I often stop at a very nice shop in PA when doing sales calls, that always has an interesting used rack. Usually there is always at least 6-8 lever guns on the rack, sometimes a dz.

Last year I picked up a beautiful M336/,30-30 for $215, and after shooting it a bit, I decided to look for a .35 Remington, and as always a M1894 or M94 in .357 (very hard to find these days). I good used M1895 and .444 pre-crossbolt is also on the list.

Last couple passes, notta single lever in sight. Asking the counter guy, he indicated that there has been a huge run on lever guns in general. I'm wondering if the effect of big dollar Winchesters, and quality issues at Marlington have made guys crazy?

Anyone else seen this?

A trip around the local circuit today yielded one marlin, a pre CBS 336RC 30-30, with a "AD" prefix, in nice shape, asking price was $315 (GOOD deal), tried to trade my Winchester 94 Trapper straight across, it's in as good of shape or better, than the Marlin and they wanted $100 and my riffle, no deal, Winchesters are everywhere!, even the pre 64's in NICE! shape only have $400-450 price tags on them, even a hand full of Savage 99's and a couple of Winchester 88's too.

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ASE master certified engine machinist, gas & diesel
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Couple weeks back, I stopped at CABELA's in Hamburg, Pennsylvania. They had at least a dozen over-priced Marlins and Winchesters on the used rack.

TR

From what I've seen of Cabelas' guns and prices, they have each and every one overpriced and many times grossly overpriced. I peruse Guns America and Guns International on pretty much a daily basis and pay zero attention to anything Cabelas has listed. They list a ton of guns on Gunsinternational.com, but their prices are ridiculous.

__________________
A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote
a blank check made payable to "The United States of
America" for an amount of 'up to and including my life.
That is honor, and there are way too many people in this
country who no longer understand it.

I remember back in 1970; I bought a Winchester Model 94 in .44 Magnum. Paid $109.00 sales tax included.

At least twice a week, I can see a certain M94 Trapper on a used rack for cheap. Oh well, we're old too soon, and smart too late.

I visit several gun shops and pawn shops weekly. There is definitely a shortage of old style lever action rifles here. I aquired a Winchester 1894 made in 1920 recently. Kinda steep even though it had been refinished. Seldom see any Marlin 336 or Winchester 94's. I am thinking of buying a Rossi 1892 in a 44 mag. Anyone heard good or bad of these?

I just bought a round barrel Rossi 92 in .44 mag. It shoots about six inches high at 25 yards, and the magazine tube slides forward under recoil so much that, after five rounds, the magazine follower interferes with loading. I've welded a stainless ring to the mag tube, behind the retainer, which helped a little, but the tube still moved.

The wood forestock was poorly made, so that the left side had too much wood, which I've shaved down. It's not walnut. I wonder what I should use to try to match the stain color?

Also, the little fella kicks like a mule with full power loads, so prepare yourself. I was surprised.

Overall, I like it. I don't love it, yet, though.

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Kevin Singleton - Potawatomi - http://www.kevindsingleton.com

> he indicated that there has been a huge run on lever guns in general
> quality issues at Marlington have made guys crazy?

No something else is making them crazy.

They are looked upon as a good cheap reliable EOTW rifle, in all calipers, and people are stocking up. If I was buying one (I was considering more the Browning break down BLR) I would go .44 mag and run 44 specials in it. That or .357 magnum.

Don't be too fast to knock Cabela's. I have purchased two very rare Winchester 1886s from them at somewhat less than 50% of their posted price. Talk to their gun guys, like most of us they are fallible and are willing to admit their errors in pricing. These days, everyone considers all Winchesters to be "rare and desirable", but some are and many are not.

There were a few levers on the used rack at the NEW Cabela's tonight (Grand opening), the 444T came home with me!

__________________
ASE master certified engine machinist, gas & diesel
I drive
International's
Rambler's
Jeep's
& the Yamaha

Congrats! Any lever rifle in .444 is something special IMHO. Have any idea what you'll be shooting in it, ammo-wise?

__________________
A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote
a blank check made payable to "The United States of
America" for an amount of 'up to and including my life.
That is honor, and there are way too many people in this
country who no longer understand it.

I've got a Rossi built Navy Arms 1892 in 357 that has a permanent home here. Fit and finish are great and it's more accurate than my Marlins in 357 and 44-40.

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44-40 WCF. Putting meat on the table since 1873.

Haven't pondered it to much, ammo at the LGS was $40 for green box!, I'll have to find some dies and shells and load my own!, got lots of bullets for my revolver so that's no problem.

__________________
ASE master certified engine machinist, gas & diesel
I drive
International's
Rambler's
Jeep's
& the Yamaha

Thanks for the info kevindsingleton and 44-40 willy. I ordered the Rossi 1892 in the 24" octagon bbl. Hope it is a good one. From the forums, it appears to be a hit or miss as to the quality of the guns. the winchesters are next to impossible to find in the southeast Texas area. I am hoping for the best.

Over on the Marlin Owners forum there is an excellent bullet test for the .444 that might give you some ideas for heavier weight bullets of 265gr-300gr+ as well.

__________________
A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote
a blank check made payable to "The United States of
America" for an amount of 'up to and including my life.
That is honor, and there are way too many people in this
country who no longer understand it.