Ok, so I'm looking into a lever action. I love my friends and my boys have been wanting one for a while. I was looking at a henry 22, price is good, can use it indoors... but if I get one I kinda want a bigger round. Pistol caliber to shoot indoors. But Henry's get very pricey as the caliber increases...
(indoors because I shoot bolt and semi's outside and only really have 22s for indoors.)
SO... I was looking at the Rossi 357mag version. it can also shoot .38, lighter for my youngest. looking at stainless also..
What do you think? is there any other viable options in the $400 range with a similar round size....
thanks
I like the Henry Company. I didn't like the one Henry .22 that I had, a standard lever action, whatever they call that one. It was a jammer. You'll get mixed reviews on here. I will probably try one again sometime, simply because I like American made stuff. To me, as cheaply built as they are, they are not inexpensive. I would personally want a Marlin model 39A or a Winchester 94-22 if this were my first. I've owned both and currently have two Winchesters for each of my kids. I can't detect that they hold any advantage over the Marlin though. Both are significantly better than the Henry, but pricier.
I would not get a .22 right now if my boys were pretty big. I'd get a Marlin 336 or a Winchester 1894 in 30-30. The Rossi you ask about is a good gun but they tend towards grittiness. I've got one in 44 Mag. and it's a good gun but not smooth. If you want a pistol cartridge lever for your first, I'd stay with Marlin or Winchester. If you want to scope it, go with the Marlin. Get a used one.
Classic 30-30, as long as your kids can handle it. 22 ammo is scarce and expensive. Might as well blast stuff if you're going to spend that kind of dinero.