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.357 Magnum Carbine Recommendations
- Thread starter Son of Stoborough
- Start date
Marlin, Henry, Winchester make lever guns that all wound suit the bill. I think the Winchester’s are the best looking but I think a case can be made for the Henry.
Ruger makes a bolt action in .357 which I find interesting.
Ruger makes a bolt action in .357 which I find interesting.
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Thanks, Rocket. I'm with you on the look of the Winchesters.
The Henry steel carbine is nifty. 16“ barrel balances nicer than the full size model. Very happy w mine. Skinner rear peep sight nice upgrade. Mine was before Henry caved to the loading gate, but I still enjoy it. My only gripe was the oversized lever loop seemed silly large, but Henry kindly sent me a standard loop no charge. There’s a reason you see so few Henry carbines on used market.
if want something special get a Taylor’s/Uberti clone. I had an 1873 in 357 which was gorgeous. A little too handsome for a guy who thrashes his rifles, so I sold it but man what a pretty rifle. Easily worth the price tag.
if want something special get a Taylor’s/Uberti clone. I had an 1873 in 357 which was gorgeous. A little too handsome for a guy who thrashes his rifles, so I sold it but man what a pretty rifle. Easily worth the price tag.
The OP may want to read this thread:
www.northeastshooters.com
I also have a Henry Steel model (pre-side gate), and added the Skinner peep sight.
However, it shot high with the peep sight as low as it goes, so I had to get a taller front sight blade to correct the problem.
Suggestion on .357/.38 lever action
Looking to expand my collection because I feel like I have everything I want. Looking for some suggestions on a lever action under $500 I don't want to spend too much on my first one because I might not enjoy it as much as I think. Any input and pictures would be appreciated
www.northeastshooters.com
I also have a Henry Steel model (pre-side gate), and added the Skinner peep sight.
However, it shot high with the peep sight as low as it goes, so I had to get a taller front sight blade to correct the problem.
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Marlins and Winchesters have always had side gates for loading on their centerfire rifles, which has become the "traditional" way people are accustomed to. Henry chose to go a different route and they load through the magazine tube, like most .22 caliber tube feeders.
Some people were turned off by this because the lack of a side gate just didn't look right.
I for one like the tube fed guns, although I own many lever actions, I hate getting my fingertip pinched in the side gate. I also like the advantage of being able to unload the gun without the need to jack the rounds through the chamber.
If you want a lever action, Henry is making side gate .357's now with more of a "tactical" look. If you prefer the traditional look then Rossi is an option, but the accuracy isn't going to be as good and with .357 being flatter shooting than .44 or .45, I'd want something more accurate.
For bolt action I only know of Ruger.
For bolt action I only know of Ruger.
I'll throw another one in for the Henry
Been settin money aside for one of these-
www.henryusa.com
Been settin money aside for one of these-
Big Boy Color Case Hardened Rifle & Carbine | Henry Repeating Arms
We made our initial centerfire reputation with the handgun-calibered Big Boy, so it was a logical choice to expand the steel-framed case-hardened finish into that line-up, and we’ve got six hard-workin’ lever actions here that merge the classic looks of those beautifully-done case colors and...
www.henryusa.com
Another vote for the Henry.
Have a 22, a .410 shotgun, and a 357 steel carbine.
The 357 carbine is a very handy little rifle. I did have some cycling issues with it at first but Henry fixed it and had it back in my hands in 10 days door to door. It runs perfect now
All said even with the issue on the 357 it's still one of my favorite rifles.
Have a 22, a .410 shotgun, and a 357 steel carbine.
The 357 carbine is a very handy little rifle. I did have some cycling issues with it at first but Henry fixed it and had it back in my hands in 10 days door to door. It runs perfect now
All said even with the issue on the 357 it's still one of my favorite rifles.
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Wickedcoolname
NES Member
I'd look for a used Marlin 1894c.
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If you have a stainless GP100, go with the stainless Marlin. The .357 is an entirely different animal in a carbine. Unlike other handgun rounds, it picks up a lot of velocity when fired in an 18" barrel.
You should send them an Email and ask them to build it for you.
![[laugh]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/012.gif "Laugh [laugh]")
OP, the Uberti rifles are beautiful. You can get Taylor to short stroke it (the way every lever action should come from factory). These rifles are fairly easy to work on and thanks to Cowboy Action Shooting, it is full of gunsmiths everywhere that work on them. One of the best in the country is not too far in NH (Jimmy spurs).
I am very biased and hate Marlin. Remington s*cks. And I will never buy a Marlin after the sh*t they pulled with gun owners when they acquired Marlin, shipping the biggest POS rifles.
Caveman
NES Member
I have a Winchester 1892 short rifle in 357 that i load for. running 158 xtp’s loaded with lilgun and a skinner peep. beautiful wood and love the traditional top ejecting winchester actions. not great for scopes but with irons I just love the look. If I get another it’ll probably have a threaded barrel so I can run a can.
38ExtraSpecial
NES Member
If you want a utilitarian rifle which I’m guessing you do based off the Ruger revolver. Go with a Marlin or a Henry.
I’m partial the Marlins and having handled a lot of the current production I think you’re safe buying one. They are making nice guns again.
I’m not familiar with the Henry but I don’t think their rifles are not as nice aesthetically. I prefer the square bolt over a round bolt. I also don’t like the tube loading
Zappa makes the point of having to unload by chambering cartridges. This isn’t needed. If you get a light loading gate spring you can unload from the loading gate.
Or similar to an 870. When you eject a cartridge and the next one works it’s way up on the carrier you tip the gun sideways to drop out the loaded cartridge. Close bolt on an empty chamber. Open the bolt and a new cartridge rises up. Shake it out. Lather rinse repeat.
