Which Lever Gun Do You LIKE the best ...

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 7:27 pm

OK, here is my thread.

Which lever gun do YOU like the best, and what attributes make you like it?

NOW, LISTEN UP A MOMENT. THIS THREAD IS ABOUT LEVER GUNS YOU LIKE, NOT GUNS YOU DO NOT LIKE. SO PLEASE DON'T GO KNOCKING THE OTHER GUY TO MAKE YOURS LOOK BETTER.

For me, it's the Winchester Mdl 94.

It is slim, trim, and light enough to pack all day.
It does not have any parts protruding that make carrying it awkward.
The cartridges it's chambered for are a perfect match to the rifles form and function.
When I shoulder the rifle it fits me. The stock length is right and the cheek piece feels good when I'm shooting.

Joe

tman · Post by **tman** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 7:45 pm

winchester 94 bigbore, .356 or .444. what J.MILLER said, plus enough gun for whatever walks in front of my sights out to 200 yards.

Leverdude · Post by **Leverdude** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 7:50 pm

I cant answer that, havent figured it out yet.
I'll just keep accumulating them until I figger it out & then I'll let you know.

TedH · Post by **TedH** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 7:54 pm

My favorite lever of my current inventory is the Marlin in 356 Win, aka 336ER. It is very comfortable for me to carry and fits me well. It is acceptably accurate and packs a good punch. A close second is the 30TK re-chambered to 30-30 Ackley.

HATCHETTJACK · Post by **HATCHETTJACK** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 8:15 pm

my marlin 45-70 xlr... i like it because of the bigger forearm grips, it just feels right

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 8:19 pm

I know this will come as a surprise, but my favorite is the 1893/'93 Marlin!

jhrosier · Post by **jhrosier** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 8:26 pm

I like the 1895 Winchesters, and the Browning copies of them.
I get a little light headed when I see photos of the high-grade Browning 1895s.
I have a Winchester 1895 in .405 and a Browning 1895 in 30-06.
I favor shooting the Browning because it don't kick the snot out of me and it is inexpensive to load for.

Jack

stinkycat · Post by **stinkycat** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 8:32 pm

I like the marlins, easy takedown,well built guns. Also I prefere pistol grip stocks, 336 or 39a do all my hunting with these days.

adirondakjack · Post by **adirondakjack** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 8:35 pm

Marlin 1894. Simple, strong, clean lines, and amenable to easily slicking up.

Don McDowell · Post by **Don McDowell** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 8:38 pm

Joe put me down for the 94 for the same reasons , and also add the 95 , for a lot of the same reasons, and add the Blr for some of the same reasons plus the easy addition of a scope. Oh yeah almost forgot the savage 99 cuz they look keewul.

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 8:43 pm

Leverdude wrote:I cant answer that, havent figured it out yet.
I'll just keep accumulating them until I figger it out & then I'll let you know.

+1

Actually, I really like the 1894, but the 'beefier' 336 Guide Gun is nice too... Maybe either one with a curved lever instead of the straight would be just the ideal thing!

Lastmohecken · Post by **Lastmohecken** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 8:57 pm

J Miller wrote:

For me, it's the Winchester Mdl 94.
It is slim, trim, and light enough to pack all day.
It does not have any parts protruding that make carrying it awkward.
The cartridges it's chambered for are a perfect match to the rifles form and function.
When I shoulder the rifle it fits me. The stock length is right and the cheek piece feels good when I'm shooting.

Joe

That's right, except I need to speicify Pre-64 Winchester 94 with 20 inch barrel.

Post by **Old Savage** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 9:00 pm

Can't narrow it to one.

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 9:11 pm

If it HAD to be ONE model from One munufacturer, it would be a Winchester 1892 in 44 WCF or maybe a 1894 in 30-30---or maybe an 1886 in 45-70, or maybe a 1895 in '06..............ah come on, get real. I don't need this aggravation this close to bedtime

----------------Sixgun

1886 · Post by **1886** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 9:47 pm

The Swiss watch of levers, Winchester's model of 1886. 1886

SmokeEater2 · Post by **SmokeEater2** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 9:52 pm

Easy question. My Marlin 94FG .41 Magnum,compact and easy to carry and I shoot it better than anything else I own. The .41 mag out of a rifle is good deer and hawg medicine too. They haven't printed enough money yet to part me from this rifle.

Jay Bird · Post by **Jay Bird** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:03 pm

1886 wrote:The Swiss watch of levers, Winchester's model of 1886. 1886

THIS.

coachise · Post by **coachise** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:15 pm

I like my 94 Big Bore in 375 Win best, but have Winnies, Marlins and even, a Mossberg. Love 'em all.

