Henry in 357 ... cheap brass and inexpensive to reload all around. That was my choice primarily due to already having a GP100 in 357.

Here's a thread I started discussing reloads for 357 (for GP100) up to the point of my Henry purchase and scope add-on.

https://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=745049&page=7&highlight=henry

 

Be careful with the Marlins, given their current quality control. It's a sad testament to the gun industry when you consider that the lever-action rifle was born here in the USA, yet there are only a couple of manufacturers left not making them overseas.

 

Agreed, and I was going to ask about the Marlin's. Tj, that was the rifle I was leaning heavily towards, and now decided on. Henry now has a second order from me this month(through Bud's). Glad to support an American rifle company and American workers.

 

The Miroku made Winchesters.

They are the highest quality lever guns made today.

 

They are the highest quality lever guns made today.

Agreed. Pretty good history on them as well. They also build the Winchester 101 series of shotguns and do a better job on them than the OEM.

Buy American when I can but looking around, I drive a Hyundai, ride a Suzuki, more than 1/2 of the 50 odd guns I own are made overseas. You know that crap from H&K, Walther, Perazzi, Fabbri, Holland and Holland, Steyr Manllicher,

 

In this particular case I'm sticking with American made, willful ignorance, stepped on toes or not. I do own FNs, H&Ks, and even a few Glocks. Even fought in actual combat with FN produced weapons in my hands. But again, in this case nope. If I were going to buy a supercar it would be Italian, but a lever action rifle? American for me.

 

The modern Winchester lever guns are super high quality with modern metals. Similar to the SKB shotguns. The modern Marlins are actually made by Remington. The same Remington that messed up other century old designs like the 1911, R51, Marlin Lever Guns, etc. Why would anyone consider buying a low quality gun from Remington when you can get one of these gems from Japan?

 

My current Winchester from Japan is outstanding. I doubt there is better on the market.

 

Ohh another fan of the Freedom Group. Big Green has had a lot of foul-ups lately. Anyone buy an 887? I think some people are trying to tell me the Japanese Winchesters are high quality....

 

I wonder if there are any Japanese sword collectors on a sword forum picking on a guy for wanting to buy domestic..."My American Wakizashi is superior...!" :biglaugh:

 

Used winchesters and older Marlins are still very available and are great guns too.

I bought my FIL a Marlin .44mag last summer and it seems to be nice.

 

In all honesty I really don't know much about the lever action market. I grew up around them, having grown up on a midwestern farm but that's about it. I would love a Winchester 73 and was shocked to find that they're made in Japan. The Henry I just ordered this evening will actually be my first lever action that I own and isn't a friends or is in the family. I think going with the Henry was a good choice for a first lever gun, to be followed by my first very own revolver. I think I'd be getting in over my head trying to get into the (older)collectible ones at this point since I know none of the intricacies about the market and what to look for or avoid.

 

Nothing like a US made lever gun but like most things these days if you want quality you need to buy something older.

Marlin made a ton of fine rifles before and after WWII, same with Winchester. Don't be afraid to buy a clean older weapon.

Same with revolvers, the older pre lock S&W pistols are where you should look

 

The original poster is looking at lever guns.

Same with revolvers, the older pre lock S&W pistols are where you should look

Not revolvers.

 

Current Winchester lever guns are made in Japan by Miroku.....the same folks who make Citori shotguns for Browning.

I have an 1873 in .38/357. Its the Octagon barrel,case hardened receiver model and it puts anything made by Marlin to shame...and I own a newer Marlin 1894. Miroku makes most of Winchesters and many of Brownings guns and they have their $h!t together. The Winchesters made by FN are pretty darn sweet as well. The 101, the SX3 Sporting...i own a couple of those and they are excellent quality.

The Henrys are well made....they just won't win a beauty contest.

 

I'm not doubting that Miroku Winchesters are outstanding, I've never personally seen or handled one so I wouldn't know either way. I've always thought of lever actions as a very American rifle. When I found out they're made in Japan it reminded me of when I figured out Santa wasn't real(last month). If I decide to buy more lever actions maybe a Miroku Winchester is in my future once I get over being kinda crushed about the whole thing.

 

Winchester lever guns

Remember, Japan advocates world gun control. Yes, they make fine guns, but aren't allowed to own them.

 

Remember, Japan advocates world gun control. Yes, they make fine guns, but aren't allowed to own them.

Never really gave this much thought. How many of these great imported guns that so many of us own are not actually permissible for civilian ownership in the countries they were produced?

Using myself as an example how do I fare?

FN SCAR 17(Belgium)
Arsenal Sam7(Bulgaria)
Glock(Austria)
H&K Mk23(Germany)

 

I have a Japanese made M92 in 357 that is a fine rifle. It shoots as well as my other M92 rifles. I do wish it did not have the thumb safety but can live with it.

An interesting thing happened when I first bought it for Cowboy shooting. I could not load 10 rounds of 357 Magnum into the magazine. I tinkered around with it and found that someone had put in two magazine followers while it was being assembled. I removed one of them and have had no problems ever since.

I am always keeping my eyes open for any of the older JM Marlin rifles in handgun chamberings.

 

I would find a slightly used Winchester or Marlin - made in USA... forget the pistol cartridge. Rifle Cartridge for me.

