Lever Gun?

[mkollman74]

I am in the market for a large bore "bullet proof" lever gun. I am looking for something other than wood furniture. Not a big lever gun guy, but I am thinking 45/70 or something else that lobs a big chunk of lead. anyone do more "modern" versions of these classics?

 

[6.5SH]

Don't think the furniture matters so much but I think you are looking for is a pre-Remington ownership Marlin 1895.

 

[Spooky68]

Lever Action X Model .45-70 | Henry Repeating Arms

There are few things as deeply ingrained into American firearms culture as a lever action .45-70 rifle, especially when it’s made right here on U.S. soil. It evokes images and fantasies of days past while still being wholly capable in the hands of a modern hunter. The Lever Action X Model .45-70...

www.henryusa.com

 

[roostercogburn98]

^played with one of these X series the other day at the LGS. It’s actually not a bad feeling blaster. Another option is the Marlin Dark Series.

 

[E. Bryant]

Don't think the furniture matters so much but I think you are looking for is a pre-Remington ownership Marlin 1895.

Or wait for Ruger to re-launch the Marlin line-up, which is my plan.

 

[Potsy]

Wait on a Ruger/Marlin, buy a pre Remington Marlin, or buy a Henry (I like my Henry .45 Colt) as far as “reasonably priced” options go.

There’s also various recent manufacture 86 Winchesters and Brownings floating around.

.45-70 is a really fun round, from mild to wild. My Ruger #1 is accurate, light, and points like a quail gun (though it is a single shot and not a lever gun).

 

[memtb]

A used Marlin 1895 or wait until Ruger begins manufacturing them again. Or.......drop $3K on a custom rifle from Big Horn Armory out of Cody, Wyoming and have a pretty broad selection of cartridges including the 500 S&W!

I’m running homemade 430 grain cast bullets from my Marlin GG @ 1790 fps gettin 1 1/4” 5 sot 100 yard groups. It will do pretty much anything that I could expect from the rifle/cartridge combo! memtb

 

[PDXGS]

I recently purchased a used Marlin 1895 in 45-70,
I did some mods and finally got to sight it in yesterday. What a hoot. The last thing I need for it is a decent red dot.
Want to drool? Have a look at the Chiappas

http://www.chiappafirearms.com/category.php?id=6

 

[Potsy]

You can also spend a LOT of money on one at Turnbull Restorations.

 

[Blazin]

No budget: Big Horn Armory
Budget: Henry X series

 

[OlsenG_360]

I took my chances on a newer Marlin 1895 GBL 45-70 a few years ago and it's been perfect. I wouldn't buy one sight unseen though, I handled a bunch before picking mine. A few had weird wood fitment issues.

 

[Slides]

I have handled a few different Remington era 1895 and 336 very late stuff is much better finish. I ended up buying a stainless trapper 16.5 inch barrel and a SBL 18.5 inch. Fit and finish on both is good. Feed and cycle very nicely.

 

[Scrumbag]

Hi have a Chiappa Alaskan, 20" in .44 mag and I like it and Chiappa do various takedowns in .45-70 as well.

My .44 Mag currently with a Leupold 2.5x28 Scout Scope

Skinner carry case:

Reckon should be good for a cleaning kit / rod and an MTM box of 50 rds.

And when you unpack it:

And out on the range:

Best wishes,

Scrummy

 

[fanninland]

JM 1895G chambered in .450 Marlin, WWG trigger happy kit, bearproof extractor @ aluminum follower, Skinner Alaskan peeps - I sure like mine…

 

[Phatcow]

Hi have a Chiappa Alaskan, 20" in .44 mag and I like it and Chiappa do various takedowns in .45-70 as well.

My .44 Mag currently with a Leupold 2.5x28 Scout Scope

Skinner carry case:

Reckon should be good for a cleaning kit / rod and an MTM box of 50 rds.

