r/canadaguns • u/Response-Cheap • Apr 05 '26
Buy recommendations Looking for a reliable lever action in .38/.357 in the $1000 range.
What are some reliable options for a lever in the $1000 range. Doesn't have to be tactical. I'm fine with traditional looks, or synthetic. I just want something reliable. I know $1000 isn't a lot when it comes to a lever action, so I'm not expecting a long list, or anything fancy. Suggestions?
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u/Iokua_CDN Apr 05 '26
Rossi project gun is my vote.
I have the Citadel Levtac (made by Rossi, rebranded and sold by Citadel)
Was it perfect from the factory? No. I needed yo tighten the screws on the handguard. I needed to tighten the screws on the Rail. I needed to soften the sharp edges of the loading gate. I needed to push in the loading gate for a bit to soften the spring, and I still need to trim the magazine spring since it's way too powerful.
However after those things.... I have a really fun and reliable lever action, and it cost me 800 bucks.
At that price for performance ratio, I can't recommend it enough. Just be prepared to do a few fixes on it. At least Rossi has been around long enough that folks have already done all these fixes before.
Another option would be to roll the dice with the Turkish made Canuck Wrangler. Priced around 1k, they have fantastic warranty here in Canada, so if you get a bad one, you know you can get it made right. They have pretty good reviews too, despite being made in turkey. I considered them, but ultimately went with my Citadel/Rossi because there was more info on fixing parts online from other Rossi owners.
My other advice is hunt for deals and possibly wait for black friday. That's when my gun went on sale, and I reliably see rossis go on sale around then. You might get lucky before of course, but black friday the Rossis drop. Citadel seems to have bigger sales than the Rossis. The Citadel has dropped to 800 multiple times, where as the traditional Rossi 92, I've only ever see go on sale for 1k. The Canuck lever actions, I rarely ever see go on sale, but at least they are a bit cheaper than the Rossi usually is.
Citadel is my vote if you want a tactical look. It comes with a fantastic modern handguard with Mlock slots, and a Rail for a red dot. The butt stock is just hollow plastic though, but I stuffed mine with scrap plastic to take away the hollow feel, and it's much nicer now. Rossi and Canuck will have a wooded stock, so perhaps a bit nicer, but they will lack the really nice modern handguard.
That's my 2 cents! Love my 357 lever action. It's one of my favourite guns I own, so I can more than recommend you buy one.
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u/Lpokie Apr 05 '26
Have an older Rossi that I love. I handled a Citadel and realised it's the same rifle. So I have one of those now too.
Excellent bang for the buck if you want non-turkish and tactical. If you want the classic look. I suggest taking a peek at the Heritage 92s that have recently landed here, or a Rossi.
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u/Iokua_CDN Apr 05 '26
Since I have a Citadel, I am craving a more traditional lever action now... my second one likely will be
What calibers did you get for yours???
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u/rastamasta45 Apr 05 '26
Honestly I’d really push to save a little more and get a Henry. I have a Henry 357 and it’s remarkable.
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u/Response-Cheap Apr 05 '26
I mentioned in another comment; I have the money to just buy a Henry, but this gun is going to get beat up and thrashed around in the woods. I want something I won't feel guilty abusing. That's why I've set the budget at roughly $1k +tax.
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u/red_piper222 Apr 05 '26
Henry is the way to go by far. It’ll take the abuse and look good doing it. The all-steel 357 is tough as nails
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u/mew-pew-pew Apr 06 '26
Quality isn't just about looking good / feeling high-quality, it's also about being able to take a beating and keep on working reliably. Get the Henry; anything that's so cheap you wouldn't feel guilty abusing it probably wouldn't take the abuse well anyway.
Think about it this way - a tradesperson puts more wear and tear on their tools than any hobbyist, but they're still the ones most likely to buy the high quality tools, because the quality is what *lets* them do that.
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u/displacedpie Apr 05 '26
I love my Rossi. No complaints, but it was a tad over $1000
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u/Response-Cheap Apr 05 '26
I don't mind going over by a bit. I just want to stay as close to $1k + tax as I can if possible.
