Daydreamin'

[jaybet]

I was telling Maggie last night how cool it would be to have a carbine that shoots .357 and .38. She said, "You can do that?" I said "Yeah...you can get a lever gun like your Henry Golden Boy in .357" She said,"That's a great idea...that would be alot of fun!'

We're in no shape to go out gun shoppin' yet, but that's like a free play in football! That's a gun we can get without spending my own "gun capital" at home.

So in the HOPE that some day in the not-too-distant future we can scrape up a little dough...what's a good, inexpensive 357...lever gun I guess. Or at least...is there any of them that should be avoided?

[Hazcat]

Look into the Rossi.  Both Crusader and Deepwater have one in .357 / .38 and I have one in 454 / 45 and my son has one in 44.  Good solid guns at reasonable prices.

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=110876

[Ichiban]

It's hard to beat a Henry.  I traded for a Big Boy H006m last summer and it's a ton of fun - literally, that thing weighs a ton.  The octagon barrel adds a lot of weight but the action is smooth as butter and recoil is nonexistent.  If you are persistent (or just lucky like I was) there are deals to be found out there.

Congratulations on the "free pass."  Sounds like your better half may have been thinking along those lines as well.

[Timothy]

I second the Rossi for the short money.  If you have a bit more to spend, the Marlin 1894C are solid too.

[twyacht]

http://www.chuckhawks.com/puma_92_carbine.htm

Retail, or shopping time, should be quite lower than the MSRP.

[Sponsor]

[Hazcat]

Be careful about the "Puma".  Originally they were made by Rossi (for reasonable money) Now they are Chiappa (sp) and quite a bit more expensive.  They are imported by Legacy Sports International who I believe owns the 'brand' Puma.

[crusader rabbit]

I second the Rossi for the short money.  If you have a bit more to spend, the Marlin 1894C are solid too.

Marlin is heavier, but I don't think it's any better--maybe a little better finish.  The Rossi lever .38/.357 mag in stainless is a fine weapon for reasonable money. 

Check out Bud's Gun Shop at www.budsgunshop.com  If you register, you get to see discounted prices.  They don't hassle you or sell your email address.  I have bought two levers and a .38/.357 mag snubbie (also Rossi) in stainless from Bud's.  They treated me speedily.  You get an additional discount if you use cash or check instead of credit card.  I place my order then get a cashier's check for the exact amount and mail it to them.  A couple of days later, I get a note from Bud's saying the check has been deposited and the gun is on the way.  Just make sure you have an FFL address for them to send it to when you order.  They have a list of those for which they already have paperwork.

Oh yes...  They don't charge for shipping.

Let us all know what you end up getting.

Crusader

[jaybet]

I have bought from Bud's before. We have a local shop that sells everything so they can discount their guns pretty well, but they still can't match Buds, even if you forget tax and paperwork charges.

That Rossi DOES look nice...and the stainless has some advantages too.

It has been a really long time since we got a new toy. If we can put it together believe me, you's is gonna hear about it!