I would love a..

I too was looking around for a lever gun. Looked online at a 1894 trapper in 10mm. That would be a sweet addition to my stable but the $1600 tag made me click off the website real quick. Run, fight temptation!!
 
A buddy has had one since we were in college together. I always got a kick out of shooting. I think I'd rather have one on .44 mag, so I had an excuse to get back in the semi-big revolver game. Not that I need that either... :)
 
I had that dream. Opted for a more affordable option and went Rossi 92.
1000009089.jpg
 
Last edited:
I had an marlin 1894 in 218 Bee for a long time, I killed a few coyotes with it but fell in love with drillings and sold the Marlin to fund a nice JP Sauer drilling.

I don't care for side gate loading on most levers so I'd love a Savage 99 rotary mag in 219 Zipper or 22-250 so I could use common bullets, I shoot a 22 Savage Highpower in a combo gun(.228 bullets). I wouldn't turn down a 99C with detachable mag. I do have a 99 in 375 Win for heavier game. Over the years I've owned them in 25-35, 250-3000, 300 Savage, 308 and worked with a 243 for awhile. I really like the platform.
 
Last edited:
I've been on a lever gun kick the last few years. Prior to that I never had a desire to own one. I ended up picking up a Marling SBL in .357. It is an absolute blast to shoot. I know most don't like picatinny rails or laminated stocks on a lever. However, for this one, I can quickly swap b/t a QD mount with a scope and a DQ mount with a red dot. The ghost ring sights on it are mostly useless beyond about 25 yards. With .38s, there's no recoil and little muzzle blast. .357s provide enough for close deer hunting within ~150 yards.
 
I have a Ruger/Marlin 1894C .357. I put Xpress Aperture sights on it and worked up a load shoving a 180-gr. XTP to 1821 fps. It is such a handy little rifle. Extremely fun to shoot, negligible recoil, accurate, reliable, good enough for close-range deer, hogs, and vermin. Vermin includes two-legged types; the lever-action was the original ideal defensive rifle. The Winchester 1873 .44-40 was the favorite rifle of groups like the Texas Rangers. The Winchester lever gun cost a Ranger a month's salary, but those boys gladly gave that for the best fighting rifle of the era. In today's world, an old-fashioned lever gun doesn't raise eyebrows like an AR/AK variant. I think a lever gun is a smart addition to a rifleman's working rotation. I also have a Marlin 39A .22LR, a Marlin 1895 .45-70, and a Marlin 336C .30-30.
 
Last edited:
Almost bought an 1894 .357 on impulse, while on vacation with the family, about 20 years ago. Was about $600 then, which was an expensive off the rack rifle back then. But I wanted it. Was about $50 short cash money in my pocket so had to walk away.

Have always regretted that...

- DAA
 
I can't speak to anything other than my one Ruger-produced example, but they built this one right. It is exceptionally well fitted, has great bluing, nicely figured walnut, has a decent trigger for the type, and is accurate. I am nitpicky, but I can't find fault with this little carbine.
 
Back
Top