I agree about levers. The socially acceptable looking Marlin or Win or Henry lever gun is a handy companion. The Marlins made before the Remington takeover are sleepers. If you might want one, I urge purchasing now . They will sky rocket in price as the K frames are now doing.
The Henry center fires are heavy, which lessens their handiness. I hope to buy one soon, though.
Yep...both of my Marlin pistol caliber levers and the Model 39 are older versions...even lacking the crossbolt safety. They are well made, fast handling and surprisingly accurate for lever actions. The 44 mag 1894 is totally controllable even with hotter 44mag loads and it would make a great stopper with the many defensive loads in 44Spl or 44mag that are out there today.
I have already noticed some fairly high prices on older Marlins that lack the crossbolt safety. I have also noticed some really high prices on the Savage 99s that are older and have the round counter on the side of the receiver like mine. Savage 99s are way under rated...if you ask me.
-brickboy240
Last edited by brickboy240; 11-07-13 at 11:31.
Just finished going through slicking up last weekends gun show find, a Winnie 94 AE Trapper in 45. This is one of two in the safe; the other being a Marlin SS 1895 Guide in 45-70.
Now to the OP's question. From my experiances, a man who shows up to a gunfight with a lever might as well have shown up with a knife. I've got my ARs and 1911s and Glocks but sometimes there is a better tool in the tool box for a specific task...
If your kicking down doors or on the battlefield I wouldn't be doing it with century old technology. I'm more comfortable and familiar with the manual of arms on an AR then a knuckle buster. Granted there are some folks in the Cowboy Action community that can make quick work of a plate rack with a lever gun or a 5 shooter using popcorn fart 60+ PF loads.
I was never much of a lever fan. I picked up the 1895 while on a job in Sitka, AK to use it as a banging around rifle while out exploring and fishing in the skiff. It packs a wallop and saves a few pounds over my hunting rigs which all go 10+.
When I got back home this year I caught my friends in a lever gun frenzy. Well with that I had to keep up with the Jones' so based on some investment advise I hit the street looking for an 92 style knuckle buster to go with a Ruger Bisley in 45. To say the least, the money burnt a hole in my pocket. If I was to do it again, I'd hold out for a Winnie 92. The honeymoon was over quickley trying to smooth out the still factory new action. The 94s are terribly oversprung, have a floppy lawyer trigger and a hammer block safety.
The Trapper functions smooothly now. The shells jump effortlessly off the shell lifter into the chamber now and the trigger break is rolling instead of stacking although a little light at 2.0 lbs for my taste. There is still a few gremlins to work out though at the kitchen table. There is still another spring coil to be cut off if need be and the hammer needs to be relieved alittle more for over cocking but I'll take it out Sunday morning and try it as is for its smile factor. That is all it is for, nothing more and nothing less.
Now, if I can use what I learned on the 94 and apply it to the 1895 and get them long cigars to jump effortlessly into the chamber as smoothly I'd be a happy camper.
I really like old rifles. I like studying them, collecting them, loading for and shooting them, horse trading with my friends etc, purely a luxury IMO. I don't even consider my modern weapons as part of my "collection". They are tools with the specific purpose of keeping me and my loved ones safe.
Im certainly under no illusion that any of my old iron are an adequate substitute for a modern semi-auto. Would they work in a pinch? Sure as long as theyre more accurate than a thrown rock and can get me to something better.
Im sure others might be able to employ them more effectively in a crisis, but probably not with out some fore thought and keeping their handicaps in mind. Most of this requires a whole lot more shooting and experience than the average lever/bolt gunner gets in a lifetime.
This would have been nice if Winchester had kept production in the US and not retained the safety.
http://www.winchesterguns.com/produc...22C&mid=534190
- Will
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