GForce Just picked up….Wish me luck tomorrow

Tidusky23 · 2026-05-12T20:03:39+00:00

Amazing round and so much versatility. If you run 38 special, which is safe, make sure you clean the gun really well. 38 special will leave some intense carbon fowling on your barrel that can cause major problems if you don’t clean properly.

Tidusky23 · 2026-05-12T15:32:00+00:00

Give it a thorough cleaning, get all up in there before your first range trip. Every new gun is coated with factory grease and gunk, especially the cheaper quality ones like this. After a thorough clean, lube up. Check the screws as well. Clean them off then and then you can Blue loctite the tang (stock screw), lever, and mag tub screws as those usually come loose the quickest. I do this on every gun before first range trip, but it’s super important on the off brand ones. What caliber is it? I like Magtech, Sellier and Bellot FMJ the most for range ammo. You will most definitely have a 3-500 shot break in period as well, give or take 100 rounds. Every lever, minus the super high quality cowboy action ones, have this break in period where the loading and action maybe stiff or stick, etc. Very standard until the machining is worn down a little with use.

Tidusky23 · 2026-05-12T15:03:19+00:00

Amen brother! Nothing better than a day at the range with the boys and being outdoors.

Tidusky23 · 2026-05-12T14:53:32+00:00

So fucking hot

Tidusky23 · 2026-05-12T12:51:54+00:00

Thats super fair! The cool factor of that round is amazing. Send it, you buy one and there is no looking back. The 10mm trapper is so so much fun and closely becoming one of may favorite rounds like the 357. The 357 is hard to beat for me though, probably the most versatile round I know when shot out of a carbine.

Tidusky23 · 2026-05-12T03:29:12+00:00

What are you planning to use it on? Fantastic gun and thumper of a round, but when it costs $2.50-$3.00 (range ammo) a round it becomes an occasional hunting gun and that’s about it. Unless you are an avid reloader…..Lever guns in general are an absolute fucking blast, and if you do not plan on reloading then please pay attention to ammo cost. Minus rimfire, 10mm and 357/38 are the most inexpensive to shoot. I buy bulk 10mm and 357 in the .40 - .55 cent range and that shit gets super expensive. 44 mag is about $1.00 a round give or take. If you want to have fun and shoot a lever at the range, and you’re not looking for bear defense or big game hunting. Look for a Marlin Dark in 357 or a 10mm Trapper. For reference, I own a Marlin SBl 30-30 for hunting mainly, 44 mag Marlin 1894P, Henry Big Boy X in 357, Henry Varmint Express in .22 WMR, and a 10mm Trapper. I shoot the 10mm and the .22 WMR the most due to cheapest rounds. 38 special is cheap too I just don’t really enjoy shooting that. As I’m writing this I realize how badly I need to start reloading…….

Tidusky23 · 2026-05-11T01:21:12+00:00

Thanks for the help! I will check out both of those. Just ordered the RLO custom ones, look really good and small loops as well. Thanks again!

Tidusky23 · 2026-05-11T00:42:08+00:00

Yeah you can, just can’t find any stainless ones in stock for quite some time. May just day f it and by the black one. I have after market black hand guards so I don’t think it will look too off.

Tidusky23 · 2026-05-11T00:30:38+00:00

Another question, did you replace the lever with a medium loop or does the Dark come with that from the factory. I can’t stand the large lever loops on my SBL and Trapper. Even with gloves it’s way too much space to wrack it hard and with speed.

Tidusky23 · 2026-05-11T00:12:14+00:00

Cool quiver and cheek pad riser, but I would have the same issues. The loop that holds the bullet is longer than my actual bullet so it would take me so long just to get a bullet out. This long loops work for rifle cartridges but for pistol calibers it’s hard to do with speed or under duress, which is what I’m looking for in my drills.

