Lever Guns

Underdude · Jun 24, 2011

I know nowadays lever guns may be falling in popularity in some places, but what about you?
I received mine as a gift from my dad for finding and returning his stolen pistol a few years back, otherwise I may have missed the joy of one. Plus I like the idea (because I reload) of an odd caliber, haven't found anybody else yet with 32 Win. Special.
It's a Marlin 336 C.S. with a receiver mounted peep sight. I'm more accurate with it than my other rifles off-hand. It's a bit beat up, former owner mounted screws in the fore-end and stock for a sling and removed them. Ugly but fun.
Here's the pic.........Pay no mind to my toes please.

http://img863.imageshack.us/img863/4715/guns021.jpg

jmt2566 · Jun 24, 2011

I love my Marlin 336 also! Mine is chambered in 30-30 & it is actually the second one that I have owned, I let my wife convince me to sell the first one years ago & was sorry ever since. She is now my EX-wife so I went & got myself another one as a birthday present for myself this year.

Edit: here is a link to my post when I got the latest one. Pictures too!
viewtopic.php?f=29&t=1283

Midnight Raver · Jun 24, 2011

LOVE THOSE RIFLES!!!

Had a Marlin 336C in .30-30, same furniture configuration as that one- the best looking ones they made in my opinion. It had sling mounts, a gold trigger, and was tapped for a side mounted scope rig. Only thing that wasn't on it was the barleycorn forward sight hood probably removed/lost by its previous owner. Never had a scope on it but it had a right side thumb assist on the hammer too- made it REAL easy for manipulating it! My uncle has it now but boy did I put a lot of ammo through that baby. I have only seen the newer ones with the protruding wooden forestock out there until seeing yours. They sure don't make 'em like that any more! God I miss that Marlin even more now after seeing yours.

Nice piece, thanks greatly for sharing it!!! :mrgreen:

Stan in SC · Jun 24, 2011

I have a model 94 Winchester chambered in .32 Winchester special and it is a great rifle.

Stan in SC

Underdude · Jun 24, 2011

Stan in SC said:
I have a model 94 Winchester chambered in .32 Winchester special and it is a great rifle.

Stan in SC

Finally!
Been waiting for years for another 32 fan. Do you reload? Ammo is pretty scarce around here, but suprisingly not too expensive, about 17 a box.

Dave29461 · Jun 25, 2011

I have a Marlin 1894 in 32-20 I reload for and shoot from time to time. The modern loads are very accurate and the cowboy loads shoot in my Colt pistol. It is a fun cartridge to work with.

Underdude · Jun 25, 2011

What's a modern equivelent to the 32-20?
Not too familiar with that one. Originally a black powder cartridge?
I'm starting to get interested in the "cowboy cartridges".
Suggestions on an easy shooting easy reloading cartridge? Perhaps one for rifle/pistol combo?

Dave29461 · Jun 25, 2011

Here is an interesting article.http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/3220wcf.htm
Here is some information from AMMOGUIDE.COM http://ammoguide.com/?catid=84
Starline Brass produces cases and Remington and Winchester load for this caliber.

SPECIFICATIONS
Bullet Diameter:
.312 in.
Max Overall Length:
1.592 in.
Max Avg Pressure:
16000 cup
Rifling Twist:
1-in-20 in.
Rifling Lands:
6
Case Capacity (est):
21.9 gr. water
Primer Size:
.175 in.

NOMINAL PERFORMANCE
Bullet Weight:
100 gr
Muzzle Velocity:
1210 fps
Muzzle Energy:
325 ft-lbs

"Easy Link" to this cartridge (copy and paste into emails, forums, etc.):
.32-20 Winchester - http://ammoguide.com/?catid=84
Introduced in 1882 in blackpowder trim, the .32-20 Winchester first appeared in the Model 1873 lever-action line. It wasn't long before the short centerfire grew in popularity and was being chambered in virtually all long arm types. The cartridge formed the basis for the .25-20 Winchester and the .218 Bee.

Appreciated for it's light handling characteristics and accuracy, Winchester advertised the round for use on game as large as deer, despite the cartridge's ballistics falling far short of that mark. While the case is only .01" longer than the .38-40 and .44-40 Winchester rounds, the .32-20 would live only as a rifle cartridge, not chambered in revolvers to any significant extent.

With a small case capacity and maximum average pressure limitation of 17,700 CUP, the .32-20 is restricted to light bullets, from 80 to 100 grains. Once again popular in Cowboy Action Shooting circles, a 100 gr. loading is still offered by Winchester.

Underdude · Jun 25, 2011

Thanks for all the info. Seems the 32 H&R mag has more, but know of no rifle chambered for it.

Stan in SC · Jun 25, 2011

under dude,
yes I do reload but I also found 8 boxes of Federal ammo at a local shop and bought all 8 so I have a supply of brass.

Stan in SC

Dirk Pitt · Jun 25, 2011

My dad has a Winchester 94 .30-30 and a Marlin 1894 Cowboy .357 Mag.

Fairly high on my list are a Mossberg 464 .30-30 and a Marlin 1894 Cowboy in .45 Colt.

I love lever guns mostly due in part to a heavy dose of John Wayne movies as a kid.

Dave29461 · Jun 26, 2011

Underdude said:
Thanks for all the info. Seems the 32 H&R mag has more, but know of no rifle chambered for it.

If I were going to be cowboy shooting and wanted a gun that could do double duty I'd go with the 357 Mag and load 38 special for plinking and full power for serious business. I bought the 32-20 because I like the old guns and wanted the sidearm/long gun combo in that caliber. It will leave the 32 H&R in the dust with the correct loading.

1. Load: .32-20 100gr, Lil Gun Winchester 296*15.0gr (Rifle only) 2233fps 1107 ft-lbs 21.9(case capacity) 30" barrel
2. LOAD: .32 H&R Mag,100 gr,Lil'Gun,11.0 gr 1208 324 17.3 5.0"
3. LOAD: .32-20,100 gr,Lil'Gun,7.5 gr 1018 230 21.9 5.5"
4. Load: .32-20, 100gr, Accu AA-9 13.0gr (Max) 1389 428 21.9 10.0"

Underdude · Jun 26, 2011

I'll have to hit up a gun show soon to replinish my supply as well. Most I've seen at a show is 3 boxes. I think Natchez still sells the Winchester brand. Wish I knew how to cast.

jmt2566 · Jul 17, 2011

Robert Johnson, 32-20 Blues

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gh5zTCdNH_0

Dave29461 · Jul 17, 2011

jmt2566 said:
Robert Johnson, 32-20 Blues

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gh5zTCdNH_0

Thanks, I had not heard that version. The cartridge does have a history.

Underdude · Jul 17, 2011

Couple of things....
Know where I could get a set of unfinished furniture for my Marlin and a decent set of swivel studs? Without costing too much and wood type doesn't matter too much.

I read an article a long time ago about a custom gunmaker that converts lever guns to two piece takedown rifles in large dangerous game calibers. Anybody familiar with that? I remember a couple of calibers were 450 and 500 Alaskan.
I read this before the 450 Marlin came about. Looked online for the article in every magazine I could think of. I'm betting it was at least 15 years ago.

sdcromer · Jul 20, 2011

Marlin 336 in .35 Remington on top, and again in 30-30 on the bottom.

So far..........

PCShogun · Jul 20, 2011

My son in law has a Italian copy of a Colt PeaceMaker in .45LC, I'd love to find a lever action in the same caliber to go with it for him.

Problem is, I can't afford it at the moment and I keep finding other guns I'd love to have as well. Seems to be a common problem with collectors.