Reeder Custom Guns - Favorite .357 Levergun? I have a new itch that

needs to be scratched. Marlin 94 or Win 92 I guess. . .

- No text -

ctg. for the M92 Winchester platform I think the .357 Magnum might be in the running. I know it was a favorite with the custom gunsmiths ever since the 1940's. The M92 is an easy pound lighter than the Marlin and can be tuned to be very buttery slick. The top ejection limits some sighting options. A really nice M92 clone might be worth considering. Scratch TWO itches, a .357 Levergun and a historic design Winchester Cowboy gun.

The Skinner sights on the M92 are something I'm looking at very close for my Winchester. But the holes drilled and tapped by a skilled 'Smith are almost as expensive as the sight itself, FWIW. Real easy to slap a scope on the Marlin or a receiver sight on that flat top that's already drilled and tapped. If that means something to you.

and I have had both. It's easy to "slick up" a Marlin. It took me months of assembly and dis-assembly of the Rossi 92 to get it slick. I finally got it where it would feed a fired .38 Special brass from the magazine. And I would never attempt to do it again!

I prefer the Winchester over the Marlin.
Why?
Because I prefer it.
Probably nostalgia inspired by western movies. Who knows?
My first levergun was a Spanish El Tigre Model 92 .44-40 when I was 15 years old. That may have something to do with it.

Pick what you like and run with it!

The 92s. I'm 55 and blessed with good eye sight. But, realize scopes may be more necessary in the future.

I received a Marlin 357 Magnum for my 15th birthday. So, as you say, history probably plays a part too.

Larry #1 (since he's older) had a SS 1895 in .45/70 that shot well with irons. He put a scope on it while there and just could not sight it in at all. Had to be the mounts or a bum scope (Leupold). I'd really look at the mounts first. He also had a M1894, late model, in .44 Mag. The gun flat choked on factory ammo. A brand new gun, he said it fed .44 Specials fine and I sure believed him. Longer .44 Mags hung up about 1/3 in, a feeding geometry issue. The angle was too steep for the length and the face of the chamber was sharp edged all around. No beveling at all. I noted the bigger framed 45/70 was beveled and fed smooth. How the gun left the factory I do not know. I also do not think it was the ammo profile as we tried a couple with different noses. Gary is working on the gun now.

Another incident, which Roman thought was very humorous, at our big shoot that we had. Marco was having a fun time shooting and with great zeal remarked "Enough of this semi-auto crap, time for lever guns!" Then he instantly jammed his M94 Winchester in .45 Colt. LOL It was partly my fault. Marco had some special ammo in .45 Colt with a SWC design bullet, they were deep seated, and crimped over the driving band. He asked my thoughts on whether they'd shoot OK. I said sure they look good to me, not exactly a comforting endorsement. I was thinking "revolver" when I looked at them. They had NO CHANCE in that top feeding lever gun, feeding other than single shots. An easy feat in the open top Winny. It was funny though.

Marlin 1894. I liked the CSS first one so much I also bought the 24" CB LTD.

- No text -

my 1st lever experience. A 357 ranch hand. Bad experience.

My experience with them in straightwall rounds is mixed.

Some guys have had great luck, me not so much.

the Brazilian copies can be a little rough around the edges. It's not an easy job, as Jim related. BUT when completed properly (hopefully by someone else, unless you need a PhD in J.M.B.'s 1892 design Principles) it is very satisfying.

I have sold all my Marlin's except for a 1894 SS in .429 GNR that I plan to keep as an heirloom. I'm thinking about a 336 in .400 GNR for a custom build. Maybe after deer season. 336's with straight stocks are a special delight! We do have a Rossi SS Trapper in .357 that is my Daughter's. I have a Rossi 92 in .45 Colt that was my father's last Christmas gift. The thin barrel did not allow a dovetail front sight as the .357 so they added it to the top of the barrel band. I do NOT like that, and I can't see the sights any more. I need a peep rear and to get Gary to add a ramped pistol style interchangeable front sight sweated to the barrel. Hopefully I'll get to it one day.

Model 1873 Short Rifle, Item Number 534200137 in the current Winchester catalog. Shot them all, this one is a keeper.

- No text -

HENRY--ONLY ONE? MARLIN. THIS YEAR IN THE SAME WEEK I BOUGHT A MARLIN 1894, ROSSI 1892, AND HENRY. THE HENRY WAS READY TO GO.THE OTHER TWO HAD 8# TRIGGERS.

Was nothing to do except mount scope and enjoy them.

are leverguns, and my favorite levergun are Trappers..."?

- No text -

but I typically prefer blued guns and smaller loops. Too many choices and not enough funds!

I am very partial to "JM" Marlins. I only own one REP and it required lots of time and money to get right.
I also have an affinity towards the Savage 1899.

powered by my little forum