357 Magnum Lever-Action Rifles Compared Head to Head
Gun Tests shooters had a lot of fun pitting two 357 Magnum lever action rifles in the September 2024 issue.
Contributing Editor Joe Woolley's Houston test team fired a current production Winchester Model 1892 Short Rifle and a vintage Marlin Model 1894 head to head.
Our Marlin 1894 sported a trim 18.5-inch barrel and weighed just over 6 pounds.
Marlin Model 1894
357 Magnum, ~$1200
The Winchester 1892 was made by Miroku in Japan. The finish looks like that of a hand-polished rifle from 60 years ago.
Winchester Model 1892
357 Magnum, $1500
The Marlin shot several great groups with the Winchester-brand 158-grain jacketed soft points.
The Winchester 92 had some trouble with the length of the 180 Doubletaps, but it still managed a great group.
Both rifles use buckhorn-style rear sights, but the Winchester’s, top, is deeper and easier to use.
The Winchester sports a crescent-shaped buttplate shooters would have seen more than 100 years ago.
The Winchester 92, left, sports a great crown on the muzzle. The shallow grooves on the Marlin are easy to see.
The Winchester 92 (top) can’t accept an optic like the Marlin’s drilled-and-tapped receiver.
Normally, we'd choose a winner between these two rifles, but their configurations so different that we'll have to leave that to the individual shooter's needs.
So pick one and have fun! We'll see you at the range.