Talk me out of one lever action rifle and into another...

Which one?

  • Marlin 336 .35 Rem

  • Henry Big Boy .357 Mag


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Mitch Rapp

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I've got the green light from the wife and have the funds available...a rarity for both at the same time lol.

I have two lever actions that have been on the wish list since..well, forever.

First up...Marlin 336 in .35 Rem. My cousin has one and I really, really like it. I would be looking for an older JM stamped one.

Next up...Henry Big Boy in .357Mag. Some random dude was kind enough to let me shoot his at the range one day a few years ago and I really, really like it too.

So, hive mind...which one and why?

Ready...go!!!
 
The use you would have for the rifle would dictate which one would be recommended.

What do you plan to do with the rifle?
 
The use you would have for the rifle would dictate which one would be recommended.

What do you plan to do with the rifle?

To have, hold, pet, stroke, and call her Betsy lol.
I have all my hunting/shtf needs covered, so no particular use but to add a lever to the collection and pop off a few rounds here and there. It's really and truly just a want, not a need.
 
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I’d go with the .357 because ammo is cheaper, you can plink with .38, and I’ve always wanted a .357 single action revolver/lever action combo. So you should be like me.


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.35Rem is bitchen & older Marlins are nice, but you will not be disappointed with a Henry .357. .357Mag is pretty damned potent out of a carbine length barrel & I absolutely love my Henry .41 carbine.
 
I had a Marlin 336 in 30-30 for my hunting rifle while a friend had one in 35Rem. Both were good but the caliber was lacking. I now have a Marlin GG in 45/70 :D

I vote for the Henry but one that complements a pistol you have (or want).
 
It's really and truly just a want, not a need.

First, let's not get our verbiage confused, a want IS a need. Everything (and everyone) wants to be needed. So therefore you NEED this gun. We got that straight??

Second, just get it over and get the MARLIN in 357 and skip the Henry altogether. See where this is going??? You've scratched 2 itches at the same time.... Efficiency in motion....

No need to thank me, just applying the BB theory of BS....
 
.35 Rem isn't always easy to find...and if you do find it, it might not be the load your rifle likes.....based solely on that I vote .357
 
Neither. Go with an 1895 MARLIN or 1886 Winchester in 45/70.
 
Do yourself a favor and shoot a M92 Winchester clone before spending the $ on a henry. I bet you buy the winny clone.
 
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Do yourself a favor and shoot a M92 Winchester clone before spending the $ on a henry. I bet you buy the winny clone.

Really? The Rossis I've shot had the typical STIFF actions. Nice shooters, but you had to really slam the actions open & there was no easy way to improve the sights, should your eyes no longer play well with buckhorns. I know some folks re-spring 'em & polish 'em up, but there's no need for that with the Henries. I know some folks can't get past the tube feeding, but that should be a non-issue for anyone who grew up with a tube-fed Marlin.

Guarantee if you blindfold someone & hand them a fresh outta the box Henry & Rossi to handle, they'll pick the Henry everytime unless Rossi has seriously upped their game. Inconvenient as hell to run a suppressor on a Henry, but that's not generally a consideration for most.

I'd love Marlin 1894s in .41 & .357, but the former have gotten crazy $$$ & the latter not a whole lot better. Sounds like Remlin is still very hit & miss, so that pretty much leaves Henry as the only option. The Rossis are okay but need too much work for my purposes. JMO.
 
Depends on usage, if there’s a hunting possibility the .35Rem Marlin but for plinking fun the Henry .357mag ... and even shoot .38special for cost and comfort.
 
Just for arguments sake, it's not a problem to send a 158gr .358 xtp to 2000fps in a 16" barrel.
That's big medicine on whitetail.
 
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The M92 actions break in surprisingly well. They are stiff when new.
Mine did not come with buckhorns.
Maybe because it is a 16" bbl?

What'd it come with? My old 20"er & the 16" I shot had whatever you wanna call that barrel mounted crescent shape thing-bob. For my eyes, for any hope of real accuracy I need at least peeps & there's just no easy way to do that on a 92 clone.
 
I had a Marlin 336 in 30-30 for my hunting rifle while a friend had one in 35Rem. Both were good but the caliber was lacking. I now have a Marlin GG in 45/70 :D

I vote for the Henry but one that complements a pistol you have (or want).

I can guarantee the .35 lacks nothing. ;)
 
What'd it come with? My old 20"er & the 16" I shot had whatever you wanna call that barrel mounted crescent shape thing-bob. For my eyes, for any hope of real accuracy I need at least peeps & there's just no easy way to do that on a 92 clone.

There's a real easy way to do it on the later ones with that weird twisty safety thing. A peep that replaces it. You've seen mine.
 
Re: .35 vs .357.....

If this were a dedicated hunting rig I'd say .35.

For a do all plinker, range toy I'd say .357.
 
There's a real easy way to do it on the later ones with that weird twisty safety thing. A peep that replaces it. You've seen mine.

True that. Not the case with my old pre-Interarms, tho. I'm just not all that crazy about the 92. It's the only Winchester design I've tried & I just prefer Marlin & Henry. Sure wish Remlin would pull their head outta their ass, but I don't have high hopes. Maybe someone who gives a crap will buy Marlin when Remington goes under & bring 'em back.
 
Ive been away from the forum all doggone day helping an Uncle with some things, then some overtime at my job. So, I havent read this thread since last night.

Re: .35 vs .357.....

If this were a dedicated hunting rig I'd say .35.

For a do all plinker, range toy I'd say .357.

This seems to be the overarching sentiment based on ammo availability, cost, and the flat out fun factor.
I rarely hunt anything anymore, but when I do, my Remmy 700 in 30-06 has never failed to make whatever I put the crosshairs on DRT. So there's not much of a chance I hunt with it whichever one I end up with. Unless milk jugs full of water count lol.
But, there's still a small chance I do...

I vote Rossi M92 357, just because I hate tube feed carbines and you can get it in stainless.

There's only two options.
While I enjoyed reading the banter back and forth about the Rossi, it still remains not an option.

Neither. Go with an 1895 MARLIN or 1886 Winchester in 45/70.

See above.

I say get em both. Then you will not have to make such a hard, life changing decision. Save the brain power to order bacon.

This is the eventual outcome. I WILL have both, just cant afford both right now or decide which one to get first lol.
I love bacon :D


No contest. The Marlin in .35

My favorite!!

You happen to have one layin around gathering dust that needs a better home, old man :p

Okay, here goes, don't but a new gun.

You...OUT OF THE THREAD, NOW!!!


Lmao :cool:
 
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I guess you missed the 'and into another' part, silly man :)

Yes but. "Into another" leaves it open to interpretation. Has anyone yet mentioned the magic that is .45 Colt out of a lever gun? :D
 
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"Talk me out of one lever action rifle and into another..."

No. Buy them both.

Ta-dah! Problem solved!
 
If you lived closer, I let you try my .357 Henry. It's great fun to shoot. My semi-auto loving spouse who couldn't understand my love of lever guns enjoys shooting it.
 
If you lived closer, I let you try my .357 Henry. It's great fun to shoot. My semi-auto loving spouse who couldn't understand my love of lever guns enjoys shooting it.

Ive shot one once...a feller at the range let me try his. But thats been a few years and Ive had an itch ever since lol.
If I lived closer, I'd bring something for the grill and take you up on that :D
Appreciate the gesture, Miss Lily
 
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