Budget .357 lever rifles

[RVTECH]

I am confident it—and I—can do better, especially once I tailor a load specifically for this rifle.

Undoubtedly you will - AND maybe with possibly a better sight system? Such as a rear peep?

I am assuming it came with some kind of a 'Buckhorn' / blade front combo?

 

[mhayd93]

Undoubtedly you will - AND maybe with possibly a better sight system? Such as a rear peep?

I am assuming it came with some kind of a 'Buckhorn' / blade front combo?

Yeah it has a rear buckhorn sight, with the "ears" being relatively tall compared to the Marlin 1894. The front sight is a red fiber optic which stands out very well, but is larger in diameter than a standard front sight blade.

I think this would be a great candidate for a peep sight setup!

 

[RVTECH]

I think this would be a great candidate for a peep sight setup!

I agree.

Does it have any holes D & T on the receiver ?

 

[Jcon268]

Curious if anyone owns or has shot gforce arms or Rossi lever guns. How smooth are the actions? What is you opinion on the gun?

Thx!

Following. I am currently in the market for exactly this and need some opinions. I want something I can pass down through family. Plan to buy something new or with low mileage.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

Following. I am currently in the market for exactly this and need some opinions. I want something I can pass down through family. Plan to buy something new or with low mileage.

For heirloom type if it were me I would be looking at paying a little more for uberti or older Winchester. Different level of quality imo (but I'm far from an expert). Saw uberti yellow boy 1866 model this morning for I think $1038 brand new. It was probably 45 LC though I'm sure. https://www.uberti-usa.com/cartridge-rifles/1866-yellowboy-rifle

 

[Jcon268]

For heirloom type if it were me I would be looking at paying a little more for uberti or older Winchester. Different level of quality imo (but I'm far from an expert). Saw uberti yellow boy 1866 model this morning for I think $1038 brand new. It was probably 45 LC though I'm sure. https://www.uberti-usa.com/cartridge-rifles/1866-yellowboy-rifle

How about an offerings from Henry? I will look into Uberti. I like the old Winchesters but I have a thing about being the first to shoot and break in a gun. This is what steers me to Henry, seems to be a good blend of heritage with modern features and I can be the one to break it in.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

How about an offerings from Henry? I will look into Uberti. I like the old Winchesters but I have a thing about being the first to shoot and break in a gun. This is what steers me to Henry, seems to be a good blend of heritage with modern features and I can be the one to break it in.

Ah yes I forget about Henry. Don't know much about them but I know there is a YouTube video comparing Henry big boy to Rossi r92 (fwiw, I haven't watched it).

 

[Sporting Systems]

Rossi's are pretty good. Have sold them for a long time and don't have warranty issues with them. Good fit and finish on most of them. Actions are acceptable, can be improved with some polishing the internals (machine marks, etc...same goes for Marlin there)

Henrys are awesome. Best customer service is seen in the industry. Accuracy, fit and finish are excellent.

Marlines are much better these days, actions and triggers are better than the end of the line production from Remington.

New Winchesters aren't bad. Action is smooth enough. Accuracy is excellent.

The POF Tombstone is a rather miserable rifle. I really wanted to like it.

I wouldn't take another GForce product for free, More issues with their imports, and zero support.

I have 5 Henrys, 3 Marlins, 2 Winchesters, 1 Ross and 1 POF Tombstone.

Happy that there are good lever actions available these days.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

Rossi r95 in 45-70 for $699 if anyone is interested fyi:

ROSSI R95 Lever Action 45-70 GOVT 20''

Caliber 45-70 Government Capacity 6 Rounds Front Sight Drift Adjustable Rear Sight Buckhorn Adjustable Action Type Lever Action Barrel Length 20.00 In. Overall Length 39.00 In. Overall Height 7.40 In. Overall Width 1.70 In. Overall Weight 109.20 Oz. (Unloaded) Twist Rate 1:12-in RH Twist Grooves...

www.smga.com

 

[Ifishsum]

Rossi is pretty GTG in my book, I really like the Henrys but I just couldn't justify the $750+ for a purely fun mess-around gun. Got an email from Sportsmen's one day for the Rossi 92 in .45 Colt for like $450 and I was done LOL. Not bad at all for the $$, I did replace the rear sight with a flat top and upgraded the follower to brass. But it's smooth and has gotten smoother with use. It's not as slick as a pre-64 Winchester but it's smooth enough that I haven't felt the need to do any internal polishing.

 

[mhayd93]

I agree.

Does it have any holes D & T on the receiver ?

No factory mounting options for aftermarket sights since it is a 92 pattern, which is top-ejection. Something like a tang mounted peep sight is likely the easiest solution for a more precise sight picture.

