Lever action rifles
- Thread starter Dustinb80
- Start date
Not sure what happened
Anyway I have killed 5 deer with it
It is fun to shoot and looks really nice
I definitely like the traditional look
Anyway I have killed 5 deer with it
It is fun to shoot and looks really nice
I definitely like the traditional look
Smawgunner2
Active Member
I'm a Marlin JM stamp guy. Own a couple. Having said that, I bought a SBL 45-70.... nice gun but quality isn't the old Marlin. Never failed me. But I'm always looking for an older Marlin lever gun. There is just something about that action that I love. I would kill for a Winchester 1894 one day.
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Yeh.. Nothing beats an older Marlin 336 stamped JM... Just old school quality... Winchester 1894 ??? My brother has an old Winchester in 38/55... You load that thing up and it gets front heavy...
. We were in Pa. one time hunting and bumped into two guys walking out... The one guys eyes got like saucers when he saw the gun... Offered my brother a $1000.00 right there...
I like the look of that John.
JOHNROHIO
Participation Trophy Winner
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Thank you. It’s a Henry all weather 357 mag. They do a twist on their “ all weather” guns as to others. They do a bead blasted heavy duty commercial chrome like what’s done on tools as to stainless, and instead of synthetic furniture it’s still hardwood. They impregnate it to make it water resistant.
I have a Henry .44 it is a nice gun
Fun to shoot looks great and I have killed a handful of deer with it.
if I was going to get a lever gun strictly for hunting I would go with the .444 or a 45/70
Fun to shoot looks great and I have killed a handful of deer with it.
if I was going to get a lever gun strictly for hunting I would go with the .444 or a 45/70
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Chancegriffis
Active Member
I have the same rifle… used to be my open sighted hog gun for in the brush in Florida. Absolutely love it.
Bowhunter57
Senior Member
I've owned:
* Henry Big Boy in .357 Mag., but had it for 2 years before shooting it. It was a tack driver with my mild reloads on a 158 gr. JHP bullet. Cleaned it up, put it back in the safe for another year, before deciding to sell it. Entirely too pretty to take into the woods for hunting. Paid $600 and sold it for the same, 3 years later. I don't know what they're going for today, but don't miss pretty guns or "safe queens".
* Henry Big Boy in a steel frame, in 44 Mag. Good shooter with mild reloads, but would NOT handle the same reloads for my Ruger Super Redhawk. It only took 1 shot to find this out, as the casing stuck in the chamber and I had to use a ramrod to push it out. Killed a doe with it and found it a pleasure to shoot, carry with a sling and open sights were nice.
* Henry steel frame in 22 Mag. was amazing for accuracy! I've owned a lot of 22 Mag. rifles over the years and this Henry was easily the MOST accurate one of them all.
* Marlin Cowboy, in 45-70 with a 26" barrel. The attraction to this rifle had me from the word go. Reloaded some Hornady FTX bullets out of it and went to the range. Accuracy was average, but the recoil was staggering.
That straight stock would set you back a bit. I got off 3 shots at a running coyote, within 20 yards and hit him once. I was warned to get the pistol grip model (1895 Classic) with the 22" barrel, for easier handling of the recoil, but didn't listen.
I wouldn't hesitate to buy another 44 Mag., but it would be a Marlin. I think they would handle reloads better than a Henry. Prices have really gone up, since I owned my last lever-action. Also, I couldn't bare the thoughts of adding a scope to a lever rifle.
It takes away from the classic look of the rifle. 
Despite the abusive recoil, I liked that Marlin Cowboy!
* Henry Big Boy in .357 Mag., but had it for 2 years before shooting it. It was a tack driver with my mild reloads on a 158 gr. JHP bullet. Cleaned it up, put it back in the safe for another year, before deciding to sell it. Entirely too pretty to take into the woods for hunting. Paid $600 and sold it for the same, 3 years later. I don't know what they're going for today, but don't miss pretty guns or "safe queens".
