.357 for GRCF Classic

[Billett]

Hi all,

I'm looking to get into GRCF classic and therefore I'm in the market for a .357

I had might sights set on a new Henry Big Boy but would this be deemed too heavy for competitive shooting as it's over 8lb compared to a 6lb marlin?

I have thought about a Marlin but reading all the posts it's best to go for an older version which are becoming more in demand, costly and few and far between for a good one.

What would people recommend?

Thanks

[WelshShooter]

I'm very biased in that I own a Marlin 1894 in .357 and have not shot any other model enough to make a conclusion of. I find the weight of the Marlin is very nice and perfect for gallery rifle shooting. I also slicked up my action slightly so that it's much smoother during any sort of rapid fire shooting. It was pretty good even before I did this and was noticeably smoother than a friends Winchester 94AE. I bought mine used in 2010 so I'm not sure whether mine is a Remlin or a Marlin but either way mine is a pretty good shooter. I've shot around 3,800 rounds over the past ~6 years and only ever had one problem which was the Marlin jam around the 500 round count. I smoothed out the snail cam on the lever and polished the underside of the carrier and haven't had a problem since. The rifle came with a Williams rear aperture sight fitted but this didn't work too well for me so I bought and fitted the Williams firesight set which was much much better.

[saddler]

Try to see what other club shooters are using & have a go of each type if possible.

The Rossi 92 are also worth looking at, plus the Winchester 94

The main limits may not be weight, but how easily you can attach either an aperture sight or other optics

[Billett]

Try to see what other club shooters are using & have a go of each type if possible.

The Rossi 92 are also worth looking at, plus the Winchester 94

The main limits may not be weight, but how easily you can attach either an aperture sight or other optics

We have a couple of Rossi 92's at our club, I know they won't be looked after as well but I find the Rossi lever cuts into my hand after about 20 rounds or so it starts becoming uncomfortable.

Only ever seen a couple of older Marlins.

I have read somewhere that the latest Remlins are getting better?

[dromia]

The Henrys are fine rifles and have impressed me with their fit, finish and exceptionally slick actions.

The only draw back would be if you needed speed loaders, the Henry loads under the muzzle and doesn't have a loading gate at the receiver where speed loaders are used.

[Sim G]

Classic? Uberti. Outstanding quality. Their short rifles are available in an 18" Octagonal barrel. Nothing stays on target like a short, heavy barrel.

[FredB]

One of my jobs on our club is to act as armourer. We have 200-plus members with about 70 lever action rifles of all types. The Winchester 94AE models seem to be disappearing. The metallurgy of the small parts is poor, they break and I have refused to make any more---they are also complex. Rossi and Marlins are completely trouble free. One or two Henrys have appeared and are also trouble free.
My own lever action? A '92 Winchester in 44-40 made in 1902. When I got it, in the mid '80s, I stripped and cleaned it. Apart from wiping out the barrel, it has functioned perfectly through many thousands of rounds with no attention. Originals cost more, but they don't depreciate.
Fred

[ovenpaa]

For operation and accuracy at a sensible price I think the very latest Remington Marlins have a lot to offer, yes there were documented issues at the onset however now they look to be superb rifles. I shoot one and it has never missed a beat and offers superb accuracy as well. I also have a couple of Winchesters in both top and angle eject and Christel (Owner of the Remlin) also shoots an original Marlin 1894. Of the lot I would grab her Remlin first.

[GRSporth1]

You'd be limited what comps you can shoot with the Henry due to the loading mechanism.
Never seen a Rossi that I though was well made (they can work OK, but don't look the part).

Personally, I think the '73s and '92s are more inkeeping with the spirit of "classic" than the Marlin or Winchester '94s, but if you turn up with a Marlin, you'll be with the majority. You can also put all sorts of (cheating!) adjustable sights on Marlins, something that is more difficult on the others.

[Billett]

Are there many places in the UK stocking the latest Marlins? I might take a look