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Author Topic: Smoothest short action lever gun?  (Read 2751 times)

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Offline Canuck Bob

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Smoothest short action lever gun?
« on: June 17, 2010, 12:10:42 PM »
I'm researching an easy carry peep sighted lever action rifle.  A recent article praised the smoothness of the toggle lever actions (?) and this got me thinking about a handy little short action lever for a pistol cartridge. 

Any opinions on what are the smoothest short lever actions in modern, replica, and older rifles?
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Online Dee

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Re: Smoothest short action lever gun?
« Reply #1 on: June 17, 2010, 12:31:57 PM »
I shoot a Model 92. It is the Model 92 Deluxe from Navy Arms by Rossi. Have had it about 6 years, and it's super accurate, smooth, and great looking in 357 magnum. It gets a lot of carry time and has over the last 6 years.
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Offline wreckhog

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Re: Smoothest short action lever gun?
« Reply #2 on: June 17, 2010, 03:19:14 PM »
BL-22....lol
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Offline teamnelson

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Re: Smoothest short action lever gun?
« Reply #3 on: June 17, 2010, 03:37:28 PM »
Like Dee, I like the 92 clones; have two in .357. Smooth out of the box, slick after a Lee Gun Slick spring kit.
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Offline dpe.ahoy

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Re: Smoothest short action lever gun?
« Reply #4 on: June 17, 2010, 05:14:57 PM »
I have 5 of the 92's made by Rossi, only one is stiff.  Have only run 20-30 rounds through it, but it's gonna get some work on the springs.  1894 Marlin is also smooth.  DP
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Handi's:22Shot, 22LR, 2-22Mag, 22Hornet, 5-223, 2-357Max, 44 mag, 2-45LC, 7-30 Waters, 7mm-08, 280, 25-06, 30-30, 30-30AI, 444Marlin, 45-70, AND 2-38-55s, 158 Topper 22 Hornet/20ga. combo;  Levers-Marlins:Two 357's, 44 mag, 4-30-30s, RC-Glenfields 36G-30A & XLR, 3-35 Rem, M-375, 2-444P's, 444SS, 308 MX, 338Marlin MXLR, 38-55 CB, 45-70 GS, XS7 22-250 and 7mm08;  BLR's:7mm08, 358Win;  Rossi: 3-357mag, 44mag, 2-454 Casull; Winchesters: 7-30 Waters, 45Colt Trapper; Bolt actions, too many;  22's, way too many.  Who says it's an addiction?

Offline archer9926

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Re: Smoothest short action lever gun?
« Reply #5 on: June 17, 2010, 11:39:56 PM »
1894 Marlin is also smooth.  DP.. Ditto... I have a Marlin 1894 in .44 Mag which I also shoot out of my super blackhawk. Beautiful simple action and with the Hornady ballistic tip .44 "Leverevolution" bullets is pretty goo shooter.Will hold 12 round in tube ( I think 12) and shoot them fast as you can cycle it. Dan
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Offline Canuck Bob

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Re: Smoothest short action lever gun?
« Reply #6 on: June 19, 2010, 10:34:40 AM »
The Marlin makes sense from a price and availability perspective here in Canada.

I'm partial to pistol grips for my arthritic wrist but that doesn't seem to ba an option on these affordable rifles.
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Offline dpe.ahoy

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Re: Smoothest short action lever gun?
« Reply #7 on: June 20, 2010, 10:55:12 AM »
Ya know, I've heard that the 1873 repo's are very smooth actions.  I think Richard has one.  The action is said to be somewhat weak.  I believe they are chambered in 357 mag and 45 colt as well as 44-40.  At least one of the pictures has the pistol grip on it.  Uberti made the ones I saw pics of, very good looking and rather spendy.  DP
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Handi's:22Shot, 22LR, 2-22Mag, 22Hornet, 5-223, 2-357Max, 44 mag, 2-45LC, 7-30 Waters, 7mm-08, 280, 25-06, 30-30, 30-30AI, 444Marlin, 45-70, AND 2-38-55s, 158 Topper 22 Hornet/20ga. combo;  Levers-Marlins:Two 357's, 44 mag, 4-30-30s, RC-Glenfields 36G-30A & XLR, 3-35 Rem, M-375, 2-444P's, 444SS, 308 MX, 338Marlin MXLR, 38-55 CB, 45-70 GS, XS7 22-250 and 7mm08;  BLR's:7mm08, 358Win;  Rossi: 3-357mag, 44mag, 2-454 Casull; Winchesters: 7-30 Waters, 45Colt Trapper; Bolt actions, too many;  22's, way too many.  Who says it's an addiction?

