I’m looking to purchase a new lever gun in 357 mag or 44 mag. Can any of you give me advice as to what make and model you prefer and why. I want a rifle not a carbine. My only experience with a lever gun is with a Winchester model 64 in 32 Win Special. I like the Model 64 because of its barrel length, not too short. I’m not looking to put a scope on the thing, just maybe some good peep sights. Thanks for any help.

ruger makes a nice lever .44 mag www.ruger-firearms.com


Edited by - bobgifford on 02/05/2002 19:54:52

Ruger does make a nice lever action .......Ruger Redhawk

Marlin makes a model 1894 with a 20" barrel in 357 & 44 .

id go with a marlin 1984 as well. i just dont like the look of ruger lever actions. they look like my 10/22 too much. now marlin and winchester make some sharp looking leveractions. i would probaly go with the 44mag but the .357 with hot handloads will drop a deer like a rock.

browning makes a very fine line of lever actions called lightening blr. i have the 30.06 and the 7mag.

Ruger makes a fine gun but that lever is about the ugleist gun I have ever seen, sorry it just my opinion. I'll take a Marlin over the Winchester just for the scope mount, a side eject leaves me cold. Browning makes the strongest lever action and can handle spitzer rounds if you want to handload, just a thought

The Browning's not bad looking, but they don't seem to list one in 357 or 44 mag. Man the Ruger is UUUGGGLLLYYY. I guess I should handle one before I rule it out. Do any of you have a reason I should choose one over the other? Like Winchester is a top eject while Marlin is a side eject.

She may be ugly but she's light and will shoot the hindlegs off a vitamin. Don't discount the ruger. That said, the ruger is really a carbine. If you want the longer barrel you will have to go with the Marlin.

No disrespect to any BLR fans, but if you buy a BLR make sure the trigger is one you can live with. It has been suggested to compare as many BLR triggers agianst each other and pick the best one. A friend of mine has BLR in a 7mm Rem. Mag. and it has the worst trigger I have ever felt, and we are having a hard time finding any one to do a trigger job on it. Good Luck.

Edited by - handloader1 on 02/06/2002 23:51:35