Best Lever Action Rifles of 2023

When I used to be a child, there have been three causes I wished a lever motion rifle. First, they have been cool. Second, as a result of I grew up simply exterior New Haven, Conn., the historic dwelling to Marlin and Winchester, they have been my hometown weapons. Third, they have been low-cost.

Only considered one of this stuff continues to be true. Lever weapons all the time have been and all the time might be cool, although they’ll by no means once more be low-cost, nor—barring divine intervention—will they ever once more be produced in Gun Valley.

Writing in regards to the high lever motion rifles is a bit difficult. Do you concentrate on one of the best of all time, which is a superb for us nostalgic kinds, or do you discuss nice lever motion rifles you could purchase new? (Though given among the lingering shortages, it is perhaps extra correct to say the lever weapons you possibly can put your self on a ready itemizing for.)

I tilted this listing of one of the best lever motion rifles in favor of these you possibly can order new. Though when you’ve got a hankering for one of many old-time classics, there are lots available on the used market. Just don’t look forward to finding any bargains. Nearly all high quality lever actions command a premium.

How I Picked the Best Lever Action Rifles

This listing is split into these weapons which are being at the moment produced (or soon-to-be) in important numbers and people which are both specialty orders or that have to be sought out on the used gun market.

With the exception of the rifles which have simply been introduced, I’ve shot, dealt with, and/or owned all of the fashions listed. Beyond my hands-on expertise with the rifles over time, nonetheless, lots of them are no-brainers primarily based on their well-documented historical past and legacy. 

Best Lever Action Rifles Currently Made

The good—really, nice—information right here is that we’re seeing extra lever actions made with every passing yr. A pair years again, Remington screwed the pooch with Marlin and people have been some darkish days certainly. In these years it appeared solely Henry was making high quality lever weapons in significant numbers, however issues have taken a flip for the higher.

Under Ruger’s possession, Marlin appears poised to flourish. Henry continues to be innovating arduous and trotting out new fashions in new cartridges, just like the 360 Buckhammer. And we now have a pair attention-grabbing and revolutionary newcomers within the combine.

Marlin 1895

Key Features

• Caliber: .45/70 Govt
• Capacity: 6+1
• Stock: Gray Laminate
• Material: Stainless Steel
• Sights: High-Vis Tritium fiber optic with an adjustable ghost ring
• Weight: 7.3 lb.
• Length 37.25 in.
• Barrel: 19.1 in., cold-hammer cast, threaded 11/16-24
• Twist: 1:20
• Cost: $1,479

Pros

• The new Ruger-made Marlin 1895s are the best factory-produced Marlins in historical past.

Cons

• Supply continues to be nowhere close to consistent with demand. Many are being resold for premiums on the used gun market.

When Ruger resurrected Marlin, the primary mannequin they introduced again was the 1895 SBL. This was a sensible transfer as a result of the SBL, with its grey laminate furnishings, stainless-steel steel, threaded barrel, outsized lever loop, and picatinny rail was one of many sexiest and most sought-after iterations of this traditional lever motion.

I had good issues to say in regards to the Marlin 1895 SBL when it was reintroduced in late 2021, and that opinion hasn’t shifted. It is one of the best lever motion rifle produced beneath the Marlin model—no less than within the trendy period. Packing 6+1 rounds of .45/70 Gov’t in its journal, it brings a formidable stage of firepower to the social gathering which is why it has garnered lots of curiosity from hunters in bear nation, in addition to with on a regular basis sportsmen in additional sedate components of the U.S.

Marlin has additionally launched two new variations of the 1895 price contemplating, a Model 1895 Trapper and a Model 1895 Guide Gun. The Trapper comes with a Skinner peep sight, no picatinny rail, and is a little more compact (34 ¼ in. vs. 37 ¼ in.) than the SBL. It, too, is chambered in .45/70 and has a 5+1 journal capability. The Guide Gun (mannequin GBL) is barely inexpensive than the SBL ($1,239 vs. $1,479), has conventional semi-buckhorn sights, blued metal, is chambered in .45/70, and a 6+1 capability.

