Greetings, all. I'm interested in any and all opinions on the best .45 Colt lever gun for my particular purposes.

Goals and intentions: I will be primarily a weekend shooter, a sometime competitor, and an occasional hunter. The gun will see approximately equal numbers of cowboy-level and Ruger-Blackhawk-level loads, both factory and handloads. First and foremost, I want it to work reliably and accurately, and I want it to last. After that, I want it to be relatively smooth in operation. This gun will be a constant companion in a saddle scabbard on horseback in the woods, and may be called upon for defense or taking game as well as novice-to-intermediate-level CAS and CMSA competition.

I'm pretty much sold on a 20" octagon barrel and a case-hardened frame, and I plan to have done whatever basic gunsmithing is necessary to improve the general smoothness and reliability of the factory product. I also plan to add an aftermarket Marble's Tang Peep Sight as the first order of business.

My research so far has already led me to develop a preference for one of the following two rifles:

-Marlin 1894 CBC .45 Colt
-EMF/Rossi 1892 Short Rifle

However, although I am particularly interested in any opinions related specifically to these two rifles, I am still open to any opinions concerning other rifles that might be suited for my purposes, or on any consideration which might have a bearing on this issue.

Thanks in advance for any comments you may have.

The 92 is a little smaller, lighter, and you can't easily scope it, of course.

If you are going to run some heavy loads .... like 300 grain bullets..... be cautious about a tang sight. Getting your eye poked out won't be much fun :(

I know it 'only' seems like a pistol cartridge, but that's what I thought too before I touched off the first 300gr. bullet in my 1894.... it's got a longer barrel and is heavier than the ones you listed... and it just kicked the crap out of me!

There's no 'need' of course to make the .45 Colt into a cannon, as the standard loads will have plenty of punch for most game that doesn't bite back (usual deer, etc.), but the temptation to load up is going to be strong!

If you are serious about hunting with it, the ability to put a scope on the Marlin is a strong point in it's favor, I think....

The Marlin 1894s are funny critters, in a way. They aren't all built the same. For some reason, the .44s that I have seen have a gap between the end of the barrel and the top of the receiver, and are somewhat sensitive to what ammo they will feed.... BUT.... the .45 Colt that I have has a little 'hood' or extension on the very end of the barrel that fills this gap in and serves as a feed ramp. It has fed anything I could put through the magazine.

Anyway, just a few thoughs. Hope this helps.

I prefer to use iron sights on my lever guns, so the ability to mount a scope conveniently is not a deal-breaker for me. Any hunting I will do will be at brush-gun distances.

Your comment about the tang sight is a valid one I had not considered. The problem is that peep sights work better for me that buckhorn-style sights, but I don't think there are any receiver-mounted peeps that are CAS-legal. However, if the tang-mounted peep is likely to bust me in the eye with the heavier loads, I may be left with the option of either living with buckhorn-style sights or swapping out different sights for different purposes. Bummer.

I do want the option of using heavier loads, both for the occasional bear and for long-range plinking. I also have a pair of Ruger Bisley Vaqueros in .45 Colt that I want to be able to share loads with, regardless of what those loads might be.

I do see mixed reviews on the Marlin 1894's, but I haven't seen too much on the CBC model specifically that so many seem to prefer in CAS circles. CAS will not be the rifle's only function, but it will be one of its functions. I'm not really interested in a race-gun, but supposedly the CBCs get extra attention at the factory, and I'm curious if that results in a superior rifle or just a superior price.

Anyway, thanks for chiming in. :)

I prefer to use iron sights on my lever guns, so the ability to mount a scope conveniently is not a deal-breaker for me. Any hunting I will do will be at brush-gun distances.

Your comment about the tang sight is a valid one I had not considered. The problem is that peep sights work better for me that buckhorn-style sights, but I don't think there are any receiver-mounted peeps that are CAS-legal. However, if the tang-mounted peep is likely to bust me in the eye with the heavier loads, I may be left with the option of either living with buckhorn-style sights or swapping out different sights for different purposes. Bummer.

