What's your favorite

[Mike in MD]

When choosing a lever, what's your favorite and why?

I have a couple or so.... My order runs like this

Winchester
Marlin
Rossi
Henry

The Henry's are nice but I prefer a side gate load over the tube and honestly I use my guns and I'm afraid the brass finish isn't up to being drug through the brush.

Thanks,
Mike

[Txcowboy52]

Marlin Winchester Henry Rossi

[Drm50]

Winchester, Marlin & Savage. All three brands I have cut off dates that I have no interest in guns made after that date. Don’t do Henry or Rossi at all, nor new production Marlins from Rem or new Win repro from Japan.

[If1Hitu]

Marlin,Henry,Rossi & BLR, I own these four brands lever action rifles.

[rking22]

Older Winchester and Savage,Browning 92 but that’s about it and I’m a bit picky on vintage of those. As to why, they are light and handy, just what I want in a lever gun. Had a couple Marlins back in the early 80s, too bulky for me. Rossi 92 clone, maybe, but would have to be cheap, Henry does absolutely nothing for me.

[Walks]

Savage, Winchester, Marlin. The real American made Rifles. In that order.

After that the Uberti made copies of the Win 92, 66, 73, 86.

I did have a Browning B92 in .44Mag, it was sweet.

Rossi's & henry's are below the bottom of the list.

[wildwilly]

The Savage 99. I got two....250 Sav. and a 308 Win.

[uscra112]

Marlins - 336 and 39a. Well made, side eject for easy scoping, and accurate. The 336 design is really easy to clean from the breech end as God intended. (Just don't lose the little v-spring ejector!) Winchesters have lots of history and tradition, but all that exposed mechanism on top collects dirt and water like mad. Have two very early 99s, and while they point better than anything for snap shooting, I just can't warm up to the mechanism, and they're almost impossible to get a nice trigger pull on.

I don't buy foreign copies.....Well, I did buy a Browning copy of the 92 once, before I knew they were made in Japan. New-in-box, from a retired GM toolmaker. Hated that plastic finish on the wood. Stripped it and found the wood isn't walnut - it's something soft and spongy, like low-grade mahogany. Could not get a good oil finish on it. Gave up. It's still waaay back in the dead storage safe, hoping that I'll buy some proper wood for it someday. Someday.

[MrWolf]

JM Marlin first. Winchester would be next. Have a Henry and really am not that impressed for some reason. No Rossi.

[kenton]

When choosing a lever, what's your favorite and why?

I have a couple or so.... My order runs like this

Winchester
Marlin
Rossi
Henry

The Henry's are nice but I prefer a side gate load over the tube and honestly I use my guns and I'm afraid the brass finish isn't up to being drug through the brush.

Thanks,
Mike

You might like these Henrys then

https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/big-boy-x-model/

https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/lever-action-x-model-45-70/

[veeman]

Winchester, Browning/Winchester, and Uberti/Winchester. Yes, Winchesters. Never tried any others because I just don't care for their looks. Not saying they are bad, just saying Winchester. :)

[Mike in MD]

You might like these Henrys then

https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/big-boy-x-model/

https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/lever-action-x-model-45-70/

It doesn't look like those are available with wood furniture.

[curiousgeorge]

1- JM Marlin
2- JM Marlin
3- JM Marlin
4- JM Marlin

I think I've got mine ranked in the correct order.

Now, in all fairness, pre-64 Winchester is a good gun, but I need scopes for older eyes. Henry and Rossi, no experience. Never found a need to change from JM Marlins.

[Mike in MD]

I'm partial to the marlin 336. My first is a .35 rem that my dad carried. My Winchester is .22LR. It shoots lights out and runs smooth. I've bought, sold , and traded a few over the years. I have some thoughts on my next one. I'll start a new thread for that.

[pietro]

.

After buying/shooting/hunting dozens of different lever action rifles over the past 50-odd years, I've long ago discovered that I much preferred shorter/lighter hunting rifles, so:

1) Savage 1899H (20" lightweight carbine)

2) Winchester 94 Trapper 16"

3) Marlin 1894P 16-1/4" (ported)

4) Marlin 444P 16-1/4" (ported)

5) Winchester 9422XTR-M



Also rans:

* Winchester 1892 Carbine
* Winchester M86 Extra Light
* Winchester 88
* Marlin336SC
* Marlin 39a

YMMV, of course...


