44 Mag Levergun ?

[Johnch]

OK I sold the Marlin 44 Mag lever action I had a few months ago
It was made while Marlin was owned by Remington
It had feeding and accuracy problems

Now I plan on a new 44 Mag lever action rifle
But I have not shot any 44 Mag lever action rifle in the last 2 years other than the one I sold
So I have no clue to witch one to buy

I have handled the new Marlin and S&W 44 mag rifles at a gun shop .... Trigger lock installed on both

So I figured I would ask
I would like a threaded barrel , a pistol grip stock , side eject for mounting a scope , being able to cycle the LEE 310 gr bullet loaded in the second crimp grove , being able to stand up to long term use and being able to handle Warm 44 mag loads for hunting

I am thinking I will mount a Leupold 2-7x33 Hunt-Plex on it
As I have a 2-7 x 33 Leupold Mussel Loader model on my Marlin 1895 in 45/70
In all the years I have had that rifle and scope I have had 0 problems with either

So Marlin , S&W , Henry , Rossi or am I forgetting one ?
Price is less important than not having problems

Thanks
John

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I really like my Henry.

[Outpost75]

Henry is OK if you put wheels on it and have a pony to lug it around like a field artillery piece.

[papaglenn]

I have owned a Henry. It was everything it was advertised to be.

It was smooth, accurate and well made. And it was heavy.

The reason I sold it and went with an old Marlin is the stock geometry. It was hard for me to get a good cheek weld on it.

And once I mounted a scope my head was basically straight up and off the stock.

No such problem with the Marlin. And the accuracy is the same.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Henry BBS with 20" barrel 7.0 lbs
Marlin 1894 with 20" barrel 6.4 lbs
both can hold 10 rds of ammo, adding about 0.5 lb

weight difference...seems close enough for rock n roll.

[Bazoo]

I hear tell the new Marlins will cycle the Keith bullet in 44 Magnum brass, so you should be able to get about anything you need to cycle with a usable OAL like that.

[jstanfield103]

I have the Henry Big Boy Steel and it is wonderful, but my favorite out of the two 44 mag that I own is my Miroku Winchester in that caliber. I am partial to the 1892 action.

[JimB..]

This discussion usually includes info about twist rates, but I don’t remember the details.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

This discussion usually includes info about twist rates, but I don’t remember the details.

Both Henry and Marlin have 1:20 on current production

[GregLaROCHE]

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/henr...r-action-rifle
This would be my choice. Not sure if that price is still good.

[Pb&j]

Has anyone had any chance to play with the new S&W 44 mag with ss and synth stock? I got a Redhawk for cheap that made my mind wander into the rifle part of fun. Saw the rifle in a recent past NRA writeup so I understand it's kind of new(ish). Just looking to cast and play, maybe kill a pig with it.

[NSB]

Here’s a thought while the door is still open to choices: Consider the 350 Legend lever gun from Henry. It’s a better choice for longer ranges, has less recoil, flatter trajectory, and is affordable. I’m a big fan of the 44mag, I’ve killed a lot of deer with that cartridge in handguns. But with the Legends introduction, I’d have to at least put it on the list of cartridges to consider if I were looking for a lever gun for deer hunting. Just something to think about.

[Bazoo]

For me, one of the things about the 44 Magnum is that it is chambered in guns I like, such as the Winchester 92, and Marlin 1894, offering a cartridge that is easier to obtain, easy to reload, and with lots of data.

Taking the guns I like off the table and sticking me with a different gun such as a Henry (also a pony and carriage), I'd certainly consider other cartridges such as the 360 Buckhammer.