And when you unpack it:

And out on the range:

Best wishes,

Scrummy

That Chiappa Alaskan was unobtainium even pre-pandemic. Been waiting for a 44mag 16" since February, may be another 6 months. How does the takedown mechanism hold up after multiple disassembles?
(Sorry don't mean to hijack thread, but this is a pretty rare levergun!)

 

[Scrumbag]

That Chiappa Alaskan was unobtainium even pre-pandemic. Been waiting for a 44mag 16" since February, may be another 6 months. How does the takedown mechanism hold up after multiple disassembles?
(Sorry don't mean to hijack thread, but this is a pretty rare levergun!)

So far so good. It's a pretty solid piece of kit. The threads are large but not coarse and seems to be well done.

(JMB designed the original 1892 including the takedown and he seemed to know what he was doing)

 

[6.5SH]

JBM or JMB?

 

[Scrumbag]

JBM or JMB?

You're right, now corrected

 

[6.5SH]

You're right, now corrected

That being said, is it the Browning or Wild West Co-pilot design or something of their own? Not familiar with what Chiappa did there, they have some cool stuff of their own in revolver design.

 

[Scrumbag]

That being said, is it the Browning or Wild West Co-pilot design or something of their own? Not familiar with what Chiappa did there, they have some cool stuff of their own in revolver design.

John Moses Browning designed the 1892 for Winchester which included a takedown.

I understand that the Chiappa is a fairly close copy of that original Winchester 1892 design - https://www.winchesterguns.com/products/rifles/model-1892/current/model-1892-trapper-takedown.html They look very similar.

I'm not sure what Wild West did I'm afraid.

Scrummy

 

[Ronin_64]

WWG Co-Pilot – Wild West Guns

 

[Scrumbag]

WWG Co-Pilot – Wild West Guns

They look great but man the price tag!

 

[stefan73]

Hi have a Chiappa Alaskan, 20" in .44 mag and I like it and Chiappa do various takedowns in .45-70 as well.

My .44 Mag currently with a Leupold 2.5x28 Scout Scope

Skinner carry case:

Reckon should be good for a cleaning kit / rod and an MTM box of 50 rds.

And when you unpack it:

And out on the range:

Best wishes,

Scrummy

How does the Chiappa do in regards to feeding? 44mag and 44 special? I know Marlins had some feeding issues (remington gen).

 

[Scrumbag]

How does the Chiappa do in regards to feeding? 44mag and 44 special? I know Marlins had some feeding issues (remington gen).

I've found it pretty good.

Have fed it:

44 mag:
210 gr Sierra JHC
200 gr XTP
Prvi 180gr and 240gr FPJ
Geco 250gr Jacketed and 240gr Soft Point
240gr cast Pb RNFP

44 spc.
200gr Magtech Cowboy Action loads

I've not had any issues but with that nice long taper the Magtech has I imagine it would feed in anything.

I understand (though I am certainly no expert and happy to be corrected) that Win '92s and their clones are less prone to COAL issues than the Marlin 1894s.

Best wishes,

Scrummy

 

[stefan73]

I've found it pretty good.

Have fed it:

44 mag:
210 gr Sierra JHC
200 gr XTP
Prvi 180gr and 240gr FPJ
Geco 250gr Jacketed and 240gr Soft Point
240gr cast Pb RNFP

44 spc.
200gr Magtech Cowboy Action loads

I've not had any issues but with that nice long taper the Magtech has I imagine it would feed in anything.

I understand (though I am certainly no expert and happy to be corrected) that Win '92s and their clones are less prone to COAL issues than the Marlin 1894s.

Best wishes,

Scrummy

I might have to look for one.

 

[mkollman74]

Thanks for the replies, all. The Chiappa and Henry X look great.

 

[Scrumbag]

Thanks for the replies, all. I'll definitely check into the Chiappas, Bighorn, and Henry X. Was hoping for non-wood furniture for moisture resistance.

The Chiappas do have wooden furniture but it is coated in rubber.

Scrummy