I’m looking to buy my first .357 lever gun and would appreciate opinions from people who own or have shot these rifles. I’ve never owned or shot a .357 lever gun before.
My short list is:
• Marlin 1894 SBL
• S&W 1854 Stealth Hunter
• Henry Big Boy X H012MX
• Henry SPD HUSH H012MH
I’ve been leaning toward the Marlin 1894 SBL. It’s one of the only options I’ve found with 1/2x28 threads, which match the mount on my CAT MOB. I also plan to buy another suppressor for the lever gun eventually, and that can be the topic of another discussion.
I’m not opposed to switching my MOB over to Plan B and putting Plan B muzzle devices on the lever gun and my 9mm PCCs. That would give me a more flexible setup, but buying muzzle devices for all those hosts could add up quickly.
For those with experience, which would you choose? How do they compare for action smoothness, reliability, fit and finish, and overall value? Is there anything you wish you’d known before buying your first .357 lever gun?