Truth is, lever guns are fun, fast, and effective, and are lending themselves to applications beyond their traditional hunting roles. Cowboy Action shooting, plinking, and even self-defense are legitimate lever gun pursuits these days. So, what to make of all this? How should shooters approach all the new options and explore what they have to offer?<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t have all the answers, but as a life-long lever gun enthusiast, here\u2019s my take and a number of reasons why lever action rifles make one of the best choices for first time gun buyers.<\/p>\n
Lever Guns are Versatile<\/strong><\/h3>\nLever action rifles, in the past, have often been viewed as 19th<\/sup> century technology and\/or old-timers\u2019 deer rifles. Technically, those perceptions aren\u2019t exactly wrong. After all, I\u2019ve been hunting with the same lever gun for almost 50 years now, and most of Winchester\u2019s current lineup was designed in the late 1800s. But they are so much more besides, and the design has hung around for a reason.<\/p>\nHunting<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/Author-with-336-marlin.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Modern shooters are learning that lever guns are indeed great hunting rifles, with options for just about every scenario. You read that correctly. I grew up \u201cknowing\u201d that lever guns were relatively short-ranged and good \u201cbrush guns.\u201d My Marlin 336, chambered in .35 Remington, was perfect for my Appalachian Mountain hunting ground, with its steep draws, laurel thickets, and relatively limited line-of-sight. I\u2019d say at least half the other hunters I encountered in the woods carried something similar, usually chambered in .30-30. That was actually a running joke in our deer camp. It seemed that everyone and their brother had a \u201cFirty-Firty.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lever guns are great for everything from squirrels to cape buffalo. Teddy Roosevelt used his lever action Winchester 1895, chambered in .405 Winchester<\/a>, to kill a rhinoceros. They\u2019re much more than \u201cbrush guns.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Teddy](\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/17-teddy-roosevelt-winchester-1895-rhino.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Consider the box or rotary magazine-fed models, like the Browning BLR, Henry Long Ranger, Savage 99, and Winchester Models 1895 and 88, that are chambered for longer-range cartridges like .30.06 Springfield<\/a>, .300 Savage<\/a>, .308 Winchester<\/a>, 6.5 Creedmoor<\/a>, and many others. These models are lesser known, but no less effective. The Browning, Henry, and Winchester 1895 are currently in production. Pre-owned Savages and Winchester 88s can be easily found online and aren\u2019t overly-expensive. They\u2019re all fantastic rifles. Henry also offers the Lever Action Supreme and Predator rifles, chambered for .223\/5.56<\/a>, .300 Blackout<\/a>, and .450 Bushmaster<\/a>.<\/p>\nPistol-caliber lever guns in .357 Magnum<\/a>. .44 Magnum<\/a>, and .45 Colt<\/a> are also capable deer rifles. Use the right load, and you have plenty of gun. But understand that your range will be more limited. One of my high school friends took several whitetails with a .44 Magnum-chambered Marlin 1894. Other good choices include the Winchester 1892, Rossi R92, Henry Big Boy, Heritage 92, and Smith & Wesson\u2019s 1854.<\/p>\nIf you’re going to buy your first gun, why not make it something you can hunt with too?<\/p>\n
Self-Defense Options<\/strong><\/h3>\nLever guns are also emerging as defensive firearms, especially in states where buying a modern semi-auto carbine is difficult or impossible. A pistol-caliber lever carbine can hold up to 10 rounds, and a shooter can learn to run the action very fast with just a little practice. Several companies are making lever guns specifically set up for defense, like the Marlin Dark Series or Henry\u2019s X line. Smaller companies are also getting in on the action, as with the promising Bond Arms LVRB.<\/p>\n
These guns have modern, synthetic stocks; slotted front handguards for accessories; Picatinny rails; and threaded barrels for muzzle devices or suppressors. They make for a reliable, effective option if you can\u2019t use an AR-15 or something similar. Companies offer these guns in many rifle and pistol calibers, ranging from .22 Long Rifle<\/a> all the way to 450 Bushmaster and .45-70 Gov\u2019t. That includes .223\/5.56 and .300 Blackout.<\/p>\nLever Gun Configurations<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"Lever](\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/lever-guns-on-display.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
There are four basic lever gun configurations: Rifle, Carbine, Trapper, and Mare\u2019s Leg.<\/p>\n
\n- Lever action rifles typically have a 24-inch barrel, or thereabouts, though this configuration has become less popular over time. Marlin\u2019s 336 line hasn\u2019t offered a rifle-length variant since 1962. Winchester, however, still offers its classic lever gun models with a 24-inch barrel, and even one 26-inch. I currently own six lever guns. My Heritage Model 92, based on the Winchester 1892, is the only one with a 24-inch barrel. The Browning BLR offers various barrel lengths based on the chambering, while the Winchester 88 and Savage 99 were produced with 22-inch barrels.<\/li>\n
