Recommendations for.357 Lever Action

sirptrk · 11-22-2007, 10:18 PM

Does anyone have any preferences or recommendations on a good, mid priced .357 lever action rifle. Is the Rossi lever action a pretty dependable gun?

cma g21 · 11-23-2007, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirptrk

Does anyone have any preferences or recommendations on a good, mid priced .357 lever action rifle. Is the Rossi lever action a pretty dependable gun?

I have a Rossi .357 (as well as one in .44 and .454) and am very satisfied.

Out of the box, they can be a little rough, and the new ones have an annoying safety on top of the bolt. Both those issues are easy to deal with.

If you get one, I highly recommend getting Steve Young’s DVD. It’s really helpful for disassembly and cleaning, and he even shows you how to smooth up the action. He can also do the action work (if you feel it’s something you don’t feel comfortable doing). I had him do one of my Rossi’s and he does great work, just be aware he has a 16-20 week turn around time.

Rossi 92 Specialist, Nate Kiowa Jones a.k.a. Steve Young - Professional Gunsmith

I also had a Marlin .357 that I regret trading. While I prefer Rossi, the Marlin is much easier to add a scope or peep sight to.

nathangdad · 11-23-2007, 10:24 AM

Rossi's are good buys. Often the people selling guns put them down as they have a low dealer profit margin. If you want a scope then go with the more expensive Marlin. If you want iron sights the Rossi will shoot well and come to smoothness with use. Use equals practice which equals ability
to hit the target.

Pumpkinheaver · 11-23-2007, 10:32 AM

I have never used a Rossi carbine. I do have first hand knowledge od the Marlin 1894 and the Winchester 1894 in .357. Of the 2 I prefer the Marlin. My dad prefers the Winchester. Go figure.

rckymtnboy · 11-23-2007, 11:21 AM

I made the mistake of buying a Rossi .44 lever action. Maybe I just had a lemon, but this thing was the roughest action I've ever felt. Clunky as he!!. Half the time you couldn't chamber a round without working the lever, hitting the side of the receiver with your hand, and then working the lever again. I own Marlin (in .45-70) and Browning (.300 WSM) lever actions and they are worlds better. You really do get what you pay for.

cma g21 · 11-23-2007, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rckymtnboy

I made the mistake of buying a Rossi .44 lever action. Maybe I just had a lemon, but this thing was the roughest action I've ever felt. Clunky as he!!. Half the time you couldn't chamber a round without working the lever, hitting the side of the receiver with your hand, and then working the lever again. I own Marlin (in .45-70) and Browning (.300 WSM) lever actions and they are worlds better. You really do get what you pay for.

Most aren't that rough, but some are. Part of the problem is rough finish on the interior moving parts (these will smooth up some with use). The other part of the problem is Rossi uses springs that are too strong (in an effort to overcome rough parts). This is unlikely to improve with use.
Fortunately, with the simplest of tools, the Rossi can become incredibly smooth. I am not all that handy with tools, and I was able to get my .44 and .454 really slick. The .357 (purchased used) had other issues, and I ended up sending it in to be tuned up professionally.

pajaro · 11-24-2007, 01:49 AM

ive had a browning for years..... its a good one..... easy shooting and accurate..... no experience with any others though..... the winchester 94 sounds interesting..... i wasnt aware winchester made these in .357 cal...... learn something new every day.......

Theodore · 12-23-2007, 03:00 PM

I own and shoot a 357 Marlin and love it...My brother has the Rossi and had to send it back twice....it was very rough....heard of the Win. but never saw one

jerry · 12-23-2007, 03:18 PM

My friend has a Winchester and swears by it. I have not shot it yet.

DWARREN123 · 12-23-2007, 05:08 PM

You will not find better than a Marlin!

Don357 · 12-23-2007, 05:15 PM

Try a Puma from Legacy Arms. American Rifleman Magazine had an article that said they were a decent rifle.

okami515 · 12-24-2007, 07:58 AM

the puma's are great little guns have all of them but the early 44-40 version. they all shoot great. the wood on them is nothing spectacular in terms of grain but I love them just the same.

utahvarminter · 12-24-2007, 11:22 AM

I find Marlins to be good guns, however the actions are a little rough. One recommendation, never shoot .38 wad cutters out of a 357 Marlin: they don't cycle in my experience.

11-22-2007, 10:18 PM	#1
sirptrk Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Kansas USA, the middle of knowhere Posts: 31 Trader Rating: (0)	Recommendations for.357 Lever Action Does anyone have any preferences or recommendations on a good, mid priced .357 lever action rifle. Is the Rossi lever action a pretty dependable gun?

11-23-2007, 10:24 AM	#3
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,257 Trader Rating: (0)	Rossi is a good buy Rossi's are good buys. Often the people selling guns put them down as they have a low dealer profit margin. If you want a scope then go with the more expensive Marlin. If you want iron sights the Rossi will shoot well and come to smoothness with use. Use equals practice which equals ability to hit the target.

11-23-2007, 10:32 AM	#4
Pumpkinheaver Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,311 Trader Rating: (0)	I have never used a Rossi carbine. I do have first hand knowledge od the Marlin 1894 and the Winchester 1894 in .357. Of the 2 I prefer the Marlin. My dad prefers the Winchester. Go figure. __________________ Just because your paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you!

11-23-2007, 11:21 AM	#5
rckymtnboy Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: I am a dual resident. Posts: 340 Trader Rating: (0)	I made the mistake of buying a Rossi .44 lever action. Maybe I just had a lemon, but this thing was the roughest action I've ever felt. Clunky as he!!. Half the time you couldn't chamber a round without working the lever, hitting the side of the receiver with your hand, and then working the lever again. I own Marlin (in .45-70) and Browning (.300 WSM) lever actions and they are worlds better. You really do get what you pay for. __________________ When they come for my guns, I'll give 'em the bullets first!

11-24-2007, 01:49 AM	#7
pajaro Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: newcastle, california Posts: 102 Trader Rating: (0)	browning 357 ive had a browning for years..... its a good one..... easy shooting and accurate..... no experience with any others though..... the winchester 94 sounds interesting..... i wasnt aware winchester made these in .357 cal...... learn something new every day.......

12-23-2007, 03:00 PM	#8
Theodore Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: South Alabama Posts: 23 Trader Rating: (0)	I own and shoot a 357 Marlin and love it...My brother has the Rossi and had to send it back twice....it was very rough....heard of the Win. but never saw one

12-23-2007, 03:18 PM	#9
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,760 Trader Rating: (0)	My friend has a Winchester and swears by it. I have not shot it yet. __________________

12-23-2007, 05:08 PM	#10
DWARREN123 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: BETWEEN TN & KY Posts: 750 Trader Rating: (0)	You will not find better than a Marlin! __________________ Have a nice day!

12-23-2007, 05:15 PM	#11
Don357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Semmes Alabama Posts: 246 Trader Rating: (0)	Try a Puma from Legacy Arms. American Rifleman Magazine had an article that said they were a decent rifle.

12-24-2007, 07:58 AM	#12
okami515 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 163 Trader Rating: (0)	the puma's are great little guns have all of them but the early 44-40 version. they all shoot great. the wood on them is nothing spectacular in terms of grain but I love them just the same.

12-24-2007, 11:22 AM	#13
utahvarminter Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Utah Posts: 485 Trader Rating: (0)	I find Marlins to be good guns, however the actions are a little rough. One recommendation, never shoot .38 wad cutters out of a 357 Marlin: they don't cycle in my experience. __________________ My Photo Album