New member

[kuda]

Hello from Florida. I need some advice on a lever gun so this seemed like the best place. I'm looking for a multi-purpose 357 rifle to go with my handguns which are all 38 or 357 (American made). I'm thinking about a Winchester 94AE Trapper or Ranger. I would go with one of the new Winchesters or an older Browning B92 but the prices are a little steep for me. From what I've read the Brazilian guns can be more trouble than they're worth. Thanks in advance for your input.

[J Miller]

Kuda,

Welcome to the forum.

As much of a fan of the Winchester 94 as I am, I am not a fan of those chambered for the .357 Magnum. This version has extra parts inside so it will function with the smaller diameter cartridge. They are also problematic. Several members here have them, some have had much trouble too. Others say their great.

Personally if I were to suggest a multi purpose lever gun in .357 Mag, I'd suggest the Marlin 1894. American made, parts and service is available and the prices are more or less reasonable.

The Brazilian 92 copies are basically OK, but most need to be polished and tuned to function properly.

Our own Nate Kiowa Jones is a Rossi 92 and other lever guns specialist.
Steve Young aka Nate Kiowa Jones Sass# 6765
Steve's Guns aka "Rossi 92 Specialists"
4525 Alamosa st.
Port Arthur TX 77642
www.stevesgunz.com
Email; steve@stevesgunz.com
Tel: 409-984-5473

Contact him for in depth information on the Rossis and others.

Joe

[Hobie]

I have Marlins and a Rossi (albeit in some other chamberings as well) and I would say that you should get what FEELS good to you. The Rossis and the Marlins are about the best but they feel significantly different to some folks. Get what you like the feel of and make it right (if it isn't already) and you'll be happy. Dittos on the Steve Young/Nate Kiowa Jones suggestion, mine is the bees' knees.

[Mescalero]

Welcome,
This is a great place, you will like it.

[COSteve]

Welcome!! This is a great place to learn about leverguns. I've got two newer LSI imported 357mag Rossis (2008 & 2009) I purchased from Bud's Guns and they both are great. Strong, smooth, and accurate. A quick action / trigger job using Steve's Gunz Rossi tune up kit (DVD & 2 parts) and you'll be good to go. He also sells a plug so you can get rid of that stupid looking bolt safety.

If you're partial to the look and feel of the Winchesters you're going to want to get a Rossi 92 over an actual Winchester 94 chambered in 357mag because the Rossi is a copy of the Winchester 92 which was designed for the pistol cartridges as opposed to the 94 which was designed for bottle neck rifle cartridges.

You'll be fine as long as you keep to the post 2000 manufactured LSI, Braztech, Navy Arms, etc. imported Rossis. They're actions are stronger than the Marlins and they are a ton of fun to shoot.

And at about $400, you can't go wrong with one.

[iceman]

Welcome from the great white north. I have no experience with 357 rifles, but lots of the guys here do so I would listen closely.

[JReed]

Welcome pull up a stump and enjoy the fire.

[kuda]

I shoot lefty so I was leaning towards a 'Winchester' 92 or a 94AE. As far as the Marlin, I do like the look of the stainless 1894css and that it has an 18.5 inch barrel. But there doesn't seem to be many available and/or they aren't in my price range. Maybe I'll read up a little more on the Brazilian 92's.

[Old Ironsights]

The Rossi '92s are simply the bees knees... and they are available in Stainless.



Mine has been used on everything from Bunnies to a 110yd Whitetail Buck.

and for a Lefty... it will toss a casing the same place every time. I can catch it in my left hand as it falls. In your case, given the twist of the gun as you lever it, you should be able to do the same with your right...

[Newtmaker]

What part of FL? A local dealer here in Orlando has a 92 in 45, stainless 20" barrel. It is a nice feeling gun and it seems to cycle great.
I bought my 92 in 357 from them, bought the dcd kit from Steve and the gun is a real shooter!

Walt

[Batman1939]

Welcome ! You will find a bunch of nice folks here and much useful information regarding leverguns and other important aspects of life. I've got an EMF Rossi in .357 with the 24" octagon barrel and cch receiver. Haven't shot it a lot yet, but seems to be dependable and accurate so far. I've got Steve Young's video and aftermarket parts kit, so I'm planning to slick her up some.

I also have a Marlin 1894 Cowboy Limited in .44 mag and it is very smooth with no extra tuning.

Good luck with whatever brand you decide upon.

[Tycer]

92 from Steve.

[kuda]

I'm in Stuart just down the road a ways from Orlando. I looked around Steve Young's site, I may give him a call this week. Thanks.

[TravisM]

Hi. Welcome to the site. I recently did the same thing you're looking into. I wanted a short barrel .357 lever to go with my .357 Heritage and have for an all around carbine. I was looking for a Rossi 92 but .357 leverguns are so hard to find around me that when I saw a Marlin 94, I grabbed it. To be honest, I would be just as happy with the Rossi as I am with the Marlin. My plans are to get a proper sling for it and, later on, get a good set of peep sights or a ghost ring to help out with my lousy vision.