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u/arecus25 Apr 05 '26
The Canuck wrangler blackout hasn’t given me any issues so far. I’ve only ran about 1000 rounds of .357 and approx 300-400 rounds of .38. Had to tighten a few screws and push the loading gate down a bunch to soften it up since it comes pretty stiff out the box, but aside from that it goes bang every time.
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u/HappyCan7250 Apr 06 '26
Citadel Levtac92 is just a rebranded Rossi R92, made in the same factory. They do have a few small issues but they can be picked up for $899 sometimes on sale, not much else under $1k except the Morrison Turkish one, and it has its issues as well.
I have the Levtac92 in 44mag, and after about 200rd the ejector snapped (known issue with the 92s), and I shipped it off for warranty work. Warranty was pretty easy and fast, on its way back to me, but the Rossi R92s are known for occasionally snapping ejectors, not a huge issue under warranty but something to be aware of, and replacement ejectors are rough to find as Rossi refuses to sell them, you have to send it in for a replacement ejector.
My R95 is a very nice rifle, I got it from Tenda for $1199 I think it was on sale, it's significantly better made for a bit more money, and it's a 336 clone so sourcing spare parts is fairly easy, most 336 parts with fit it. I'd splurge a bit more and try and grab a R95 if you can find one on sale for $1100-$1200, or maybe used for $1k.
Or grab a used Henry. I have a Henry as well, and it's a bit more money, but has a lifetime warranty and their customer service is fantastic. They've shipped me spare parts free of charge from the US several times and no other gun company has been willing to do that and insist I deal with warranty centers in Canada. On a lever action, you will eventually break, damage, or loose some part while cleaning it, and having good warranty coverage is very nice to have. Henry is hands down the best for customer support. Rossi customer service sucks, but the rifles are cheaper and the warranty center is Canada (gravel agency) is good, but Rossi themselves suck to deal with.
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u/Response-Cheap Apr 06 '26
Hmm. All these people suggesting Henry are changing my mind.. Technically I've got another 900ish I could throw in, And I know Henry make awesome repeaters...
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u/swhissell Apr 05 '26
Rossi is respectively well made, should be no issues. Personally, i’d recommend saving up a little bit more and grabbing a Henry.
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u/Response-Cheap Apr 05 '26
I mean, I have the money to just go buy a Henry, I just don't want to spend that kinda dough on what will be a workhorse. This thing is going to get rode hard and put away wet. I don't want something I'll feel guilty for thrashing around in the bush with.
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u/Lopsided_Ad3516 Apr 05 '26
I've got a Levtac92. Decent. Not super polished, but functions every time.
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u/Any-Rip-9727 Apr 05 '26
Heritage r92 is pretty good, it is the sister brand to rossi, works great, machining is smooth.
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u/Remote_Mistake6291 Apr 06 '26
If you plan to beat the shit out of it, look for a well-used Browning, Remington, or Savage.
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u/InspectorCivil6220 Apr 07 '26
Get a Chiappa model 92. Had excellent luck with mine. They seem to be very well made and they don’t have the stinky additional safety that the other ones have.. very lame. Also top eject is cooler than side eject. Cowboy gun.
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u/Alpha_Whiskey327 Apr 09 '26
I've got a like new Henry big boy x 357 going on the chopping block next week if that's up your alley. In Edm. If you really want to blow the budget, I also have a Midwest industries handguard worth half as much as the rifle lol
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u/Flashy_cartographer Apr 05 '26
Looks like Canuck Wrangler has one chambered for 357/38SP for around $1100 pretax?
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u/goshathegreat Apr 05 '26
Reliable and Canuck shouldn’t be in same sentence…
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u/Flashy_cartographer Apr 05 '26
Was too focused on the price point to catch that part of the request
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u/Response-Cheap Apr 05 '26
Yeah, I'm hoping I don't have to go Turkish. Not that all Turkish firearms are bad, but I don't want a gamble. I want a gun that will do what it's supposed to. By the suggestions so far, a plain jane Rossi R92 looks like it will fit the bill. Unless people chime in with some equivalent options.
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u/Parratt Garand Guy Apr 05 '26
Buy a Rossi and spend a few hours stoning the internals.