Got both , either one is awesome but the Henry has a fit and finish 2nd to none, Ruger is very pretty but both are sub 2” at 100yds., (iron) sites, both are winners in my eyes, can’t go wrong with either one
My grandpa left me his pre 64 Model 94 Winchester. It's one hell of a great gun. I was always more partial to the Marlin 336 that my dad has, but I have a new found fondness for the Winchester.
My wife's collection of Henry .22 and her new .357 octagon bbl case hardened beauty! Both guns have sweet wood and buttery actions. For all those looking to aquire the older guns I remind you to SET A PRICE BEFORE HAND and hit the local and travel to auctions and Gun shows. I just found my dream M1 carbine for a sweet price!
Walked into a gun-store in Bozeman to buy a Henry .357....NEVER knew that they made a .22 Lever! Bought that..AND it's so much fun~~~ This Summer I plan on going back to buy the .357. That Octagon barrel just looks...right to me. Leaning towards the Carbine....but will see how it feels~~~ :-)
I personal don't like when a channel is describing a particular gun and they are showing something else. If you're going to talk about a specific model show that model and don't show five different ones. It is confusing to not the novice, but to me and I've been shooting the better part of 60 years. I even have some of the guns you talked about.
@@FlyingHighVeteran I waited for 2 yrs for Marlin to make the 1895 Trapper available and got it this year for $1100 at RK, it’s the best fitting rifle I’ve ever felt for me.
Your selection was only what's available at big chain stores. There are some outstanding guns that you didn't even look at. I guess that makes this a stereotypical "top _" list...not a real thorough review.
I inherited my grandpa's 30-30 Marlin. While it wasn't free to me, it's a price I wish I could pay over and over. I had no idea about the overabundant value he had in my life, not just because he was my grandpa, but just as a person. That old Marlin lever gun is a bad ass gun. I think about Grandpa every time I get it out of the safe. It's such a fine example of American craftmanship!
I like the savage way ahead of it’s time Rotary magazine some drop out on the later models a friend bout a 250-3000 savage 1949 by the numbers I loaded 5 of each 6 types of powder w 87 grain speer bullets 34-35 imr 4064 w 3031 coining in second varget 3rd. So there it is 34.0 of 4064 almost 1/2 at 25 yards 4” low 50 1” low about-1” flat ass at 75 yards and 2” high at 100 still climbing iron sites the 100 yards was about 3” group Mostly my cateract eye but I was impressed to say
Have one as well. Only thing was there is no where to find ammunition. Luckily, my co-worker shoots this as well, and he does reloading, and I have had to do that as well.
Tried to buy a couple of guide guns and a camp carbine. I just couldn't bring myself to own a gun that didn't have the front and rear sights lined up properly. I really wonder who was running the factory. Maybe one eye dyslexic guy. Ruger lines the sights up for only 600 dollars more 😅
I hear you. I have a 336 microgroove hooded front site made I 72 or 74. Bought 2 at K mart. Kept this one NIB till some asshoke robbed my house for my complete in factory display case Buck hunter knives and my Marlin . This one has had 6 rounds fired through. All dead in hits at 190 yards out of the box.. I'll stuck with this one. I'm 80 and will have it the rest of my life. Dandahermit
@@greybone777if your sights werent lined up you were looking at a remington. Not a ruger. I had the same issue on my 2012 336ss sent it back an now it is flawless.
I love Winchester and have numerous but a 336 is superior to a 94 in almost every way! I can’t for the new Marlins to hit the market in a few months! Ruger is doing such a great job!
I have a 2 other lever guns... I love my Marlin 1895 in 45/70 stainless, even though some say the quality was down in the last few years (mines 6 y/o). I too have the Ruger Marlin 336 on my want list.
Check out Steve's Gunz for some great upgrades. Replacing the buckhorn rear sight with a rear peep sight that goes where the safety sits really makes shooting better.
Same here, bought one blued with 20" barrel almost 3 years ago. Not the model I was looking for, but the one I could get. Same as you found the action silky smooth, and the fit and finish was excellent.
Thoroughly enjoy my R92. None of the hitches I have heard people mention, except it wants to be held upright when chambering... not always possible in a contact situation.