[MakeMineA10mm]

i’m really sorry you got into the levergun choices this late, mostly because of inflation and the prices these days…. The new Marlin (Ruger) production sounds really great, but that price tag! I was lucky and got an 1894SS (JM) that shoots lights out from a buddy who had buyer’s remorse. Then, I got a Winchester 94 Trapper. Didn’t care for the clunky action. I bided my time, and a Marlin 1894P showed up at the gunshop, and I traded the Winchester Trapper for the Marlin version. Then, I ran across an old Ruger Model 44 Deerstalker with the factory peep sight. Bought it too. A fella just can’t have enough 44 carbines. Obviously, my preference is for a JM marked Marlin, but they’ve gotten silly pricey too. I read the article about the S&W carbine, and there was something I didn’t like about it, but I can’t remember what it was now.

[35 Whelen]

I have a friend with a Henry .44 and he too says it's a chunk to carry around (Henry's site say the brass models weigh over 8.5 lbs.!) . I recently bought a Rossi .44 Magnum mostly because it was fairly inexpensive. D&T'ed it for a receiver sight. It wouldn't feed the long-nose 429421 due to cartridge length, so I did a little work to the innards and now it feeds them perfectly. Pretty accurate too.



But I don't think they meet your criteria of threaded barrel and side ejection.

[trapper9260]

Rossi needs work on them from the start that way you will not have the problems like I seen many have . I have a 357 in 92 . I had work done on it after when testing some ammo the firing did not work anymore because of something broke. While at the gunsmith I had him take out all the other problems that might show up and are know for . After that no more problems. I am also shooting 200 gr cast in it with out any problems . Just was wondering of the OP . Why he did not brought his Marlin to a gunsmith to get it fixed? To take out the problems with it . I have the Rem Marlin in 30-30 and have no problems. If I did I would bring it to the gun smith . I have the 1980 Marlin in 44 and take everything in it including the 310 cast with out any problems and shoots the same ammo as in the RH .

[jstanfield103]

Okay I will probably get torched for this comment, but here it goes.

The Henry has a Marlin 1895 style receiver and bolt. The Marlin has a Classic or 1894 model has the bolt and receiver open on the ejection or right side. In my opinion I think the Henry action would be a little stronger. But I am probably wrong. I agree the price of the new Ruger Marlins (which I do have in 357 and really like) is very high and they are proud of them. I have 5 Rossi levers in all makes and calibers. All work really well.

Just something to think about, Marlin receivers are very strong also.

[Jeff Michel]

Not threaded or pistol grip but since your in NW Ohio, Baker Brother's in Bucyrus has a new made Ruger/Marlin in 44 Mag. Looks very nice. Looked at the S&W version, not impressed for the asking price.

[Pereira]

Here’s a thought while the door is still open to choices: Consider the 350 Legend lever gun from Henry. It’s a better choice for longer ranges, has less recoil, flatter trajectory, and is affordable. I’m a big fan of the 44mag, I’ve killed a lot of deer with that cartridge in handguns. But with the Legends introduction, I’d have to at least put it on the list of cartridges to consider if I were looking for a lever gun for deer hunting. Just something to think about.

To the best of my knowledge, Henry does not offer any firearms in 350 Legend.
They did in fact introduced the 360 Buckhammer to compete with the 350.
Which in my limited knowledge of the two, I'd take the 360 over the 350 any day.
Besides I can use the same bullets in the BH as I do in the 35 Rem.

RP

[35 Whelen]

Rossi needs work on them from the start that way you will not have the problems like I seen many have . I have a 357 in 92 . I had work done on it after when testing some ammo the firing did not work anymore because of something broke. While at the gunsmith I had him take out all the other problems that might show up and are know for . After that no more problems. I am also shooting 200 gr cast in it with out any problems . Just was wondering of the OP . Why he did not brought his Marlin to a gunsmith to get it fixed? To take out the problems with it . I have the Rem Marlin in 30-30 and have no problems. If I did I would bring it to the gun smith . I have the 1980 Marlin in 44 and take everything in it including the 310 cast with out any problems and shoots the same ammo as in the RH .

It would be nice, but if Rossi did that, in other words if they put more time into them, it would increase the price of the rifles.