver
Well-Known Member
Stay away from the 1886s and 1895s! You'll want those too. John Browning scaled down his 1886 from large rifle rounds to pistol rounds for the 1892. The 1895 uses a box magazine instead of a tube and allows pointed projos.
CD