Author Topic: Who makes the best lever action 44 mag? (Read 8903 times)

teddy12b · « **on:** April 09, 2007, 04:22:57 PM »

I know Marlin makes one, and I think Henry, but do any other manufacturers make one? The rumors are flying around every gun shop that the state of Indiana is going to allow pistol cartridges in rifles. I'd like to get one in a lever action but don't know the best route to go. I already handload for the 44mag so that's going to be the caliber, but if anyone has any experience with these I'd love to hear it. The first brand that comes to mind is Marlin, I don't like the cowboy version as much as I do the 1894. The part of Indiana I'm from is a 100 yard max anyway so a 44 will do just fine.

Bob · « **Reply #1 on:** April 09, 2007, 10:07:56 PM »

I only have one, a Winchester '94 trapper in 44 mag. It has never given me a bit of trouble, feeds everything from mild 44 spec to 44 mag loaded with the big 310gr RFN bullets. It's got very good accuracy, it's a very handy size, and a lot of fun to shoot. I know they are not currently being produced, but there are a lot of them in circulation. I couldn't be happier with mine.
Bob

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #2 on:** April 10, 2007, 02:59:49 AM »

thats about like asking who makes the best truck. All your going to get is brand loyalty for answers. Ill put it this way. I personaly dont know of a bad one being made right now.

teddy12b · « **Reply #3 on:** April 10, 2007, 03:24:16 AM »

Good point, I should have started out by saying, does anyone know of a bad brand of rifles to get. I don't like starting the "chevy" vs "ford" arguments that appear so often. If one brand doesn't stand out above the rest and they're all about the same I think I'd go with a Marlin if that's how I end up.

popplecop · « **Reply #4 on:** April 11, 2007, 07:33:47 AM »

I have an older Marlin made in 72 in 44 mag. It's a great rifle, but has a Micro Grove barrel took some work to find a cast bullet that worked well. Never have had any problems with mine in 35 yrs.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #5 on:** April 11, 2007, 11:45:07 AM »

Marlin makes a stainless, straight stocked 1894 in 44mag that I have a hard time staying away from.

It's a really nice rifle. I have a buddy who has the blued version and it's a really nice shooting rifle.

navylawdog · « **Reply #6 on:** April 11, 2007, 11:49:14 AM »

Teddy12b,

To answer your question I know that Marlin, Winchester (used to), Henry, Puma, and Ruger make a lever action .44 mag. Ruger also used to make a semi auto similar to the 10/22 but I don't know if it is any longer in production but can still be found. But I have never shot any of them in a .44 so I can't tell you about accuracy or shootablility.

Navylawdog

Oldtimer · « **Reply #7 on:** April 12, 2007, 08:24:26 AM »

Check out one of the model 92's. I like a Winchester 94, but gave mine to one of my daughters, because of that crossbolt safety. I have a Marlin in .357, which is an easy carrying gun, but the Model 92 clones seem to fit my hand the best. To me, the action seems to be smoother than a Model 94 (either W or M) action.

Sixgun · « **Reply #8 on:** April 14, 2007, 07:21:59 AM »

I have had marlins and Pumas. The Puma is the best by far. It costs less, is much stronger, and more accurate. I have a list as long as your arm of Cowboy Rifle silhouette matches I have won using my 357 or 44 mag pumas. Most of the guys use Marlins and a few use Henrys, but my Puma wins every time. I use them for hunting also and my choice for whitetail would be a 357 instead of the 44. I use my 357 for mule deer all the time and have never had a failure. I use the 44 for elk, though under 100 yards the 357 would work fine for that too.

Sixgun

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #9 on:** April 14, 2007, 07:41:15 AM »

Browning USED to make a copy of the Win 92.
I have found mine to be very accurate with cast bullits

Rogmatt · « **Reply #10 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.

