Author Topic: 357 lever or 357 Handi (Read 2929 times)

brasshead · « **on:** January 27, 2010, 05:38:49 AM »

I am looking for a fun 357/38 rifle. Something just for fun with maybe some light duty whitetail hunting.I don't post much but, I read this forum all the time and I notice several of you are both lever fans and handi fans. I have a couple of Handi rifles now so I was thinking of adding a barrle or two (357 and 45/70) but I sure do like the feel of Marlin lever gun. Like to stay around $500. My question is which do you like best and for what reason?

Thanks

Spanky · « **Reply #1 on:** January 27, 2010, 05:46:41 AM »

Go for a Marlin lever in 357.
They're nice guns.
It'll cost you more but you get what you pay for.

Spanky

canon6 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 27, 2010, 05:51:04 AM »

I have had NEF's,Marlin's and Rossi '92 in 357. I would go with the Rossi. Trimmer and for lack of a better term "sleeker" as a copy of the Winchester 92, should be.
Of the two, you asked about, I would opt for the Marlin. Doug

Spanky · « **Reply #3 on:** January 27, 2010, 05:53:47 AM »

I forgot about the Rossi lever. They're nice guns too.

Spanky

Kal52 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 27, 2010, 06:09:40 AM »

I have one, its a hartford. Ive taken 7 deer with it, accurate as far as I can tell.
and if you want to toss some lead downrange its fun to see how fast you can cycle it with 38spl.

the marlins are also very nice, but more money, if it were me, and i had the extra cash id go marlin, mine was a gift so im not complaining.

Dave

yukondog · « **Reply #5 on:** January 27, 2010, 06:23:51 AM »

Marlin than Rossi than NEF I have all 3 and the 2 rossi's I have I like very much but given the choise take the Marlin.

wreckhog · « **Reply #6 on:** January 27, 2010, 06:42:02 AM »

Rossi = no scope (or at least a crappy implementation)
Lever = cannot rechamber to Max

brasshead · « **Reply #7 on:** January 27, 2010, 06:51:53 AM »

Not really worried about the 357 max I think the mag will do all I want for now. Looking at some of the other threads and it seems a new handi would run about half the price or less of a new lever. Can you get peep sights for the Rossi and does the octagone barrel add much weight? I am sucker for octagone barrels. I think I am leaning towards the Marlin, what about stainless vs blue?

canon6 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 27, 2010, 07:28:17 AM »

As to the peep sight for the Rossi.Williams makes the sight.Older Rossi's may need to be D&Td, newer ones are ready . IIRC Doug

gcrank1 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 27, 2010, 07:36:46 AM »

Single shot vs repeater: If you dont mind chasing the brass, then cleaning it before it gets anywhere near the reloading dies, go with the repeater. Its also nice if you are hunting since your next shot is right there without fumbling. A friend has the Rossi and after the action slicked up it digests everything and hits out at 150+yds just fine. We were impressed.
Single shots slow you down (often a good thing) and with a cartridge carrier on the butt you have follow-up shots handi (hum...handi, good name for a rifle). The H&R has a great rep for accurracy here.

petemi · « **Reply #10 on:** January 27, 2010, 07:41:47 AM »

I suppose if I wanted to chuck lead quicker, I'd choose the Marlin. If I wanted a clean, one shot kill, I'd choose the Handi.......I would sell a Rossi if it were given to me....It's just a cheaper copy, and I'd put the money into a better rifle. I have Marlin 336s and would never substitute a Rossi for them.

Pete

brasshead · « **Reply #11 on:** January 27, 2010, 08:04:14 AM »

Huntin down my brass would not be fun. Can you get walnut stocks on the handi? I just don't care for the black plastic.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 27, 2010, 08:11:35 AM »

Buffalo Classic Carbine wood will fit ,and look classy, but you will need open sights or a peep and front to 'complete' the look.

mitch132 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 27, 2010, 08:28:02 AM »

Try looking around for a used Marlin 1894. It plus a Skinner rear peep sight, some hardened steel targets, a few boxes of .38 specials, and a warm afternoon with spare time is about as much fun as you can have with a rifle while still wearing your clothes!

I have one in .44 Mag, and have shot one in .357 Mag. Both are very fun with Specials or equivalent loadings.

I lucked up and found mine for $300 out the door. Great condition. Wouldn't sell it for the world.

Daman · « **Reply #14 on:** January 27, 2010, 08:51:13 AM »

I would personally get a Henry Lever if they have those in 357. I have one in 22 and it is my favorite. Out of your options, I would get the Handi and put a good scope on it and still have less $$$ out the door than just the Marlin by itself.

Daman

Chas. · « **Reply #15 on:** January 27, 2010, 09:26:12 AM »

With respect to levers:
I have 2 Rossi '92's and 2 Marlin '95's. If I buy another it'll be a Rossi without a doubt. Here's the considerations I looked at.

Rossi '92 = stronger, cheaper, top ejection, safety on bolt top
Marlin '94 = little better fit/finish, side ejection, ease of disassembly, cross-bolt safety
Accuracy = it's up to me

The generally acknowledged Rossi expert is Steve Young, aka Nate Kiowa Jones. He's the owner of Stevesgunz.com. He has many parts, like sights, you might need. Rossi made several brands - i.e. Puma and Hartford, but they're not making them anymore. Chiappa of Italy is making the current Pumas.