I do want the option of using heavier loads, both for the occasional bear and for long-range plinking. I also have a pair of Ruger Bisley Vaqueros in .45 Colt that I want to be able to share loads with, regardless of what those loads might be.

I do see mixed reviews on the Marlin 1894's, but I haven't seen too much on the CBC model specifically that so many seem to prefer in CAS circles. CAS will not be the rifle's only function, but it will be one of its functions. I'm not really interested in a race-gun, but supposedly the CBCs get extra attention at the factory, and I'm curious if that results in a superior rifle or just a superior price.

Anyway, thanks for chiming in. :)

Look at the site www.oneraggedhole.com
They are making a very neat looking peep sight for Ruger and Winchester, I emailed them about the Marlin and got a nice reply that they where soon to have one ready for Marlin. Don't know if it is CAS legal but really worth looking into.
Good luck!

I was not aware of this variation on the aperture sight. Interesting approach - I may try these on more than one of my guns. If I do have to swap sights for different purposes, this type of aperture may be the quickest and easiest to install and remove.

Thanks for the link!

By the way, I saw an ad today on the Outdoor Life Network (OLN) cable channel for Taylor's & Co., Inc. that was promoting a take-down reproduction of the Winchester 1892. I'm interested in the take-down feature, but I cannot locate any information on their website (www.taylorsfirearms.com) concerning any 1892 repros. Does anybody here have more information, or any experience with one of these guns?

I have the Marlin Cowboy rifle in .45 Colt, and I love it. The Ballard type rifling works well with cast bullets, and I'm currently shooting a 300 gr LFP over 21.00 gr WW 296 and a CCI 350 for 1470 f/s. I'm using a Lyman 66 receiver peep, and a Lyman 17 on the front. I'm getting 2" groups at 50 yds, and 4" groups at 100 yds. I had a Lyman tang sight on it initially, and though it didn't poke my eye during recoil with this load, at least on level ground, it is not windage adjustable. Drifting the front sight for windage is a pain in the butt, and inaccurate as well. Too much, too little-you get the picture. I would recommend a Marbles tang sight as it is windage adjustable. IMO the best set up for hunting iron sights is the receiver style, but if CAS says you can't use them, just take it off. You can take off the tang sights when you hunt, and the receiver when you compete. Either way the Marlin Cowboy is a pretty neat rifle.

I'll reccommend the Winchester trapper in 45colt.
16 inch bbl and very handy in brush situations.
Could be used as a fine HD rifle with the right loads.

I've shot my trapper out to about 125 yards. Now granted, there was alot of holdover even from my 100yd setting, but I was able to ring the gongs consistently. At 50, it shoots about 1 inch with my reloads, and about 2 inch with factory cowboy loads.

Your results may vary, see dealer for details..... :D

You really should have each of those rifles. Does that help any?

I do mean that. But you start with one and add another later. I have a number of Marlin 1894's, Win 92's, and Win 94's. I like the 92's the best, those actions are just the sweetest thing going, but they're all nice!

The Trappers are my favorites, but if you get a Trapper, you will have to add one round during many of the CAS stages to give you ten rounds. Not a big deal unless you just have to be the fastest you can possibly be, then get a 20". I'd say start with a Navy or EMF 92 short rifle with 20" octagon barrel. BEST WAY TO GO: have Steve of StevesGunz buy it for you and make sure it's a keeper and a good smooth runner before sending it along to you. That way you won't have any unpleasant surprises as sometimes happens when we buy new guns. Pay Steve the money to get it, make sure it's as it should be, and you'll be most assuredly a very happy camper. Stainless will be better for lots of rough use and scabbards as you can polish out lots of scratches in stainless. Blue will show the wear much more, but then again, the look of a well used blue 92 is pretty wonderful.