- Carbine-length lever guns are generally the most common. These guns sport a 19 or 20-inch barrel, making them handier and quicker to bring on target than the longer rifle variants. Carbines are prized for hunting in dense woodland environments.<\/li>\n
- Trapper models are shorter still, usually having 16-inch barrels. Trapper models are meant to reduce weight and speed up target acquisition, while still offering full-size, centerfire calibers. Defensive-themed lever guns are usually Trappers or Carbines.<\/li>\n
- Mare\u2019s Leg lever guns are essentially a gimmick created by Hollywood. Several companies make them, and I own one, but their 12-inch barrels and lack of a full stock make them more difficult to operate. Mine is a fun range gun, nothing more, though some shooters have learned to operate them effectively.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
These configurations are general, and the lines sometimes blur. My Henry Big Boy Carbine, for instance, actually has a Trapper-length 16-inch barrel. That\u2019s just how Henry classifies it.<\/p>\n
Strengths of Lever Actions<\/strong><\/h2>\nLike any firearm platform, lever guns have strengths and weaknesses, and it\u2019s important to match the gun to the intended task. Lever guns are used primarily for hunting, and their strengths lean in that direction.<\/p>\n
Lever Guns are Fast<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe lever gun\u2019s biggest advantage over other manual action rifles is speed. Run properly, a good lever gun is capable of reloading faster and smoother than a bolt action or even a pump.<\/p>\n
Even a moderately experienced lever gun shooter can get two aimed shots on a game animal without breaking the sight picture. We all aim for a single-shot kill, but that doesn\u2019t always happen. Duplicating that feat with a bolt action requires far more practice and skill.<\/p>\n
We mentioned the various barrel lengths, but traditional lever gun cartridges, like the .30-30, have limited ranges baked into their design. Hornady\u2019s LEVERevolution ammo extends that range a bit, but you still won\u2019t be making 400-yard shots. A 16 or 20-inch barrel will usually do the job for those cartridges, assuming you choose the right load.<\/p>\n
Those shorter barrels make for a nice, handy, compact rifle in the deep woods. There\u2019s a reason, actually several reasons, my Marlin has made all those trips into the mountains. If I want to hunt open farmland, I\u2019ll take something else. But the Marlin is my mountain rifle. It doesn\u2019t hurt that the .35 Remington cartridge, with a 200-grain bullet, is a real thumper. That round in that particular rifle has never failed to knock a whitetail down on the first shot.<\/p>\n
Lever Guns are Robust<\/strong><\/h3>\nA quality lever gun is tough. They\u2019re meant to be run hard. In fact, they\u2019re most reliable when you run them hard. I deliberately used the word \u201crobust\u201d for this section since many lever gun manuals say to run the action \u201crobustly.\u201d That means you run it hard and fast. Short-stroking a lever gun\u2019s action is the surest way to cause a jam. Don\u2019t baby your lever gun. It\u2019s built to take it.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve only encountered one test gun that didn\u2019t hold up to that philosophy, despite the gun\u2019s manual using the word \u201crobustly.\u201d But it was a new model from a respected company who was already aware of the issues by the time I alerted them. They assured me they were fixing it. That rifle is still on the market, so I hope they did so.<\/p>\n
Several companies offer large loop options. The large loops look cool, but they come from John Wayne himself, not the Old West. It seems the Duke\u2019s large hands required a bigger loop, so they made one for his personal Winchester 1892, and the trend caught on. I like them, but I recommend using a paracord braid or leather sleeve. Running the action \u201crobustly\u201d with an unpadded large loop will beat your knuckles up something fierce.<\/p>\n
On a side note, a large loop combined with a Trapper-length barrel allows you to spin-cock your lever gun like Chuck Connors did in the old TV show, The Rifleman<\/em>. It looks awesome, but don\u2019t do it very often because it\u2019s hard on the action. Just make sure you don\u2019t bash your face with the barrel if you choose to try it. Ask me how I know.<\/p>\nWeaknesses<\/strong><\/h2>\nLever gun weaknesses, to me, are relative to the task I\u2019ve assigned a particular firearm. Other lever gun enthusiasts I know seem to share that perspective. Let\u2019s address them individually.<\/p>\n
Loading Speed<\/strong><\/h3>\n\u00a0A fair criticism of lever guns is that they are generally slow to load. Whether the gun has a traditional tube magazine or breechloading internal box or rotary mag, reloading isn\u2019t exactly fast. But in a hunting scenario, is that really an issue? My Marlin 336 has a 6+1 capacity. If I can\u2019t get it done on a whitetail with that, I have no business in the woods.<\/p>\n
Likewise, my Henry Golden Boy holds 16 rounds of .22 Long Rifle ammo. Reloading is admittedly slow. But 16 rounds for hunting or plinking is pretty good. I can\u2019t really complain about it.<\/p>\n
Shooters have developed topping-off techniques for side-loading lever guns, which can be aided by a butt cuff side saddle. I have one of those for my Henry Big Boy Carbine, putting an extra 8 rounds of .357 Magnum at my fingertips. But reloading still can\u2019t be characterized as fast.<\/p>\n