.

[Tripplebeards]

Never been a big fan of levers. I bought a 1970 336 chambered in 35 Rem about 13 years ago like new for $200. By buddy bought it for a $150 a few months prior and never shot it. I pulled it out a few months ago to try cast out of it. Out of the six powder charges I loaded up two shot sub MOA at 100 yards with max jacketed loads! So I have to say JM Marlin. My buddy has an old 1950’s Winchester 30-30 I was trying to get from him last year. He inherited it and was having feeding issues. I cleaned it and it seems to be shooting great now. I did get two lee enfield for free and I traded a pair of Warne scope rings, some gun smithing, and another $40 to boot for a Winchester 1917 from him. I guess I can’t get them all.

[foesgth]

Shooting: Winchester then Marlin

Cleaning: Marlin, then way down the line Winchester.

I have a Rossi M92 it is a good gun but took a bit of tinkering to get it to work smoothly.

[Mr. Crumbly]

Winchester, Browning/Winchester, and Uberti/Winchester. Yes, Winchesters. Never tried any others because I just don't care for their looks. Not saying they are bad, just saying Winchester. :)

My sentiments exactly!!!

[DW475]

JM Marlins in 38-55, 444 and 4570, Winchester 1886 45-70 and Henry 41 & 44 mag.

[Bad Ass Wallace]

Pedersoli 1886 in 45/70 Sporting rifle. Of all the '86 clones on the market this rifle has the Pedersoli match grade barrel and it will feed a 500gn boolit through the action unlike Marlins which are very limited.

https://i.imgur.com/chnKiwx.jpg

[dverna]

I have a few and like them all but some more than others.

Not a fan of top eject guns but still have an Uberti 1873 because it runs so fast and smooth. Couple of Win 94's too.

Really enjoy the 1984 Marlins. Smooth as well, but not like the 1873. Nice being able to easily add tang or scope sights. Light and handy.

The 336 is nice too.

Never warmed to the Rossi I had in 45LC, and sent it down the road.

The one Henry I have is the cheap .22. Nice gun but I need to smooth it up a bit. Like the BL-22 Grade II .22. I have a 9422 NIB that I need to sell. Would be dumb to fire it and lose $100+.

There is something about a handy lever action rifle. I have no interest in the long barreled offerings as they seem counter to what I am looking for.

If the idiots pass a law that only lets me have one gun, it would likely be a 336 in .30/30. Can plink with cast; use jacketed to hunt deer and bear; and a passable defense rifle. It is easy to work on and simple. A good 2-7X scope would top it off.

[sharps4590]

#1 choice is condition but, I don't buy hardly anything post WWII. After condition, flip a coin for Winchester, Marlin or Savage. Henry and Rossi don't enter into the equation.

[Schreck5]

.

After buying/shooting/hunting dozens of different lever action rifles over the past 50-odd years, I've long ago discovered that I much preferred shorter/lighter hunting rifles, so:

1) Savage 1899H (20" lightweight carbine)

2) Winchester 94 Trapper 16"

3) Marlin 1894P 16-1/4" (ported)

4) Marlin 444P 16-1/4" (ported)

5) Winchester 9422XTR-M



Also rans:

* Winchester 1892 Carbine
* Winchester M86 Extra Light
* Winchester 88
* Marlin336SC
* Marlin 39a

YMMV, of course...


.

YES and DOUBLE YES on #5

[375supermag]

Hi...
I have a couple of Marlins...a .22Magnum and a .44Magnum, a Cimarron in .45Colt and my son has a Marlin 336 in..30/30 and a Winchester in .30/30.
Pretty sure the Cimarron gets the nod as the favorite because of the brass and case hardened frame.

[budman5]

I have two Rossi,357 and 44. I recently added a marlin in 44.
My favorite is the 44 Rossi.