 

Of all of the 15 or so lever guns That I own.



My Winchester (Miroku) model 1895 in 30-06 is my favorite by far.

 

My Miroku - Winchester 1873 lever action and Winchester 1885 single shot low wall are extremely well made guns. Both have excellent wood and finish. They both gather lots of attention whenever I have them at the range. People are especially impressed with the octagon barrel and case hardened receiver on the 1873.

Not seriously looking at one of these guns because of their point of manufacture is a mistake in my mind. Unless you want to pay the price for Trumbull to restore a used Winchester you won't find anything as nice as the Miroku.

They have made Browning shotguns for years.

 

I believe my first .22 Rifle, a Browning BL22, was made in Japan. I think it was made around 1974 (it was used so I don't know - never bothered looking it up). My dad bought it for me...I doubt my granddad would have let him buy it for me had he known it was Japanese made. WWII Vet - not a big fan of Japanese Products (he had friends in Battan)... I thought he was gonna blow a gasket when a neighbor bought a Datsun.

Regardless I loved and still love my BL22. That said, I buy American whenever possible. I have not bought a foreign made gun for many many years.

 

At the OP. If you really must have an american made lever action. Try to get a second hand Marlin (in any caliber or configuration) or a Winchester 94 or one of the latest renditions of the 1886 design( 92s and 73s are collection pieces).

 

My Uberti 1873 walks all over a Jap Winchester. Place both of them side by side and disassemble them and the Uberti 1873 is better in all aspects. However as soon as you hoist up a Jap Winchester...that HUGE and did I say HUGE banner stamped on the barrel "Made by Japs" turns on like a neon sign.... Nope, never going to buy a Jap Winchester. I think even the Japs included 13 extra parts internally to make it better...LOL!

The Italians make a better Winchester 1873 than the Winchester 1873's. Mine will be with me for as long as I live.

 

I agree the Uberti Model 1873 is a nice piece. I have an octaginal 20 in short rifle in .357 - fit and finish is superb

 

"Jap Winchester" :biglaugh:

 

I really like my Henry .22. However, I buy Japanese when I can...far superior to anything union made.

 

Hate to break it to you Walter.



But most of the Japanese industrial plants are heavily unionized.

 

I've bought a couple Marlins in the not too distant past, one 44 Mag & one 45-70. Could not be happier with them! Not crazy about the Henry loading arrangement myself. Do own a Henry, a 22LR, nice gun, but certainly NOT a Marlin 39.

 

Likewise to return to topic.

The Miroku Winchesters are likely made by union workers. That is the only point that I was trying to make with my repost to Walter GC. Nothing more, nothing less. I did not expect this union membership or lack thereof to turn into a big peeing contest.

Recalling a little more closely what I read the specific National geographic magazine that I am referring to. It was specifically about the city of Osaka. Some may remember that they are fond of doing very well researched articles on specific cities. I consider them to be a pretty good source of information.

They made a good point that Osaka was a highly industrialized city with about sixty percent of the workforce being unionized. The way that The union presence was realized was never commented upon by me. I am no longer going to attempt to debate the nuances of unions in the Japanese workforce at this point as I am not really interested in such. I have better things to devote my time to.

 

.... I am no longer going to attempt to debate the nuances of unions in the Japanese workforce at this point as I am not really interested in such. I have better things to devote my time to.

For me personally, nothing holds my interest quite like a discussion on the structure of Japanese unions and their impacts on labor as compared to American unions. I can chat about that for hours, and hours, and.... Oh, look, a moth! Sorry gotta go chase it.....

 

I have a Browning 1886. Miroku made. It has the octagon barrel and dark wood. Beautiful fit and finish. Locks up like a bank vault. I would not hesitate to buy another rifle made by the same folks.

 

I hope to be Saving/collecting an older ( 1970-1980) Marlin 30-30 lever action within the next week or two.
I've got to thank the Gun Buy Back advertising here in NJ... I haven't even seen it yet, but the gent , who can hardly stand or walk, told me he turned in several old guns last week for the cash. He's got a black powder rifle also. 22 rifle and 410 shotgun are gone.
I told him NOT to turn in anymore! At least until I see them. My 100$ is as good as the states.

 

How clever of them to label it a "buy back".



It almost sounds like it has some degree of legitimacy, does it not. :barf:

 

Miroku Winchesters are as good as an US made Winchester I've handled, but with a better finish. They have a rebounding hammer (no half-cock), positive block (like a revolver) and a tang safety, but I've never had a misfire in hundreds of rounds. There's something very special about a Winchester model 92, including side-gate loading. The Henry is basically a Marlin 1895 (round bolt) with tube loading like a .22 LR. The trigger isn't bad (6#), but there's nothing you can do to tune it. No scope for a '92 though, due to top ejection.

Nor have I had any issues with Marlin lever guns made since 2008 (when I went ape on lever guns). Fit and finish is appropriate for the cost range. I smoothed up the feed by stoning the bottom edge of the extractor, and added a "Happy Trigger." to bring the pull from 6.5# down to a crisp 3# or less. It's easy to mount a rail and scope, but I prefer iron sights out of respect for tradition.

Pistol calibers are fun to shoot, hard hitting, and inexpensive if you reload.