Rifle easier to find than .357

[soundguy]

Originally Posted by Kristie

I don't know, I've heard both good and bad reactions to it. I'm really considering it, though. I've heard that the newer ones, since they're made in Brazil, the quality control just isn't there. But it's like anything. I know I could get one that's just fine. I'm so on the fence about it. I'm glad to hear one more good review, though, so thanks for that.

my rossi/tarus 38spl levergun is nice. smooth as butter action.. shoots great.. and fun to shoot. no shoulder fatigue.

action is snappy and fast.. i've shot a couple hundred thru it easy. from hollowpoint to ball.. no jambs or hangs

ps.. a 30-30 lever gun may not hld many more rounds or any more than a bolt action setup for the '5' for hunting.. i doubt my 35rem holds more than that..

[Kristie]

Yeah, that thing about the .30-.30 not holding as much is something to keep in mind. Thanks.

And yet the Rossi large loop carbine in .45 LC holds 8 + 1. Wouldn't have thought!

[Kristie]

Well, went to Gander Mountain last night, looked at the R92, tried the lever and it was smooth, so I got it. Little disappointed with the fit of the stock, but that really doesn't matter. Picked up some Blazer in each caliber, so I hope it likes it. Would've gotten Hornady but they didn't have any. So next on the list is a .357 revolver that'll eat the ammo the Rossi won't. I'm going to spend a little more time on selecting this one, though. Speaking of which, what's the difference between .38 special and .38 S & W special? Difference circumferences?

[JLA]

no difference. 2 names for the same round

[JLA]

you wont be disappointed in the rossi. just remember, as you will likely fire more .38 spec than .357 mag.. Buy a bore snake. The shorter shells in the longer chamber will leave a powder residue ring where the end of the .38 spec case is in the chamber. if you chamber a .357 mag and fire it with that soot in there it can stick and render your rifle useless requiring a cleaning rod be jammed down the barrel to remove it befor eproceeding. swapping ammo from one to the other is fine, just run the bore snake between ammo swaps.

[Kristie]

Originally Posted by JLA

you wont be disappointed in the rossi. just remember, as you will likely fire more .38 spec than .357 mag.. Buy a bore snake. The shorter shells in the longer chamber will leave a powder residue ring where the end of the .38 spec case is in the chamber. if you chamber a .357 mag and fire it with that soot in there it can stick and render your rifle useless requiring a cleaning rod be jammed down the barrel to remove it befor eproceeding. swapping ammo from one to the other is fine, just run the bore snake between ammo swaps.

Crap, and here I bought a cleaning rod because I find them easier to use!

[woolleyworm]

Originally Posted by Kristie

Crap, and here I bought a cleaning rod because I find them easier to use!

You will always find use for a cleaning rod, no worries there.

[gvw3]

I have a Ruger Blackhawk in 44 mag. My son got me a Marlin Lever in 44 mag for this christmas. Should be a good combo. I like the idea of a rifle pistol combo with the same round.

[Kristie]

Originally Posted by woolleyworm

You will always find use for a cleaning rod, no worries there.

Yes, it's just that buying both doesn't appeal to my sense of thriftiness.

[Kristie]

Originally Posted by gvw3

I have a Ruger Blackhawk in 44 mag. My son got me a Marlin Lever in 44 mag for this christmas. Should be a good combo. I like the idea of a rifle pistol combo with the same round.

Attachment 70121

That Marlin looks really nice. Great Christmas present! I actually would've preferred one over the Rossi, but I got what was available.

[RunningOnMT]

Originally Posted by JLA

you wont be disappointed in the rossi. just remember, as you will likely fire more .38 spec than .357 mag.. Buy a bore snake. The shorter shells in the longer chamber will leave a powder residue ring where the end of the .38 spec case is in the chamber. if you chamber a .357 mag and fire it with that soot in there it can stick and render your rifle useless requiring a cleaning rod be jammed down the barrel to remove it befor eproceeding. swapping ammo from one to the other is fine, just run the bore snake between ammo swaps.

Josh, My interest in buying a Rossi lever gun in .357 has been quelled recently by customer reviews saying the Rossi isn't what it used to be and reports of numerous FTF issues. Have you experience with the newer ones?.

[JLA]

No. they are pretty good guns.. Just dont break em. Customer service is as bad and slow as Taurus because they are the same company. And getting parts to repair them is a must go thru them kinda thing..

[JLA]

Originally Posted by Kristie

Yes, it's just that buying both doesn't appeal to my sense of thriftiness.

Cleanin rod will work fine too. Just takes longer to use.

[FreeSovereign]

Originally Posted by Kristie

Yeah, that thing about the .30-.30 not holding as much is something to keep in mind. Thanks.

And yet the Rossi large loop carbine in .45 LC holds 8 + 1. Wouldn't have thought!

I like mine, Rossi .45, with a couple of Judges to with it. All fun rigs. Lots of ammo choices in .45 LC. Some is pretty weak. I still don't want to be shot with any of it. I killed two deer with the cheap cowboy action stuff. The carbine is short, light, and easy to get into play. No problems with it thus far. Of course a Judge is a Judge, but I like them anyhow.