Offline yukondog

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Re: Smoothest short action lever gun?
« Reply #8 on: June 21, 2010, 09:02:23 AM »
I'm a marlin fan all the way, and as much as I hate to say it my rossi m-92 44 mag. is the most smothest lever I have.
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Offline steg

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Re: Smoothest short action lever gun?
« Reply #9 on: June 21, 2010, 05:14:22 PM »
I'll vote for the rossi also, I disassembled it and put some polishing compound on all the contact points and a little oil, worked the action back and forth until I was satisfied with it cleaned it all up, and now it's slicker than you know what on a doorknob, did the same to a pre 64 Win 94 in 32 special, slicked that one up too...........................steg
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Offline eastbank

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Re: Smoothest short action lever gun?
« Reply #10 on: June 22, 2010, 06:52:26 AM »
smoothest 92 is a win. 92, this is a model 53 in 44-40 that is a light weight 92 in a half magazine light weight barrel and strain butt plate. eastbank.
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Offline Canuck Bob

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Re: Smoothest short action lever gun?
« Reply #11 on: June 22, 2010, 10:26:59 AM »
Thanks to everyone.

I've decided on a Win 92 or clone.  The originals appear to be too expensive in Canada for my tastes.

I really like the look of that little Win 53.  The slim barrel and short mag give it a classic rifleman's rifle look from the turn of the last century. 
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Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: Smoothest short action lever gun?
« Reply #12 on: June 22, 2010, 10:30:23 AM »
For what its worth I have had both 94's and marlins in 44 mag and both were like racking car jack. On the other hand a 92 is smooth as glass.
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Online Dee

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Re: Smoothest short action lever gun?
« Reply #13 on: June 22, 2010, 11:34:24 AM »
With age and use, or tuning, the Winchester 94 smooths right up, but it's a longer action dealing with a longer cartridge, and is naturally going to be less smooth, as it makes a larger internal move on a larger cartridge.
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Offline eastbank

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Re: Smoothest short action lever gun?
« Reply #14 on: June 22, 2010, 02:38:11 PM »
one of the smoothest rifles i ever fired was a tricked out 1873 clone called a border rifle in 44-40, with short stroke lever kit and and slicked up by a expert. you could not load it hot,but boy could you unload it in a hurry. eastbank. ps here is a newer 94 trapper AE in 30-30 i just got, just because of the wood on it.
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Offline Canuck Bob

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Re: Smoothest short action lever gun?
« Reply #15 on: June 24, 2010, 09:41:29 AM »
Sorry guys I lied to you.

I mentined above that I was going to pick the Rossi 92.  After all your time and support I thought it only fair to let you know what I decided.

In the end I've decided to get a Marlin 94.  My 444 has been a fine weapon for over 30 years so I know the action system and trust it.  The solid side bolt has grown on me.  At first I preferred the open top Winchester but after reconsidering I realized I really like the side opening Marlins.  They stay cleaner in sloppy field conditions.  Also the Marlin is a simpler action.

If a good deal in a Rossi fell out of the sky I wouldn't hesitate but good deals are rare in Canada.  If one of the manufacturers built a pistol grip I would have gone for that.  Finally the Marlin is made in the US.  I try to buy North American first when I can.
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Online Dee

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Re: Smoothest short action lever gun?
« Reply #16 on: June 24, 2010, 02:02:53 PM »
Bob your the one spendin the money and carrying the rifle. It's what YOU like not what we like. Good choice.
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Offline nessmuk101

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Re: Smoothest short action lever gun?
« Reply #17 on: June 24, 2010, 04:29:14 PM »
I have a Marlin Mod. 62 in .30 carbine that is very smooth.  I think the only pistol available is a Ruger SA.  The marlin is the gun the grandkids want to shoot over the .22. 
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Offline Canuck Bob

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Re: Smoothest short action lever gun?
« Reply #18 on: June 24, 2010, 06:34:46 PM »
Quote from: nessmuk101 on June 24, 2010, 04:29:14 PM
I have a Marlin Mod. 62 in .30 carbine that is very smooth.  I think the only pistol available is a Ruger SA.  The marlin is the gun the grandkids want to shoot over the .22. 

Never seen that model in the flesh so to speak.  Must not have been a big issue in Canada.  Nice modern looking rifle.  The 30 Carbine is a fine cartridge and would suit a lightweight lever action well.

My dream would be a Hornet or Bee but it appears they are rarely up for sale.  Of course the benefit of reloading is any power level appropriate for the cartridge is loadable.  I'm leaning toward a 357 Mag because they are so cheap to shoot.
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