America’s Action
The lever-action rifle is uniquely American in form. Fun fact, the first lever-action designed here in the U.S. was actually a handgun called the Volcanic that was developed by Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson. Those fellas left the lever-gun scene and became rather successful in their own right. Their fine Smith & Wesson handguns are still pillars in the firearms industry. More on them in a minute.
The idea behind the Volcanic morphed into a rifle that continued to evolve and was further shaped by men like Benjamin Tyler Henry and Oliver Winchester, giving the U.S. the notoriety of unveiling the “Henry” rifle to the world in 1860. This classic rifle can still be bought today from manufacturers like Cimarron, Henry Repeating Arms, and Uberti.
From the Henry’s progress and design, the lever-action rifle success continued from companies like Winchester Repeating Arms with their iconic lever gun models like the1873, 1876, 1886, 1892,1894, and 1895, just to name a few. We can’t mention Winchester’s classics without giving a nod to the master inventor, John Browning, who made a huge mark in firearms designs.
Marlin Firearms came onto the stage in 1872 and today we are fortunate to have their stout Model 336, 1894 and 1895’s being made better than ever.
RESURECTING THE LEVER-ACTION RIFLE
For decades the lever-action rifle was comprised of blued steel, walnut, or some other form of hardwood. Eventually some were made of stainless steel and a synthetic or laminated stock or two was made available for rugged, all-weather use.
Lever-action rifles have been gaining popularity in recent years and SHOT Show 2024’s theme could have been, “The Resurrection of the Lever Gun!” Everywhere you turned there were additions to existing lever-action lines and modern customizations analogous to breeding a Winchester Model ’92 with a tricked-out Colt M4.
Remember those handgun guys, Smith and Wesson? They even got into the lever gun market last year and they announced a new addition with their all-black Model 1854 Stealth Hunter with synthetic stock, HIVIZ H3 front sight and Picatinny rail.
Modernizing the Lever-Action Rifle
Traditionalists might scoff at the newfangled accoutrements adorning lever-action rifles these days. I love blued steel and beautifully figured walnut as much as the next guy, but I must admit that some of these tactical innovations do have their place.
Stocks
Various synthetic stocks are now offered in a variety of configurations for lever-actions. Manufacturers also provide some models with wood stocks that are coated with various materials for hard use and weather resistance.
Out here where I live it gets very hot in the summertime, especially in a parked vehicle with the windows rolled up, I always worry about the effects of extreme heat on the wood stocks of my rifles. These modern synthetics make that concern a moot point.
Picatinny Rails and M-Lok Forends
These have become very popular on many of the enhanced factory lever-actions and with custom makers like Mad Pig Customs. The Picatinny Rails make mounting optics a snap and the machined forends provide additional ruggedness and also aid in providing a positive grip on the gun.
Coatings
Gun Coatings like Cerakote and Guncoat provide a creative medium for a variety of color schemes and weather resistance that enhances the durability and functionality of the modern lever gun.
Threaded Barrels for Breaks and Suppressors
Threaded barrels are now available on many lever-actions for those wanting to add the quietness and recoil reduction of a can or a screw-on muzzle break to tame the beast on a heavy-kicking caliber.
Light Rails
Rails on forends for mounting flashlights are really handy for a personal defense or hunting gun. No matter what the purpose of your lever gun, from protecting the homestead to hunting destructive feral hogs at midnight in a Texas hay field, you must be able to see and clearly identify what you are shooting. Some guns come with integral rails. Skinner Sights offers their Lever Light Mount for several rifles, no gunsmithing required.
Custom Combo Classics with Modern Extras and Ammo
My friend Lee Hadaway at The Arms Room makes some of the most beautiful lever-action rifles I have ever had the pleasure of seeing and shooting. He combines classic designs of highly figured hardwood stocks with modern rails and muzzle breaks on some of his guns.
If you want an heirloom quality takedown lever gun stocked in presentation grade wood with grain patterns that almost give an illusion of appearing to be 3-D, Lee is your man. There are several other gunsmiths of note who offer custom lever-action work, perhaps we can cover them in a future article.
New Cartridges and Bullets
New loads specifically designed for use in lever-action rifles are a bonus to the increased interest in lever guns. Cartridges like Hornady’s LeverEvolution, Nosler’s Ballistic Tip (.30-30 Win.), and Federal’s HammerDown ammunition are worthy of consideration when fueling your lever gun. Newer cartridges like the .360 Buckhammer loaded by Federal and Remington also add the excellent list of hunting cartridges for lever-actions.
LEVER GUNS FOR PERSONAL DEFENSE
One of my favorite personal defense rifles is a handy Browning B92 in .44 Magnum. It’s traditional with blue steel and wood stocks. The only modern-looking thing on it is a red fiber optic front sight. As I write this, it’s resting in a safe behind me.
Leaning against the wall by my desk, within arm’s reach, is the equally handy GForce Arms LVR357 in .357 Magnum. They call it the Saddlehorn LTAC-Tactical Lever-Action on their website. The bottom half of this carbine looks old school in that it’s buttstock is wood. From there up the lever gun takes on a modern look with its M-Lok slotted forearm, picatinny rail, light rail, cartridge holder and threaded barrel. It’s resting here because the little sonofagun is accurate, dependable, and tough. On a recent javelina hunt it performed perfectly and added a nice, plump cache of pork to the freezer.
Lever Guns as fighting rifles
A righteous, practiced person with a fast-cycling lever gun is a formidable adversary for any two or four-legged predator.
Pistol caliber lever-actions are a good choice as a personal defense carbine, and let’s not forget the classic .30-30 Winchester. The 7.62 X 39 has been used in the AK-47 for combat over seven decades. It is sometimes compared ballistically to the 130-year-old .30-30 Win. I’ll take the older cartridge in a good lever-action carbine any day.
The future is bright for the 165-year-old lever-action platform. Modern improvements and new additions continue to drive the lever gun forward. It’s as relevant today as it was when that first Henry came off the line.
Those looking or a great source of all things lever gun can find it in the good Gun Digest book titled, Lever-Actions-A Tribute to the All-American Rifle. From factory guns to customs, it’s all in there.
