Lever Guns
Well, I'll be! Lately, I've seen a mighty uptick in the interest folks are seeing in lever guns of late. Now, these aren't some newfangled contraptions, no sir. They've been part of our story since the days when the West was still wild, since the days of saddlebags and Stetsons, but they're making quite a comeback. Ain't no surprise to me. I've always had a soft spot for these workhorses, and it's high time they got their due.
Benjamin Tyler Henry, a mighty smart fella, was the first to make a truly workable lever-action piece back in 1860. This rifle of his, the Henry, took .44 caliber rimfire and you could fill its belly with 15 rounds. If your lever hand was fast, your rifle spat lead just as quick.
Winchester
Winchester Repeating Arms Company took up the torch in 1866. They took that Henry design and turned it into the Winchester Model 1866, known to most folks as the "Yellow Boy". Winchester didn't rest on its laurels though.
They built on their success with the 1873, "The Gun that Won the West", and the brawny 1886. They weren't shy about using different calibers neither, from the .44-40 Winchester and .38-40 Winchester to the thundering .45-70 Government.
Marlin
Come 1870, we got Marlin Firearms joining the game. They launched their own lever-action, the Model 1881, made to handle the big-game cartridges that'll knock a bear on its backside.
Marlin was clever, see, they designed their guns with side ejection rather than the top ejection you'd find on those early Winchesters. That made it a lot simpler to mount a scope on it.
Henry Repeating Arms
Henry Repeating Arms, founded in '96, might share a name with ol' Benjamin Tyler Henry, but it's a different outfit altogether. That said, they've carried on the legacy with pride, crafting fine lever-actions that nod to the original while using modern materials and techniques. They make some of the best you can get anywhere.
Henry Repeating Arms, founded in '96, might share a name with ol' Benjamin Tyler Henry, but it's a different outfit altogether. That said, they've carried on the legacy with pride, crafting fine lever-actions that nod to the original while using modern materials and techniques. They make some of the best you can get anywhere.
Browning
Ya might also take a look at Browning, they've been making fine arms for many a year, and they've got models that are just great for plinking. Introduced way back in 1969, the BL-22 is a pleasure to shoot, and unbeknownst to most people, Made in Miroku Japan! If you got a hankering for one of these, don't let that stand it your way, it's a mighty fine rifle!
Fine European Reproductions
Over the sea, in Italy, you got makers like Chiappa and Uberti putting out lever guns too. They've got a fine hand for replica work, and they're crafting versions of the great American classics like the Winchester 1873 and 1886. They offer these in a mess of calibers and their attention to detail and workmanship on their lever guns is second to none.
For the Love of Lever Guns
These lever guns, they're not just for show. They're real practical. A lot of hunters favor 'em for their speed – faster follow-up shots than you'd get with a bolt-action. They're right popular in cowboy action shooting too, and collectors and history buffs can't resist 'em.
When you're looking to compare lever guns with other types, they've got a charm all their own. Lever-actions are sturdy and reliable, less likely to fail than those semi-autos. Plus, they don't rub lawmakers the wrong way as much. Compared to bolt-actions, they'll let you put lead downrange quicker, which can be mighty useful when you're hunting or shooting for sport.
The lever-action has a feel that's its own. It's quick to work that lever, especially compared to a bolt-action. Of course, you're not going to match a semi-auto for speed, but then, sometimes slower is better. Most lever guns use a tubular magazine, and while that might take a touch longer to reload than a box magazine, there's a rhythm to it that's pure pleasure.
These lever guns, they're a slice of pure Americana, part of our history since frontier days. This recent surge in their popularity, well, it's just proof that they've still got a place in our hearts and hands. For hunting, sport shooting, or just owning a piece of our past, a lever-action is a fine choice.
Here are links to some manufacturers:
If you know of any forums or sites that should be referenced on this listing, please let us know here.