Fond memories of my dad's old Winchester 94 "thutty-thutty", always in the back window of the pickup pretty much our main throw around gun. Funny how technology improves in so many areas but gun designs over 120 years-old still hold up well today.
Well they purchased a dying company and a dying industry or demand. Also not to mentioned they improved and modernized the old design. God forbid they make money on an investment. More so an investment for the consumer. Thanks to Ruger they kept history alive.
@@rclines001 Stop crying you whiner. EVERYTHING has gone up. Marlin went out.. the REMLIN was a disaster.. RUGER saved it. Sorry you cannot afford one. Get a better Job than McDonalds! Marlin 336 1200...... Henry 30-30.. 950..... Cimarron 30-30... 1200..... Rossi... 900.... Hello??
I have a pre 64 Winchester Model 88 in 308 and it's still pretty slick. It was a hand down from my grandad. Would love to have a pre 64 model 94 but if you find them for sale they are pretty expensive.
I owned one.. Killed my first deer with it. It had belonged to my grandfather. unfortunately someone decided it would look better in their gun case than it did in mine
I honestly have been a collector of Lever Actions for some time now. Honestly, my favorites are the Henry Lineup as the levers on them are just right in shape/size. They are smooth and just plain work. The price point is spot on as well. I have tried others, but the feel just isn't the same IMO. Everyone has their preferences, but the Henry gets my personal vote.
They are nice rifles epically since they can side load now but the Rossi R92's are a better value IMHO. Fit and finish is excellent, they are smooth and there are more accessories available to customize a Rossi than any other lever gun out there because they are the choice of CASS shooters and they like Rossi's because they are more accurate. My brother has a Henry X Model and he shoots tighter with my Rossi besides, they are half the cost of a Henry or a Marlin. Only drawback to the Rossi R92 is scope mounting and use is difficult with the top ejection.
My first lever was a Henry Big Boy, love it smooth. Then I got the bug and had to have a 1873 Winchester by Uberti, a Way cool gun. Then got an older JM Marlin 1894 carbine, a great shooting little rifle. Then, of course to round things out got the 1892 by Rossi. They're all different in their own way, but are all fun to shoot. Mostly to blame for my lever obsession would be Hickok45, he really inspired my love of cowboy guns. Target Suite and Mixup98 are good ones too.
Kinda hard to beat the Winchester Model '94 in .30-.30. especially in forest cover. Mine gets dual use as a defensive arm, ( off deer season ) and as my 'go - to' for Coastal Blacktail in the Cascades, and Whitetail, further East. At close range, using 180 grain loads, it'll suffice for both Elk and Mule deer, but typically I'm using a .30 -'06 bolt action when hunting these species on the Columbia Plateau. Still, you never know when a 'target of opportunity' will present itself while targeting Whitetails, with the '94 in your hands. I carry 150 grains, and 180 grains into the field and keep both at hand.
@thecowboy9698 most rifles chambered in 30-30 will be lever actions. The round was designed for use in tubular magazines, which is why the tip of the bullet is blunt. Once in a while you will see a single shot or something chambered in 30-30, but it isn't very common. That being said, a traditional (wood and steel) 30-30 lever gun is slightly heavier than modern style guns, which affects what you feel. It has a kick that's more like a push. It might hurt if you were shooting without a shirt on, but the recoil is low enough that successive shots can be fired with minimal target alignment disruption.
@@thecowboy9698 There isnt much recoil, but the muzzle jump is typically worse than a bolt gun. I had a 6.5x55 sporter for awhile, its weight was similar to my 30-30 and the felt recoil was less, even though any chart would have said otherwise. In short the recoil is very manageable, though somewhat more than you'd think.
The favorite lever action rife I have ever had was an original 1894 in 32-20. It was extremely accurate, and a pleasure to shoot. Unfortunately, I made a stupid mistake, and traded it away. Now they're very expensive.
