Side Gate Loading Lever Rifle which one?

[Bugs]

I would like to get a lever rifle with side gate loading but after looking around the interweb...Jeesh...which one. The newer Winchesters look nice but so do the Uberti's. And apparently a Rossi can be improved. Marlin seems like they may be coming out with some newer guns once they get past the bankruptcy reorganization. Looking to buy a new gun so not interested in searching for an older one in good condition...plus the pricing can be ridiculous. Also want to be able to shoot .357 magnum; current load is 14.5 gn Alliant 2400 pushing an 158 gn projectile. Opinions...Recommendations?

[Mistered]

If you were wanting a 30-30 the answer would be easy but because you want a .357 that complicates it. Stay away from the later model Winchesters AEs. I had one and it suffered from the known, cartridge lift issue. I worked on it for several years (and many complete tear downs) to try to resolve it and got close but never to the point of it cycling consistently. When it dropped a round under the lift it was a real PITA and it was this that made me sell it and buy a Henry. The Rossis are hit and miss. Never owned one but the ones I have seen and held bordered on crude - but many say they were able to get them cycling and shooting well but I would not own one. The Miroku Winchesters are really nice - very nice in fact I handle and look at one nearly every time I am in my local Sportsman's Warehouse and have to work hard to resist the temptation ! (well not really!) The Italian repops are very nice also and have improved dramatically over the years - the early ones were pretty bad with soft internals that wore quickly.
If it were me I would look for a nice JM Marlin but since you are wanting new I would try to find a NEW Marlin and spend an ordinate amount of time looking it over VERY WELL before buying it - and WELL means running a patch down the barrel, bore light inspection, fit, finish and cycle with some snap caps. Good luck!

[RanchRoper]

My local hardware store has a Uberti 1873 Winchester copy with case colored receiver, lever and buttplate. I took a close look at it and handled it in the store. .357 Mag. 20" octagon barrel.

All I can say is WOW.

[North Country Gal]

In terms of least risk as for as getting a lemon with a new production gun, I would opt for a Winchester/Miroku or the Uberti. Have owned many a Miroku built gun and have never had a single lemon, not one. Won't be cheap, but they're great guns. Same for the UIberti levers. As mentioned, if you want a Marlin, an earlier JM would be a lot safer than the current Remington made Marlins. QC on those is all over the place.

[Mistered]

As mentioned, if you want a Marlin, an earlier JM would be a lot safer than the current Remington made Marlins.

I agree and while ridicules pricing was mentioned I have recently seen a couple very nice JM Marlins for less than the cost of a Miroku or Uberti. One with a very nice case, ammo, sling & scope. Nice JM Marlins are out there - you just need to always be looking and PREPARED to buy! (kind of like I am doing currently for a Mod 28/27 Smith!)

[BigAl52]

I got burned on a 357 Remlin and 350.00 later after a trip to Mic McPhersons shop in Cortez Colorado it now shoots like it should of when it left the factory. Ive seen some new JM Marlins in 357 go for as high as 2K on GB. Remington has forgotten how to make a quality gun and there customer service is so poor that I know of one person on another forum who sent in a 45-70 5 times and finally asked for a refund because it was not ever fixed. Never owned a Rossi but the company who makes them also has poor customer service. I have a Uberti in 1873 and love it. As others have said I wouldnt be afraid to buy the Miroku Winchester. I have looked at one several times in 38-55.

[Mistered]

Here is a nice deal @ $925 in Western Oregon. If it stays up for sale much longer I might tempted!

20180320_155116.jpg

[RanchRoper]

In terms of least risk as for as getting a lemon with a new production gun, I would opt for a Winchester/Miroku or the Uberti. Have owned many a Miroku built gun and have never had a single lemon, not one. Won't be cheap, but they're great guns. Same for the UIberti levers. As mentioned, if you want a Marlin, an earlier JM would be a lot safer than the current Remington made Marlins. QC on those is all over the place.

True enough; my local store also had a Winchester 30-30 I was drooling over for a while until he sold it, but it was beauty. 1892 model maybe?

Their recent 1866 Yellowboy re-issue is a magnificent rifle too; if not for the price I'd have one.

[Mistered]

1892 model maybe?

Most likely a Mod 94 being it was 30-30. Was it an older one?