* Henry Big Boy in a steel frame, in 44 Mag. Good shooter with mild reloads, but would NOT handle the same reloads for my Ruger Super Redhawk. It only took 1 shot to find this out, as the casing stuck in the chamber and I had to use a ramrod to push it out. Killed a doe with it and found it a pleasure to shoot, carry with a sling and open sights were nice.
* Henry steel frame in 22 Mag. was amazing for accuracy! I've owned a lot of 22 Mag. rifles over the years and this Henry was easily the MOST accurate one of them all.
* Marlin Cowboy, in 45-70 with a 26" barrel. The attraction to this rifle had me from the word go. Reloaded some Hornady FTX bullets out of it and went to the range. Accuracy was average, but the recoil was staggering.
That straight stock would set you back a bit. I got off 3 shots at a running coyote, within 20 yards and hit him once. I was warned to get the pistol grip model (1895 Classic) with the 22" barrel, for easier handling of the recoil, but didn't listen. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another 44 Mag., but it would be a Marlin. I think they would handle reloads better than a Henry. Prices have really gone up, since I owned my last lever-action. Also, I couldn't bare the thoughts of adding a scope to a lever rifle.
It takes away from the classic look of the rifle. Despite the abusive recoil, I liked that Marlin Cowboy!
That Marlin of mine took out a 325lb. sow with a single 80 yard round straight to the temple and died instantly. Then I let my buddy barrow it because he claimed that he had issues with his rifle, after missing several that same morning. He ended up shooting two (2) 250 pounders with single rounds also. He loved that rifle so much afterwards, ever since, he's been trying to buy it from me. That particular hunt, I harvested two with my Mathews, and one with the Marlin. That was the last time I took the Marlin hog hunting, but I'd like to do it again. I'm still considering your offer.
Chancegriffis
Active Member
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I lean towards the older ways personally. With that said I would prefer a JM stamped Marlin, or Winchester 1894, which I have one of both. 
. Stay away from the Remington made Marlins as mentioned before, their fit and finish is junk. When Rem bought Marlin they close the Marlin facility and moved production. A lot of talent was lost and Remington made them cheaper.
If you're going lever gun then stay traditional IMO, blued gun, wood stock, no scope. Anything else and why bother, just go buy a modern synthetic bolt gun. I personally would look for a marlin or Winchester made in the mid 50s through late 70s. I just find that to be a sweet spot for machining technology and quality, personal preference as there are plenty who will say a pre 1964 is the gold standard.
I will probably draw flack for this next part. Despite Henrys reputation as made in America and the warranty, I'm not a fan. The original Henry repeating arm was only made from 1860-66 and only about 7,000 of them were made. The new company is a poser that has absolutely nothing to do with the original Henry rifle besides trademarking the name in 1997. No family lineage, no patents, nothing. They've been making rifles since 97 after they trademarked the name in 96. Also, no traditional rifle had that mirror-polished brass finish. The Winchester 66 yellaboy made in 1866 and credited with killing the original Henry rifle was a dull yellow color. That shiny brass shit is Hollywood. Also, every lever gun but a 22 should gate load from the side, call me old-fashioned. That stupid ass shell cutout and tube load on the Henrys drives me nuts.
The caliber depends on what you want to do with it. If you want to hunt Ohio then a 44 is a great option. I prefer the trusty 30-30. The 30-30 was one of the first smokeless calibers available in a US rifle. It was released in 1895 and designed for use in the 1894 Winchester that was designed by none other than John Browning and marketed as the 30 "Winchester Smokeless". A rifle you can still buy today 128 years later and still chambered in 30-30. It doesn't get much more traditional than that. Suck on that poser ass Henry Repeating Arms.
. Stay away from the Remington made Marlins as mentioned before, their fit and finish is junk. When Rem bought Marlin they close the Marlin facility and moved production. A lot of talent was lost and Remington made them cheaper. If you're going lever gun then stay traditional IMO, blued gun, wood stock, no scope. Anything else and why bother, just go buy a modern synthetic bolt gun. I personally would look for a marlin or Winchester made in the mid 50s through late 70s. I just find that to be a sweet spot for machining technology and quality, personal preference as there are plenty who will say a pre 1964 is the gold standard.