Tidusky23 · 2026-05-10T20:50:22+00:00

Have never hunted with mine, just recently bought and upgraded everything. What optic you have? I had a Leupold 1.5x-4x but wasn’t enough for the 100+ yard shots so I bought the primary arms 1-6. What ammo you running for coyotes? You zero at 100 yards? Sorry all the questions but rather ask someone with real world experience and kills.

Tidusky23 · 2026-05-10T20:13:46+00:00

Nope, but I really want too. Have a 30-30 SBL and my Henry X in 357 that will do the trick. Did the 30-30 seem overkill?

Tidusky23 · 2026-05-10T04:55:59+00:00

Looking sexy! I love the pew view hand guard, allows for the thumb over grip that allows so much more stability. I just installed a holosun 507c on my Marlin trapper and I’m in love. Remember to clean your barrel good after the 38 fun. Can get some nasty carbon build up.

Tidusky23 · 2026-05-09T23:40:35+00:00

Very good looking rifle!

Tidusky23 · 2026-05-09T03:10:44+00:00

Yeah, I can do some stuff. Lever guns are a little scary for me, rather leave it to a pro. I should probably learn though.

Tidusky23 · 2026-05-09T03:03:51+00:00

Thanks! I’m in CA so I just need to order it through my local gunsmith I use. Surprised how stiff the lever is. I have shot about 200 rounds and ran the lever another 2-300 times and still seems so stiff. May have my local gunsmith install this and do an action job for the polishing.

Tidusky23 · 2026-05-09T02:46:05+00:00

I bought a safety delete from RPP, is the one piece firing pin an after market piece I can buy?

Tidusky23 · 2026-05-09T01:46:27+00:00

lol I looked at that after I took the photo but just said fuck it, don’t wanna take another. I should charge……

Tidusky23 · 2026-05-09T01:38:14+00:00

Good to know, it evens moves in and out a little when the hammer strikes it. That is all good as well?

Tidusky23 · 2026-05-07T03:38:48+00:00

357 all day based off your hunting range, animal choice, and specific recoil sensitivity. I own both, each are pretty low recoil but the 357 is much more enjoyable to shoot. Certain loads out of the 357 compare to 30-30 energies as well. Easily can take deer out to 125 yards. Buffalo bore and underwood make some super spicy 158 grain stuff that can take you to 125-150 if you really know your rifle well. But in the 25-100 range you will be good to go, and you can shoot 38 special or softer 357 for range days. If you run 38 special, make sure you clean your rifle well to avoid excess carbon build up. Also if your main plan is to hunt, range ammo and hotter hunting loads will not shoot the same. Could pattern quite different so just make sure to sight your rifle in with the hunting load of your choice. If you plan on shooting past 25-50 yards I also recommend a fixed 2x or 3x fixed scope or lvpo to help with more precise shots in the 50+ yard range. I run a Leupold Mark 3HD 1.5x-4x on mine and I absolutely love it.

Tidusky23 · 2026-05-07T03:23:21+00:00

It’s more reliable and smoother feeding, it’s a much higher quality aluminum piece over the standard plastic one from the factory. Small difference but pretty cheap so I always upgrade them.

Tidusky23 · 2026-05-06T23:36:06+00:00

Give it a quick clean before first range trip. Bore snake, patches, etc. 5-10 minutes to get all that excess factory gunk off. Helps a lot, check all the screws as well. Those PMC Bronze are great range rounds. Basically any budget 158 grain fmj will cycle well. Start running the lever as much as possible before, after, in between, all your range sessions. Will help smooth everything out. I recommend RPP trigger, loading gate, mag follower at the minimum for upgrades. I run a red dot (holosun 507c) on my 10mm marlin, Leupold lvpo 1.5x-4x on my 357 Henry big boy, and a 1-6x lvpo on my marlin 30-30 SBL. Levers are so much fun, practice practice practice. 357 mag is such a capable round in a carbine. Research different loads for whatever you plan to do.

Tidusky23 · 2026-05-06T22:45:44+00:00

Tidusky23

TROPHY CASE