Henry All-Weather Picatinny Rail .45/70 Side Gate

Key Features

• Caliber: .45/70 Govt
• Capacity: 4+1
• Stock: Stained hardwood
• Material: Hard chrome with a stain end
• Sights: Ghost ring on a Picatinny rail
• Weight: 7.1 lb.
• Length 37.5 in.
• Barrel: 18.43 in.
• Twist: 1:20
• Cost: $1,333

Pros

• Affordable, obtainable and versatile.

Cons

It didn’t appear that way back that Henry Repeating Arms was solely making Golden Boys chambered in pistol cartridges and .22s. But these guys have been busy, and because the firm embarks on its second quarter century, they’ve added a formidable variety of merchandise to the lineup.

One of the flagship searching rifles is the All-Weather Picatinny Rail .45/70 Side Gate, which is Henry’s model of a do-everything information gun. As the title implies, it’s constructed for the weather. The steel has a hard-chrome satin end. The inventory is a stained hardwood.

It has an aperture peep sight mounted on the rear of the substantial Picatinny rail. Henry outfitted it with an outsized lever loop. With the 18.43-inch barrel, the general size is 37.5 inches and it has a 4+1 capability. The rifle may be loaded both by the facet gate on the receiver or by dropping rounds into the tubular journal.

This is a flexible and succesful thumper that’s equally at dwelling in bear nation or in a deer stand overlooking a meals plot.

Winchester Model 94

Key Features

• Caliber: .30/30 Win.
• Capacity: 8+1
• Stock: Grade V/VI Walnut, 22 lpi checkering
• Receiver: Case coloration hardened
• Sights: Marble adjustable semi-buckhorn
• Weight: 7.5 lb.
• Length 42.5 in.
• Barrel: 24 in.
• Twist: 1:12
• Cost: $2,230

Pros

• Arguably probably the most iconic of deer rifles. A real traditional.

Cons

The Winchester Model 1873 may need been The Gun that Won the West—an awesome bit of selling by Winchester executives—however the Model 94 is undeniably the rifle that received the hearts and minds of generations of deer hunters. If you polled long-time hunters concerning their selection as the highest lever motion rifle, there’s little doubt the Winchester 94 would win the vote.

This was probably the most prolific of Winchester’s lever actions, being the primary sporting rifle within the U.S. to promote 1,000,000 items. Prior to the tip of its home manufacturing in 2006, greater than seven million Model 94s have been produced.

Model 94s are nonetheless being made for Browning/Winchester by Miroku Corp. in Japan and can be found in a number of completely different grades. These run from the fundamental Carbine ($1,309) with its plain walnut inventory and brushed polished blued steel, to the Deluxe Sporting ($2,230), which has case coloration hardened metalwork, upgraded wooden, properly executed checkering, and a half-round, half-octagonal deeply blued barrel.

Currently, the 94 is being provided in .30/30 Win., .38/55 and .450 Marlin.

Browning BLR

Key Features

• Caliber: .30/06
• Capacity: 4
• Stock: Laminate, 18 lpi checkering
• Receiver: Aluminum alloy, matte nickel end
• Sights: Marble adjustable with Tru-Glo fiber-optic entrance
• Weight: 7.25 lb.
• Length 43 in.
• Barrel: 22 in.
• Twist: 1:10
• Cost: $1,480

Pros

• All-purpose versatility. Handy takedown.

Cons

• In some shooters’ eyes has by no means attained “classic” standing.

The Browning BLR is likely one of the most versatile lever actions in the marketplace. It is out there in each short- and long-action lengths and since it feeds from a removable field journal it is ready to run pointy spitzer-style bullets in cartridges normally related to bolt weapons.

The Lightweight ’81 Stainless Takedown is probably the most utilitarian BLR of all of them, making it one of the best lever motion rifle within the BLR household. It breaks down into two items for simple transport and is constructed on a light-weight aluminum receiver and sports activities a stainless-steel barrel for glorious climate resistance. At about 7.25 kilos (relying on the particular chambering) it has a really good steadiness and really feel. Combined with its clean lever system, which makes use of a intelligent gear and pinion design, the BLR embodies the lithe, fast-handling traits that lever motion followers admire. (I’d be remiss if I didn’t give a nod to the legendary Winchester Model 88, which was a game-changing lever motion from which the BLR drew a number of inspiration.)