Now if you’re in the market for a purely sexy rifle look for a Uberti 1873. I absolutely love mine and it’s very rare that it doesn’t make the weekly trip to the range with me. It’s a little more finicky on Bullet design though. SWCs can snag a little on feeding. WCs tends to double feed and even single loading can still present issues with the cartridge not presenting properly. The bolt pushes the cartridge in straight to the chamber, unlike the other rifles listed above that present them ok an angle to ease them in.
That being said the 73 will still feed SWC decently well. Then the most popular RNFP, HP, RN, SP, TC etc feed beautifully.
It also seems there are more options to choose from on 73s. Tons of barrel length from 16”-26”. Round barrels. Octagon. Half octagon. Color case hardened frames. Blued frames. Pistols grips. Straight grips. Shotgun butt stocks. Rifles butt stocks.
I’m partial the Marlins and having handled a lot of the current production I think you’re safe buying one. They are making nice guns again.
I’m not familiar with the Henry but I don’t think their rifles are not as nice aesthetically. I prefer the square bolt over a round bolt. I also don’t like the tube loading
Zappa makes the point of having to unload by chambering cartridges. This isn’t needed. If you get a light loading gate spring you can unload from the loading gate.
Or similar to an 870. When you eject a cartridge and the next one works it’s way up on the carrier you tip the gun sideways to drop out the loaded cartridge. Close bolt on an empty chamber. Open the bolt and a new cartridge rises up. Shake it out. Lather rinse repeat.
Now if you’re in the market for a purely sexy rifle look for a Uberti 1873. I absolutely love mine and it’s very rare that it doesn’t make the weekly trip to the range with me. It’s a little more finicky on Bullet design though. SWCs can snag a little on feeding. WCs tends to double feed and even single loading can still present issues with the cartridge not presenting properly. The bolt pushes the cartridge in straight to the chamber, unlike the other rifles listed above that present them ok an angle to ease them in.
That being said the 73 will still feed SWC decently well. Then the most popular RNFP, HP, RN, SP, TC etc feed beautifully.
It also seems there are more options to choose from on 73s. Tons of barrel length from 16”-26”. Round barrels. Octagon. Half octagon. Color case hardened frames. Blued frames. Pistols grips. Straight grips. Shotgun butt stocks. Rifles butt stocks.
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1800 sounds about right. Short-range brush gun. Light and handy, but as you mentioned, not especially powerful. With hard-cast 158 or 180 grain Keith semiwadcutters, it should provide enough penetration for deer and small hogs at short ranges.
38ExtraSpecial
NES Member
You should be able to get those speeds with a 158.
357 sure is a beast in a carbine.
38ExtraSpecial
NES Member
They hold up totally fine. Guys have been running them in CAS/SASS for years with tons of rounds.
As far as the nay sayers on 44 mag and 357 mag being too hot for the old toggle link actions they’re wrong. They wouldn’t make guns that couldn’t handle a steady diet of the ammo designation stamped on the barrel.
The design might be “weaker”than other actions but with modern steels it handles pistols cartridges just fine.
Also modern color case hardening on guns like these is actually just a chemical patina. the frames are heat treated like any other frame. If it was real case hardening the price would likely be double.
tuna
NES Member
No love for Rossi?
I just got the 92 for my daughter to use for deer, unfortunately she likes it and may keep it. That means I need to get something else. I had planned on picking up an old Ruger X Six double action, but now I guess I can hold off.
The gun was a little rough, but fed fine and had no issues. A good cleaning and some playing with snap caps have already smoothed it out.
I’m not a fan of the side gate, though. My sausage thumbs can’t get the round in all the way. Maybe a .45 to go with my Blackhawk?
Hmmmmm. I like single shots, I’ve started thinning my safe of anything that holds more than two. This is a possible.
I just got the 92 for my daughter to use for deer, unfortunately she likes it and may keep it. That means I need to get something else. I had planned on picking up an old Ruger X Six double action, but now I guess I can hold off.
The gun was a little rough, but fed fine and had no issues. A good cleaning and some playing with snap caps have already smoothed it out.
I’m not a fan of the side gate, though. My sausage thumbs can’t get the round in all the way. Maybe a .45 to go with my Blackhawk?
Hmmmmm. I like single shots, I’ve started thinning my safe of anything that holds more than two. This is a possible.
Taipan01
NES Member
I prefer Marlins but I do have a Rossie Puma 92 in 357. As your's, it smooths out nicely throwing the lever a few thousand times (like all levers). You may want to try pushing the cartridge in to a depth that's comfortable for your bratwursts and then using the next to push it in all the way. The only one you need to insert fully is the final one. Saves on the thumbs.
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I have the Rossi stainless 20" .357 rifle. It works well and it very light.
I had it worked on by Steves Gunz Steve's Gunz, Rossi 92 Specialist who bead blasted it, removed safety, smoothed the action,
put in stainless magazine follower.
I put a Skinner peep sight on it. Works very well, and I did not have to change the front sight height.
I think the Rossi is a great deal, they are inexpensive compared to the Marlin, and lighter, plus the build quality of recent Marlin's
seems to have gone down (I had a Marlin 357 rifle, had some trouble with it, and ended up selling it)
I had it worked on by Steves Gunz Steve's Gunz, Rossi 92 Specialist who bead blasted it, removed safety, smoothed the action,
put in stainless magazine follower.
I put a Skinner peep sight on it. Works very well, and I did not have to change the front sight height.
I think the Rossi is a great deal, they are inexpensive compared to the Marlin, and lighter, plus the build quality of recent Marlin's
seems to have gone down (I had a Marlin 357 rifle, had some trouble with it, and ended up selling it)
