38/357 and 44 lever guns 16"

[SW CQB 45]

A little out of touch of the current offerings

I have a good supply of hot loaded .44 mag (my dad loaded it) and I will never shoot this out of handgun.

I also have a good supply of jacketed .38 and some .357

plus I have reloading supplies for these calibers.

I always wanted a Winchester 16" 44 mag Trapper or possibly a Wrangler (not sure on the BIG OL WIN LOOP) especially in the 90s when they were tac-ing them out back then.

I never went in that direction as the writings (pre net) was the preference of no cross bolt safety but IIRC, there was no offerings in 16" pistol calibers.

I would like to put a low mounted red dot and the railed receivers are inviting but I dont want to buy the wrong one the first time.

I have recently read negatives on both current issue Marlin 1894SBL in 44 or 357 and Henry X Big Boy in the same calibers. More along the lines you might get lucky and get a good one to include the opposite.

Can you offer opinions on 16" offerings in 44 and 357?

if I need to start looking for older and opt away from a railed receiver, I hope someone makes a optic mount.

The purpose of these will be plinking and general home/truck protection.

I was looking at Browning B92 but it appears they only come in 20" and I would prefer the handier shorter barrel.

I like the Marlin 1894SBL but damn.... pricing sure went up.

thanks in advance

[jbjh]

I have heard more positive about Marlin offerings in the last few years. I’d say that as long as you can lay hands on the gun before purchase, then you can make the call.

Now if you have some patience, there are the older JB marked guns to be had (although they’re not all perfect either). The 1894 in .44Mag aren’t hard to find. Stainless and big levers might bring a bit more of a premium.

The last gun I’ll ever give up is my 1894c in .38/.357 with Williams peep sights. It’s just so much fun! Absolutely my favorite. It wears a Burris FastFire right now, but Airdus Industries has made some prototypes to mount a red dot low with peeps built in (same as their shotgun mounts). That should be some good stuff.


Sent from 80ms in the future

[SW CQB 45]

Great info. Your right, internet purchases might be a risk.

I would like to see pics if your 1894c. At your convenience, can you post or PM for email addy to view.

I have not attended any gun shows in quite a while... need to find some.

Thanks and Take care

[SW CQB 45]

Dbl tap

[kirkland]

I only had a chance to shoot a Henry 44 mag once, it wasn't my rifle, but that was a sweet shooting gun. Very accurate, good action. I've only ever heard good things about the new Henry's, and that's what I'd buy if I were in the market for a lever gun in .357 or .44

[ABNAK]

I like .357 lever guns. They will boost a hotter 158gr load (like Underwood) to ~ 1850-1900fps from a 16" barrel (a 125gr will hit maybe 2100fps). They will also shoot flatter than a .44 Mag one with less recoil. Currently I have a 16" Puma carbine with a rear peep sight. Sweet little gun!

[wanderson]

Now that Ruger owns the rights to Marlin there’s been speculation of Ruger making Marlin design lever guns.

For new production, the only two that come to mind in 16” are Rossi & Henry. I have a Henry (not pistol caliber) that’s well made, but last I looked there was a big price gap between Rossi & Henry.

I agree in .357/.44 a 16” barrel makes more sense. Especially in a Henry which tend to have heavy barrels.

I did read that someone’s Rossi lever fed .357 just fine but choked on .38spl. due to case length.

And not a lever gun, but the new Henry single shots are nice, and way cheaper. Available in .357 & .44

[AndyLate]

Matemike

Very good info. Thanks

When you say JM, I am assuming pre Remington Marlin?

Where exactly is the JM stamps and is it in the same spot on every barrel?

Thanks

JM stamp will be on the left side of the barrel just forward of the receiver and above the handguard.

Andy

[AndyLate]

Another Marlin JM question(s).

I dont know the date/year when Remmy took over Marlin, but I really like this lever gun (1894 CSBL)

Will there be any "JM" marked 1894 CSBL or did that production start when Remmy was driving?

https://www.marlinfirearms.com/lever...odel-1894-csbl

Remington purchased Marlin in 2007 and closed the original factory in 2010.

I'm certain there are no JM stamped CSBLs.

Andy

[SW CQB 45]

Remington purchased Marlin in 2007 and closed the original factory in 2010.

I'm certain there are no JM stamped CSBLs.

Andy

Dawggonit. Oh well, and thanks for the info.

My goal is to have a handy 16" .357 and .44 with the option to mount a RDS.

From a revolver shooter .357mag to .38spl and .44mag to .44spl is easily done.....

does that present problems with lever guns?

Do the specials need to be "loaded" long to work in a chamber for the longer rounds?