The Lightweight ’81 Takedown is at the moment chambered in .243 Win., 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm-08 Rem., .308 Win., .300 WSM, .30/06, and .300 Win. Mag. Several different cartridges can be found in different BLR fashions as effectively.

Marlin 336

Key Features

• Caliber: .30/30 Win.
• Capacity: 6+1
• Stock: Black walnut
• Receiver: Blued alloy metal, CNC machined from forgings
• Sights: Adjustable semi-buckhorn
• Weight: 7.5 lb.
• Length 38.6 in.
• Barrel: 20.25 in., chilly hammer-forged
• Twist: 1:12
• Cost: $1,239

Pros

• Wonderful craftsmanship. Quintessential brush gun.

Cons

• Going to be scarce for some time.

It’s tough for me to precise how joyful I’m to incorporate the Marlin 336 among the many high lever motion rifles at the moment made. I do know I’m not alone on this. I lower my tooth searching deer with a Marlin 336 in .35 Remington so, as with numerous different hunters, the 336 was my past love.

We’ve dealt with and put a number of rounds by one of many new 336’s, which is able to initially be chambered in .30/30 Win., and its high quality was spot-on. As with the 1895s, the 336s have glorious match and end, run easily, and are aesthetically pleasing.

As for timing, count on to see the primary Marlin 336’s transport mid- to late-spring. The .35 Rem. is within the hopper, however these of us craving the return of that chambering should wait till later this yr.

Also, don’t be shocked to see the 336 provided in Remington’s 360 Buckhammer in 2023 as effectively.

Henry Golden Boy

Key Features

• Caliber: .22 LR
• Capacity: 16+1
• Stock: Black walnut
• Receiver: Polished Brasslite
• Sights: Adjustable semi-buckhorn
• Weight: 6.75 lb.
• Length 38.5 in.
• Barrel: 20 in., octagon blued metal
• Twist: 1:16
• Cost: $636

Pros

• Slick, enjoyable, helpful. Consummate plinker.

Cons

• As lengthy because it suits your finances, there may be completely nothing unsuitable with this rifle.

As you historical past buffs most likely know, the unique Henry lever motion was the primary commercially profitable lever motion rifle. Originally chambered in .44 Rimfire, it was one of the superior firearms to see motion throughout the Civil War and was fielded in restricted numbers by Union Troops.

Confederate Colonel John Mosby is credited with cursing it as “that damned Yankee rifle that can be loaded on Sunday and fired all week,” after preventing towards troops wielding it in battle. That unintentional endorsement caught and helped propel the Henry to eternal fame.

Henry makes a “New Original Henry” chambered in both .44-40 WCF or .45 Colt, although the preferred (and inexpensive) homage is the Henry Golden Boy rimfire, which may be had in .22 S/L/LR, .22 Mag., or .17 HMR.

In .22 LR, the preferred configuration, the rifle holds 16 rounds, the identical as the unique. It has a 20-inch octagonal barrel that’s properly blued and contracts sharply with the brilliant “Brasslite” completed receiver and brass buttpad and barrel band.

The receiver comes drilled and tapped for a scope, however earlier than you mount an optic on yours spend a while operating it with semi-buckhorn sights, because the Creator meant.

These Golden Boys run like a scalded squirrel and may digest ammo by the brick over the course of a day.

As a primary gun for a teenager, it has no actual equal. But its attraction is so sturdy that nobody will fault you for getting one to your grownup self first.

Marlin 1894

Key Features

• Caliber: .44 Mag./.44 Spl.
• Capacity: 10+1
• Stock: Black walnut
• Receiver: Blued alloy metal, CNC machined from forgings
• Sights: Adjustable semi-buckhorn
• Weight: 7.25 lb.
• Length 38.5 in.
• Barrel: 20.25 in., chilly hammer-forged
• Twist: 1:20
• Cost: TBD

Pros

• Based on the samples I’ve seen, needs to be as effectively made as different Ruger Marlins.

Cons

• As with different Marlins, might be tough to seek out.

The Marlin 1894 was sizzling stuff when it was launched again within the day. It was the primary lever gun with a flat high, side-eject design that anticipated the eventual wide-spread adoption of telescopic sights on rifles. This innovation gave it a leg up (on paper anyway) in comparison with the Winchester 1894 which debuted on the identical time, although the truth that the Winchester got here within the potent .30/30 versus the much less highly effective choices within the Marlin gave Winchester’s 1894 a decisive benefit.