Bigahh · Post by **Bigahh** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:18 pm

Good question, and I had to think for a minute or two...my answer is my Winchester model 64 Carbine with the 20" barrel in .32 Special. The rifle is very accurate,comes up perfect for me with a 1930's Williams peep sight, and it seems it is the rifle I usually grab for while taking a walk during Deer season.

morgan in nm · Post by **morgan in nm** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:18 pm

J. Miller, I believe that you may have come up with the toughest "which"-type question so far. In my opinion, if it has a lever, its automatically my favorite and to go any further on narrowing these down would be futile at best.

Mike D. · Post by **Mike D.** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:37 pm

OK, I'll pay along. For me, it has to be the 1886 Winchester. They may be a little heavy for some, but they just feel "right" in my hands. Their silky smooth actions are a pleasure to use and the original calibers offered are sufficient to take most North American big game.

CowboyTutt · Post by **CowboyTutt** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:51 pm

The 1886 and 1892 Winchesters have no peers because of their silky smooth actions. I had the chance to dry fire many original antique leverguns while at Kansas Ed's house years ago. I like the 1895's and they might slick up pretty well, but the 86 and 92's are just sweet out of the box!

They have no peers in strength or smoothness of action. This is well known.

-Tutt

new pig hunter · Post by **new pig hunter** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:56 pm

my Marlin 375 .... the scope is sighted-in quite nicely and I can actually hit the target I'm aiming at !! In my book I can't ask for more than that.

Cheers,

Carl

p.s. and my Marlin 444 .... the scope is sighted-in quite nicely and I can actually hit the target I'm aiming at !!

OJ · Post by OJ » Tue Jan 20, 2009 12:40 am

For years, it was this Winchester '94 in 30-30 -

But, now it's this Winchester '95 Hi grade in 30-06 -

claybob86 · Post by **claybob86** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 12:41 am

1886 wrote:The Swiss watch of levers, Winchester's model of 1886. 1886

Yep. There may be other man made things in this world that are as fine and beautiful as a Winchester 1886, but they have not come to my attention yet.

Jaguarundi · Post by **Jaguarundi** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 1:58 am

I like my Marlin 336's and1895's I own.I love my Winnie 1895 SRC 30-06.But to specific answer your question,for me the 92 Winnie hands down.Easy to tote,the action to me is silk on ball bearings and in my hands points like my finger.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 11:40 am

morgan in nm wrote:J. Miller, I believe that you may have come up with the toughest "which"-type question so far. In my opinion, if it has a lever, its automatically my favorite and to go any further on narrowing these down would be futile at best.

Joe

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 11:47 am

The one I like the best is the one I have in hand that is appropriate for the game at hand...

#1 is my 92 Rossi .357
#2 is a Marlin Guide Gun
#3 is a Savage 99 in .308

RIHMFIRE · Post by **RIHMFIRE** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 12:13 pm

WINCHESTER MODEL 1892 IN 38-40
24 " OCTAGON BARREL

Streetstar · Post by **Streetstar** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 12:21 pm

Can i throw in a curveball and say its my Henry lever action .22 (base price, base model from Academy Sports) ? Its the one i shoot the absolute most of any firearm i have -- .22 Short capability keeps me from giving the neighbors a rise and keeps the crows away. I love the thing

A virtual tie would be the model 94. Boring pick maybe, but it was my dad's favorite, and his dad's and on down the line. He grew up in cattle country and loved the 94 because it was easy to just throw in the truck or in a scabbard on the horse and take it with you, and wasn't so high priced that you really worried about it aesthetically. I remember a 30-30 being hung from an old nail by a lanyard in the barn in case something happened ---- thats where the rifle stayed, year in and year out until the rare occasion it was needed (coyotes, snakes -- wayward skunks, or to put down an occasional sick animal)

If i lived in Narnia or some other fantasy land, i would probably carry an 1873 in case colors, or an 1895 in 30-06 just to be different though. I really kind of like 'em all -- even the weird little Rugers with the rotary magazines

meanc · Post by **meanc** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 12:48 pm

I have several favorites, as someone else mentioned, for the task at hand.

But the one that handles and fits me best would have to be my Win94 Trapper in 44mag.

pharmseller · Post by **pharmseller** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 1:18 pm

Browning model 71 rifle.

P

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 1:34 pm

WOW!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE ya'll, it took until PAGE TWO before someone posted a picture! Thank you OJ & Rimfire, 2 fine gents upholding the standards of this fine site.

