A Choice of Lever Actions

J

joeshredd

Joined
May 8, 2002
Messages
2,254
Got a choice to get one of two lever actions:

Both are Marlins (IIRC!):

SS 44 magnum

or, SS 45-70, ported

Both are items I've thought about for sometime, but now both are in the same store, both are the same manufacturer and both are close enough in price that I can trade a nice Colt Commander for a reasonable amount towards either one...

But, heck, Decisions, Decisions...

What are y'all's opinions??? Besides "He's nuts!" LOL!!!! :D

PS: I don't hunt, so I'm not really overly concerned about that, but... Who knows if I'll ever... Have to???
 
I believe the .44 magnum version will be shorter and lighter, but I personally would opt for the 45-70.
 
I have a 45/70 Marlin and love it, factory loads are very mild, recoil little and are fine for deer, black bear, hogs. With the heavier handloads or aftermarket heavy loads you could hunt anything on this continent. 44 magnum is at best a deer, black bear gun, but not as versital as the 45/70 in my opinion.
 
C'mon, buy both :D

But seriously, what do you want to do with them? The .44 would be a great close cover whitetail hunter, a great self-defense carbine and (although I don't hunt hogs) I'd think it would be great for hunting hogs or boars or whatever you call them.

The 45-70 is big enough medicine for anything in North America. It will work at longer ranges (within reason) than the .44 and using the Northeast for an example, I'd Moose hunt with a 45-70 but not a .44. You can hunt bear, etc. and not be undergunned.

I've always wanted a 45-70 so that would probably be enough for me, although I'd probably shoot the .44 a lot more.

I'm editing this because I see you don't hunt, my bad not reading it. Since you don't hunt, I wouldn't get a ported 45-70. The noise will be pretty bad. Get the .44, use it for plinking and you can do some informal cowboy shooting with it.
 
Unported 45-70 !! The 45-70 is far more versatile ,accurate, mild factory loads to hot stuff for the biggest game.The factory 300 [Winchester had that load 100 yuears ago !] at 1850 works very well on deer an black bear especially with the Win Partition. The 45-70 does not work by velocity so if you handload don't try to make a magnum out of it !
 
Danbo said:
I believe the .44 magnum version will be shorter and lighter, but I personally would opt for the 45-70.
Click to expand...

They're both prety much the same size, the .44 mag maybe an inch or so longer...

And yeah, target shooting and "maybe" home defense would be the most I'd use it for.. As to CAS type shooting, since it's stainless steel, it'd be outta character wouldn't it? but it would be cool for something like that...

As to Shann - "Buy both!" I would if I could!!!:D

So, I'm probably leaning towards the .44, but I've always had my eye on the45-70 for some unfathomable reason... :confused:

Thanks for the input, guys!

Any other opinions???
 
If you dont buy the 45-70, think about a Remington 141 35 Rem pump action. Better than a .30-.30, they still make ammo for it and its as light as the rest. You can find them really cheap at gun shows or at gun broker.com. Just a thought. I actually have all three, however the .44 mag is a winchester 94 A, the 45-70 is a Marlin 1895.
 
i have the marling guide gun in 45-70 and have just started using the hornady leverrevolution. awesome round, much flatter and much longer range, about 50-75 yards more effective distance.

IM000667.jpg
 
If you're going to shoot a rifle, then you should shoot a rifle round. I'd say go for the .45-70, especially if you do your own loading.
 
I heard the ported 45-70 has detroyed more than one man's hearing...do some research on this issue before buying the ported rifle. I believe I read that Marlin has stopped manufacturing the ported version for this reason. Not sure...do some research. It's a very nice BoomStick though. :)
 
I had both , I got kicked of the range for shooting at the 100 yard gong with the 45-70 shooting 300 grain partitions at the 100 yard pistol gong , flipped over the steel frame and broke on of the support legs, trust me the 45 hits like a freight train.
 
m1marty said:
Shoot me a pm (about prices) before ya buy.
Click to expand...

Dang m1m, since I'm way understaffed, I didn't get to this until AFTER I bought the bloody thing!!! LOL!!!!