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #11 on:** April 14, 2007, 08:07:56 AM »

20 years ago I had a Marlin and sold it because I could not get good accuracy out of the cast bullets I had reloaded.. I since have learned alot about micro groove barrels and the need for properly sized bullets!
At one time I owned Marlins in 22, 357 mag, 41 mag and 44 mag.
I am glad I never saw the feeding problems.

tanoose · « **Reply #12 on:** April 14, 2007, 01:16:38 PM »

teddy12b check out puma . I picked up a couple of years ago a rossi model 92 in 44 mag with a saddle ring on the receiver, and i have to say it is very well made smooth accurate and you can carry it all week long. I think there at www.legacysports.com

Bullseye · « **Reply #13 on:** April 14, 2007, 02:03:20 PM »

I too live in Indiana and luckily I have always liked lever guns so I have a couple and am ready for the new law. I have a Winchester 94 Trapper in 44 Mag and a Marlin 1894 in 41Mag. The Marlin is the second 41 Mag of them I have owned, the first one was a jam-o-matic. I gave the second one a try because they had quit making them last year and I am a big fan of the 41 (they are making them again this year).

Between the two I think the Winchester has the smoothest action and handles the best. The Marlin is more accurate. Down deep I think both those brands are good guns, I would go with the one I liked the feel of the best. Of course the Winchester would need to be a used gun and some people think they are worth a pile of cash since they quit making them.

If you are going to scope it, the Marlin would be the better choice.

I have also heard a lot of good things about the Puma, I just have never shot one myself.

navylawdog · « **Reply #14 on:** April 15, 2007, 01:35:18 PM »

Bullseye,

So would you recommend buying a .41 mag over a .44? I have been wanting a lever gun in .41 mag but seem to have a hard time finding them and didn't know how they would shoot and bullet availability.

Navylawdog

teddy12b · « **Reply #15 on:** April 15, 2007, 05:01:07 PM »

I've read a lot of good things about the Puma's too. Right now they are having a big promotion where they give away a "free" bowie knife with a new rifle, you just have to cover the $10 Shipping and Handling. I looked at their website and I'm leaning more towards the regular rifle length instead of the carbine. We'll see though.

navylawdog · « **Reply #16 on:** April 16, 2007, 02:58:39 PM »

Teddy12b,

Yes they are doing the promotion with the bowie knife. I got one with mine. You have to send off for it of course it don't actually come with the gun. It is a good knife though. It is a large bowie type knife and is extremely sharp straight out of the box. Not a bad deal though.

Navylawdog

teddy12b · « **Reply #17 on:** April 16, 2007, 04:57:48 PM »

I just can't really seem to decide what I think would be a better fit for me. The Puma sounds great and it comes with a great big bowie for another $10, but I'll probably never use the bowie knife. The Marlin sounds like it's about $50 higher than the Puma in most cases, it's made in the U.S., but there are guys that have had serious jamming problems with them. There's going to be a gun show in town in about another month. That'll give me time to think about it and save up.

K.K · « **Reply #18 on:** April 17, 2007, 02:52:44 PM »

I have and old Marlin, and it has shot very well, and killed more Pa deer than I can count. Now that the 94 isn't made anymore, you are more likely to get a good price on a Marlin, (or Puma).

Bullseye · « **Reply #19 on:** April 17, 2007, 04:26:55 PM »

navylawdog

Personally I would buy a 41 over a 44, but it is just personal preference. I have always been a big fan of the 41, but then again I just like things that are different than everyone else has. The first group out of my Marlin 41 was 7/8" for 5 shots at 50 yards. I now have a scope on it and it just gives one big hole at 50 yards. I shot it a 100 yards a while back and the group opened up quite a bit (I never measured the group).

Can't go wrong with the 41 in my opinion, and a dealer should be able to order one since they are in the catalog again this year.

navylawdog · « **Reply #20 on:** April 18, 2007, 06:29:14 PM »

Quote from: Bullseye on April 17, 2007, 04:26:55 PM

navylawdog

Personally I would buy a 41 over a 44, but it is just personal preference. I have always been a big fan of the 41, but then again I just like things that are different than everyone else has. The first group out of my Marlin 41 was 7/8" for 5 shots at 50 yards. I now have a scope on it and it just gives one big hole at 50 yards. I shot it a 100 yards a while back and the group opened up quite a bit (I never measured the group).

Can't go wrong with the 41 in my opinion, and a dealer should be able to order one since they are in the catalog again this year.

Bullseye,

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it. It sounds like I am going to have to make the wife mad once again. Oh well she will get over it. It is good to hear that they are making them once again.