[soundguy]

i don't think i'd have taken cowboy action ammo deer hunting..

[ozo]

Originally Posted by Kristie

Yes, it's just that buying both doesn't appeal to my sense of thriftiness.

A bore snake isn't expensive.....and you need both [snake and rod]
anyway, as they perform different tasks as tools do.
The snake is much better for a lever gun on a regular use basis
because it pulls the crud away from the breach, to help keep
your action clean.....whereas a rod will push towards the action.
[if you don't take it completely down for average cleaning]
Also, you should have a 'rod guide' to keep the cleaning rod
centered in the muzzle while cleaning. They too are cheap.
[especially if your cleaning rod isn't coated]

I have a Rossi 92, also a Browning 92, and a Marlin 1894C
They are all sweet, and feed everything well. [all are .38/.357]
Sometimes picky with wadcutters I load....but you will most
likely never have that problem.....and you ain't 'spose to use
them anyhow.

Just remember about the different ammo.......before you get
frustrated and start trying to sight it in, adjusting, cussing, etc.
My method.......
I sight in with .357 158grain ammo, then I leave the sights alone.....
When I shoot the .38's or the .357 125grain I just compensate,
they don't shoot the same, and you will be there all week trying
to hit where you want if you keep moving the sight for the ammo.
[yet, I do keep one of mine sighted for the .38's .....I load a lot
of them for some of my Smith's]
Sight yours in for what you will shoot mostly.....
and a .38 is not too shabby of a round with that
length of barrel.

[ozo]

Now, your handgun....
I'm glad to see you didn't choose the 'mares leg'.
It is more of a 'novelty' gun, and has a use...somewhere.

You have a Single-Six Convertible
Get a Ruger Blackhawk.....maybe the most rugged,
trouble-free revolver ever made.
If it is a bit heavy for you [I doubt it] you can put
Hogue monogrips on her to balance it out.
I cannot imagine not having at least ONE !

With your Golden Boy, Single-Six, Rossi 92, and a Blackhawk....
you will be all cowboyed up !

If a double action revolver is more your choice now,
I suggest the Ruger GP-100 and another one built like a tank.
Trigger is pretty good out of the box, and easy to smooth if needed.

If you want something smaller, the Ruger SP-101 is a great choice.
Also, a very tough gun.....but the triggers are not known to be
very smooth right out of the box [mine is/was the absolute worst,
by far, of any Ruger I've owned in over fifty years !!]
If you choose the SP-101 do yourself a huge favor.....and put
Trausch grips on it.....

[Kristie]

Hey ozo - You really think a rod guide is necessary? Yeah, all I have is the cheap aluminum ones, not the nicer coated ones.

Good info. on the sighting in. I don't tend to move the sights, anyway, unless by accident while cleaning. Interestingly enough, the first two boxes of .38s and .357s I picked up are both 160 grain rounds. Thought that was kind of weird, so I picked up some .38s with less grains, too, I forget how many. I'll be interested to see the difference in how they shoot. Also, the former were jacketed in an aluminum alloy and I think they were hollow point, and the latter were solid tipped and brass. Ammo choices sure complicate this thing a lot!

I still like the idea of a mare's leg. I've been considering one for a while, but it would just be for a fun gun, I think. You're so right about it being a novelty. I think I would go for the one made by Henry, though, over Rossi. We'll see.

This is terrible, because I never wanted to get into gun collecting, but I can see myself wanting the revolver next, and maybe the mare's leg, and a bolt action. (I am really liking the Ruger 77.357 but I wish it had more capacity) How ridiculous!

And yeah, for the revolver I want a double action this time. I take it the Blackhawk's not? I haven't looked at that one much but I've seen plenty of good comments on them.

Yes, I can see I am getting "cowboyed up." That's mostly because I have come to have an interest in guns through liking history so much. And I trust the way those kinds of guns work (and my ability to use and understand them) over the more modern ones. Simpler is better, for what I want to buy, I think.

I actually handled a GP-101 when I went to pick up my rifle. Really liked it, actually, but it only had the 2.2 in. barrel. I think I'm set on wanting the 4.2 in. one. They a Taurus model that was really similar, too, (can't remember what it was called) and it had the 4.2 in. barrel, but the grip was one of the rubber ones that reminded me of the handlebar grips on a little kid's bicycle. It felt secure, but I just couldn't "like" it. That size frame, with that size barrel, felt really right, though. I'm going to see if I can find an SP-101 to handle next. One of those is probably what I'll settle on, and I think it'll be a good choice. Of course, Smith and Wesson isn't out of the question, either. Just have to see what I can find.

[FreeSovereign]

Originally Posted by soundguy

i don't think i'd have taken cowboy action ammo deer hunting..

Head shots at 10-15 yards. Heck a rock would've worked. Still better than a stick and string. But yeah, I wouldn't recomend it otherwise. It may not be the true ''cowboy action'' but rather just the cheap stuff. Either way they are dead and consumed.