The west was won with pistol cartridges, 30-30 didnt fill every gun safe like it does now adays back when lever guns where a tool of daily life and death
@@The93ssfd There are a few reasons which probably don't apply to most people, but apply to the following: A .357 in a lever action has the ballistic equivalent to a 30-30, within 100 yards. The .357 cartridge is much newer than the lever action design, which is why they didn't originally come with that chambering. Many people do not take shots past 100 yards with iron sights, or they are hunting in topography/environments where visibility that far out is impossible, like in heavy woods or hilly areas. Cowboy-action shooting competitions are done with pistol caliber lever actions. Having a rifle chambered in the same cartridge as your pistol means only having to bring one type of ammo on your outing, whether it CAS or hunting. Some people do not want to use a shotgun for property defense, or go through the paperwork of getting a handgun. A carbine chambered in pistol cal offers stopping power without the excessive long range associated with rifle-specific cartridges, or the kick of a shotgun. There is always going to be a "better gun" for anything anyone does, regardless of what gun they choose. But those are some of the reasons why people choose pistol cal rifles/carbines.
Rossi's cost advantage is not what it used to be but still seems to be the most affordable. I really like the Henry side gate big boys. Having both the side gate and the front loading options is a big plus especially for a beside the bed gun.
Yeah, my thinking exactly. I bought one this year and it was around 700$ or just under. Two to 3 years ago it was a $450 gun. I think its over priced, but its the market for lever actions now, so its what happens. I bought the 20" .357/.38 Stainless R92 and am happy with it, but i did a lot of work on it that I dont think I should have had to. I changed out the ejector springs, and that's a job. I had to cut the feed tube spring because it was beyond stiff making it extremely difficult to side load, I replaced the feed tube spring cap (plastic) with a stainless one, like a .35 cent piece if it was factory, but like $5 plus shipping because it wasnt, I literally took it completely apart after dry cycling it about 1000 times to find wear points and polished them with various stages of steel wool and polish. Put it all back together after some true oil stock finishing on the Brazilian Walnut which looks very nice actually. I had thoroughly read and reviewed this gun before I purchased so I knew ahead of time exactly what i could be getting into. I think for 600-700$ the quality could be better but our dollar is sht now, so I guess that's the new order. But as a project gun Im very pleased at its performance now, and the trigger is incredible on it. But like I said I spent a lot of time and work getting it to that. Id of rather had a marlin, but thats a crap load more money.
Model 94 is a. Awesome first rifle in 30:30. All around and has. Great Accuracy out to 150 yards with no scope after that you need a scope. It has put more meat on the Table than any other caliber except the 22 which is a small game getter. My 410 shotgun single barrel has. Taken small game as well as large game with a slug
I am waiting for either a Marline or a Henry to be more available in .357 Mag. Seems like everyone is selling the .44 Mag, but .357 is still hard to find and commands quite a premium.
Rossi for the (affordable) win. Still looking for one in .44 Mag to keep my other three (38/357, .45 LC and .454 Casull) company…….and I wouldn’t mind picking up a Rossi in .480. But since they only built about 100 of those, that might not happen. 😊
@@daltonagre Because the days of affordable USA-made lever guns are over. I have a Rossi. It’s not slick out of the box like a Henry, but at half the price I don’t care.
@@dumbbo1 The Rossi is not half the price of a Henry, it's about $150 less over a Henry, my Henry Big Boy cost me $900 and I just picked up a Rossi for $750.
You are fortunate that you picked up a Rossi in .454 Casull when you did. Been looking for one, new, for over three years now. The Rossi rep I spoke to on the phone swears they are making them, however, no gun shop that I have contacted has seen them in over three years. And yes, Rossi for the affordable win!
My dad gave me his Winchester model 94 30-30 back in 1970. I appreciated carrying this rifle in heavily wooded hilly areas. I can’t hunt anymore and I’m going to pass it down to my son.
I inherited my grandfather's Winchester model '53 chambered in 44-40. Gramps bought it in 1927. He was a registered guide in Maine as well as a farmer. The short rifle was called a "brush gun". My father used it to literally put meat on the table during The Great Depression. I used it hunting as well and will pass it down to my own son.
You are avery lucky man to have a son who is interested in even owning your guns right now. I will need to sell my dad's and Grandpa's guns because nobody wants them anymore, we have a very dysfunctional family sometimes with continuity. Too many clashing ideas in one family. This is dumb, because they will be worth a fortune later at some time.
@@dwayneelizondomountaindewh1465 Ugh. Our youngest son, in his teen years used to say, "If it wasn't for dysfunction, this family wouldn't have any function." Smart a$$...
