When did a lever gun get to be 1200$!!!! Wow. Last one i bought was for 200$. Its been awhile but dang!
Since they don't make JM Marlin's anymore. QC for Marlin has been iffy since Remington took them over in 2004. The JM versions are commanding a premium. Especially if you get one with Ballard rifleing instead of Micro groove rifleing.
I have a new Marlin and an old one. I see no difference. I feel the same about Winchester lever guns. Those can be had for around 900$. The plain 1894s are around 550$
I know they're well made... I just can't bring myself to buy a "winchester" lever gun made in Japan. I have issues...
Well... Here you go http://www.bighornarmory.com/ I like to buy American also. But, Those Mirokus are probably better than anything that came out of New Haven, especially from a metallurgical standpoint.
It seems lever actions are exempt in California: Lever action tube fed are exempt: (c) (25) As used in this section, "large-capacity magazine" means any ammunition feeding device with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds, but shall not be construed to include any of the following: (A) A feeding device that has been permanently altered so that it cannot accommodate more than 10 rounds. (B) A .22 caliber tube ammunition feeding device. (C) A tubular magazine that is contained in a lever-action firearm.
In an effort to consolidate calibers last year, I had to face the fact that I just don't shoot .44 mag all that much, and that it's significantly more expensive over time than shooting .357 So I said goodbye to my Redhawk and my Henry. I haven't missed the Redhawk all that much, but the Henry is a different story. I miss the hell out of that sweet little rifle. And so today I decided to do something about that. Henry Big Boy Steel .357 Carbine:
I never cared too much for the .44 Mag, but my .45 Colt was another story. Sadly, I don't have that anymore either. Like you, I decided to consolidate somewhat, and do have the .357 Mag lever gun, along with a brace of revolvers. I can get by just fine with those.
Yeah, I finally decided that .357 will do just about anything I really need a short/mid range rifle and a revolver to do, and if it doesn't then it's probably something I shouldn't be doing anyway.
Why henry and not marlin or winchester? Not a leading question just would like to know your thoughts.
New Winchesters are made in Japan. The are beautiful and appear well made but expensive. I'd rather not have an iconic American rifle that's made in Japan. If I was going that route, I'd prefer one of the Uberti replicas made in Italy. For me, new Marlins have also lost their authenticity, since being taken over by Remington. I have an original JM stamped rifle that I am happy with.
Assuming all things being equal would the top eject of the Winchester, tube magazine of the Henry, or side loading gate of the marlin play into your decision for one over the other?
Pretty much this. Miroku is certainly capable of fine craftsmanship, but I wasn't looking to spend over $1k on this. And I like buying a rifle that's 100% MUSA. Origin of manufacturing aside, Henry's are sweet. Very smooth actions. Winchester doesn't currently offer a Model 94 with less than a 20" barrel and I wanted something shorter and lighter. I suppose I could have tracked down a used Trapper or Ranger model somewhere but I was very impressed with the quality of the previous Henry I owned, and when the Big Boy Carbine showed up at the LGS I handled it and knew it was exactly what I wanted. Not a huge factor for me, except thatI'm not a big fan of top ejectors. And with a little practice you can load an entire tube mag pretty quickly. You can also unload it really quickly too, without having to work the lever to do so, which is nice.