[ozo]

I believe a rod guide is important....over time, to not damage the crown.
Back in the days of real, family owned gun stores, when used guns were
plentiful and affordable, I bought many nice guns....good price....
but didn't shoot as well as I thought a gun of that quality should......
Everything else in good working order....I would re-crown the barrel....
very easy to do....and make one hell of a shooter BACK out of a gun
that should already have been one.
Yes, I think it is important to use a rod guide.....

[ozo]

The Blackhawk [Ruger] is just like your Single-Six SA .22 convertible.....
only the next frame size up.
Totally magnificent awesome gun........built stronger than a military tank.
There are even special 'hot' loads in reloading data that only this and
a few other guns can withstand the pressures from.
ONLY drawback......as you know with your .22........
one at a time, in and out, loading, unloading.......
BUT...IMHO.....a MUST HAVE revolver !!
If you choose the small [J-frame] SP-101.....even the .38's
are not that comfortable to shoot 100 rounds out of.....let nobody
fool you on that...and get Trausch grips for any SP-101.
If the size is not too large.....you will be much better off, all
the way around, with a GP-100.
I would still check out a Ruger Blackhawk first...before you decide.
Several barrel lengths.....and will outlast your great-grandchildren !

[ozo]

GP-100 [actually KGP-141 ?]
K for stainless, 4 for 4" barrel
She's sorta dirty in these pics.....
MamaOzo shoots the beans outa her......

Well balanced, tough as railroad track, good
trigger right from the box.........
and a front sight system that is so, so cool....
and can be changed in 4 seconds.....
[I think a law should be passed to require this
type of front sight system on almost every gun ]

[graehaven]

If you were looking for a "SHTF" weapons setup, why are you married to a lever action and a revolver?

In a SHTF situation, the two most common platforms around are the AR-15 (in either 5.56mm or .223) and the 9mm handgun (a la Glock).

The AR has 3 times the capacity as the lever action and the difference in ammo cost between .357 and 5.56 is negligible.

And 9mm is cheaper than .357 all day long. Also, again, capacity.

[ozo]

Originally Posted by graehaven

If you were looking for a "SHTF" weapons setup, why are you married to a lever action and a revolver?

In a SHTF situation, the two most common platforms around are the AR-15 (in either 5.56mm or .223) and the 9mm handgun (a la Glock).

The AR has 3 times the capacity as the lever action and the difference in ammo cost between .357 and 5.56 is negligible.

And 9mm is cheaper than .357 all day long. Also, again, capacity.

This should help with your confusion.....
"So I wanted a .357 rifle (preferably a carbine) and a .357 revolver combo."

Because it's what the OP wants......nuff said.

[Alpo]

I'm guessing, from what the last few posts have said, that you have bought your rifle? If so, then my comments won't do you any good, but maybe they'll help others.

The big loop 92 (like that 45 on the bottom) are FUN. They are. I play John Wayne, and spin it. It's just neat.



Slow as hell, though, when you are shooting it. Because of the size of the loop, your hand has to move about an extra inch and a half, in both directions, when working the lever, and that just slows you down. The standard lever, like is on that 357 on top, is much quicker. The 4 extra inches of barrel does not make the gun any less handy, and gives you another two rounds - 10+1 vs. 8+1.

Soundguy has said, a couple of times, that he has a Rossi in 38. Never heard of one of them. Rossi is a 38/357, at least all of 'em I've seen. And they work with both. Mine has fed everything I've put in it, from empty 38 brass to full-bore 357s. Marlin, on t'other hand, is a 357. They can be kinda picky about feeding 38s, unless you have some work done on it to fix that, and then they can be kinda picky about feeding 357.

Colt used to make a pump rifle. The Lightning. Came in 44/40, 38/40 and 32/20. It wasn't a really good gun. When I worked, it worked fine, but it often did not work, and it was hard to work on. They discontinued it. Cowboy-shooting rules allows lever guns, so several companies make/made copies of the Colt Lightning. Pedersoli, in Italy, Taurus in Brasil and US Fire Arms, up in Connecticut. These new copies come in 357, 44 magnum and 45 Colt. They are all expensive, and none of them work very well.

The Mares Laig is a cute toy, but not a practical gun. It would NOT replace a pistol. Getting one and putting a full-size stock on it, now - THAT would make a nice short gun. You'd have to paper it as a SBR, though, and pay the 200 dollar tax.

In 30/30, you pretty much have a choice between the Winchester, at 6 pounds, and the Marlin at 8 pounds. The Marlin does not kick very hard, but it is heavy as hell to tote around. The Winchester is much nicer to carry, but because it's so light can really do a number on your shoulder. And whichever one of those you pick, it's only 6 rounds.

I've heard bad things about both of the guns, lately. Rossi was bought by Taurus, and Taurus makes crap, so Rossi has gone downhill. Marlin was bought by the new owners of Remington, and since the buyout, Marlin has gone downhill. So sayeth the web-gossip.

I'm just glad I got all mine several years ago.