Well, new "assault rifles" were banned so they were highly desirable and very expensive. Marlin, (before they were put down by Remington's awful mismanagement) were the cheapies sold at Walmart. Then, after the ban expired, everybody and their brother started producing an AR until they became cheap and ubiquitous. Lever guns and revolvers went into lower production numbers. Lower availability combined with their natural virtues have made them highly desirable again and quite expensive. If someone had seen my Marlins and Mosins 15 years ago, they would have correctly assumed that I was broke. Now people keep trying to buy them at the range.
Are you saying people were buying 30-30 lever guns instead of .223 ARs? Would someone buy a pickup truck because they're out of Camaros? If someone wanted an AR and couldn't buy one, wouldn't they just get a Mini 14? If what you're saying is true, it likely only happened in one specific region. Aside from having a hard time imagining it, I've yet to meet a lever gun owner whose purchase was solely dictated by their inability to buy an "assault rifle." American lever guns died out in the 2000s because the companies that were making them (which also made tons of other firearms) were not doing well. Keep in mind Rossi continued making lever guns the whole time. The American companies had problems with investors and other internal problems besides sales figures. Marlin, before going out of business two more times in the next 20 years, had purchased another ailing company, New England Firearms/H&R, in 2000. Everyone loves single-shots, yet the premier American manufacturer of inexpensive single-shots was going out of business? There are many factors that cause a company to fail. It's too often blamed on failing demand, when it's seldom the case. Now, a new Henry single-shot starts at $400. Granted , the new Henry singles are built like the old pre-war Stevens and Iver Johnson singles, not the el-cheapo push-button break-open NEF/HRs But still, the only ones making cheap singles now are Rossi. Seems like they know how to keep gun companies running in Brazil. They're also still making affordable double barrel shotguns. It is doubtful that sub 2k doubles will ever be made in the States again. But if the sales of Stoeger's doubles says anything, we can conclude that the lack of American doubles has nothing to do with lack of demand for them.
@renatodoughty4467 no, the two things were happening at the same time but not necessarily related. AR's used to be expensive because they were more rare. Lever guns used to be cheap because they were everywhere. Now the opposite is true. The only thing driving price in these cases is supply and demand.
I have a Winchester Model 94 in .30/30, Lever Action Centerfire Rifle that has a rear ejection system and holds 6 rounds in the tubular magazine and 1 in the chamber.
I'm fortunate enough to own Henry, Rossi and Winchester lever guns. All work great. It's hard to beat the Rossi 92 due to the cost. But the Henrys are fine and the Miroku Winchesters are beautiful.
@@DUCKSAREEVILLLLLLLLThey make excellent rifles and shotguns out of Japan. They have made many gorgeous Browning over & under shotguns. Also have made some excellent lever action rifles sold under the Winchester label.
@@danieljones8549 I understand . I use 325 Lever evolutions and so far so good. One shot behind the shoulder -back a bit at about 75 yds or so ran about 50 and dropped. Another buck this year also about 70 yards just above the shoulder and angling down -dropped on the spot , not even a twitch. So far so good.
Most of these are either currently not existing in the market or stupidly expensive. I stick to Henry's. Butter smooth action and they are at least getting some product on the shelves (albeit very slowly).
The only rifle they missed was the Rossi M92. I have a JM Marlin in 35 Remington and a Winchester 94 in 30/30, I also have 2 Rossi's. Both 20" barreled stainless steel M92's, one in 454 Casull (45 Colt ) and one in 357 Magnum (38 Special). Both are excellent rifles in function, fit and finish and are very accurate, easily the equal of both the Winchester and Marlin with the added benefit of being completely weather resistant. Great rifles at over half the cost of the older rifles and they will take a beating, especially the Rossi in 357 Magnum. That's the rifle I shoot most with my 158gr hand cast, powder coated SWC's leaving the barrel almost 1900 fps pushed by big charges of Enforcer or H110. Well worth the money and a ball to shoot, now to try out a Henry X Model in 44 Magnum, I think it's an addiction.
I have the new Ruger Marlin 1895 Trapper in 45-70 and it is the most comfortable fit I’ve seen in a rifle and also the easiest to disassemble and clean.
I very much want a Rossi M92 in .357/.38Spl. in stainless with the 16" barrel. Just haven't found one for sale......but when I DO, its my next rifle purchase.