[osteodoc08]

Of the ones I own:
1. Winchester 1886 in 45/90 with half octagonal barrel. It has been in the family since it’s birth in 1891. Winchester letter on mantle.
2. Browning 1886 that my father and I purchased together and had a custom stock made for it. He never saw it and it came back from the custom maker the day of his funeral. I later sent it off to Turnbull to ream the chamber, CCH receiver and parts and slick up the action. I put a taller pinned on front sight and it should be regulated for 325-405gr around 1400-1600 fps. Perfect for what I need it to do.
3. Winchester 1892 in 32/20 that has been refinished at some point before my ownership and is a stellar shooter.
4. JM Marlin 1895GS that dad and I picked up together and he stole the Burris low power scope off one of his to set it up for me. Sighted in with some 405gr WFNGC and 50gr Varget. It’s a sold 1-1.5” shooter at 100 yards.
5. As of right now, probably my remlin 1894CSBL. I put a reflex sight on it and it is absolutely a ball to play with. Super slick action. Feeds anything I’ve tried in it from 38 Specials with 158 LSWC to 357M with 180gr WFNGC. This is probably tied with 2 others. My JM Marlin CCL in 41 Mag and Remlin 1894 Limited in 45 LC with high gloss AAA Walnut and high gloss blues action.

I’ve had a Henry before. It functioned well and shot decent but was just lacking something I couldn’t put my finger on. Never owned Rossi. If I can find a Pedersoli like BAW, I’d be more than happy to try it out

[Shawlerbrook]

Like picking your favorite kid. For carry with open sights the Winchester 1894. For longer range with a scope the Marlin 336. For the clean lines, graceful look and something that was ahead of it’s time the Savage 1899/99. I do like Henry for rimfire levers. Special mention for certain circumstances goes to the Winchester 1892, 1895 and 71 and the Marlin Triple Four.

[Wayne Smith]

Have my Dad's Marlin 336 and now our son has my brother's 36G. Have a Uberti '73 in 44-40 and a Mikuro 1895 Win in 405 Win. Never had a Rossi or Savage. For practical use the 336 and the 1895 are my favorites.

[MostlyLeverGuns]

Savage 99's, I've got a bunch (30+) but to be picky, for hunting a Featherweight with serial number above 900,000 and really a tang safety with a serial number before the A, B, C, D prefixes, depending on the game, we use .243, .300 Savage, .308, or .358. After the Savage 99's, Marlin 336 .35's, pre-safety but drilled and tapped and pre-safety 1895's (45-70). I have a bunch of Marlin's too, with a couple .32 Specials as my 'fun' boolit shooters and of course some 30-30's in Marlin's and Savage's. I have 3 Henry rimfires, a .17 and a couple .22's that we shoot a lot. Winchester's - a .348, an 1894 44 Mag and a 9422, but not used much, I have Browning BLR's, 5 or 6, but no longer trust them as reliable in the field. So Savage 99's the answer and I've tried many, There is a Ruger 96 22 Mag and a Rossi .357 - Meh.

[indian joe]

1) winchester or a good modern replica - a proper copy - no tang safeties allowed
2) winchester or a good modern replica
3) winchester or a good modern replica
4) winchester or a good modern replica
5) winchester or a good modern replica
66,73,76,86,92,94,71 ........................

[Mike in MD]

1) winchester or a good modern replica - a proper copy - no tang safeties allowed
2) winchester or a good modern replica
3) winchester or a good modern replica
4) winchester or a good modern replica
5) winchester or a good modern replica
66,73,76,86,92,94,71 ........................

So Joe, How do you feel about Winchester? LOL

[Baltimoreed]

As I’ve said in another favorite lever thread, my .45 Marlin 1894 JM Cowboy Ltd is my most competitive, my uberti 1866 Brass frame musket is the prettiest, my 1873 Winchester .44-40 musket is the oldest [1891] and my uberti 1876 .45-60 NWMP carbine has the most thump. So it depends on what match I’m shooting and if I want to look good, shoot fast or have fun but then they’re all fun. Other than the usual uberti too strong springs and too soft screws [upgraded when bought] and an episode of the ‘dreaded Marlin jam’ once they’ve done fine.
Also have a 30 inch bbl uberti ‘73, a Marlin 1894 carbine and a 1897 .22.

[missionary5155]

The Hall 1819 under lever flintlock caliber .54 breach loader.
The Vulcan (big on our wish list) and the Spencer that got it working
In the modern selections.... the 1866 Winchester.