Side Gate vs Tube Feed

[Mags]

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Not real fond of self inflicted character. Genuine character arrives from external circumstances with a story or tall tale to go with it.

Thats character there Mags. No extra charge for making yours unique to you.

[Redthies]

I have to agree with you Mags. That’s not the kind of “character” I’d like. I wonder if you could polish the marks out?

[dddrees]

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Not real fond of self inflicted character. Genuine character arrives from external circumstances with a story or tall tale to go with it.

Thats character there Mags. No extra charge for making yours unique to you.

Agreed, not a fan as well.

[RanchRoper]

My 1860 has lots of character now. Can't avoid. In and out of the scabbard, back and forth to the range, in the back floor of the truck. I keep it in a gunsock inside the buckskin cover but wear and tear happens. I bought it to use it. Don't plan on parting with it so who cares. It's clean and well maintained and shoots well. All good.

[Mags]

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Lots of external circumstances in all that handling and mini-story to describe it.

My 1860 has lots of character now. Can't avoid. In and out of the scabbard, back and forth to the range, in the back floor of the truck. I keep it in a gunsock inside the buckskin cover but wear and tear happens. I bought it to use it. Don't plan on parting with it so who cares. It's clean and well maintained and shoots well. All good.

[BigAl52]

Bringing this back up to the top again as I just got back from a hunting trip for Deer and Elk. Unsuccessful on both Deer and Elk but thats another story. I used the Savage in the Elk hunt which is a 338 Winchester mag caliber. For the Deer hunt I chose the Marlin 336 Cowboy in 38-55. I had 1 reason for choosing that gun over say the Henry in 38-55. My wife gave me the gun for my birthday about 18 years ago and she made a comment about its use. After using this gun which I really like I had a real hang up with not being able to remove the tube to unload the gun. Sure wish it would of had the options of the new Henry and had a tube I could take out and dump out the other 7 rounds and then clear the chamber even if I had to hold the mag tub between my legs while I emptied the tube.

[JEBar]

sorry to hear you had to bring all of your bullets back ... do hope you had a great time

[GFK]

Yes, I agree that tube unloading is nice. I have played with unloading my Marlin using the load gate. I was able to do it. If the gate was stiffer though, it would probably more of a challenge. I am planning on getting out in the woods next month. I am looking forward to it!

[Mistered]

I have played with unloading my Marlin using the load gate.

Why not just cycle the rounds out like lever owners have been doing since about 1866?
I would think if it had ever been an issue Winchester or Marlin would have created a removable load tube system instead of closed but apparently it has never been a problem.

Even while removable tube feed has existed (long before Henry) typically in .22 rifles I, as well as the multitudes of other long term lever gun owners, still never considered cycling the rounds out of out centerfire rifles to be a problem.
Part of this is probably due to the fact .22s typically get 'emptied' from shooting whereas centerfires typically do not always get shot 'empty'.

It has only been more less recently the issue of unloading a closed tube lever action has become a topic - and this has been with the proliferation of the Henry and it's removable tube load system

My point to this is the removable tube on the new side loaders is not necessarily a bad thing but at the same time is does not need to be a condemnation of closed tube guns that have been around for 150+ years now.

[GFK]

I have played with unloading my Marlin using the load gate.

It has only been more less recently the issue of unloading a closed tube lever action has become a topic - and this has been with the proliferation of the Henry and it's removable tube load system

My point to this is the removable tube on the new side loaders is not necessarily a bad thing but at the same time is does not need to be a condemnation of closed tube guns that have been around for 150+ years now.

I agree. I think I tried unload via the load gate, because I did not feel like playing with dirty ammo. I forgot why I wanted to unload that way anyway. I typically unload through the barrel. A rain storm or something must been on the way. As I recall, the sky grew dark. But, it was a opportunity for me to try something new. Worst case scenario, it would not work. And, I would have to play with dirty ammo.

[BigAl52]

My observation wasnt a condemnation of closed tube guns if it was taken that way. Mine was a comment about the convenience of the removable tube. Especially in a situation where you are in an out of a vehicle and a loading and unloading more frequently than you would be in a target shooting situation. Most of the comments I have read from other forums are crititcal of Henry for not offering a loading gate before now.

