357 Lever gun. Marlin or Rossi ? Anyone have experience?

Target

Target

6.5 Creedmoor
Messages
2,044
Reaction score
3,328
Location
Central NY
I'm in the market for a 357 lever action rifle. I've read reviews and articles online about the Marlin 1894C and Rossi R92.
Does anyone have experience with either rifle?

I looked at both in Runnings this afternoon , albeit in 44 Mag. Fit & finish on the Rossi looked good, contrary to what was said online.
Both had the actions zip tied closed so I was not able to cycle them.

I'm thinking its worth the upgrade to a Marlin. Better wood, checkering, better sights, said to have a smoother action.

I'd probably wind up ordering online as pricing is better even with the transfer fee. Online pricing winds up being about $100 difference between the two models.
And Runnings' vendor does not show a Marlin 1894c in their catalog. They do have a 1894CB ( cowboy) with octagonal barrel but close to $900.
 
Criticalt

Criticalt

.338 Win Mag
Messages
8,221
Reaction score
15,314
Location
WNY
I have a couple Marlins, a 45-70 and a 336 30-30. Both are older guns (1980s) and both are great guns.
Ive never owned a Rossi, so no input there.
I have a Henry in 357 which is very, very nice.
 
J

JohnD13

.357 mag
Messages
599
Reaction score
905
Location
Rensselaer Couny
I don't own a .357 lever gun, yet, but have a Marlin 1894 in .41 mag, and owned a Rossi in .45 L.C for a long while. There is nothing at all wrong with the Rossi 92, well made gun. These days, I''d check the Marlin over very carefully, Remington is slowly working on their QC but they're not all the way there yet.
 
Celt

Celt

.338 Win Mag
Messages
9,149
Reaction score
18,405
Location
Westchester
No experience with the rossi, but i have a number of rounds through the new marlin in 44 and its been running trouble free. I prefer the look and feel of the marlin over the rossi myself.
 
Target

Target

6.5 Creedmoor
Messages
2,044
Reaction score
3,328
Location
Central NY
I have a Henry .22 Big Loop and like it but I'd prefer a side loading gate which the Henry does not offer in 357.

A Winchester would be nice but a bit out of my budget. I'd be content with one of the "entry" level rifles.
I'm looking on Gunbroker to see if I can get one for less than Bud's or one of the other online vendors.
I've tried searching LGS websites to see if one has a used rifle on hand but few list their inventory.
 
shootemup

shootemup

.45 acp
Messages
451
Reaction score
359
Location
mos eisley
I have the Henry in .357 and love it.........what I will love even MORE is when Henry makes the side loader version. They finally started doing the side loaders in .30-.30 and 2 others I can't remember and it's only a matter of time before they do pistol cal. side loaders.
 
B

Bob

6.5 Creedmoor
Messages
2,481
Reaction score
4,826
Location
Livingston
I have a Rossi in .357
It’s a nice gun. It’s not a great gun, just a nice gun. When I first got it, the action was stiff. It too several hundred cycles to smooth it out. The metal on the loading gate is sharp and could benefit from the touch of a file, stone, or emery cloth. The finish of the stock and the fit of the stock to the gun leaves a lot to be desired.

All that said, it’s a shooter. I can reliably ring a 8” gong with it at 100 yards once I get my hold dialed in.
 
Cavalry

Cavalry

.308 Win
Messages
3,819
Reaction score
6,513
Location
Behind Enemy Lines
Bob said:
I have a Rossi in .357
It’s a nice gun. It’s not a great gun, just a nice gun. When I first got it, the action was stiff. It too several hundred cycles to smooth it out. The metal on the loading gate is sharp and could benefit from the touch of a file, stone, or emery cloth. The finish of the stock and the fit of the stock to the gun leaves a lot to be desired.

All that said, it’s a shooter. I can reliably ring a 8” gong with it at 100 yards once I get my hold dialed in.
Click to expand...


This. I have a 92 big loop and it needed a spring kit right out the box. I slicked it a bit, between the two make quite the differance. Accuracy and reliability are not issues at all, they just need some fit and finish. Mine was so bad the loading gate would bite me if I wasn't careful loading and the back of my hand would get brusied if I cycled it fast.
 
Phauxtoe

Phauxtoe

.338 Win Mag
Messages
7,011
Reaction score
6,547
Location
Rockland
i have Ruger 77/357 which is awesome, and have shot a Winchester lever 357, which was awesome.
I want that winchester!

i like marlin, but QC can be an issue. i always stay away from Rossi!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top