.44 Stainless Rifle

[suman234]

I was wondering What kind of .44 Stainless Steel Lever Action Rifle I should get. Puma's Seem to be the Cheapest, but I would Like to get a Marlin, but they are kind of Pricey. New or Used? Don't know Which way to go here. I have a .44 Ruger Redhawk and I would like to Shoot all .44's. I have Both in .45LC already. Any suggestions? Any advise would be Greatly appreciated. Thanks, Allen

[Lefty Dude]

Contact Steve Young for a 44 SS 92.

When last we talked, he mentioned he has several 92/44's in stainless.

[kimwcook]

Can't answer your question, suman234, but I can welcome you to the forum. Welcome, grab a cup and sit a spell.

[Chuck 100 yd]

[JohndeFresno]

Welcome, Suman234!

[destroyer4570]

Chuck 100 yd, That is one nice looking stainless rifle, I have the blued version but am seriously considering getting a stainless.

[C. Cash]

Welcome!
I've only owned centerfire Winchesters so can't say. Don't think you can go too wrong with what's out there.
Dave Clay sure makes a dandy looking takedown based on the Marlin 94 action,in stainless. Pricey, but pretty!

[Warhawk]

I've got both, the Marlin is the way to go if there is even the slightest chance that you might want to add a scope or other optics. The Marlin is ready to go, right out of the box. The only thing *I* need to do out of the box is to deactivate the lawyer safety. The wood on the Marlin is walnut, and much nicer than the wood on the Rossi's.

The Rossi is better ergonomically, it's thinner and seems a little lighter. But the Rossi needs work, that silly safety has to go, and they are pretty rough out of the box (I currently have 3 Rossi's). I bought my 44 from Steve Young and had him work his magic on it before I took delivery. By the time you have the Rossi slicked up it will be about the same price as the Marlin. I happen to like the Patridge sights on the Rossi, and prefer them to the iron sights on the Marlins. Other folks feel differently about the sights.

[suman234]

Thanks levergunner. I appreciate it.

I've got both, the Marlin is the way to go if there is even the slightest chance that you might want to add a scope or other optics. The Marlin is ready to go, right out of the box. The only thing *I* need to do out of the box is to deactivate the lawyer safety. The wood on the Marlin is walnut, and much nicer than the wood on the Rossi's.

The Rossi is better ergonomically, it's thinner and seems a little lighter. But the Rossi needs work, that silly safety has to go, and they are pretty rough out of the box (I currently have 3 Rossi's). I bought my 44 from Steve Young and had him work his magic on it before I took delivery. By the time you have the Rossi slicked up it will be about the same price as the Marlin. I happen to like the Patridge sights on the Rossi, and prefer them to the iron sights on the Marlins. Other folks feel differently about the sights.

[AJMD429]

I've got both, the Marlin is the way to go if there is even the slightest chance that you might want to add a scope or other optics.

I also have both and agree exactly. Both are GREAT guns, and you will eventually want both, whether in .44 or .45 or .357 - the Pumas have more barrel-length options, so get a 20" Marlin first, then add the 16" or 24" Puma later once you decide what length you'd like besides 20".

I like the Puma's best with either a Marble's Bullseye barrel-mounted rear to replace the factory rear (on a 16"), or a tang-sight (on the 24"). For the Marlin's I like a Williams FP in the front scope-holes and the rear aperture removed, but if I want to hunt twilight I'll add a 3-9x scope.

Either way, Enjoy!

[rjohns94]

Welcome to the forum. I got a stainless '92 from Steve in .357 and love mine. It will be with me for a long time. Good luck

[C. Cash]

This thread keeps getting better and better. Fine looking rifles fellas and great info.

[Grizz]

depends on the loads you want to shoot and the barrel twist of the rifle you want to buy. my redhawk stabilizes 405g bullets, but my Marlin won't because of the 1:38 rifling. to me that's the huge drawback of the Marlins.

I think (?) I read that the new stainless Marlins with the laminated stocks have faster twist rates in their barrels. BUT, if you want one load for both guns you have to be careful about the rifle. One load sounds easier than it is for .44 mag, but honestly if you're only ever going to shoot 240g jsp, they'll run great out of both guns and they're a hammer on deer.

Regards,

Grizz

[Blaine]

I have an older 1894 Marlin, microgroove bbl and no safety.....IMO, the best way to go and it's already broke in (the new ones are really stiff and need slicked up a bit).

[dennie]

Welcome aboard little Bro! Lotsa good folks here!
dennie

[AJMD429]

...honestly if you're only ever going to shoot 240g jsp, they'll run great out of both guns and they're a hammer on deer.

That's for darn sure! I never could figure out why folks feel they need to 'step up' to at least a 265 grain bullet for DEER...!

Of course this pre-season I heard several guys in gun shops asking about .44 Mags (rifles have only been legal in IN for the third year now), and when the dealer was out or selection minimal, the dealer would offer a .45 Colt in the same levergun. "Nah, I don't want to wind up just wounding one," would be the response, often followed with "Say - lemme see that there .500 S&W Handi-rifle you've got there. Reckon that would be powerful enough to do the job...?" I saw several purchasers who turned down perfectly good rigs in .44 Mag (and .45 Colt) because they felt they needed just a little more power for their trophy buck.

Of course many of these were the ones who finally heard rifles were legal now for deer, and mostly wanted to check out the .44 Mag leverguns vs. using that 12 gauge (or the 7mm Mag bolt-gun they were using illegally) - because (and I heard several say this) "The gun I been using only holds 5 shots; it's nice to have a gun what holds 10 shots, in case you don't get a good hit the first time."

The good news is, there will probably be several used Handi-rifles in .500 S&W on the shelves next year to pick up cheap. Get a .500 S&W Handi, and a companion-barrel made for .32-20 or .32 Fed Mag, and you have both ends of the power spectrum, in a nice '.45-70 short&fat' breakopen gun.

[suman234]

Hey Thanks big Bro. Glad to Be here. Topic is Growing. That's good. Later, Allen

[JReed]

Welcome grab some coffee and enjoy the fire. Take the others up on their advice and look in to Steve Young he does great work and you will enjoy shooting them.

[GonnePhishin]

Welcome to the fire. Lots of good company and information to be had here. Good luck with whatever you purchase

[Birdman]

You probably won't find a used one. It seems everyone here wouldn't turn loose of theirs for love nor money. Maybe lust, but not love. AS for money, ALOT.

[nemhed]

Although not stainless, I'm extremely pleased with my Marlin in 44 mag.

[COSteve]

Deleted

[O.S.O.K.]

They have the Marlin too - $589 shipped.