[Mistered]

My observation wasnt a condemnation of closed tube guns if it was taken that way.

Nope - not at all.
I was responding to GFK as it was.

[jstraw]

I like the tube fed Henrys just fine. I also have 40+ Years of side gate experience with Marlins. I like that fine too for long slender .30-30 rounds. Gets a little tougher with the pistol cartridges to me. I also grew to appreciate the side button safety. Safer unloads is comforting. I will say that if you ever had a Marlin side gate screw work loose they can lock your gun up real quick. I learned to keep them tight. Thankful for my old Marlins quality as well as the quality on my newer Henrys. Guess I am quite partial to lever guns in general.

[GFK]

I will say that if you ever had a Marlin side gate screw work loose they can lock your gun up real quick. I learned to keep them tight.

That is what prompt me to get another 30-30. The screw of the load gate on my Marlin broke. So, I went looking for a backup rifle. Wanted a Marlin 336C. But, saw a Henry H009 in a cabinet. The wood finish caught my eye. I quit looking for a 336C and bought the H009 instead. And, I am pleased with my purchase. The finish is nice. Yet, I do like the style of my Marlin (traditional). At any rate, both are keepers.

[Mags]

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Was the H009B wood and shinny brass that caught my eye when I bought mine!

... The wood finish caught my eye. I quit looking for a 336C and bought the H009 instead. And, I am pleased with my purchase. The finish is nice. Yet, I do like the style of my Marlin (traditional). At any rate, both are keepers.

[kamml]

I bought my first Marlin sometime in the 1980s. It was a used Glenfield 30-30. Its light weight, easy carry and great utility was great. I took 2 or 3 deer with it and sold it to a friend. It was a fine rifle and accurate too. I bought my 2nd Marlin in the early 90's, it was a 336 in Rem35 , a DRT killer, and a great shooter. I followed that one up with a Marlin 444 about 2001. Then the Remlin period began and I lost interest any more Marlins. I recently bought a Long Ranger and I am impressed. With the demise of Marlin and its Remlin quality problems I will buy Henry again over Marlin for sure.

[JEBar]

good to hear (but no surprise whatsoever) that your Long Ranger is performing well

[Mistered]

No doubt Marlin fell hard but reports are 'some' are performing well with nice fit and finish but it still seems hit and miss.
Recently I looked at a new Marlin, kind of a fancy model with engraving and some gold inlays and I was quite impressed - not interested in it but I just wanted to see one for myself up close.
I'll no doubt own another Marlin - don't know exactly what - but it will be a pre safety JM - unless a Winchester 'legacy' happens to cross my path first!

[Pitchman1968]

Like many who have replied, the tube feed vs. loading gate is a non-issue for me. In my opinion, the more important factors are reliable feeding and consistent accuracy. My Henry's out perform my Marlins on both factors.

However, in my subjective yet humble opinion, really old Savage Model 99 lever guns (circa 1900 -1937) are the best lever action rifles ever produced.
As you know, the 99's load from the top similar to a bolt action rifle, and rounds load easily into its rotary magazine... no pinched fingers, broken nails, etc. Their actions which are the strongest of any lever gun, are smooth as silk, and cycle flawlessly. The 99's only blemish is that after about 1,500 rounds some stocks show hair line cracks in the tang area, although mine which is in the .303 Savage caliber and has been in our family for 118 years and has at least 2,000 rounds through it, has no tang area cracks. Savages, even the old ones, are known for incredible "out of the box" accuracy. With iron sights and 77 year old eyes, the 99 and I shoot 5" groups at 75 yds. from the bench. My 17 year old grandson shoots 2-3' groups with the "Old Girl".

[RanchRoper]

I can get 12 rounds into my 1860 pretty quick if I have to, and get them out even quicker as long as I don't mind a red hot barrel ....but I can also see how having that PEZ dispenser in the side of the receiver would be handy too. Never know when you might need a candy.