Home Forums Lever Action Central Lever Actions - General Which .357/.38 lever action?

I'm thinking of getting a lever action rifle in .357/.38 - which manufacturers should I be looking for?
I believe Marlin stopped making their 1894, didn't they?

Browning 92's are really well built rifles.

Rossi1892, as we know cheap, extremely strong, rough from the factory .

Marlin 94, still produced under remington(or was). For a while the quality dropped but apparently the ones made in the last few years are very good. Either get an older JM stamped marlin or a very new one.

Chiappa 1892, I dont like to say anything bad about companies but after the warranty issues I had.. I am not interested in them anymore. They do a takedown though if that is your thing.

Winchester/Miroku 1892, high quality and well finished 1892, expensive.

Uberti 1873, heavier weaker action, stylish guns, similar price to Win/miroku

Winchester/Miroku 1873. See above comments for the Uberti. Win/miroku probably has slight quality advantage.

Browning 1892, probably the best 1892 ever made, but only produced in the 1980's, hard to find, command a premium these days.

Henry- I have no experience with them. Personally I am not interested in their end tube loading models.

My personal choice is a Rossi 1892. The cheapest of the lot, possibly the strongest, also 1892 is the smallest action. 20" barrel version weighs only about 6lbs, 16" is even lighter. Mounting optics in the scout position is doable. As mentioned they can be rough from the factory, there are DVD's out there to smooth them up a little, or give to a gunsmith to do the once over. A stainless little rossi smoothed out is a great truck gun.

As to which feed 38 special best in 357 it is individual to the rifle. Some dont like short 38 specials or bullets too wide. People generally consider the 1873 to be a little more tolerant on average than the 1892 but again it will come down to the gun. Ask on any forum you will get different votes for 94, 92, 73 being the easiest feeding

My brother participates in SASS cowboy shooting. He uses a Codymatic. It is a fantastic dependable rifle. They run @ $1500. They are slick as glass & a joy to shoot. If I was into shooting more than collecting this would be my choice over a Marlin. Sorry guys, I've shot both. This is just my personal opinion......

Marlin is not currently in production and prices have gone insane

What is a Codymatic?

Henry's now offer a side gate loading on a couple of its .357 models.

A Codymatic is a tuned up Uberti. Wish I was technologically advanced enough to foward you the website. Ill see if I can figure it out if you can't find it. Anyone who turns their nose up at it has definitely never shot one. They are a fabulous firearm for the money. . doctor Encore if you need any further info just shoot me a PM. I'll give you my cell and we can chat.

Ubertis are good guns and the main one seen in cowboy shooting, at least where I am. Keep in mind a lot of SASS race guns are short stroked for quick lever throw for 38 special power loads only..A 357 with a short stroke kit installed cant handle full 357 anymore.

I picked up a new production Winchester 92 this past summer. The trigger is a little heavy but great accuracy and function so far for my needs (plinking/fun, not any kind of SASS or anything). No problem feeding 38's or 357 I might take it out to fill a doe tag next year.

Prices of any 357/38 carbine have gone astronomical. So unless you snag a deal or find one locally you may not be able to get one reasonable.

Between Marlin and Henry, as both are close on price in normal times, I had preferred Marlin because their offerings are between 1/2 and 1lb lighter than the equivalent Henry. I think that is because the Marlin uses the 1894 receiver.
I would rather shoulder a 6.25-6.5lb rifle than a 7-7.5lb rifle.

Yeah, if I'm going to have to shoulder a heavy rifle it may as well be a .30-.30.

Just weighed a 44 mag marlin with thick fore-end 6lb 5oz. Equivalent 357/38 would probably be a bit heavier because of the bore difference.