So I don't think I can take it any longer. I've been wanting a 357/38 lever gun for years now and am about to pull the trigger and get one. Problem is picking one and then finding it.

I'm not wanting a Henry or Rossi. That leaves mainly Winchester, Uberti, or Marlin. Which one would you pick? Are the new Marlins or Winchester's good to go or find a JM or pre Japanese Winchester.

Then, who knows where I can find one. It's looking like it's going to have to be an online buy because other than Rossi or Henry I haven't seen one

By far one of my favorite rifles is a Marlin 1894LTDSS in 357 Mag. It is one of 250 made by Marlin from the JM days. Could be happy though with any of the JM 357s but will say the Cowboy was a little heavier than I liked.

Inside 125 yards I am as confident in the little 357 with a good bullet as I am with any gun I own.

The JM Marlins showup on GunBroker pretty often.

Good luck with the quest

A marlin with a polished action is a thing of beauty in a pistol round. If you buy a new Marlin, make dang sure you check the front sight to see if it is on crooked. I bought a new Marlin recently, and the front sight was so far off I had to use a scope.

It's addicting, that's for dang sure.. I have 2 Marlin 1894's, a Cowboy in 44mag & a really nice carbine in 357 circa 1980.. Both wear Skinner peeps & are an absolute pleasure to shoot.. Neither were cheap as the JM's (specifically the 357's) are high right now..

Tons of good info on Marlinowners.com

I'd try to find a jm Marlin if I was in the market.

The Marlin is the way I've been leaning as I've had two and enjoyed both. Went ahead and registered for gunbroker since that may be the easiest way to go

I like the Winchesters. I had a Rossi 92 copy and it shot very well.

I got it bad too. Trouble is I can't quite swing four digits for the Marlin.

I'll probably end up with a Rossi as long as it's 20+ years old....and blue.....and NOT a short barrel or big loop.

Good luck.

In my opinion the Marlin is a better more solid built gun. The Winchester is a better point and shoot gun for me though. They handle almost like a shotgun.

I've had several JM Marlins in .357 and 44 mag. I think the 1894 is my favorite lever action. I've handled one of the newer REP Marlins and found it lacking in every area. specifically fit and finish was awful. The JM marlin is also far more accurate than REP example that I shot that day.

I would not discount the Rossi 92 off hand. I'm a first rate Rossi hater based on their single shot rifles and a few other cheap offerings but the 92 I have in 45 colt is an awesome little gun. It is stainless and has a 16" barrel. It stays on the front of the 4 wheeler and usually has more grit in it than the dirt road. The 92 action is very reliable and the little sucker is accurate. The 92 action is also the strongest on the market for handloaders.

If you might like the 92 action and not the Rossi look at the browning 92. An excellent weapon to be sure.

OK, now you have done went and flung a craving on me.....

I've got a lot of lever guns and my walking around gun is a pre-safety Rossi 357 with an 18" barrel. Since you're set against a Rossi my second choice would be a pre-safety Winchester Trapper then a pre-safety micro-groove Marlin 1894.

Well I may just have to buy one of each

I do love the look of the 73's and replicas but I've always shot Marlin's and they are a little cheaper for a pre safety.

I've had a 357/38 revolver since I graduated HS which is why I want the matching rifle. Looking at them though is giving me the urge to start buying more leverguns. There's just something fun about them

I'm trying to convince myself I don't need this. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=504695001

Why in the hell did you post that? I never even thought about getting one in a pistol round. Now I need a 357 mag, as well as a .45, and .40

That is awesome though. I'm going to have to add that to the list

I'm partial to the Winchester's, but if funds were available for the Marlin I'd snap it up like a fat kid on twinkies.

If money wasn't an object.
http://www.grizzlycustom.com/custom_lever_action_rifle_backpacker_sbr_package.html

I'd get a marlin stainless with laminate wood if they make one. I had a 45-70 like that before. To bad I traded it.

I remember that gun

I wish I'd of never got rid of it either. I'm going to have to eventually get another one

X2 on the Rossi trapper.

Same here

Marlin is the only way to go. Start pawn shopping and you'll find a clean one still at a good price. Nothing newer than a '90's year would be good. Have found many 336 3030's, 3 .35 rems, 4 .357's and one .44 mag.
Great shooters and killers. I trigger gauged the 6 I have. All around 6 lbs. Gonna change that soon with after market triggers to about 3.5 lbs.
marlinowners.com has lot's of info.

Took a Uberti and Kimber on trade. Ended up selling the Kimber and kept the Uberti.
Really well made and fun to shoot. Only issue is that it is 45 LC. Hard to find ammo - I guess from all the Judge type pistols on the market.

If you ever make it to the DFW area try looking at Cabelas. I was there today and they probably had 8 different loads to choose from with some being as cheap as $30 for 50 rounds.