@@ssnerd583 I was looking for one of the 16" models also but ended up with the 20". I did some testing with 38 Specials lately. I fired some from my Ruger SRH with a 8 3/8" barrel and then a buddies T/C Contender with a 15" barrel and yes the 38's were still seeing an increase in velocity. When I shot them thru my 20" R92 Rossi with the 20" barrel I saw a decrease of almost 100fps. All shot with the same lot Of Remington factory 125's, the powder had burned completely and friction was slowing them down. IMHO a 16" to 18" barrel was ideal for 38 Special and 357 Magnum. Same test shot with 357's, 158gr Federal saw velocity's still increasing even with the 20" barrel topping out at just over 1750fps. My 357 handloads with Accurate #7, a slower burning powder than H110 saw Sierra 158SP bullets doing almost 1900fps so the 20" barrel was helping with the slower burning powder. I would love to test the one of Rossi's 24" octagonal barrel models just to see if it could hit 2000fps with the 357.
POF Tombstone has one feature. Jam-O-matic. Excellent gun if you are looking for a lever action to help with drills in clearing malfunctions. Not a single person that has used one hasn't reported constant malfunction issues from what I've seen. This includes many web sites and other youtube reviewers. Good luck getting an 1892 Winchester though, they start around $2.5K in price. Winchester 94 also starts around $1.6K used. Then again that is where all the new Ruger made Marlins are starting at now. Only Rossi and Henry are selling levers at a decent price still. Henry levers are going up in price though. Forgot the Mossberg 464 SPX. I have one and its a great lever.
Wow!! "Biden inflation?" My Dad bought me my Marlin Model 336 in 1973 for my first time I could go deer hunting. Caliber .30-30 Win. I was 14, and my Dad paid $79.95 at K Mart, brand new. Later, in 1983, I bought my Winchester Model 94 in .30-30, for around $300 if I remember correctly. Even in 2011, I bought a Miroku-made Winchester Model 1892 for just under $1000 (by just a couple $). The prices you cite are just incredible (as in, hard to believe). Yeah, I believe you, but everything is going up for a variety of reasons, but primarily the massive spending Biden and his democrat congress have done, without tax revenue to back it up. So, the massive printing of monopoly money dilutes the value of the dollar, which drives inflation. Btw, I've read that when they first introduced the Model 94, the retail price started at around $18 (according to Sam Fadala, in his book "Winchester's 30-30, Model 94"), in 1895 dollars.😂😮
I disagree. I mean I'm with you on the looks of a classic lever action rifle. But as far as a survival standard or woods protection gun I see alot of tactical .45-70 rifles that have very effective modifications that can save your life & will.
@@eidtnaci Yea i also watched it the day he uploaded it. While i was eating dinner. Its what made me realize all of the advantages of a tactical lever action rifle. The video is called The Thumper V2. Very effective modifications.
Actually, I think that Mossberg's Zombie Tactical lever gun that I saw years ago was pretty goofy. I think that matt finishing and a few mounting options isn't out of order and might try one of the Henrys if the price is right.
Would love to see Marlin do another run of the Cowboy Limited Series. I have the .357 and 44 Mag but would like to get 45 colt and 30-30 calibers. They are very difficult to find now.
that's the only thing I don't like about winchester lever guns is the top eject action but otherwise they are amazing rifles but I prefer marlin myself. I also was finally able to get my hands on a ruger 1895 SBL and she is a dream to shoot, I got dime sized groupings at 100 yards with factory ammo from the shoulder with iron sights.
I happen to get a 1895SBL 45-70 Ruger made Marlin. Thanks to Cabelas in Georgia. I couldn’t be happier. It is an awesome rifle. Just like I used when I was younger. Only better. I would put this up against any rifle any day. All I can say is awesome. Props to Ruger & Marlin. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👍👍👍👍👍👍👍🙏🏼
Concur I also recently picked one up and took me a better part of a year to get at just below MSRP--most places that did have were way over MSRP. I'm glad I stayed patient as it truly is an awesome rifle--better than even the older Marlin's I've had in the past--huge improvement in fit/finish, smoothness and accuracy--plus the ghost ring sight is stellar. Still planning to scope mine--nothings beats a good optic for those low light shots when hunting.