[tractortad]

My advice if you want a nice 357Mag Lever gun with a loading gate would be to look for an older JM marlin. Be prepared to pay significantly more than a new 357Mag Marlin (they are now starting to show up - i.e. Bud's), but with Marlins, I think it is better to pay more for an older one - you will not regret it. You can roll the dice with a new one, but even a well made new Marlin is not as nice as an older model...

[RanchRoper]

1892 model maybe?

Most likely a Mod 94 being it was 30-30. Was it an older one?

Brand new. Think it was a 94. Thks

[Bugs]

I've thought about a Uberti but can't find anywhere local where I can put my hands on one. Also never seem to see one at any local gun shows.

[GFK]

I got burned on a 357 Remlin and 350.00 later after a trip to Mic McPhersons shop in Cortez Colorado it now shoots like it should of when it left the factory. Ive seen some new JM Marlins in 357 go for as high as 2K on GB. Remington has forgotten how to make a quality gun and there customer service is so poor that I know of one person on another forum who sent in a 45-70 5 times and finally asked for a refund because it was not ever fixed. Never owned a Rossi but the company who makes them also has poor customer service. I have a Uberti in 1873 and love it. As others have said I wouldnt be afraid to buy the Miroku Winchester. I have looked at one several times in 38-55.

BigAl52, I having been thinking about getting a 1894C. What was the issue or issues with your 357?

[BigAl52]

GFK
Mine would not even cycle with 357's at all it would jam up every time. When I would load 38 special it would run just fine. Mic said gun should have never left the factory. He fixed whatever it was that was causing that and I had him do some other things to it while he had it. It runs just fine now and shoots good. The action in it is almost as smooth as My Henry but not quite. But it isnt far off. I might add that I would not ever buy another Marlin made buy Remington. If I was after a Marlin I would do like others have mentioned, look around for a JM. Yes more money but some one once told me it only cost just a little bit more to go first class. Al

[BigAl52]

Here is a nice deal @ $925 in Western Oregon. If it stays up for sale much longer I might tempted!
20180320_155116.jpg

Is that in a local gun shop Mistered. That looks like a pretty good buy to me. Nice case ammo scope and a rifle. Bugs and GFK should be all over that one. Al

[Mistered]

Is that in a local gun shop Mistered.

No, it's a PP listing on a local gun forum. Its about two hours away from me and I am taking a double (and triple) look at it. I certainly don't NEED another rifle but it's tempting!

[BigAl52]

Is that in a local gun shop Mistered.

No, it's a PP listing on a local gun forum. Its about two hours away from me and I am taking a double (and triple) look at it. I certainly don't NEED another rifle but it's tempting!

Ya since when has need ever dictated the next gun purchase

[Mistered]

Ya since when has need ever dictated the next gun purchase

LOL ! - Not too often thats for sure! Now I am in the process of PM-ing the seller for some additional info - this is getting serious!

[RanchRoper]

I've thought about a Uberti but can't find anywhere local where I can put my hands on one. Also never seem to see one at any local gun shows.

Try this


https://www.cimarron-firearms.com/cimarron-dealers

http://www.taylorsfirearms.com/

[GFK]

GFK
Mine would not even cycle with 357's at all it would jam up every time. When I would load 38 special it would run just fine. Mic said gun should have never left the factory. He fixed whatever it was that was causing that and I had him do some other things to it while he had it. It runs just fine now and shoots good. The action in it is almost as smooth as My Henry but not quite. But it isnt far off. I might add that I would not ever buy another Marlin made buy Remington. If I was after a Marlin I would do like others have mentioned, look around for a JM. Yes more money but some one once told me it only cost just a little bit more to go first class. Al

Thanks Al! As you pointed, need may not play much of a factor. I am thinking about something that can serve as self-defense, use existing ammo (I like the idea of having a rifle and hand gun of the same caliber: 357/38), cheaper to shoot than 30-30 and possibly be used for hunting deer. Plus, I do not want to invest too much money in such a thing. It's one of those nice to have things. I thinking new rather than used. But if the price is right, used could be a possibility. With used, sometimes you may get someone else's issues. In most cases, we may get what we pay for like you mentioned. So, I may wait and see have the reviews are on the 1894C. It is something I am not in a rush to do. But, I should have a better idea of what I may do before the year is out. G