 

[CJS355]

I have 3 Rossi, and 2 Marlins. Two .22 Rossi and a 44 mag Rossi (my favorite of them all). I own a 1894 44 mag Marlin and a 1895 sbl 45-70 Marlin. I can say in my year of ownership and over a thousand rounds shot my R92 Rossi 44 mag is my best shooting of the bunch. It has the smoothest action with its big loop. I do really love both of my Marlins, but I find myself shooting the Rossi's more just because of their ease to shoot.

 

[RVTECH]

Something like a tang mounted peep sight is likely the easiest solution for a more precise sight picture.

You CAN kinda sorta make your own dovetail mounted peep sight using a universal Williams dovetail mount with a horizontal peep aperture slider.

I realize it ain't super close to your eye but with an aperture with a larger opening it isn't too bad actually.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

Which caliber is more fun for rossi lever action 24" octagonal barrel .44 mag or .357? They have 20" 45LC but it's not octagonal barrel. I like either length but like octagonal barrel more. So it looks like either .44mag or .357. I have a .357 6" revolver which is ok on power shooting range ammo. I wish it was a bit hotter it would be less boring.

24" 12 round octagonal barrel


20" 10 round regular barrel

They also have a .454 casul stainless 20" version. Crikey looks like it has lots of power. But cost way more for gun and I assume ammo is expensive.
Short video on water jugs

RPReplay_Final1723053040.mov

• ilikegunspdx
• Aug 7, 2024

View: https://youtu.be/gmjBkhCPSs0?si=WiTwC4BjV8HhQVFk

 

[DirectDrive]

The price for a new Rossi is not far from a new Henry.
If on a tight budget, I would shop the used market, pawn shops etc.

Good luck

 

[Mikej]

Which caliber is more fun for rossi lever action 24" octagonal barrel .44 mag or .357? They have 20" 45LC but it's not octagonal barrel. I like either length but like octagonal barrel more. So it looks like either .44mag or .357. I have a .357 6" revolver which is ok on power shooting range ammo. I wish it was a bit hotter it would be less boring.

24" 12 round octagonal barrel

View attachment 1929506
20" 10 round regular barrel
View attachment 1929534
They also have a .454 casul stainless 20" version. Crikey looks like it has lots of power. But cost way more for gun and I assume ammo is expensive.
Short video on water jugs

RPReplay_Final1723053040.mov

• ilikegunspdx
• Aug 7, 2024

View: https://youtu.be/gmjBkhCPSs0?si=WiTwC4BjV8HhQVFk

OH ...NO! Don't need my shoulder hurting more than it does from work and old(er) age. I/we like the guns for steel play. faster target acquisition. Her, being a GIRL of slight build, and myself (explained above) Like the less weight forward. Just feels more portable and quicker target acquisition. Maybe I just like playing a little cowboy.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

The price for a new Rossi is not far from a new Henry.
If on a tight budget, I would shop the used market, pawn shops etc.

Good luck

I don't like the looks of the Henry personally. I like the more classic look and stainless. Just personal preference and not reflective of the quality of the rifle at all. Henry is also about $200 more.

 

[Mikej]

I don't like the looks of the Henry personally. I like the more classic look and stainless. Just personal preference and not reflective of the quality of the rifle at all. Henry is also about $200 more.

Need, Loading, Gate. Putting the butt down and feeding into a tube is too .22 long rifle. Just a personal preference. Like said above.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

OH ...NO! Don't need my shoulder hurting more than it does from work and old(er) age. I/we like the guns for steel play. faster target acquisition. Her, being a GIRL of slight build, and myself (explained above) Like the less weight forward. Just feels more portable and quicker target acquisition. Maybe I just like playing a little cowboy.

It's funny I usually like shorter arms better than longer. Fe 16" G3 instead of 20", and 12" is even better. But for this type of gun I like the longer ones. The ideal for me would be an old Winchester long barreled takedown rifle with bluing worn off. I like the looks of the long octagon barrel model but agree it's much less handy. Both the Rossis look nice to my eye and I like the buttplate. Cant decide on .357 vs 44 mag though. A couple people said above 44 mag is most fun to shoot so I'm kinda leaning that direction.

 

[RVTECH]

Need, Loading, Gate. Putting the butt down and feeding into a tube is too .22 long rifle. Just a personal preference. Like said above.

Having had a side gate Winchester mod 94 Trapper in .357, and now a .357 Henry tube feeder I will honestly say with pistol size rounds the tube feed is probably an advantage as the shorter pistol rounds can be a bit of a hassle with a side gate.

On the flip side however I would never own a rifle cartridge Henry with a tube feed as a side gate IS a benefit with longer rifle rounds.

NOW - if side gate Henrys were out when I bought mine would I have gone with the side gate model? Probably. I also might have gone with a steel version if they were available but they were not at the time.

My point? If one were to 'stumble' on a tube feed Henry for a good price, and it was in a caliber you want (pistol) Id say go for it and don't let the tube feed inhibit your decision.