@@MrWeliz. I hope to get that one as well. What is the length on that one. I believe they are almost the same except the trapper is shorter. I have the SBL and it has become my favorite rifle. I believe they have made Marlin rifles even better.
I list my marlin for sale to see what people would pay bit deep down i see i cant find one like it anymore easily and so deep down im actually keeping it but i meam mayne some day a lottery winner will be like yeah 10k ok and ill just be stupid to not let it go if you love it set it free
Great value, fit and finish is excellent on my 3 year old Rossi. I can't justify paying 2 to 4 times the price for an equivalent from the other rifle brands. Shooting lower priced 38 sp for practice at the range is like shooting a 22 lr.
Only down side of 45 70 is the price of ammo. My Barnes Vortex hollow points were “only” about $65 when I bought them in 2019. Now, if you can even find them, they’re gonna cost you $80+
I have 2 336's in 30-30 (CS and Dark) which are fantastic and a BLR81 in .243 which is a cannon. All great guns. On the other hand I have 3 model X's that were stripped of their polymer and refitted with Ranger Precision and Chisel Manufacturing furniture. One in 45-70, one in 44 mag, and the last in 30-30. They turn heads everywhere I go with them and shoot wonderfully.
I remember driving to high school in the early 70’s with an ithaca m37 and a model 94 in a gun rack in my truck and a buck 110 on my belt and didn’t give it a second thought, it’s just how it was. School is where I learn to swallow Copenhagen snuff spit without hiccuping.
The 1873 is arguably the fastest lever action gun ever made and the most common rifle found at any Single Action Shooting Society match, so I'm surprised to see no love given to either the Uberti 1873 or the Miroku/Winchester 1873.
I think it's a top eject issue. People like big bore for hunting, hunters like scopes and not too many people like long eye relief set ups. Factor in cold winter hunting during snow and the later side eject models make more useful sense.
Iv gotta say I bought a uberti 1873 in 44-40 and aside the ammo being outrageous of course it's one of my absolute favorite and most beautiful rifles, it's color case hardened and the forearm and stock are just plain beautiful, uberti puts alot of love and labor into the rifles they pump out and the action is just beyond words smooth. But if it came down to it I'd have to grab my ol trusty Marlin 336 30-30 lol it's just been a go to for me since I was a kid when it was given to me. Have a great day and weekend and stay safe out there.
Shhh..,the mitrokus are hard to find as it is, awesome rifles, I have 1873 in 44-40, 2- 1886 45-70, a 1895 30-06 they are accurate beautiful and far outclassed my Ruger- marlin 336.
I own 2 lever guns and the one that I would take hunting is my Marlin 336. It is a great , well made rifle that never lets me down. It is accurate and I will never part with it. It is an older model made by Marlin.
I am @momtoone93's husband. I've had a model '94 in 30-30 for forty seven years. And it has had no trouble putting meat on the table, both deer and elk.
I have a Winchester, a marlin, and a Henry. Henry all day. Plus their customer service. She’s on another level. Anthony Imperato, CEO of Z Henry rifle is one of the most kind and benevolent people you will every encounter
I'm in love for my Winchester '94 - 30/30 (first gun bought for my gun collection) but you may also have a look to Boarbuster made from Pedersoli in 45/70 Gov. ...great piece..
I prefer a long barrel rifle for hunting. I appreciate rifles for home defense, but nothing beats a shotgun literally loaded for bear. Mine is an `1894 Winchester octagon barrel in .30-30.
@David Armstrong Couldn't find one in 308 in Canada.....and the blr I grabbed was the only one I've seen for sale. Can find some used stuff.....that is at new prices,but even then a 308 lever action is very rare here.
I only have one 3030 . Winchester 1866-1966 comemrative edition with octogon barrel. I thought it was cool and bought it as a kid. Im still happy with it. I tellya what tho. Mad pig customs moved down the street from my house , started to get interested in levers again and the 4570 is next on the list.
Henry's are pretty expensive where I am compared to a Marlin or Rossi. Winchesters have gone way up in price especially older pawn shop ones. I like the Henrys, just can't afford one.
@@kicknsystm if you're looking at anything without wooden furniture then yes, they're going to be expensive. I'm not about to drop 1200 bucks on a 45-70 just because its silver or black
