Looking for Lever Action

[G26ster]

A thread is running for the Winchester 94AE, and I don't want to derail it, so I'll start a new one.

I'd like a carbine size (16" bbl) lever action in .38/.357, preferable with a larger loop than standard, and most importantly a butter smooth action. I recently felt the action of a Henry that I liked, but it is not available in .38/.357. Rossi makes a 16" bbl large loop in that caliber, but I have not felt the action. So, I'm looking for advice from lever folks for what might fit my desires. I'm just starting my search, and am in no hurry for this.

[JALLEN]

My Win 94 in .38/.357 Mag is a Trapper, very short but legal. The factory says it was made in 1992. It has a standard lever. I wouldn't say the action is "butter smooth" but I don't mind it as it is, and it could probably be improved with some knowledgeable smithing.

I bought it some years ago, have shot it only at the range, but have been very pleased. It pairs with my GP100 very nicely, and is unquestionably CA legal. Some years ago, before the so-called "bullet button" was thought of, EBRs were dangerous to own here. That sorry state of affairs is likely to recur, given the uber majority Democrat Legislature and Governor Moonbeam.

[G26ster]

Thanks JALLEN. Does the Trapper have provisions for mounting a reflex sight forward of the breach, should I decide to mount one (threaded holes for a short rail)? Also, one of the things I should have mentioned was that I preferred side eject over top eject.

[Texasrpbrock]

JALLEN: if my used 94 angle eject works out nicely, I hope to find a .38/357 like your trapper. I've always been fascinated with lever action rifles. I used to watch the Rifleman as a kid and always wanted one.

G26ster: good luck with your hunt. Let us know if you find what you're looking for and how you like it.

[JALLEN]

Thanks JALLEN. Does the Trapper have provisions for mounting a reflex sight forward of the breach, should I decide to mount one (threaded holes for a short rail)? Also, one of the things I should have mentioned was that I preferred side eject over top eject.

I used the XS Sights Lever Scout Mount. It used the threaded holes and a epoxy bed that you have to do on the rifle. http://www.xssights.com/index.php?nID=s ... copemounts for pictures. I used the ghost ring. Mine is the top eject as you can see in this photo.

[Texasrpbrock]

JALLEN thanks for posting the XS Sight System mount info. That setup would be a nice edition on my angle eject. You've got the original "cool" 94. That's a sweet rifle.

[JALLEN]

JALLEN thanks for posting the XS Sight System mount info. That setup would be a nice edition on my angle eject. You've got the original "cool" 94. That's a sweet rifle.

I certainly think so. It has long seemed to me to be a very handy compromise, compact, light but adequate firepower for anything short of big bears, although not a sniper rifle by any means. I don't care about sniping. Anything that far away, I'm running, not shooting.

Here is an article that might be of interest, too: http://www.time-slice.com/mohave.gamble ... ster94.htm about cleaning up the Trapper 94 in various ways. With the similarity of these rifles, I imagine some of it would be useful no matter what exact model and caliber one has. I've not tried any of this so am not recommending it, but calling it to your attention.

[Texasrpbrock]

Excellent article/info. Thanks again JALLEN! Not wanting to snipe either but anything that can lighten and smooth up the action sounds good to me. I have found a really good gunsmith in KY that will do all of the smoothing for $40 bucks. I may take him up on it.

[Chris]

I had a Marlin and the action was super stiff. I have a Winchester 30-30 trapper and the action on it is a lot better. Mine has a tang safety. I would love it if my 30-30 was half as smooth as my 9422 XTR though. Since Winchester went away, it seems like the options aren't as prevalent with lever guns as they used to be.

[G26ster]

I decided to get a Henry .22lr large lever carbine. Might be 30 days or so until my LGS can get one. It suits my need to punch holes in paper, knock over plates and ring gongs, and get started in lever guns. Price is dirt cheap IMHO. I was really impressed with the action of the Henry I handled recently. If I need big booms and a sore shoulder, I have my M44 Mosin carbine to satisfy that need, and besides, a low power pistol caliber carbine (.38/.357) is already handled by my .30 cal. M1 Carbines. Thanks all for the input.

[mr surveyor]

I'm totally satisfied with my 1973 model Marlin 336 (.30-30), but have also been lusting for a revolver round carbine ... either .357 or .44 (preferably both). Having some experience with the modern "Remlins" (remington built Marlins), I really want NO more of that. As it stands now, the only thing that's either available or affordable locally are Rossi M92's in both chamberings. Having really strong feelings against buying firearms that are manufactured in "less than free, gun friendly countries", I'm really torn over the issue. The Rossi line, from experiences of my personal friends, as well as web info, appears to be solid products, and they certainly have a better finish and feel than the remilins I've handled lately. One of my local gun shop buddies has a .357 for $425 NIB (otd) and a stainless .44 mag NIB for $450 (otd). If mrs. surv wasn't scrounging every penny to add to our once in a lifetime trip to Alaska this summer, I'd be buying both. I'd pay the same money though for good Marlins made pre 1990, but most folks that have them know better than to sell them for that price.

[rotor]

I searched for many months before finding a nice lever. http://www.texasguntrader.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; finally came through. I found an excellent pre-remington Marlin 30-30 and it is a fantastic gun. Before all of the madness I went to the local Academy, etc and nobody would let me actually cycle the lever to see how smooth it was. The options were to buy it and keep it or walk away. My used Marlin is a gem. A good 336 is the way to go if you can find one.

[JALLEN]

Thanks JALLEN. Does the Trapper have provisions for mounting a reflex sight forward of the breach, should I decide to mount one (threaded holes for a short rail)? Also, one of the things I should have mentioned was that I preferred side eject over top eject.

I used the XS Sights Lever Scout Mount. It used the threaded holes and a epoxy bed that you have to do on the rifle. http://www.xssights.com/index.php?nID=s ... copemounts for pictures. I used the ghost ring. Mine is the top eject as you can see in this photo.

[ Image ]

After further review, mine is NOT a top eject, and I don't know what I was thinking when I typed that sentence the other day. Anybody who knew what they were talking about can see it is angle eject, and I know better.

Sorry!

[AdioSS]

I really enjoyed shooting my Dad's 94 in .44, so I visited mr surveyor's buddy & picked this up yesterday.

It's a stainless Rossi 16" in .357 Magnum. I probably could've haggled the price down a bit, but I've been looking for one of these for a good while. The action isn't near as smooth as my Dad's old gun, but I didn't have any feeding problems with 357 or 38. I may do a little work to the internals to tailor it to me. I'm also not really digging the orangish wood, so I will probably refinish it in the future. I am definitely going to add a scope on top.

[HenryAKirk]

AdioSS that's Awesome!
I want that rifle with an octagon barrel and ghost rings then I'll be a happy camper.
Enjoy that bad boy.