Just curious as to what is the best current .357 lever action. I’ve heard about the Marlin Jam and am a bit worried. Is it Winchester, Henry, Marlin, or someone else?
Henry model X is what I have that is factory. Also have a Rossi that is now awesomely smooth once I spend the extra $ to have it polished up. For factory I would go Henry
Marlin jam can be an issue, but it also can be fixed. It is a timing issue and there are several sites showing how to either bend the lifter or to insert hardened material if you have an issue. Btw the Henry is a copy of the Marlin.
I have a remlin Marlin 1894 and it was awful out of the box. With some tuning it runs great. Match gun for Sass. There are several places that show how to slick up a Marlin. Also search for the widdermatic modification. The new ruger made marlins are nice.
For sass the most common 357 is either a 1866 or 1873 with a short stroke kit. Basically the same rifle, but the 1873 has a lever safety. Ie you can’t fire until the lever is closed. On an 1866 you can.
In terms of a factory gun I would have to say the new Marlins are knocking it out of the park. Henry has fallen off in the last couple years with quality. If you are on a tighter budget the Rossi is a good option, just be prepared it may have trouble with .38s and you may have to tinker with it. On my Rossi I chopped the magazine spring and polished up some sharp edged but its slick and shoots well. But I would say spend the extra cash and get the Marlin. I have owned just about every manufacturer of lever gun and have stuck with Marlin and Rossi.
I really like my Chiappa 1894 wildlands takedown. I actually hunt with it on occasion and suppressed levers are sweet. Mine is in 44, but 357 and 45LC are options.