The Marlin 1894 has been chambered in a wide range of largely pistol-caliber cartridges over the a long time, the most typical of which (within the trendy period) included the .44 Spl./.44 Magnum. .38 Spl./.357 Magnum and .45 Colt. I’ve a North Haven, Conn., constructed 1894 in .44 Magnum and it’s considered one of my favourite carbines. (Though if I might snap my fingers and conjure any 1894 it will be one chambered within the quaint and now out of date .218 Bee.)

Ruger introduced the return of the Marlin 1894 this spring, so we’ll hopefully have hands-on vary time with one quickly for a full evaluation. Expect to see the primary choices within the cartridges talked about above, however as particulars develop into obtainable we’ll replace this info. (Note: the rifle pictured above is likely one of the older Marlin 1894s).

POF-USA Tombstone

Key Features

• Caliber: 9mm
• Capacity: 10- or 20-round journal
• Stock: Magpull SGA
• Receiver: Aluminum
• Sights: XS ghost ring on a Picatinny rail
• Weight: 5.75 lb.
• Length 36 in.
• Barrel: 16.5 in., free floated, threaded ½-28
• Twist: 1:10
• Cost: $1,962

Pros

• Cool design. Opening the lever motion market to a brand new kind of shooter.

Cons

•  A bit costly in comparison with what may be bought for the same value. Also, when you want a muzzle brake on a 9mm carbine it is best to most likely search medical consideration. 

Guess what—the Tombstone doesn’t give a rattling about your nostalgic attachment to the previous. This new arrival has turned lots of heads with its uber-modern tackle the lever motion rifle.  

Chambered in 9mm, it feeds through removable 10- or 20-round magazines—the identical ones POF makes use of on their Phoenix pistol.

The 16.5-inch barrel is free-floated, threaded ½-28, and comes with a dual-port muzzle break that isn’t actually vital however compliments the Tombstone’s tactical vibe. (Truth is, it’s only a placeholder for a suppressor, which elevates the Tombstone’s fun-factor by an order of magnitude.)

The fore-end has a pair Picatinny rail sections in addition to quite a few M-Lok slots, so there isn’t a scarcity of locations to mount equipment. The receiver is topped with a Picatinny rail as effectively and consists of an built-in XS Ghost Ring sight.

It runs Magpul’s SGA 870 buttstock, which incorporates two flush attachment factors for a sling and a grip angle that’s a lot steeper than is typical on a lever motion. The Tombstone is about 36 inches lengthy, and has an marketed weight of 5 ¾ kilos, which makes it helpful and fast to wield.

The base black mannequin is $1,962, whereas the FDE model runs $2,097. The Tombstone isn’t low-cost, however there’s no scarcity of shooters seeking to throw down their cash to get one.

Bond Arms Lever Action

Key Features

• Caliber: 9mm/5.56mm NATO/.300 BLK
• Capacity: Runs from AR-15 suitable mags
• Stock: Magpull SGA
• Lower materials: Aluminum
• Sights: N/A
• Weight: TBD
• Length: TBD
• Barrel: TBD
• Cost: $1,500 (Est.)

Pros

• An revolutionary idea and funky strategy to leverage (pardon the pun) the AR-15 platform.

Cons

• We don’t know the way effectively it is going to actually work or what it is going to value but. 

This attention-grabbing rifle isn’t obtainable fairly but—the corporate hopes to launch it later in 2023—however I wished to incorporate it because it is a superb instance of the lever motion’s enduring attraction.

The thought of this rifle is easy: An AR-15 suitable lever motion decrease that may run a typical higher. The execution of it’s fairly advanced, nonetheless, and includes lots of innovation, significantly within the linkage system to get the suitable leverage and timing to cycle 30-round magazines.

The throw on the lever is brief—for fast biking—however options a wide range of camming forces to extract rounds from the chamber and strip rounds packed tight in higher-capacity magazines. From simply the mechanical standpoint, it is a fascinating design.

Bond expects to supply this rifle as a whole system for about $1,500, although remaining pricing is TBD as the corporate works to carry this idea to manufacturing. As with the POF Tombstone, the Bond Arms Lever Action makes use of the Magpul SGA 870 buttstock, that means any Remington 870 suitable inventory may be swapped as a substitute.