Navylawdog

Dee · « **Reply #21 on:** April 21, 2007, 02:30:42 PM »

I have a Rossi imported by Navy Arms in a Model 92 Winchester (clone)that I bought several years ago in 24 inch octagon barrel. Didn't like the stock finish, so I stripped it and found a beautiful piece of walnut under there. I hand rubbed 6 coats of Trueoil into the stock and forearm and it looks like my Model 94 Winchester did when it was new in 1957. I smoothed the action and it's a tack driver. I carry it EVERY DAY in my truck. I suspect the 44 mag. will do equally as well.

Three-08 · « **Reply #22 on:** May 04, 2007, 01:34:09 PM »

The Henry is a mighty fine gun

mt3030 · « **Reply #23 on:** May 04, 2007, 07:54:07 PM »

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

Every Marlin I have owned was a jammer. Jam, jam ,jam....

Sounds like an operator problem.

v-man · « **Reply #24 on:** May 15, 2007, 12:51:55 AM »

For me, Marlin 1894.
Never, never never jammed and consistent 1 hole groups at 50 yds for the last 20 years with peep sight or scope.

papajohn428 · « **Reply #25 on:** May 19, 2007, 11:57:18 AM »

I have to admit a fair amount of prejudice here, I'm a Marlin guy. I've actually turned down Winchesters for $100, they rattle and clank like the tin man, and mounting a scope seemed like it would fall into the "ordeal" category. I currently own two 1894's and three 336's, and I honestly can't complain about the accuracy. I wish Marlin would update the design to handle higher pressures, but these are woods guns, and don't need 65,000 psi cartridges to be effective. My 44 mag is the stainless model, and no smoother, slicker gun exists. It was okay when I got it, better after a thousand rounds, and after 6,000 or so, it's hard to believe how smooth it is.

My advice is to haunt the pawnshops, find a gently-used Marlin, and shoot it a lot. That's all it took to make a die-hard Marlin guy out of me.

Papajohn

Les Staley · « **Reply #26 on:** May 30, 2007, 06:34:50 PM »

Just won a Gunbroker auction for a Browning 92 standard model 44 mag.. should be here in a couple of weeks... (Looooooooooonnnnnnnngggg weeks)...also have a Puma 20 inch stainless carbine comeing.. that will be here next week.. I should have plenty of range reports to follow.. Les

handirifle · « **Reply #27 on:** June 18, 2007, 05:43:07 PM »

Teddy
I have a Trapper 94 in 44 Mag and really like it, BUT do NOT buy till you shoulder and cycle the Henry. It is the smoothest levergun I have ever worked. I have owned Marlins (30-30 and 35 Rem) both were smoother than my Winnies (currently 30-30 and 44 Mag) and folks seem to rave about their accuracy too.

On top of that, Henry stands behind their guns, I had some issues with the Henry 22LR I had and after two trips back to the factory THEY told me to send it back and I'd get a new gun in a week. By the way, Anthony I, the company Pres, told me in the email, for the repairs, I'd have the rifle back ONE WEEK after it left my house. BOTH times he was spot on. When it went for repairs, it was on their nickle, they sent call tags, as well as for the replacement, which also showed up in a week.

I hated to do it, but traded the Henry off (new one worked perfect, by the way) for the Winchester 94 Trapper I now have. It was an excellent deal, Win had just gone under and I was short of cash. I WANTED THE TRAPPER!!

Wish I still had the Henry, but love the trapper.

Anyway, get a 44 Mag if you're hunting with it, not the 41. IMHO

teddy12b · « **Reply #28 on:** June 19, 2007, 01:57:38 AM »

I have held and cycled a Henry. They are fine guns. They are also a little salty, especially when it's compared to the Marlin. I still have not read anything official that Indiana has changed it's guns hunting regulations so I am waiting till then.

handirifle · « **Reply #29 on:** June 19, 2007, 04:04:41 AM »

Quote from: teddy12b on June 19, 2007, 01:57:38 AM

I have held and cycled a Henry. They are fine guns. They are also a little salty, especially when it's compared to the Marlin. I still have not read anything official that Indiana has changed it's guns hunting regulations so I am waiting till then.

What do you mean by "salty"? That's a new term to me. BTW I've never held, cycled or shot a Marlin in 44 mag.