Gents, just wondering if anyone recalls lever action 357's being common in the 70's or 80's?

I believe Rossi model 1892's were being made since the 60's in this calibre, marlin did their 94 in 357 in the 70's and browning did a model 92 in the 80's.

However most of these being before my time, I wondered how many were actually being imported to Australia back then? Some, a lot? or were they a pretty rare bird?

There are a quite a few units available these days but I assume that it as much thanks to the cowboy action scene, which is a lot more recent.

Random topic for 130am in the morning, stimulated by checking posts on some other lever actions and debating a few mates on the subject

I had a fancy (engraved and Nickel plated action) Rossi 92 that was made in the early 70's and was not Interarms stamped........so it didn't come here via the U.S. ..........or not while INterarms was the importer.

It had seen very little use when I got it.

nice mate. I was discussing with friends, some older about what lever actions came in back in the day. One said there would be a lot of old winchester 92's out there from real early which came in the old cowboy calibres, 44-40 would be one, can't be bothered googling the others, but obviously the 357 was a couple decades later.

Back in the ninties, I subscribed to the Shotgun News here in the states. They published several articles by an Aussie named John Enright. I really enjoyed them and learned a lot of Aussie gun history from him. One was about lever actions and he told of how ammunition being shipped back then was strapped down on the deck as it was considered a danger to the ship if stored below deck in case of fire. He said the Winchester black powder cartridges like 44-40 and 38-40 maintained their popularity down under a long time after the smokeless 30-30 took off here in the states because the old black powder cartridges took the on deck weathering better than the new ammo. I never would have thought that! I also enjoyed his history of Ned Kelly as well, but that’s off topic other than their arms!

Karl,

Out here you typically find octagonal barrell, half magazine, 25/20, 32/20 and 44/40 92s fewer 73s and, of course, 30/30 94s.

Most of the older gear has stuffed barrels.

Alot are "coming out of the woodworks" as beginner guns for Western action.........but they seem to quickly move onto repro 66s and 73s.....with some Marlins.

.............oh yes we see 92s and 73s in 38/40 as well. Poor cleaning after black powder cartridges doomed most of the barrels.

I used to have a late 90's Winchester 94 Trapper in 357 Mag. It had the 16" barrel and was dynamite on close in goats and you could carry it all day.
Also had a Rossi, which was a model 92 knock off, in stainless with a 20" barrel I think.
Both great rifles, the only limitation being the factory open sights which are rubbish.