Another cool characteristic is the rifle’s user-configurable lever loop that enables the shooter to swap to a bigger loop if desired. In truth, this rifle’s AR-15 mix-and-match modularity guarantees to spawn attention-grabbing configurations as shooters experiment with the platform.

Best Lever Action Rifles: The Classics

This listing might have been for much longer, however within the curiosity of brevity I’ve solely highlighted a number of notable traditional lever weapons. Before attending to these, nonetheless, I do need to spotlight a pair vital honorable mentions.

The Spencer repeating rifle is one. It was the primary navy repeating rifle that used self-contained metallic cartridges and is the forefather of all lever actions. Though the Spencer was produced for under a short while (1860 to 1869) and in comparatively restricted numbers, it was the steppingstone upon which the lever motion rifle, particularly Winchesters, was constructed.

The Winchester 1895, which gained prominence as Teddy Roosevelt’s “Big Medicine” in .405 Winchester is an iconic lever motion whose fame outstrips its precise advantages. From a technical standpoint, its most distinguishing ingredient is that it was the primary Winchester lever motion fed from an inner field journal.

Winchester 1886

Key Features

• Caliber: .45/70 Gov’t.
• Capacity: 8+1
• Stock: Grade III/IV Walnut
• Receiver: Steel coloration case hardened
• Sights: Semi-buckhorn
• Weight: 9.75 lb.
• Length 43 in.
• Barrel: 24 in., octagonal
• Twist: 1:20
• Cost: $1,930

Pros

• The first actual lever motion for large recreation cartridges.

Cons

• Hard to seek out and a bit spendy.

This was the primary big-boy lever motion in historical past. The Winchester 1886 modified the sport as a result of it’s sturdy locking-block motion was capable of deal with correct rifle cartridges, quite than the pistol rounds that earlier lever motion designs have been restricted to.

It was initially chambered in .45/70 and .45/90, two rounds you possibly can nonetheless get it in. Over the years it was loaded for different hard-hitting rounds just like the .50/110 Winchester and .33 WCF.

Those rounds, mixed with its glorious dealing with traits, made the Model 1886 the primary true big-game succesful lever motion. Today, you possibly can order it in a Saddle Ring Carbine configuration ($1,630) with a 22-inch barrel, in “Short Rifle” trim ($1,450) with a 24-inch spherical barrel, or go all out with the flamboyant Deluxe Case Hardened mannequin ($1,930) with a 24-inch octagonal barrel, upgraded walnut and coloration case hardened receiver.

Savage Model 99

Pros

• One of the highest candidates because the lever motion GOAT. It is each timeless and forward of its time.

Cons

• You’re going to pay by the nostril for one in good situation.

Arguably the best lever motion ever (and if there’s one factor lever gun followers love to do its argue about which is greatest), the Savage Model 99 was a revolutionary addition to the American sporting scene when it was trotted out in 1899.

It had a sublime, hammerless design, used an revolutionary rotary journal that allowed the rifle to securely chamber cartridges with spitzer-style pointed bullets, and a inventory silhouette that oozed sexiness and pace a long time earlier than such aesthetics grew to become the hallmark of artwork deco industrial design.

First referred to as the Model 1899, it formally modified to the Model 99 in 1921 when the .300 Savage was launched. Initially, the 1899 was chambered in .303 Savage and .30/30 Win. Soon, Savage added different cartridges to the lineup—probably the most iconic of which was Charles Newton’s speedster, the .250-3000 Savage, in 1915. Later in life, the Model 99 added the .243 Win., .308 Win., 7mm-08 Rem., .375 Win. and others to the combo.

My Model 99 is a very beautiful rifle. It was given the me by my father-in-law earlier than he handed away and is a takedown mannequin chambered in .300 Savage that features a .410 gauge barrel that it shoots single-shot.

The rifle was bought by Abercrombie and Fitch to legendary automotive maker Carroll Shelby, who ultimately gave it to my father-in-law as a present. It’s nonetheless in its authentic case of leather-based and wooden lined with purple velvet. I hardly ever shoot it—however admire it incessantly.

Winchester Model 88

Pros

• One of probably the most important evolutionary designs in lever motion historical past.