I think once you find yours, you're gonna love it.

[Ysabel Kid]

Welcome to the fire! I have an older Marlin 1894c, pre-safety, in .38 Special/.357 Magnum. Just shot it last week with my 12-year old son. It is a great gun and I highly recommend it.

I also have a Rossi '92 in .45 Colt, one that Steve Young has worked his magic on, and it is, without a doubt, the smoothest leveraction I have ever owned - or fired at all.

Hobie hit the nail on the head. Pick the one that feels best to you. You'll be happy!

Let us know what you end up getting.

[kimwcook]

Can't answer your question as I don't have any 38/357 longarms. Just wanted to welcome you to the fire.

[C. Cash]

Welcome!

[Griff]

and Welcome to THE Forum. I have two Rossi 92s in .357/38Spl. And 25 years of watchin' folks struggle with Winchester 94s in this caliber. There are issues with all lever guns in this combination of cartridges. The OAL difference between .357 Mag and .38 Special are such that feeding both can be problematic. All pistol caliber lever guns are overall cartridge length sensitive. They sometimes exhibit these difficulties in similar and different fashions. Fixes for this are generally easy, and for someone with a modicum of mechanical aptitude and good tools, provide a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.

The mdl 94 Winchester was chambered in this cartridge in both Top Eject, but more prevalent in Angle Eject versions. As said above, this rifle's design was for cartridges of the .30-30 family (actually the .38-55, but let's not split hairs). Therefore, to accomodate the shorter cartridges, it uses a carrier that has a block (or specially shortened space on the carrier, depending on vintage. The stop to keep unwanted cartridges off the carrier is located on the lower link. There have been hardening issues with this part, many of the wearing the "nub" on the link to wear down, allowing an additional cartridge onto the carrier, jamming the gun. It's pretty easy to fix, just weld up the tab and quench to harden the weld material. Shaping before hardening is advised, as too high and it won't feed at all... a trial by error fix. Additionally, like the Winchester 1892s that were converted to this cartridge and by the same operating design, the Rossi model 92s, the cartridge is guided into the chamber by a pair of rails mounted on the inside of the receiver. There are two slots in the rails for the cartridge rim to be kept low until such a time in the cartridges forward motion that it can be guided right into the chamber. Too wide a gap and the cartridge might "stovepipe", (attain a vertical attitude), too tight and the cartridge won't fit between them (this is very rare, usually the gap is on the wide side). The Winchester and Rossi 92s use a magazine stop attached to the left hand rail... it uses a spring to force it over to the right to block any following cartridges from exiting the mag. This spring can break, or the shape of the stop can wear also, allowing a second cartridge into the receiver, jamming the action. While the '94 is fairly easy to clear and get the part that needs correcting, the 92 is a bit more difficult and you almost have to disassemble to gun to get the left rail out. (Steve may know a trick, but... I won't divulge any State Secrects!) You can just take the magazine plug, spring and follower out to remove any cartridges stuck, you still have to take out the offending part to fix. Again, to get the shape correct, it's been trial and error for me.

The Marlin also suffers from similar maladies. But, they're easier to take apart and get to the offending parts. Unlike the Winchesters, which raise the carrier on the forward motion of the lever, the Marlin raises it on the back stroke. This brings a timing issue to the fore. With lots of use, or sometimes a poorly fitted part, the carrier will wear as it's of a softer material than the lever which pushes it. There are fixes for this also. One entails using a hardended layer of steel laid over the carrier hump to minimize wear, (if I understand correctly, as to be honest, I have no hands on experience, but have had it described to me).

So... all three leverguns in this particular calibre may have from the factory or develop issues. This doesn't mean that they are any less of a bargain, nor are they permanently disabled from these, it's just a matter of knowledge and application to render any or all of the serviceable again. Of the three, my favorite is the Rossi... others prefer the Marlin. However, far, far fewer folks prefer the Winchester mdl 94. If you have other Winchester 94s and like the feel of the model, and would like the same grip and heft... then maybe you'd like one... On the other hand, having a pair of otherwise identical leverguns in different calibers, you might be hampered if you just happen to pick up the wrong ammo! And while you could load .357 ammo into a .30-30, it ain't gonna feed very well. And vice versa.

The above are my personal opinions and preferences. Like Hobie said, try 'em out and fondle 'em... decide based on how they feel and fit YOU! With 25 years in the SASS game... I've seen far too many people buy a gun based on the opinion of others, or what they think will be good... only to become disenfranchised quickly... and either quit the game or sell off a perfectly good gun to get something else. Usually not a cheap or even very satisfying solution.

And then there's the Uberti 1873 clones...
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Pure heaven!

[damienph]

Welcome! I think that you would like the Rossi 92 if you gave it a chance.