Okay guys... I went with the .44 mag... for a couple of reasons:
1) I don't reload, so price and availability of ammo was a concern.. Yes, I "kinda" want a 45-70, so glockman99, while I do hear ya, it just didn't make much sense for simple range use... And living in Seattle and NOT being a hunter, the bigger caliber lost out...;
2) I don't hunt, but if I did, I already have an Enfield in .303 and .308, either of which, while heavy, would do the job;
3) Since most of my shooting will be done at a range, or simple plinking, I think the .44 will get more of a workout;
4) While I don't think I'll ever do Cowboy Action Shooting, it does satisfy a little the childhood urge to play "The Rifleman" !!! LOL!! :D ;
5) And I think the lever gun, regardless of caliber, would come across a lot less threatening than my CETME or SAR-1 if anyone were to actually see my stuff outside of the range...

I also spent a little time last nite perusing some of the past threads that discussed lever actions. The ones that mentioned the Marlin, especially the magnum handgun round versions, all spoke well of it...

So, I now can add a Marlin 1894 Stainless Steel .44 magnum to my cache!

Guys, I appreciate all y'all's input, and marty, sorry I didn't get to you as I only just got back on the computer.. By then, it was too late!!! :D
 
joeshredd said:
Dang m1m, since I'm way understaffed, I didn't get to this until AFTER I bought the bloody thing!!! LOL!!!!


Okay guys... I went with the .44 mag... for a couple of reasons:
1) I don't reload, so price and availability of ammo was a concern.. Yes, I "kinda" want a 45-70, so glockman99, while I do hear ya, it just didn't make much sense for simple range use... And living in Seattle and NOT being a hunter, the bigger caliber lost out...;
2) I don't hunt, but if I did, I already have an Enfield in .303 and .308, either of which, while heavy, would do the job;
3) Since most of my shooting will be done at a range, or simple plinking, I think the .44 will get more of a workout;
4) While I don't think I'll ever do Cowboy Action Shooting, it does satisfy a little the childhood urge to play "The Rifleman" !!! LOL!! :D ;
5) And I think the lever gun, regardless of caliber, would come across a lot less threatening than my CETME or SAR-1 if anyone were to actually see my stuff outside of the range...

I also spent a little time last nite perusing some of the past threads that discussed lever actions. The ones that mentioned the Marlin, especially the magnum handgun round versions, all spoke well of it...

So, I now can add a Marlin 1894 Stainless Steel .44 magnum to my cache!

Guys, I appreciate all y'all's input, and marty, sorry I didn't get to you as I only just got back on the computer.. By then, it was too late!!! :D
Click to expand...

.....and, if you ever get the itch to buy a revolver in .44 mag, you'll have a combo with interchangeable ammo. Always a nice option....
 
Defintely the 47-70 and aren't they the same price? Awesome rifle and Marlin makes a great lever action! Jav200dc has a good point if you were going to buy a .44 mag handgun. I'm just getting ready to sell one - Taurus .44 mag revolver.
 
with the ss 44 you would have to get one of the smith mod 629's! I have the marlin 44mag and really like it for an all around gun, do not use it for hunting. surprisingly it is my daughters favorite rifle or handgun, she actually hits what she shoots at! :) I really enjoy going to the range iwth the 629's and marlin, even with ear protection it is a visceral experience.

K
 
Joe,
No worrries bud. Lemme know if there is anything else you need/want. I can sometimes come up with some pretty good prices.:thumbup:
 
kennqc said:
with the ss 44 you would have to get one of the smith mod 629's! I have the marlin 44mag and really like it for an all around gun, do not use it for hunting. surprisingly it is my daughters favorite rifle or handgun, she actually hits what she shoots at! :) I really enjoy going to the range iwth the 629's and marlin, even with ear protection it is a visceral experience.

K
Click to expand...
Naw...Smith & Wesson 629 goes with a Winchester lever action. A Ruger Redhawk .44 goes with a Marlin.:).
 
i would get the .45-70 myself, get ya some of those heavy cast bullet cartriges ( 500gr IIRC) and have some fun, hope its got a recoil pad on it lol.

a bud had a marlin guide gun, it was a great rifle, i'm not sure i wouldnt prefer a 30-30 to either one though,
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top