My Boys Want a Lever Action

[GUNNNN]

My 11 and 14 year old learned about lever actions in their hunter safety training.

Are Marlin 336s worth a dang anymore with Remington going belly up?

Should I get a Henry?

A model 88 Winchester is a good rifle that want break the bank or a browning

 

[freddiej]

My 11 and 14 year old learned about lever actions in their hunter safety training.

Are Marlin 336s worth a dang anymore with Remington going belly up?

Should I get a Henry?

I have had and inselcted may lever guns in my career. my best suggestion is an old 336, older (pre-1980) Win 94, the browning BLR, Savage 99, and stay as far away from Henry levers as possible. if their big bores are anything like their 22LR's. they are big piles of junk zinc and plastic.

 

[GUNNNN]

My 11 and 14 year old learned about lever actions in their hunter safety training.

Are Marlin 336s worth a dang anymore with Remington going belly up?

Should I get a Henry?

A lot of these fellows are talking about the old 45/70 and other such rounds I'm 62 and I've got a winchester 94 in a 30/30 it really light and easy to handle but this thing packs a pretty good kick I can only imagine a 4570 being anything but fun for an 11 year old to shoot my kids shot a marlin 336 in a 35 rem it was ok but with the win 88 or the blr you can get a 243 or 308 and others that will be more suitable for those youngsters thank you for teaching them about safety first

 

[AllenRay]

Another vote for an old Marlin.Got a 30 year old 336 in 30-30. Killed more pigs than I care to remember.

 

[5gauss]

My 11 and 14 year old learned about lever actions in their hunter safety training.

Are Marlin 336s worth a dang anymore with Remington going belly up?

Should I get a Henry?

Have used the 336's for years no issue. .357 had some ejection issues but easy fix. 3030 never one issue in 30 years. Smoother than Winchester but no more dependable. I would go 3030

 

[Web1350]

My 11 and 14 year old learned about lever actions in their hunter safety training.

Are Marlin 336s worth a dang anymore with Remington going belly up?

Should I get a Henry?

My recommendation is a Browning BLR. Many more different calibers to pick from, magazine-fed so you can use any bullet configuration, very dependable, and very nice looking.

 

[Indian7953]

Ok, this thread has me wanting to shoot the old Lever again but thought it would be interesting to update its performance. So ordering Hammers!
LINK: Hammer Lever 143

I bet these will upgrade its range.

Don't use them in a tubular magazine as they may shut off the ground in front of them.

 

[Indian7953]

Don't use them in a tubular magazine as they may shut off the ground in front of them.

That should've said shoot off the next round in front of them, in the magazine.

 

[mercerbear]

Personally I'm a sucker for a lever gun. I love all my 336's, 1894's, and 1895's new&old. The 308 ME being one of the top. All my marlin guns are shooters, no problems accuracy wise. My mxlr is a hybrid remlin, in that it was made in the old marlin factory after remington took over. I recently won a newer production 336 in 30-30 full on remlin, made in the New facility and have 0 issues and is also accurate.

I know there was some QC issues during the transition and new factory....but to me you can't go wrong w/ a marlin.

That being said.....a solid Model 99, sexy BLR, or the stand by rugged Win 88 offer more in the way of caliber choice and options but carry a more hefty price tag. I like the 94's, but not a fan of the side mount scope if that's the route you plan on going.
Not very experienced in the henry line only having a golden boy in 22lr, but the action is like glass and runs as fast as I can make it.

The side mount scope is trash. I wrestled that bear and I won. Not worth it.

 

[central iowa couple]

I have a Winchester model 94AE in 356 Winchester. Love that round. I handload that up to and past factory 358 ballistics. I shoot a 250 gr nosler first followed up with 200 grain ftx. I shoot enough to know how to hold . Killed elk to 250 with it. 1 shot and down. Couldn't ask for more

 

[Blackdirt Cowboy]

I've got an old, cheap lever gun in 30-30. I'm not sure even what brand it is, western field or something. It's a hoot to shoot and has killed many of pigs. I have my heart set in a Winchester 1873 chambered in 44-40. I missed out on a nice one today that sold on gunbroker for $2700.

 

[Kay0404]

3 years ago I bought my first lever gun, a JM stamped 45-70 long octagonal barrel cowboy Marlin. That was the only gun I hunted with that year. 2 years ago, a local gun store was shutting down due to illness and his family was selling all inventory at 5% over invoice.. I bought 17 guns from them, 13 of them are lever guns in various chamberings. Last year, other than practicing with my 300WM for my first (unsuccessful hunt, but GREAT trip) CO elk trip, I barely touched another rifle.. the lever guns are just FUN to shoot.
Find one, you'll love it!

 

[General RE LEE]

It's been mentioned in this thread a couple times but both my boys are already comfortable with 12 gauge, .22, .308 and 5.56. They want a lever gun cause they are cool and vintage and remind them of their Red Ryders.

 

[Lee Goodwin]

I have been reading about some quality control issues with Marlin after Remington took over. Significant problems. Henry might be the way to go.