This year, I made the hour long trek from our little pocket of the world to the center of Atlanta to the Georgia World Conference Center for NRAAM 2025. This year, I took our nearly 8 month old to hang out with friends and see if we can run into the celebs. However, this year I had a short list of questions which is good because the kiddo can't be too far from Mommy for too long. We basically had 4 hours to make the 1 hour drive there, run around and see stuff then drive back.
My main focus for this year was to check out what the lever action folks were up to and plant the seed of a blued steel, wood stock, threaded barrel 30-30.
My first stop was to the Ruger and Marlin booth to see what was going on. Why isn't there a Classic Threaded model? According to one representative, they did a Classic model with a threaded barrel and they didn't like the look of it. They also think there just isn't a big enough market for such a thing.
I believe that enough as the .45-70 1895 Guide Gun is nearly that. I did plant the seed of a 30-30 version of the Guide Gun based on the styling of the 1895 version and not the 1894 versions.
My next stop was to the Rossi booth but I wasn't able to find it outright but I did run into the Smith and Wesson booth so I stopped. When I spoke with the rep there, I asked if they had a 30-30 version coming of the 1854. So far, with the .45-70 version being so new, they didn't know but I did ask for a 30-30 version. They were at least more receptive to my idea. The walnut version is very close to what I want.
Finally, I stopped into the Rossi booth. I was running out of time. The one person I spoke with had to talk with a product manager to confirm two things. The first was if they had a threaded barrel version of the R95 in 30-30 that wasn't the Triple Threat. Once again, the .45-70 versions of the Trapper have the threads and wood furniture but the 30-30 Trapper doesn't have a threaded barrel. I never understood why these companies just aren't offering the same configurations across the versions. The Rossi/Taurus rep confirmed that there is a SKU for a 30-30 with a wood stock, blued steel and a threaded barrel but it's not in production. They did not have a time frame for it.
The last question I had was for a .357 mag version of the Brawler. They didn't have an answer on a release date for it but did note that they are trying to get straight wall versions out for the platform. I did get to look over the Triple Black Pistol or TBP. Its light and seems to be a good basis for an SBR.
My conclusion for my lever action hunting dream build is that it's probably never going to happen the way I want it to and I am a little dismayed by it. I will likely never see a Marlin 336 with a 19 or 20 inch threaded barrel with blued steel and wood stocks like the Classic with a threaded barrel. Smith and Wesson is poised to make it happen with the 1854 but in an act of brand snobbishness, I would prefer the basis be a Marlin. I am very aware of Marlin's SBL but that is stainless and the Classic has the correct finishes and colors I am looking for. I should probably give up and just do the SBL or re-barrel a new Classic.
In less downtrodden news, my .357 Magnum research project looks like I will be able to pursue closely. With Thompson Center returning and Rossi's Brawler platform looking interesting, a single shot pistol chambered in .357 Magnum and a 9 to 10 inch barrel looks like there is a high chance. Even if neither company release either the Contender or Brawler in .357 Magnum, the SSK-50 receiver still exists. The SBR lever action pistol idea in .357 Magnum now has the Rossi TBP as an option and I can still use a Ranch Hand / Mare's Leg should I desire. I think the TBP has more utility for the farm but I could use the Ranch Hand for Cowboy Action though at a disadvantage in magazine capacity. I have much to think about.
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