Seeking input on a lever gun

[Southern Elk]

My Marlin .444. I have killed several whitetails with it.

 

[James Riley]

I hate you.

I did not draw the tag I wanted this year and got an OTC 2nd Season tag so I think I'll take this with me. Although I plan on sleeping a lot so I may not get to shoot it. I have killed several mulies with it, and one white tail, but no elk, yet.

 

[Wyatt G]

look on gunbroker.com, with just a quick search i found quite a few good deals.

 

[Southwind]

I did not draw the tag I wanted this year and got an OTC 2nd Season tag so I think I'll take this with me. Although I plan on sleeping a lot so I may not get to shoot it. I have killed several mulies with it, and one white tail, but no elk, yet.

That should be fun, that is a hell of a rig I am happy to see it in service. And terribly jealous as you might have guessed.

 

[James Riley]

That should be fun, that is a hell of a rig I am happy to see it in service. And terribly jealous as you might have guessed.

Thank you! Here's some more gun porn:

This one is a standard octagon in 40-82. It was supposedly found under a railroad trestle outside Malta, MT. The Wild Bunch had robbed something in or around Malta before it was found. Could be total BS but it's fun anyway:



This one is a 45-90 that is special order 28"bbl, 2" longer than standard:



This one is a full nickel plate .44 Henry Rimfire, 1866 Saddle Ring Carbine. It was given to me by a client that I did some pro-bono work for back in the day.



I love the old west stuff!

 

[ericsplls]

None of your choices have been bad. The only reason I mentioned the BLR was most people never think about them when shopping for lever guns. The triggers are rough from the factory. That's the reason why I have such a love hate relationship with the Remington pump rifles.

 

[Guest member 25165]

I told my wife that when my safe was filled, I would be done buying long guns and honestly, I have no problem with that. My space is just one short of being filled and I don't want to just buy on a whim for the sake of buying. Keep the pics coming too. I am not that nostalgic, but I can appreciate someone's private collection and what it means to them. Thanks again to everyone for all the suggestions.

 

[noharleyyet]

Good thread Jess....superbly composed pictures Riley.

 

[Big Slick]

I enjoy the lever guns as well. Started my hunting shooting a Winchester Model 64 30-30 that my brothers and I all started out with. My Dad gave me his Savage Model 99 in .300 Savage. I'm hoping to shoot my mule deer with the .300 Savage this year. Great luck in your endeavors with the lever you are seeking.

 

[James Riley]

I enjoy the lever guns as well. Started my hunting shooting a Winchester Model 64 30-30 that my brothers and I all started out with. My Dad gave me his Savage Model 99 in .300 Savage. I'm hoping to shoot my mule deer with the .300 Savage this year. Great luck in your endeavors with the lever you are seeking.

Copy that. But model 94 30-30 (note the duct tape ):

 

[Southwind]

Thank you! Here's some more gun porn:

This one is a standard octagon in 40-82. It was supposedly found under a railroad trestle outside Malta, MT. The Wild Bunch had robbed something in or around Malta before it was found. Could be total BS but it's fun anyway:

View attachment 62708


This one is a 45-90 that is special order 28"bbl, 2" longer than standard:

View attachment 62709

This one is a full nickel plate .44 Henry Rimfire, 1866 Saddle Ring Carbine. It was given to me by a client that I did some pro-bono work for back in the day.

View attachment 62710

I love the old west stuff!

You are killing me, those are all awesome and have the perfect amount of honest age. Thanks for sharing, your presentations are great too!

 

[A-5_Guy]

I'm partial to this guy:









I've spent a lot of time pondering how this lever gun came to be. I bought it from an old gent from AZ who said he found it in a dry wash while out rock hounding. If you notice the tang and lever are bent. I like to believe that the user of the rifle was in some sort of situation requiring him to fire all his bullets and when he ran out, he grabbed the barrel and used it as a club. The tang is bent exactly as if it was swung as a bat from a right handed person. To me it is iconic western memorabilia.

Pretty cool to think about.

