I've long wanted a lever action rifle in .357 Mag to complement my revolver in the at caliber, but I've never really thought of them for self/home defense.  Maybe a little when thinking about what long gun I would go with when the prospect of ARs being banned was going around.  I've shot lever actions in both .357 Mag/.38 SPL and .44Mag/.44SPL and both are really fun to shoot and even recoil of the .44 Mag seemed quite tame in the lever action. Since it appears that I may be acquiring a lever action rifle soon, I started looking into them more.  My wanting a lever action in .357 Mag was for range fun, but I always thought that it could be well suited for self/home defense. 

The lever action that I'm looking at acquiring is a Winchester 30-30, which I very much look forward to shooting.  A little bit more than a .357 Mag, but I'm sure still pretty effective.   

https://www.personaldefenseworld.com/2015/05/lifesaving-lever-action-rifles-for-home-defense/

https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/lever-action-rifles-for-self-defense/

I'd never use a lever action for home defense over any semi-auto rifle.  But I definitely want one for shits and giggles!  Such a fun gun to play with.

My train of thought is use what ever you can when SHTF.  And don't forget about Murphy.  So you might have gun #1, 2, 3, 4 in use for your plan, but once Murphy strikes, you may have to grab that level action.

See below example:

I'll take a AR15 and shotgun over a lever action. Lever action is still an effective choice if you train with one.

1) I'd never use a lever action for home defense over any semi-auto rifle. 
2) But I definitely want one for shits and giggles!  Such a fun gun to play with.

1) Me neither and would likely choose a handgun over the lever action, but that's mostly because of familiarity.  At least for now.  My thought process was more along the lines of, well, if I'm getting one, what can I use it for.

2) Hell yes!  Even better when shooting someone else's gun. . . and ammo. . .

I've also frequently considered a lever action, since I love revolvers and cowboy movies, the lever action is appealing to me.

for me personally, I would like a Marlin 1894 in 357 or 44 mag.  I like the marlin bc it ejects the brass out the side, not the top, so I could use a scope on it and the brass not hit the scope.
would make a nice pig gun too.  although I don't hunt, but maybe one day.

My train of thought is use what ever you can when SHTF.  And don't forget about Murphy.  So you might have gun #1, 2, 3, 4 in use for your plan, but once Murphy strikes, you may have to grab that level action.

SNIP

Yeah.  In SHTF, use what you got.  Not the same thing, but I think back to the scene in Saving Private Ryan where Tom Sizemore and the Nazi ran out of rifle ammo, then pistol, then ended up throwing the gun at him (or something like that).

I'll take a AR15 and shotgun over a lever action. Lever action is still an effective choice if you train with one.

For me, shotgun and lever action familiarity is about the same level.  Come to think of it, I may be acquiring a Benelli Nova shotty soon too.   

I've also frequently considered a lever action, since I love revolvers and cowboy movies, the lever action is appealing to me.

for me personally, I would like a Marlin 1894 in 357 or 44 mag.  I like the marlin bc it ejects the brass out the side, not the top, so I could use a scope on it and the brass not hit the scope.
would make a nice pig gun too.  although I don't hunt, but maybe one day.

When I used to live in WA state and would go backpacking in the mountains to fish, my dream setup was a lever action and single action revolver in .357 Mag.  Ended up going with a semi-auto pistol, but since then, I had always wanted a lever action in .357 Mag.  I got a DI revolver a while back, but never got around to the lever action. 

I don't intend on hunting with the 30-30, but I know can be very effective.  My buddy in Texas has offered to take me up to some ranch land of his and his family and "help" with pest eradication. 

The Winchester lever action in .357 Mag with octogonal barrel was my dream gun for a while.  Marlin or Henry is more realistic for me these days though. 

Don’t tell Lucas McCain, the rifleman, that a lever gun taint a good choice....

The thing I like about my lever action is same ammo as my pistolas. .38/.357.

Also it looks like a red rider BB gun.  ( thing is tiny and handy. Fits easily in a shotgun scabbard)

I got the Rossi model 92.
It is a trip that it launches brass up and back over your head.

The thing I like about my lever action is same ammo as my pistolas. .38/.357.

Also it looks like a red rider BB gun.  ( thing is tiny and handy. Fits easily in a shotgun scabbard)

I got the Rossi model 92.
It is a trip that it launches brass up and back over your head.

Same for me. Same ammo for multiple firearms. That and .357 Mag in a rifle is very mild.

Any trouble with your Rossi cycling reliably? I’ve had friends who have had a bunch of problems with their Rossi, but those where in .44 Mag.

I just don't see any clear advantages for the lever action.  An AR15 is easy to shoot and lots of firepower in a small lightweight package.  Shotguns are cheap and powerful at short distance.  Handguns are compact, you can keep it on you, and can shoot it with one hand.

I just don't see any clear advantages for the lever action.  An AR15 is easy to shoot and lots of firepower in a small lightweight package.  Shotguns are cheap and powerful at short distance.  Handguns are compact, you can keep it on you, and can shoot it with one hand.

This isn't about what is best, but 1) they are cool



and to a lesser extent 2) using what firearms you have and adapting to current/practical use. 

SNIP

"2018 Nerf gun champion!" 

There is no way I'd feel undergunned in a HD/SD situation with a .357 or .44 Lever, unless the bad guys have AR's....   

They are light, handy and shoot like a BB gun.  I think you'd need more training to be effective with an AR than a lever.  IMHO

https://youtu.be/VY3dTX3aF7o?t=12

Some good info and explanations on the reasonings. Lots of things can certainly be learned from competition shooters that translate well to other shooting disciplines.

There are some folks I’ve seen in the cowboy shooting club that are darn fast with the lever guns!

I've long wanted a lever action rifle in .357 Mag to complement my revolver in the at caliber, but I've never really thought of them for self/home defense.  Maybe a little when thinking about what long gun I would go with when the prospect of ARs being banned was going around.  I've shot lever actions in both .357 Mag/.38 SPL and .44Mag/.44SPL and both are really fun to shoot and even recoil of the .44 Mag seemed quite tame in the lever action. Since it appears that I may be acquiring a lever action rifle soon, I started looking into them more.  My wanting a lever action in .357 Mag was for range fun, but I always thought that it could be well suited for self/home defense. 

The lever action that I'm looking at acquiring is a Winchester 30-30, which I very much look forward to shooting.  A little bit more than a .357 Mag, but I'm sure still pretty effective.   

https://www.personaldefenseworld.com/2015/05/lifesaving-lever-action-rifles-for-home-defense/

https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/lever-action-rifles-for-self-defense/

I’m no expert in the levergun arena. I do own one. It is a Winchester 94 Ranger with 20” barrel in 30-30. I chose the 30-30 over a pistol cartridge because the 94 was designed specifically for the 30-30 cartridge. And the 30-30 is a great hunting round and self defense round. Some day I want to own another levergun in .357/38 just for the fun of shooting it. I guess I’m old school wanting a rifle cartridge in my rifle. BTW, leverguns are lighter, faster and handier from a carry position to a firing position, IMHO. Only downfall to most leverguns are the buckhorn style rear sights. I want to replace mine with an adjustable peep sight. BTW, Winchester made the Trapper model with 16” barrel which I understand is under 6lbs and handles really fast. I’ve never handled one but if it is better than my 20” model, I want one.