Smoothest lever gun

B

bill_G

Joined
Jun 7, 2004
Messages
694
My wife and i would like to try a lever rifle in say 357 or 45LC. she is not that strong...and so a lever thats easy to recock is a must.

which one has the smoothest operation...marlin henry winchester other??

thanks..........Bill
 
I would try to get to a rental range and try them all. That said, my preference is the Marlin in any caliber, they also tend to be more accurate as well. The ease of lever operation is a subjective thing an many of my friends sit and fight this battle at least weekly. Good luck and let us know your choice. bigkahunasix
 
My Winchester 94 Trapper in .44 Mag is super smooth and easy to cycle. Keep in mind that they feel a little stiff when new, but the get smoother when broken-in. :thumbup:
 
The Marlin can be smoothed up .In general they smooth up with use.
 
Marlin. I have a model 336 in .375 Winchester that's as smooth as butter.
 
the smoothest lever rifle in a pistol calibre is imho a marlin, smoothest of all is either a winchester 88 or a browning BLR, savage is also pretty smooth.
 
My old '92 Winchester is very smooth. You might try looking at some of the '92 clones available.
Bob
 
The Marlin and the Win 92 can both be nice and smooth. An original 92 is likely to be that way when you get it. The Japanese Browning made 92 replicas are also very good. The Rossi 92s can be good but generally need some running in to get them that way. I have never used a Henry so can't comment. Of the guns I have actual experience with, my preference goes to the Marlin. I particularly like the ability to remove the bolt and clean from the breach end.
 
Winchester stopped making the lever action, no? or did they just stop the 94?
 
The smoothest levers are the '86 and 71 winchesters. both use the same receiver, just not women's guns.

Either a 92, 94, or a 1894 Marlin is going to be smooth(eventually).

My son was 10 when he started toting a 44 mag trapper around grampa's farm, now 16 he is almost never without it when outdoors. He has other rifles to chose from, but when running the trap line or out in the woods, he usually has that with him....
 
Don't rule out used - there will be a plethora to choose from at pawn shops after hunting season. You could pick up a nice genuine Winchester in great shape already broken in.

Great fun on a Saturday morning. I got a '65 saddle ring carbine that way. It wasn't much for looks, my choice, but it was economical and shoots straight.

BTW, there are things to help a lever shoot straighter, search the web or check out Fadala's book on lever actions. Nothing fancy, just little things to keep in mind, like the magazine tube retaining screw being too long and tightening against the barrel too much.

If Cowboy shooting is big in your area, new might be the only way to get one.
 
bill_G said:
My wife and i would like to try a lever rifle in say 357 or 45LC. she is not that strong...and so a lever thats easy to recock is a must.

which one has the smoothest operation...marlin henry winchester other??

thanks..........Bill
Click to expand...
How much do you want to spend!
Check out cowboy action jobs on the Marlin and copies of the Winchester 73,
by Cimmaron.
not only are they easier but some of the modifications shorten the stroke
and you can shot 10 rounds in less than 5 seconds or less.
Contact this man and he will set you on the right track.
http://www.bob-munden.com/
 
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