I will probably draw flack for this next part. Despite Henrys reputation as made in America and the warranty, I'm not a fan. The original Henry repeating arm was only made from 1860-66 and only about 7,000 of them were made. The new company is a poser that has absolutely nothing to do with the original Henry rifle besides trademarking the name in 1997. No family lineage, no patents, nothing. They've been making rifles since 97 after they trademarked the name in 96. Also, no traditional rifle had that mirror-polished brass finish. The Winchester 66 yellaboy made in 1866 and credited with killing the original Henry rifle was a dull yellow color. That shiny brass shit is Hollywood. Also, every lever gun but a 22 should gate load from the side, call me old-fashioned. That stupid ass shell cutout and tube load on the Henrys drives me nuts.
The caliber depends on what you want to do with it. If you want to hunt Ohio then a 44 is a great option. I prefer the trusty 30-30. The 30-30 was one of the first smokeless calibers available in a US rifle. It was released in 1895 and designed for use in the 1894 Winchester that was designed by none other than John Browning and marketed as the 30 "Winchester Smokeless". A rifle you can still buy today 128 years later and still chambered in 30-30. It doesn't get much more traditional than that. Suck on that poser ass Henry Repeating Arms.
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Holy shit down my neck, when did a Win 94 become a $1,200 - $1,500 rifle!! 
. I'm even having a time finding a JM-stamped Marlin for under $750. That was a $400 rifle just 10 years ago! I can remember seeing marlins on the shelf at my local Walmart 20 years ago for $350. No wonder people are buying synthetic guns, apparently wood adds $700+ to their price. . Dustin you better start hitting the pawn shops brother, no way id give that for a rifle.
. I'm even having a time finding a JM-stamped Marlin for under $750. That was a $400 rifle just 10 years ago! I can remember seeing marlins on the shelf at my local Walmart 20 years ago for $350. No wonder people are buying synthetic guns, apparently wood adds $700+ to their price. . Dustin you better start hitting the pawn shops brother, no way id give that for a rifle.
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Your brothers cool. 38-55 is a great deer gun.Yeh.. Nothing beats an older Marlin 336 stamped JM... Just old school quality... Winchester 1894 ??? My brother has an old Winchester in 38/55... You load that thing up and it gets front heavy...
Bowhunter57
Senior Member
@Jackalope
I'm with you on the traditional look for a lever-action rifle. Also, not a fan of Henry rifles either. I'm more of a Marlin fan.
The Winchester is a time proven action, but I never cared for the "guts" falling out, when working the lever. Another reason why I prefer the Marlin, as they seem to have a better looking lever.
I'm suffering from the sticker shock too. I seen a SS laminated stocked Marlin at $2200. I'd like to have another lever-action rifle, in 44 Mag., but the pricing is repelling me away. I suppose, if you want one, ya might as well buy it now cause the prices ain't gonna drop any time soon.
I'm with you on the traditional look for a lever-action rifle. Also, not a fan of Henry rifles either. I'm more of a Marlin fan.
The Winchester is a time proven action, but I never cared for the "guts" falling out, when working the lever. Another reason why I prefer the Marlin, as they seem to have a better looking lever.I'm suffering from the sticker shock too. I seen a SS laminated stocked Marlin at $2200.
I'd like to have another lever-action rifle, in 44 Mag., but the pricing is repelling me away. I suppose, if you want one, ya might as well buy it now cause the prices ain't gonna drop any time soon.
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Definately a neat gun... He never shot anything with it though... More of a nostalgic type firearm with some history... Like I said, load that tube up with 38/55's and she gets front end heavy....
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I just looked on gun broker at the prices of used Marlins... Here's a high priced one that is in shitty condition... Mine are pristine compared to that...
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That is one sexy looking freaking gun man! I know you never will but I cant sleep without saying it, If you ever start selling guns I better get a call about that one!
