TexasCHLforum.com

Trying to decide which one to buy (Rossi, Puma, Henry or Marlin). I'm getting one as a fun gun and nothing else. Just need some direction. Thanks in advance.

Marlin is the way to go in my opinion. I have 2 in .357.
One is a 80's vintage, blue and one is a brand new 2009 Stainless Steel model. Both are 1894's with 18" barrels.

ditto the Marlin. I missed out on one that was like new on a guy's shoulder at the Tyler gun show last spring for $150... wasn't carrying walk-around money, but my buddy was able to snatch it up (after I pleaded with him to just give the guy the money and quit trying to talk his price down). Today I saw a couple at the Longview show in the $600-700 range...ouch.

If you can afford the initial cost, the Marlin will be a two or three generation hand-me-down.

surv

I have one of the Marlin SS 1894's and a brass Henry in 357 . Very happy with them. I prefer the side load on the Marlin in the pasture, as opposed to the tube loading on the Henry, but honestly haven't ever really needed to reload in the pasture in a pinch. They both carry plenty of cartridges. I like the side eject on the Marlin. The side load on the Marlin is difficult on your fingers, easy to get pinched. The loading (lever) action on the Henry is smoother, feels better than the Marlin, more clunky action.

Either of them is an excellent choice and fun guns to shoot.

I used to use a Rossi in cowboy shoots. I don't know about the others, but I had fun with the Rossi. The loading gate liked to bite fingers though. I also recall it could be a little finicky about the shape of bullets.

Thanks for all the info. Now I my next problem is finding one without having to order it. No one local to me (killeen,TX) seem to have one. I will keep looking for a little while then I guess I will order it.

Did you call Cabela's in Buda? Might be worth the drive down there.

I have a Puma in 44 mag, I couldn't be happier with it, very smooth and accurate.

I bought a used Marlin that I am very happy with.When I bought mine ALL brands of 38-357 were hard to find.

At the risk of being flagged for piling on, I would not buy anything but a Marlin in a lever action rifle. My Marlin .357 is fast becoming my favorite rifle. It is light, accurate, holds a lot of rounds, and just plain fun to shoot. It also packs a nice wallop for such a small load, and will easily take deer or hogs inside 100 yards. Mine loves the Monarch 158 grain JHP from Academy which will not break your bank either. The 18 1/2" barrel makes for a very easy gun to carry and shoot.

Good Post!

You forgot one more advantage.........relatively inexpensive to buy (and to shoot if you are a reloader)!

AEA wrote:Marlin is the way to go in my opinion. I have 2 in .357.
One is a 80's vintage, blue and one is a brand new 2009 Stainless Steel model. Both are 1894's with 18" barrels.

I think you need to let me store that blue on for you in my safe.

I LOVE my Marlin 1894 carbine. Like RiverRat, mine is a pain to load. It's a sweet shooter though. I bought my son a Marlin big-loop .22 lever gun. It's a good shooter with a smooth action, but I was pretty disappointed when I realized it had a plastic front sight. I wanted the gun to be an heirloom gun, and I just don't consider plastic on this type of gun to be acceptable. I'm sure it'll be plenty durable, but I just wish it was metal. I emailed Henry about it, and they sent me a free metal front site. I pulled it out of the packaging, and the paint instantly started to flake off. Total crap metal with an even worse paint job.

The Marlin doesn't kick, and will be an excellent hunting rifle for my son(s) to start off with. It's small, light, and very accurate.

Anyway, here is my Marlin that I completely endorse (so long as you can put up with the difficult loading gate)...

Do you make those rifle straps too?