So i'm going to the gunshow tomorrow, thinking of a lever action. Does anyone own one? Not sure what I should spend, or what make i should look for. I was thinking of a 45 colt.

My son recently purchased a Marlin 336 in 30-30 and it's pretty sweet.

Unless you reload, 45 Colt is pricey. If you are looking for handgun caliber, 357 or even 44 mag would hurt your wallet less AMD be just as fun. If you are willing to step up to rifle caliber, look at 30-30 or 223. Browning makes a nice lever in those calibers. If you want classic looks, go with Winchester or Marlin.

i was hoping to get something close to the 1880 era....hatfield/mccoy, cowboy days type style. I have no idea what cal they used. I know i dont want a .22. I already have a 22 rifle.

I like the look of the rossi.. m92 case hardened finish octagon barrel.

 

http://www.gunbroker...?Item=302537983

Not to be critical (well, all right, I'll be critical), but the night before a gun show is not the time to start thinking about what you want. To optimize your gun show experience and achieve maximum cost effectiveness, you need to know what you want and to have thoroughly researched pricing, so if, on the off chance you find that exact thing, you'll know whether you're getting a bargain, or raked over the coals, or something inbetween.

 

That being said, I always liked any of the Winchester 94 commemorative models that came with a heavy octagon barrel - the Teddy Roosevelt model springs to mind. They are almost always .30-30, which should mitigate your ammo costs somewhat - at least as compared to something like .355 or .405 Winchester, or even the mundane .45-70. They made a bunch of them - there is even one for sale on the forum (see I might have just saved you the cost of admission and the gas money).

 

Go, have fun.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

Thanks for the criticism.

 

If you must know, i didn't know about it and was just asked to take a ride tomorrow. So with that being said, a lever action has been my next on my list. So i figured id ask before i go in case i see something i like.

 

Cheers

Mike77, Have fun tomorrow, see what strikes your fancy. I am partial to the Winchester 9422 myself, it doesn't have to be a gun, don't come home empty handed

I purchased a used Navy Arms lever patterned after the Winchester 1873 in 357 at the last Valley Forge gun show at the old location. The barrel needed a cleaning real bad but after some work, looks and shoots pretty good. I like that it's in 357 since I can feed it 38 special when I'm feeling cheap. One thing I would ask is how far are you planning to shoot with it? If you want to go a fair distance, then I'd suggest you go with one of the rifle calibers like 30-30 otherwise if you just want to shoot at short distances then one of the pistol calibers would be sufficient. One thing is that you will see a few levers at the show but they aren't as plentiful as the black rifles. I'll be going too tomorrow, hope it won't be too crowded...

I don't plan on shooting far, and often. It's just something i pull out from time to time (giggity)

 

I love history, and cowboy/westerns, and would love to just have something like they used.

Same here, got invited for a ride along.

 

Haven't been to a gunshow since I was a little kid.

 

Hoping to find some off the wall Tshirts lol