Which lever has the best feeling action?

[rangerider7]

I really like reading all the replies to the topic "best feeling lever in your hands". Now which model lever has the best feeling action??? A gun can feel great in the hands and shooting, but when you work the action it doesn't feel so good. I'm still voting for the 92, 86, 71 (basically the same) action feels the best, but the OLD Marlins 92, 94, 93, 97 and 95 (basically the same) run a close second. IMHO

[Malamute]

I like the 1886 and early 94 Winchester actions.


Not intending to start a A vs B discussion, but the Marlin action always felt and sounded like they were full of mud or sludge compared to the above mentioned actions. Just my impression.

[zack coyote]

Two of my three Rossi's have been slicked up, and they're like melted butter, my 34 year old Winchester 94 is pretty smooth, and my Marlin 1895ss is as solid as a one ton truck.

[Tycer]

Old 1886s MMMMMMmmmmmmm!

[Griff]

1873... hands down the BEST of the BEST.

[jhrosier]

The 1886 Winchester is high on my list, but the '95 Winchester and Savage 99 are awful close contenders.

Jack

[kimwcook]

Griff, I wish I had a '73 to compare to my other levers. I'm going with my pre-war '94. Although I will say that my Legendary Frontiersmen, post 64, feels like it runs on bearings believe it or not.

[Chuck 100 yd]

There is no comparison! The 73 is the best.

[Lastmohecken]

In this case. I would probably have to go with a 73, for smoothness. But my Browning 95 is very smooth for a big gun, but my Browning 92 is very smooth also.

[Tycer]

73s are smooth, but the clackety clackety clack of the 86 sings "real machine" to me. Pure beautiful music.

[J Miller]

I will answer this question with the caveat that it's based solely on the rifles I've owned and used.

I've owned:

Winchester 94s, pre and post 64 and AE
Winchester 1873, an ancient one that was badly worn
Marlin 1894s
Rossi

Of these center fire lever actions I have to say that best feeling is a nicely broken in Pre-64 Winchester 94.

Joe

[Duff L Bagg]

My Marlin 1893 in 32-40 has to be the slickest lever gun that I own.

[Mike D.]

Anyone knows the answer to that question. It IS the 1886 Winchester, of course.

[Old Savage]

Steel BLRs are smoothest, some 92s, Marlins made in about 1980, 79. But they all have their special feel. OOOH - the 86s. B92 Brownings.

Have to love the 99s and 88s.

2005 25-35 94 is very good as is my 90' 94.

[salvo]

I love the feel of a 1886/M71

[O.S.O.K.]

1873... hands down the BEST of the BEST.

This was my thought too. That and the 1866 - feel the same to me.

I don't own one but had the opportunity to shoot other's on occasion when I shot cas - smoothest action and just was fun to cycle and watch the action work.

I used a Marlin Cowboy in 45 Colt which I still have.

I need to get an 1866 or 73...

[Sixgun]

Man, thats a toughy. I have owned and shot them all extensively. There's no doubt the '86, 92, 94, and '95 are all sweet. The 73 has to have work done on it to be as smooth as the others. It really depends on the individual action as I have had '86's and '92's that have been OK and some that have been sweeeeeeeeeeeetttt.. The 94 is fine but falls somewhere inbetween the '73 and '86 in natural smoothness.

Much depends on mainspring tension and wear on all of the actions.

My vote...................drum roll please....................................goes to the 1895 as the most natural smooth action. There's less "action" (parts movement) going on in a '95 because of the box magazine.

Marlins are nice too--most likely as good as a '95

Come on! Lets argue!!!!!!!!!!----------Sixgun

[GEOFF]

O.S.O.K,

My thoughts exactly. I don't have a 73 but geez the ones I've cycled are INCREDIBLY SMOOTH!! Kinda answers why Winchester made the 73 and the 92 concurrently. I know the 73 isn't near as strong but probably the old timers loved and kept buying it even though the 1892 was being made also!

My 1948 Marlin 336 is right up there with regards to SMOOTH too!!

Geoff

[homefront]

I haven't handled all the rifles some of you lucky guys have, but the other day I picked up and cycled a newer Henry in .44 mag and it was slick as greased glass.

[Paul Jenkins]

If slick is all that matters , a Very worn Marlin 39. or a worn out '73, If strength matters, a'92, or '86, I know of a very accurate Marlin, but not as pleasing as a Winnie and still not quite as accurate. Ho-Hum, the old Chevy- Ford situation.

[piller]

I don't have a lot of experience with lever actions, but my Rossi model 92 is much slicker that my Marlin.

[Borregos]

Of any I have ever tried my Marlin 1889 in 44-40 (manufactured in 1892) has got the best feeling action by a looooong way

[El Chivo]

336 in 35 Rem, with the Remington ammo.

[Pete44ru]

A TRAPPER - Bar none !

[jdad]

Any old Marlin rimfire lever. They cycle like a new Henry.

[bbleverfan]

i would say as far as current production levers go the rossi takes it with there 92.

[Stump Buster]

If rimfires are included, based on my battery...I have to go with my 9422XTR. I'd like to try a 39, '73 or '86 though!

[Lefty Dude]

Hands down, the 73 feels best. The 92 runs a second. And the Marlin's third.

[AndyM]

All great replies, my vote is for a nice broken in 1892 Winchester - that action is the cream of the crop in terms of Winchester lever actions....

Although my 9422 is slick as slick can be...

[RIHMFIRE]

All great replies, my vote is for a nice broken in 1892 Winchester - that action is the cream of the crop in terms of Winchester lever actions....

Although my 9422 is slick as slick can be...

+1 ON THE 92 & 9422

[Sonic Boom]

Without a doubt, Bullard large frame lever guns. 'Not may of them out there, they were only made for about 8 years in the 1880's. Spectacular guns, smooth as silk, but they were expensive to manufacture and thus ultimately lost out to Winchester. IMHO Bullards were the best lever guns ever made.