Now back on topic, I have a JM stamped 1895M in .450 Marlin. It is an absolute brute. I've shot whitetails on the run in the bottomlands of Mississippi and they literally when a$$ over tea kettle. It puts them down. Drawbacks are that you're not going to find .450 Marlin at your local Wally World and that you're not going to be able to get bullets in the weights you might with a 45-70 unless you hand load. I reload, so it's a moot point, but just something to be aware of. It's also pretty punishing on the shoulder, but if you're looking at a big bore lever gun, then you already have accepted that reality.

Dave

 

[James Riley]

I'm partial to this guy:

I've spent a lot of time pondering how this lever gun came to be. I bought it from an old gent from AZ who said he found it in a dry wash while out rock hounding. If you notice the tang and lever are bent. I like to believe that the user of the rifle was in some sort of situation requiring him to fire all his bullets and when he ran out, he grabbed the barrel and used it as a club. The tang is bent exactly as if it was swung as a bat from a right handed person. To me it is iconic western memorabilia.

Pretty cool to think about.

Dave

Awesome! I love relics. There is a store in Cody that specializes in them. He has an awesome museum collection. Here is my fantasy, found in Nevada by some guy. I think the National Park Service has it on display now. Wish I had a better pic. It's an 1873 and you can google it if interested.

 

[pre6422hornet]

I have a couple: Browning 71 Carbine, Marlin JM stamped 1895SS in 45/70, and a Marlin 30AS in 30/30. Love them all, but the Model 71 more than the others. Absolutely pounds whitetails and has one of the best triggers I have ever felt in a factory gun. I installed a Lyman Peep site and she will hold pretty tight groups out to 100.







The 1895 is a very nice rifle as well, but all I have shot with it is paper.

 

[Guest member 25165]

I went with the Henry Long Ranger in 308. It has beautiful wood and the trigger is fantastic for a lever gun. I don't have a scope yet, but all in due time.

 

[James Riley]

I went with the Henry Long Ranger in 308. It has beautiful wood and the trigger is fantastic for a lever gun. I don't have a scope yet, but all in due time.

Congratulations. I always wanted a Henry because they are made entirely in the U.S. (I think) and they have the original trademark name, Henry. However, I did not like the aesthetic; they were not original. I no longer have that excuse and may now have to buy one: https://www.henryrifles.com/rifles/henry-original-rifle-iron-framed-original/

Good luck with yours. Let us no how it does with the primer strike.

 

[Southwind]

I'm partial to this guy:

View attachment 62728

View attachment 62729

View attachment 62745

View attachment 62746

I've spent a lot of time pondering how this lever gun came to be. I bought it from an old gent from AZ who said he found it in a dry wash while out rock hounding. If you notice the tang and lever are bent. I like to believe that the user of the rifle was in some sort of situation requiring him to fire all his bullets and when he ran out, he grabbed the barrel and used it as a club. The tang is bent exactly as if it was swung as a bat from a right handed person. To me it is iconic western memorabilia.

Pretty cool to think about.

Now back on topic, I have a JM stamped 1895M in .450 Marlin. It is an absolute brute. I've shot whitetails on the run in the bottomlands of Mississippi and they literally when a$$ over tea kettle. It puts them down. Drawbacks are that you're not going to find .450 Marlin at your local Wally World and that you're not going to be able to get bullets in the weights you might with a 45-70 unless you hand load. I reload, so it's a moot point, but just something to be aware of. It's also pretty punishing on the shoulder, but if you're looking at a big bore lever gun, then you already have accepted that reality.

Dave

That is cool, here is my modern jm stamp of that rifle

 

[Madman]

I think after reading all the posts, I may go a different route. I might consider the Henry Long Ranger in 308. I already have a 308 in a tikka ultralight and an AR-10. I like the performance of the 308 and to have it in a lever action would be slick. Again, still mulling it over.

Not sure if it was mentioned, but if you can still find one reasonably, the Winchester Model 88 is a great lever gun that is most often found in .308. I own two, and they are fine firearms.

 

[Guest member 25165]

Here are a couple of pics of the wood on the Henry. I'm very pleased with the wood grain and coloring.

 

[James Riley]

That is nice wood. Very pretty. Don't be *too* careful with it though, or you won't take it hunting!