This'un may be the one I like best:

'Cause... it's plenty accurate, it's purdy and... I BUILT it!

I

like to think it's the first 2 'cause of the last bit!

And this is probably my second favorite lever:

Sorta because it's purdy also... and a whole lotta FUN!

This is likely to be my 3rd favorite:

It's right purdy also, right accurate and very, very handy!

Then finally, I hope this'un will become my new #2:

'Cause it's purdy also and very closely matches my favorite pistols... history wise!

There's a trend there, anyone need clues?

nemhed · Post by **nemhed** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 1:38 pm

It has to be my Marlin 1894c. .357 is still relatively cheap and easy to reload for. There always seems to be a good variety of off the shelf ammo available. This rifle has always done exactly what I've asked of it, and if necessary I could get by if it was the only firearm I owned.

Jayhawker · Post by **Jayhawker** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 2:50 pm

My favorite probably is my Savage 99EG in 300 Savage. For me, it's the perfect blend of balance and power.

Post by **Old Savage** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 3:55 pm

What year?

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 4:52 pm

Griff,

You are correct. My original post needed a picture. I corrected that oversight.

Joe

SJPrice · Post by **SJPrice** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 4:56 pm

Mike D. wrote:OK, I'll pay along. For me, it has to be the 1886 Winchester. They may be a little heavy for some, but they just feel "right" in my hands. Their silky smooth actions are a pleasure to use and the original calibers offered are sufficient to take most North American big game.

1886 Winchester original or 1886 Browning (no tang safety or rebounding hammer) and I disagree with the "most North American Big Game" as I think a 45-70 loaded properly with the right bullets in a strong 1886 is adequate for most if not all game on any continent

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 5:46 pm

1886 wrote:The Swiss watch of levers, Winchester's model of 1886. 1886

Well Said!

jb

sureshot · Post by **sureshot** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 6:11 pm

I like my Marlin 39a Mountie the best.

It's light and easy to carry.

It's accurate.

I'ts cheap to shoot.

And it's just a lot of FUN!

Steve

cavemike · Post by **cavemike** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 6:31 pm

SmokeEater2 wrote:Easy question. My Marlin 94FG .41 Magnum,compact and easy to carry and I shoot it better than anything else I own. The .41 mag out of a rifle is good deer and hawg medicine too. They haven't printed enough money yet to part me from this rifle.

I couldn't agree more.

I'm now working up loads with my own cast boolits.

I will try to have range reports after the weekend.

Mike

Pathfinder09 · Post by **Pathfinder09** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 6:45 pm

Here is my baby #1

and #2

I just can't make up my mind which of the children I like most.

meanc · Post by **meanc** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 6:53 pm

Well, since pics have been requested...

here's my favorite, a 44mag Win94 Trapper and it's little cousin.

jazman · Post by **jazman** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 7:37 pm

It's not as fancy or historical as some, but I flat love my NKJ .357 Trapper, especially now that I have one of Lever's butt cuffs on it. Ready to go at any time!

TomF · Post by **TomF** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 8:02 pm

Marlin 336CB 30-30 conversion. Can't beat it with a stick!!

TomF

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 8:15 pm

cavemike wrote:
SmokeEater2 wrote:Easy question. My Marlin 94FG .41 Magnum,compact and easy to carry and I shoot it better than anything else I own. The .41 mag out of a rifle is good deer and hawg medicine too. They haven't printed enough money yet to part me from this rifle.

I couldn't agree more.

I'm now working up loads with my own cast boolits.

I will try to have range reports after the weekend.

Mike

That's interesting. I couldn't get rid of mine fast enough. Accurate rifle but it weighed as much as my 45-70 LTDIII!

To each his own!

jb

kentdep · Post by **kentdep** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 8:16 pm

I like this one...

Or maybe this one....

Nahhh I think this one...

Or maybe it is the one in this picture....

Oh well can't make up my mind but at any rate it would be safe to say that my favorite levergun is one of my Marlins...

JC

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 8:21 pm

I like my Model 39 Centennial Marlin a big bunch, and I really like my daughter's STAINLESS STEEL Rossi in .45 Colt.

THAT IS A SWEET RIFLE.

But she won't give it to me 'cause she knows I'd shorten it to 16 inches.......

one major bummer.

so I have to lug around the stainless guide gun ...

oh well

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 9:09 pm

The levergun I like best? ...... that's easy ....... it's the one I don't have yet.

Yeah, I know. It's a sickness. Thank goodness for a flat wallet.

morgan in nm · Post by **morgan in nm** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 9:12 pm

Take your pick. Each is special to me but not as special as the one I don't have yet.