Author Topic: Large Levers (Read 1205 times)

Chuck White · « **on:** March 16, 2006, 04:04:50 AM »

Anyone know where a guy can get a replacement for the factory lever on a Marlin 1894C?

I don't want a huge one like the "RIFLEMAN", just something a little bigger than the one that's on it!

Seems like I've seen them available somewhere, but I can't remember where!

Thanks;

victorcharlie · « **Reply #1 on:** March 16, 2006, 06:03:45 AM »

I know just exactly what your talking about.....it's the lever made by DRC. I've looked and don't see a web page but found this phone number posted in the firing line forum. 817 465-7338

Here's the link: http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83146

I don't own one but from the pictures I've seen it looks like it would be perfect for hunting with large gloves on.

One of the problems I have with any of the aftermarket levers is the price. I think the wild west levers are around $150.....I can buy a used gun for close to that. I know a lot of guys use a lot of aftermarket parts to customize their marlins and most really like them.....I'd love to trick one out with all the aftermarket goodies but then get to thinking about the price..... I'd like to know what they want for there lever.

Hankster · « **Reply #2 on:** March 16, 2006, 04:05:04 PM »

For the 1894C models it's 175.00 PLUS your OLD lever!!! Man that seems high!! Anyone know what a replacement lever from Marlin runs??? Heck, I can cut metal, file, and weld a loop on, or get it brazed on myself.......I'd guess a lot of guys here are THAT handy.....

(That's from Wild West)

slik r slik · « **Reply #3 on:** March 16, 2006, 05:46:48 PM »

I use DRC levers, I have them in blue and in stainless on 444P, 1895GG 45/70 in stainless, 1894-41MAG SSLTD, and a 336 35REM SS LTD is waiting for its lever. I have big hands and the medium size of DRC lever is right either barehanded or gloved. I think that the posted tel number is an old one. David Clay no longer lives in Arlington, Texas, but has moved to Alvarado, Texas where he has built his shop. He doesn,t have a storefront but the number I have for him is 817-783-6099. I do like his products they are first rate. http://photobucket.com/albums/e118/slikrslik

victorcharlie · « **Reply #4 on:** March 17, 2006, 03:44:10 AM »

Quote from: Hankster

For the 1894C models it's 175.00 PLUS your OLD lever!!! Man that seems high!! Anyone know what a replacement lever from Marlin runs??? Heck, I can cut metal, file, and weld a loop on, or get it brazed on myself.......I'd guess a lot of guys here are THAT handy.....

(That's from Wild West)

Yes, it seems very high to me as well. It really makes me wonder how much it cost to manufacture, and what the margin of profit is on the product. There doesn't seem to be a lot of competition so I assume the demand is low.....might be hard to feed the family by selling levers alone......However, Marlin can produce a complete rife and sell it through distributers for not much more than the price of the aftermarket lever.

I might buy one if I thought the price paid was justified by the cost. It appears to me that the profit might be excessive..........Now, if I had more money than I know what to do with then that's another story!

Chuck White · « **Reply #5 on:** March 17, 2006, 05:19:22 AM »

Seems quite high priced to me too!

I'm not insinuating that the workmanship is shoddy or anything like that, but the price is high!

The cost of a replacement lever at $175.00 (and the old lever) is too high for me!

Through WalMart, I can get a whole gun (NEW) for under $400.00, that's slightly more than the cost of 2 levers!

I think I'll just stay with the original!

Thanks for your input guys!

Bush Master · « **Reply #6 on:** March 17, 2006, 08:24:00 AM »

I agree that Wild West is VERY proud of their levers and I cannot justify spending that kind of money on a lever alone. I have large hands and the standard lever on my SS Guide gun is small for me even without gloves on. It bites me on the pinky finger with every shot, especially the hotter .45-70 loads. I would be very interested in finding a source that has a more reasonable price. It might be worth pursuing having the original Marlin lever modified by a machine shop.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #7 on:** March 17, 2006, 08:55:06 AM »

I would think a larger lever would be easy for Marlin to produce. I wonder why the gun doesn't come with a bigger lever to begin with?

Bush Master · « **Reply #8 on:** March 17, 2006, 09:01:08 AM »

I agree Victor, why doesn't Marlin equip these with a bigger lever to begin with? The stock levers seems almost designed for a lady's hands than a man's.

slik r slik · « **Reply #9 on:** March 17, 2006, 04:32:42 PM »

I agree that the price of either a WWG or DRC or even Brockman's version of a big lever is pricey, but few of us have a CNC machine or the facilities to heattreat. I have seen some homemade attempts, and they were not pretty, by the time you pay some one a machineshop hourly rate, someone to heattreat, someone to hotblue, maybe a gunsmith's hourly rate to tweek the lever, I bet you'd come pretty close if not over the cost of these ready made. I'm a pretty good welder myself but stainless is another matter. We as people like to personalize our possesions but I will always lean toward improved function and pretty doesn't hurt, but pretty and expensive can get down right ugly if it doesn't shoot straight! Just another thought, getting a C&R licence will allow you to by parts from the parts houses at a lower rate allowing you to cut out some of the MIDDLEMAN fat. http://photobucket.com/albums/e118/slikrslik

Chuck White · « **Reply #10 on:** March 18, 2006, 10:19:22 AM »

When Marlin came out with the John Wayne Commerative in 32-40, didn't it have a large lever?

DirtyDan · « **Reply #11 on:** March 21, 2006, 06:48:58 AM »

Never seen the need for one, but I'm not in the north country either. When I wear gloves, I usually take the right one off to shoot, when I'm sittin' on a stand. When walking, I leave it on. When I'm ready to shoot I stick my trigger finger on the trigger, two middle fingers in the loop and leave the pinkie trailin' outside. DD

mr.frosty · « **Reply #12 on:** March 23, 2006, 11:04:48 AM »

http://www.yost-bonitz.com/packages/biglewie/

this guy seems to have the right size loops for the old marlins
and some other goodies

big medicine · « **Reply #13 on:** March 25, 2006, 03:52:13 AM »

Check out this link it might be helpful for you. A friend of mine was asking me about this the other day and the guys at MO helped me find the info I was looking for.

http://www.marlinowners.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=11477

Hope it helps.