Cons

• Its appears to be like and really feel weren’t for everybody, however sufficient hunters took a shine to it to make it the third-best promoting lever motion in Winchester’s historical past.

Though it by no means gained the next of the Savage 99, the Winchester Model 88 is much like the Savage in that it integrated lots of technical innovation in its design and prompted hunters and shooters to reassess the lever motion platform.

Winchester unveiled it in 1955. It had a brief lever throw and used a rotating three-lug bolt that easily stripped rounds from the removable field journal. The Model 88 was chambered in a handful of cartridges that have been new on the time, particularly the .308 Win., .243 Win., .284 Win. and the .358 Win., which was a very terrific brush spherical that’s sadly all however forgotten today.

The Model 88 has a hammerless design and facet eject, which permits for simple mounting of an optic on the receiver. One significantly intelligent characteristic is how the set off strikes with the lever loop, eliminating the opportunity of a pinched finger or snagged glove when working the motion.

Marlin 39A

Pros

• The greatest rimfire lever motion rifle ever.

Cons

• Ruger isn’t making them—but. Used 39A’s command a premium.

I don’t assume there’s a rimfire lever motion as beloved because the Marlin 39A. It tops many shooters’ lists as one of the best .22 LR ever produced. The legacy of the 39A is fascinating. It began because the Model 1891 and was the primary .22 LR lever motion produced. Its legendary accuracy was demonstrated by Annie Oakley who used one in her capturing exhibitions. The Model 39A held the excellence of being the longest frequently produced shoulder-fired firearm in historical past. That streak was damaged when the dimwits who bought Marlin and positioned it beneath the Remington umbrella determined to maneuver Marlin’s manufacturing amenities from North Haven, Conn., to Ilion, New York—at which level the manufacturing of all Marlins floor to a (predictable) halt.

My honest hope is that we’ll quickly—as within the subsequent couple years—have the ability to reclassify the 39A beneath the “Best Lever Action Rifles Being Currently Made” class because it appears Ruger is doing such a superb job reviving Marlin since they bought it.

Winchester 1873

Key Features

• Caliber: .44-40 WCF
• Capacity: 14+1
• Stock: Grade V/VI Walnut
• Receiver: Steel coloration case hardened
• Sights: Semi-buckhorn
• Weight: 8 lb.
• Length 43 in.
• Barrel: 24 in., half octagon/half spherical
• Twist: 1:36
• Cost: $2,190

Pros

• The gun that received the West. Nuff mentioned.

Cons

• A real used one goes to value dearly. Newer imports don’t have the identical cachet.

When you assume “cowboys” and the “Old West” the primary rifle that involves thoughts is that this magnificence. The Winchester 73 actually was the suitable gun for the suitable time—being the primary rifle chambered for the .44-40, which is alleged to be the primary centerfire cartridge developed. Whether it deserved to be referred to as “The Gun that Won the West” as Winchester touted, there’s no denying that the Model 73 was used to ship an entire bunch of males—each good and unhealthy—to their maker, and accounted for alongside innumerable head of deer and different recreation in addition.

The Model 1873 was produced till 1923 however has loved a revival for the reason that sport of cowboy motion capturing sprang up. Uberti makes replicas chambered in .357 Mag. and .45 Colt, whereas Winchester, which labored with their Japanese companion Miroku, has been importing ’73s since 2013. Those can be found in .357 Mag., .45 Colt, and .44-40 WCF.

FAQs

Final Thoughts on the Best Lever Action Rifles

Usually when one compiles a “best of” listing—whether or not speaking deer rifles, elk cartridges, or sniper rifles—there may be important push-back with the choices. Everyone has deeply-held convictions on such issues. 

With lever motion rifles, it’s a bit completely different. There are many rifles which are universally agreed upon. No one of their proper thoughts goes say {that a} Savage 99 isn’t probably the greatest lever motion rifles of all time. The identical goes for the Model 94, Marlin 336 and others.

I feel we rally round lever actions as a result of they’re the quintessential American rifle. Yes, we make one of the best bolt-actions on this planet, and the identical may be argued with different firearms platforms—however the lever motion is distinctly ours. Though some are made overseas and imported, the lever motion is, and all the time might be, America’s rifle.