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Posted: 10/28/2010 3:51:20 AM EDT
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Was interested in getting a levergun in 44mag. Was wondering what options there are other than the Marlin or Henery? I have seen Winchester makes/made one in 44 mag, is this correct and do they still make them. What is the (hate to ask it this way) "best" lever gun in 44mag out there? It will be used on deer and walks in the woods. Have a leoupold 1-4x to put on it. Just want to buy something quality, fit/finish, durable, etc .....
Thanks in advance. |
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Puma/Rossi lever guns are nice, though you may have issues mounting a scope. If you really want to mount optics, then go with a marlin.
Pics here are of two Puma .44 Mag lever guns. The wood is not as nicely finished as some other makes, but the metal work on both of mine is very good. The 1892 action is one of the strongest available in a lever gun. For a light weight woods/hiking gun, then look for one with a 16" barrel. My 20" Short Rifle has a nice thick octagon barrel and weighs a little more then the 16" carbine, but it is still does not feel too heavy to me. .JPG)
Comparison of size between the two. 
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I've worked on a TON of Marlin 1894 rifles in all the calibers from .32 H&R to .45 Colt.............they are simple rifles, they are reliable rifles, they are easily customized.
My idea of perfection is the 1894 SS.............Stainless Steel in .44 mag 
If I had to have just ONE pistol caliber levergun.......it would be this one!!! 
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| I have both marlin 1894 in 44 mag and a Rossi 92 in 44 mag there both nice and have no complaints but by far the marlin is a better rifle it just seem like every thing from the wood to the internal parts are of better quality if you ever have to get parts it a lot easer to get what you need for the marlin…………In my opinion get a marlin you wont be disappointed. |
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Quoted:
Was interested in getting a levergun in 44mag. Was wondering what options there are other than the Marlin or Henery? I have seen Winchester makes/made one in 44 mag, is this correct and do they still make them. What is the (hate to ask it this way) "best" lever gun in 44mag out there? It will be used on deer and walks in the woods. Have a leoupold 1-4x to put on it. Just want to buy something quality, fit/finish, durable, etc ..... Thanks in advance. I've owned lots of lever guns including Marlins, Winchesters, Henrys and Rossis but if you want to scope it, a Marlin is by far the best choice. If you prefer a blued finish the 1894S will serve you well but if you need something more weather-resistant, the stainless 1894SS should fit the bill. Just remember stainless is rust resistant, not rust proof. Also forget about pre vs. post safety arguments, both are excellent designs and you will often pay a premium for an older pre-safety model with no real benefit. I currently have a pair of .44s including this 1894SS which had a Weaver V3 at the time. I've since put on a 2.5x Leupold FX-II scout scope but think I'm going to go back with a small variable, probably another Nikon Monarch or something like your Leupold. 
The second one is a 1894 Octagon which was made in 1973. I guess this is similar to the current Cowboy model but was only made for one year so are few and far between. I added a Skinner peep sight and am currently refinishing the stocks on this one to use for deer when our modern gun season opens up in a couple weeks. This gun cloverleafs at 50 yards and I only included it to say that you don't necessarily need a scope for hunting. 
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Quoted:
Was interested in getting a levergun in 44mag. Was wondering what options there are other than the Marlin or Henery? I have seen Winchester makes/made one in 44 mag, is this correct and do they still make them. What is the (hate to ask it this way) "best" lever gun in 44mag out there? It will be used on deer and walks in the woods. Have a leoupold 1-4x to put on it. Just want to buy something quality, fit/finish, durable, etc ..... Thanks in advance. If you plan to put a scope on it , hands down , Marlin . If not , I have no experience with a Henery , but they seem too $$$ . I have a .45 LC & .357 Mag Rossi and I really like them . But not scope friendly . For most of us , Winchester is gone . I have 2 Winny M94 .44 Mags NIB , that I bought as an investment . I have no plan to ever fire them . I have a Marlin .44 Mag that I do shoot w/ a scope . God bless Wyr |
| It seems the majority of the 1894 44mag Marlins are fine however be warned they can come with some pretty oversized bores every now and then and those won't shoot anything well except for cast that has been sized accordingly. (guess how I know this, & I'm not the only one this has happened to) I would not buy one that I couldn't shoot first. |
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Thanks for starting this tread.
I just bought a progressive reloader from a fellow with enought supplies to make 900-1100 .44 mag rounds (780 is factory Win. primed cases). I do not own any thing in .44 mag but I do not want a pistol. I ruled out a Ruger Deer Slayer due to the low round count it would hold. I have found a SS Rossi for $390 (used buts looks brand new, dosen't look it has been shot). But I like way the way the Marlin looks and mounting a scope is a plus. Thanks for the idea. |
I have a Marlin 1894SS and it's a really nice rifle. Here's a not so hot image of it with a 4" S&W 629 in 44 mag.
Here it is among some other Marlins and a 92 puma. The puma would also be a good pick. The one in the image is a .357. 
I've others but I need to snap some new images. |
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