Home Forums Lever Action Central Lever Actions - General A Stainless Lever 357?

What do you think? What make?

I have a Rossi stainless 16" lever. If is one of my favorites, and is accurate as heck!

Mine is a Rossi 92, 20 inch barel with a scout rail and the screw in peep rear, action job, etc.. Very nice.

I like the Marlin SS 1894 as well but they are hard to find and overpriced.

close.....but not a cigar.....this SS Marlin is a 44M....bought it new 14 yrs ago.......Weaver 1-3x20

before I'd buy another Rossi.........I'd but a Henry of some configuration first.......

Marlin SS 357's & 44's are way over priced today........

I've had no problems with my Rossi stainless 357.

I like Marlins too.

The Henry all weather models are nice.

lots of options.

I have 2 Rossi's, one stainless and one blued; both with 16" BBL's. They both like heavier bullets and shoot both 158 and 180gr jacketed and lead bullets accurately. While I believe them to take higher pressures (safely) than the Marlin or Winchester versions, they do not scope as easily. To me, the .357 is the perfect "fit" in the small Puma (Rossi) action. However, if I needed (or wanted) a more powerful cartridge, I would prefer the heft of a Marlin or Winchester; firing a .44 Mag in a 5 1/2# rifle is not as much fun as the smaller cartridge in the '92. The combination of the light '92 action with the .357 in a longer barrel, and appreciable velocity increase, makes it into a decent 75 to 100 yard deer rifle that is as easy to carry as a "big bore" pistol without the needed accessories. Although the stainless action required a bit more "shooting" to "smooth it up", I certainly prefer its durability to the "blued". Also, for "plinking" or small game hunting, the Rossi can be loaded with .38 Special loads at .22LR velocities and mine will feed them interchangeably; but I have read reports that not all do. My .02.

I have owned a variety of lever rifles. Feeding issues are one of those things I have been fortunate to avoid. With only 1/10 inch difference between the .38 and .357 I have always been amazed at the reported problems. I do tend to stick with RNFP bullets. Maybe that is the difference.

The Rossi is a very handy carbine.

THIS

I have found the Rossi 92's to be much more reliable than the Marlin's. They are absolutely outstanding little lever carbines.

Mine is a Marlin 1894 c, but it's blue. I have them in 357 mag and 44 mag but blue. Haven't even seen a stainless1894c in person, but they seem way to high. No experience with the Rossi or Henry. I can tell you there is a world of difference between a 357 mag out of a 4" barrel and one out of a 18" barrel. Using a 158 grain bullet is almost the equivalent of a 30-30. It's amazing shooting pistol cartridges in a carbine.

I’d also go for a 16” Rossi if I could find one. They have stopped production and they are like hen’s teeth.

I have a Rossi 16" 357 that I bought last year to use as a suppressor host. I'm still waiting on the stamp to convert it to a SBR but it is one of my favorites, especially after I drilled & tapped the receiver for a ghost ring setup. I also have a bunch of JM stainless Marlins including the 357 and a couple of 44s and they are really nice guns but are very pricey these days. I like the look of the Henry but it is hard chromed and not real stainless steel.