Hank in Indiana · « **Reply #16 on:** January 27, 2010, 09:39:38 AM »

I'd go Marlin. I've never had a Handi that shot accurate and I've never had a Marlin that didn't shoot accurate.

brasshead · « **Reply #17 on:** January 27, 2010, 10:03:05 AM »

Quote from: mitch132 on January 27, 2010, 08:28:02 AM

Try looking around for a used Marlin 1894. It plus a Skinner rear peep sight, some hardened steel targets, a few boxes of .38 specials, and a warm afternoon with spare time is about as much fun as you can have with a rifle while still wearing your clothes!

I have one in .44 Mag, and have shot one in .357 Mag. Both are very fun with Specials or equivalent loadings.

I lucked up and found mine for $300 out the door. Great condition. Wouldn't sell it for the world.

That is what I really want to do with this rifle. A 44 would be OK but I think for reloading and factory loads the 357/38 is the cheapest route. Plus I have never read on any forum about a poor shooting 357 anything. As for poor shooting Handis the two I have are great shooters.

petemi · « **Reply #18 on:** January 27, 2010, 10:07:57 AM »

Quote from: Hank in Indiana on January 27, 2010, 09:39:38 AM

I'd go Marlin. I've never had a Handi that shot accurate and I've never had a Marlin that didn't shoot accurate.

That's just garbage. I've got both. The Marlin and all the Handis will poke your eye out at 200 yards.

Pete

brasshead · « **Reply #19 on:** January 27, 2010, 10:19:07 AM »

A Buffalo Classic or Carbine in 357 would be a sweet setup.

wreckhog · « **Reply #20 on:** January 27, 2010, 11:23:32 AM »

Both Marlin and H&R occasionally produce inaccurate guns with oversized bores. Marlin just has a name for theirs. Micro Groove.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #21 on:** January 27, 2010, 11:47:48 AM »

I have owned both I really liked my marlin carbine, Don't have it anymore, I have three .357 handies thou. If I find a really good deal I will have anoter Marlin but my handies would be the last to go.

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #22 on:** January 27, 2010, 02:43:00 PM »

Got an 1894 Marlin, 2 Rossi 357 mags 16" round barrel and 24" Octogon, and 3 Handi's all reamed out to max. As you can see below, I have other Marlins and other Rossi's and maybe a couple other Handi's. Like em all, they are all different, just like my kids. The Rossi 92 is one stout action, I have 2 chambered in 454 Casull which the 1894 Marlin action will not take the pressure of. See if you can handle each of em and then make your mind up, I think you would enjoy any of em. Marlin would probably be smoother out of the box, but my last 454 Rossi is very smooth as it came new. Of course the pat answer is get one of each, then invite family and friends to join ya when ya go out. DP

bagdadjoe · « **Reply #23 on:** January 27, 2010, 04:35:15 PM »

Hmmm,
I have a Marlin 1894s with the dreaded micro-groove barrel. It'll put 3 shots touching at 50yds with some junk reloads I got with it, using the factory buckhorn sights. Haven't had time yet to put a "decent" load together. I just got a Handi .22 Hornet that will put 3 shots in almost the same hole with some 6-8 year old reloads that I developed for a 10" Contender using a p.o.s. Tasco 3x9 scope.
So, being a Contender afficienado, I'd opt for the single shot. I don't know why, but when I hunt with the single shot.....it's never taken me more than a single shot. No drama, no tracking. I've brutally murdered two deer with a bolt action rifle. Lots of blood and gruesome aftermath requiring a .45 Colt to end it all. Maybe it's that I just had a single shot...no back up...no second chance that made me a better shot. I dunno.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #24 on:** January 27, 2010, 04:53:51 PM »

2 HANDIS

petemi · « **Reply #25 on:** January 27, 2010, 11:22:16 PM »

Quote from: bagdadjoe on January 27, 2010, 04:35:15 PM

....it's never taken me more than a single shot. No drama, no tracking. I've brutally murdered two deer with a bolt action rifle. Lots of blood and gruesome aftermath requiring a .45 Colt to end it all. Maybe it's that I just had a single shot...no back up...no second chance that made me a better shot. I dunno.

My Handis have made me a better marksman and a better hunter. Older age may have contributed, but I now pass on shots I probably would have taken with a lever gun or bolt in years past. I haven't had to track a wounded deer in quite a few years. As an added thought, I'd never start a kid out with a repeater.

Pete

brasshead · « **Reply #26 on:** January 28, 2010, 01:58:34 AM »

I passed on a marlin this past weekend it was a micro groove with no crossbolt safety. The guy wanted to much I thought. Should I move this over to the marlin section?

petemi · « **Reply #27 on:** January 28, 2010, 02:36:35 AM »

My first "deer rifle" was my Marlin 336 .30-30 with Microgroove. It's now over 50 years old, and I can never remember missing or botching a shot with it. The first deer I killed with it was 225 yards known distance between fence lines and the second, the same day was 168 paces, both with factory iron sights. Today, the rifle looks and shoots as new. It was my saddle gun for about 10 years when I was riding. Since I caught the Handi Flu, she kinda sits around lookin lonely.

Hey Tim...Do ya recognize the scope?

Pete

quickdtoo · « **Reply #28 on:** January 28, 2010, 05:11:37 AM »

Looks familiar!!

Tim

277284 · « **Reply #29 on:** January 28, 2010, 05:03:57 PM »

A new 357 lever can run from $519-$900. For me localy a 1894 Marlin was on the lower side and on the high end was the very fancy Italian made M1892 reproductions. I had my dealer check availability of a 357 Handi 3 weeks ago and none of the distributers had them in stock, I had him put in a special order for the 357 Handi anyway going for $239.