Author Topic: Who makes the best lever action 44 mag? (Read 8906 times)

teddy12b · « **Reply #30 on:** June 19, 2007, 05:45:19 AM »

Maybe it's an Indiana term, but in this case "salty" is another way of saying just a little bit too pricey.

I've held the Marlin 1894, 1894 SS, Cowboy and the Henry. The Henry felt very nice and cycled just as smooth if not better than the others. I didn't really care for the Marlin Cowboy, but that is only based on personal preference and feel.

ccoker · « **Reply #31 on:** June 19, 2007, 06:48:19 AM »

I bought a Puma in 357, nice rifle, but the options to change the sights were severely limmitted
I sold it and got a Marlin 1894c, plenty of options
just something to be aware of

teddy12b · « **Reply #32 on:** June 19, 2007, 07:46:17 AM »

ccoker,
Did you notice much difference between the Puma and Marlin for accuracy or craftmanship?

teddy12b · « **Reply #33 on:** June 21, 2007, 07:07:06 AM »

I read an article about the Puma 16" carbine only getting ~4.5" groups at 100 yards off of sandbags. I'll try to post where I read that when I get home and find it.

I just held a Henry and a Marlin over lunch and they both felt great the Henry was more $$ but felt solidly built. The marlins felt good and handy. I like them both! I just wish I knew what one was more accurate.

Old Griz · « **Reply #34 on:** June 23, 2007, 01:31:20 PM »

Like several others, I had a lot of trouble with my Marlin Cowboy II .44 mag. First, it wouldn't cycle. No matter what type of .44 cartridge you put in it, it wouldn't chamber. My dealer had it repaired, so that it would cycle. Then, when I finally got to shoot it, my target looked like a shotgun pattern. It was all over the place. My dealer took it back in a trade.

Later I got a Marlin .357 CB. I hadn't heard anything negative about their .357/.38 guns (only the .44s) so I thought I'd chance it, and it is a dream gun.

Still, if I decide to get a .44 lever gun, I'll go with either the Puma or the Henry. Puma has a new octagonal/case colored rifle that sure looks good. But then, the Henry is American made, and I've heard really good things about their customer service. Both of those things mean a lot to me.

jy951 · « **Reply #35 on:** July 02, 2007, 11:12:22 AM »

decide whether or not you want to scope the gun. if you want to scope, i'd go with the marlin since it's drilled and tapped. i'm not sure how you'd go about scoping a puma. i know everyone wants a super accurate rifle, but for deer hunting purposes and in .44 mag, i think 3 moa is pleanty good.

30-06man · « **Reply #36 on:** August 02, 2007, 05:21:37 AM »

The Ruger 96/44 is the BEST!! in my opion

Keith L · « **Reply #37 on:** August 02, 2007, 07:33:08 AM »

Why would you post this when you are asking others for their opinion on this gun in another post on this forum?

30-06man · « **Reply #38 on:** August 02, 2007, 12:07:46 PM »

Keith L,

i found one today at my local gun shop and loved it. I had orginaly said another gun but i changed it after i held that one. I don't want to argue over it though.

rihmfire · « **Reply #39 on:** August 02, 2007, 12:23:44 PM »

Winchester 44 mag case colored, checkered, large loop and accurate

30-06man · « **Reply #40 on:** August 02, 2007, 12:25:43 PM »

ohh man thats a pretty gun. How much did you pay for it?

m-g Willy · « **Reply #41 on:** August 07, 2007, 11:46:46 AM »

Well that makes the score including my vote for the Rossi at
Rossi= Puma------7
Marlin---------------5
Win.----------------3
Henry--------------2
Browning---------1
Ruger--------------1

I own two Rossi 92's, one the short rifle in 45 colt and one carbine in 44mag.-both great guns, and both pre-saftey
I also have a Marlin 95 in 45/70 pre-saftey that is great.
The only reason I went with the Rossi is because of the jamming problems I heard from others about the 44mag. marlin --that and the stupid saftey they put on them.

Willy

30-06man · « **Reply #42 on:** August 07, 2007, 04:11:26 PM »

i like the browning and the ruger and i would rate them 10's. have you ever used them? i know the marlin is nice. but i have held the rossi and it was OK not the best. about a 2

teddy12b · « **Reply #43 on:** August 08, 2007, 03:53:33 AM »

For some reason to me the henry's feel the best build and sturdiest. I don't know why, maybe it's the pretty brass or the price but i just don't think I'd ever buy one. For whatever reason the marlin is the most appealing to me.

teddy12b · « **Reply #44 on:** August 16, 2007, 07:44:05 AM »

I held a stainless puma 44 today. It felt nice, and it was priced about the same as a blued Marlin. I'm still leaning towards the marlin.

30-06man · « **Reply #45 on:** August 16, 2007, 07:48:13 AM »

marlins a proven gun. many like it some don't its a personal thing.

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #46 on:** August 16, 2007, 09:56:44 AM »

Quote from: m-g Willy on August 07, 2007, 11:46:46 AM

Well that makes the score including my vote for the Rossi at
Rossi= Puma------7
Marlin---------------5
Win.----------------3
Henry--------------2
Browning---------1
Ruger--------------1

I

Was the question the most popular or the best??

m-g Willy · « **Reply #47 on:** August 16, 2007, 10:37:28 AM »

Quote from: Hairtrigger on August 16, 2007, 09:56:44 AM

Quote from: m-g Willy on August 07, 2007, 11:46:46 AM
Well that makes the score including my vote for the Rossi at
Rossi= Puma------7
Marlin---------------5
Win.----------------3
Henry--------------2
Browning---------1
Ruger--------------1

I

Was the question the most popular or the best??

These were what those that replied thought were the BEST in their opinions.

Willy

30-06man · « **Reply #48 on:** August 16, 2007, 12:21:29 PM »

Quote from: m-g Willy on August 16, 2007, 10:37:28 AM

Quote from: Hairtrigger on August 16, 2007, 09:56:44 AM
Quote from: m-g Willy on August 07, 2007, 11:46:46 AM
Well that makes the score including my vote for the Rossi at
Rossi= Puma------7
Marlin---------------5
Win.----------------3
Henry--------------2
Browning---------1
Ruger--------------1

I

Was the question the most popular or the best??

These were what those that replied thought were the BEST in their opinions.

Willy

ruger and marlin are my favorites

WyrTwister · « **Reply #49 on:** September 02, 2007, 01:34:09 AM »

Quote from: Rogmatt on April 14, 2007, 07:42:24 AM

Every Marlin I have owned was a jammer. Jam, jam ,jam. worst of all was the 1894 in 44 mag.
the Puma,EMF, Rossi is by far the best made lever in 44 mag you can buy. I have 3 Rossis, and they have been flawless.

My Marlin .44 Mag does not feed real well withthe SWC's I had been loading for my S&W M29 ( too cheap to buy jacketed bullets ) . I bought a 6 cavity Lee mold , round nose . Feeds like greased lightning .

God bless
Wyr