2025 NRAAM - My 2 Hour Visit and the Death of My Lever Action Dream Rifle Build

 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.

New Products from Marlin - The 1894 Guide Gun in .357 and .44

 

Once again, Marlin is continuing to flesh out the core product line with variations. It appears they have quietly announced the 1894 model will have a Guide Gun iteration. The original Guide Gun is chambered for 45-70 and has a brown laminated wood. The 1894 versions are chambered in .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum with the barrel lengths matching the Classic versions with 18 inch for the .357 and 20 inch for the.44 version. The biggest difference between the Classic and Guide Gun versions of the 1894 appears to be the stocks and how the bluing is finished. The Guide Gun has a grey laminated stock and what Marlin refers to as a matte blue while the Classic has a traditional walnut stock with satin blue finish. I would have to hold them side by side to tell you what that means for you as the consumer. I suppose you could call the Guide Gun a more traditional Dark series. 

Neither of the new models have a threaded barrel like the 45-70 version. Personally, I think that's odd to not have uniformity with the model line up. That said, if you like the traditional materials of the Classic but want the dark look of the Dark series, the Guide Gun might just be for you.

SHOT Show 2025 is coming up soon. I am excited to see what new lever action products are released. I am hoping Marlin will start offering additional calibers such as .45 Colt or even .41 Magnum. 

Update: They didn't have anything noteworthy at SHOT. At this point, it seems like Marlin's line up is pretty much fleshed out. I don't know what else they would be adding other than odd-ball SKUs like the Trapper with Magpul furniture. I was hoping for new calibers but they haven't said anything yet. I would sure love a Classic in .45 Colt for Cowboy Action and reloading. 

Thompson Center's Return - Proposed Timeline

 For those of you who have not yet heard, Thompson Center, the makers of the single shot pistols and numerous muzzleloaders, are returning. In an interview with Gregg Ritz, conducted by Ethan Yazel of "I Love Muzzleloading," Mr. Ritz laid out the roadmap they are working toward to bring products back. The first thing they expect to have return in the Encore platform. Mr. Ritz is pushing to have the single-shot platform available around the October timeline. This is a great as this should put the platform back into hunter's hands for the 2024 deer season. They also expect that next year, they will have some type of muzzleloading platform. They seem to be focused on bringing an Encore based option out first. This makes sense as it can be a simple barrel swap and noted that it would likely be based on the Federal FireStick system for compatibility reasons. They also hinted at hoping to have a Hawken out in 2026 but we shall see what they are able to swing.

They did specify that as they bring out legacy products like the Contender and Encore, they are pushing for backwards compatibility to maintain the interchangeability with older guns. That's a huge deal as the main feature of those platforms is the simple barrel swap system. In fact, it's the reason I want a Contender. I have some ideas and I very much want to do some handgun hunting.

Stay tuned.