But fear not. Fast-loading options do exist. The most prominent are the Henry Lever Action Supreme and Predator rifles. They accept standard AR-15 magazines and can reload as fast as you can run the drill. The Bond Arms LVRB will also use AR-15 mags when it becomes available. The Browning BLR and Winchester 88 also use detachable box magazines, but the manual of arms won\u2019t be quite so fast as the Henrys, nor will they approach the Henrys\u2019 capacity.<\/p>\n
Range Limitations<\/strong><\/h3>\nTraditional lever gun cartridges, like .30-30 Winchester, .35 Remington, .45-70 Gov\u2019t, and the newer .360 Buckhammer<\/a>\u00a0are not designed for long-range shooting. Same with the pistol caliber models. The traditional tube magazine prohibits using spitzer bullets because of the risk of putting excess pressure on the primer of the round in front of it. So these cartridges have, until recently, been limited to round-nose bullets, which deliver a punch, but do it at shorter ranges.<\/p>\n
Hunting<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Modern shooters are learning that lever guns are indeed great hunting rifles, with options for just about every scenario. You read that correctly. I grew up \u201cknowing\u201d that lever guns were relatively short-ranged and good \u201cbrush guns.\u201d My Marlin 336, chambered in .35 Remington, was perfect for my Appalachian Mountain hunting ground, with its steep draws, laurel thickets, and relatively limited line-of-sight. I\u2019d say at least half the other hunters I encountered in the woods carried something similar, usually chambered in .30-30. That was actually a running joke in our deer camp. It seemed that everyone and their brother had a \u201cFirty-Firty.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lever guns are great for everything from squirrels to cape buffalo. Teddy Roosevelt used his lever action Winchester 1895, chambered in .405 Winchester<\/a>, to kill a rhinoceros. They\u2019re much more than \u201cbrush guns.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Consider the box or rotary magazine-fed models, like the Browning BLR, Henry Long Ranger, Savage 99, and Winchester Models 1895 and 88, that are chambered for longer-range cartridges like .30.06 Springfield<\/a>, .300 Savage<\/a>, .308 Winchester<\/a>, 6.5 Creedmoor<\/a>, and many others. These models are lesser known, but no less effective. The Browning, Henry, and Winchester 1895 are currently in production. Pre-owned Savages and Winchester 88s can be easily found online and aren\u2019t overly-expensive. They\u2019re all fantastic rifles. Henry also offers the Lever Action Supreme and Predator rifles, chambered for .223\/5.56<\/a>, .300 Blackout<\/a>, and .450 Bushmaster<\/a>.<\/p>\nPistol-caliber lever guns in .357 Magnum<\/a>. .44 Magnum<\/a>, and .45 Colt<\/a> are also capable deer rifles. Use the right load, and you have plenty of gun. But understand that your range will be more limited. One of my high school friends took several whitetails with a .44 Magnum-chambered Marlin 1894. Other good choices include the Winchester 1892, Rossi R92, Henry Big Boy, Heritage 92, and Smith & Wesson\u2019s 1854.<\/p>\nIf you’re going to buy your first gun, why not make it something you can hunt with too?<\/p>\n
Self-Defense Options<\/strong><\/h3>\nLever guns are also emerging as defensive firearms, especially in states where buying a modern semi-auto carbine is difficult or impossible. A pistol-caliber lever carbine can hold up to 10 rounds, and a shooter can learn to run the action very fast with just a little practice. Several companies are making lever guns specifically set up for defense, like the Marlin Dark Series or Henry\u2019s X line. Smaller companies are also getting in on the action, as with the promising Bond Arms LVRB.<\/p>\n
These guns have modern, synthetic stocks; slotted front handguards for accessories; Picatinny rails; and threaded barrels for muzzle devices or suppressors. They make for a reliable, effective option if you can\u2019t use an AR-15 or something similar. Companies offer these guns in many rifle and pistol calibers, ranging from .22 Long Rifle<\/a> all the way to 450 Bushmaster and .45-70 Gov\u2019t. That includes .223\/5.56 and .300 Blackout.<\/p>\nLever Gun Configurations<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
There are four basic lever gun configurations: Rifle, Carbine, Trapper, and Mare\u2019s Leg.<\/p>\n
\n- Lever action rifles typically have a 24-inch barrel, or thereabouts, though this configuration has become less popular over time. Marlin\u2019s 336 line hasn\u2019t offered a rifle-length variant since 1962. Winchester, however, still offers its classic lever gun models with a 24-inch barrel, and even one 26-inch. I currently own six lever guns. My Heritage Model 92, based on the Winchester 1892, is the only one with a 24-inch barrel. The Browning BLR offers various barrel lengths based on the chambering, while the Winchester 88 and Savage 99 were produced with 22-inch barrels.<\/li>\n
- Carbine-length lever guns are generally the most common. These guns sport a 19 or 20-inch barrel, making them handier and quicker to bring on target than the longer rifle variants. Carbines are prized for hunting in dense woodland environments.<\/li>\n
- Trapper models are shorter still, usually having 16-inch barrels. Trapper models are meant to reduce weight and speed up target acquisition, while still offering full-size, centerfire calibers. Defensive-themed lever guns are usually Trappers or Carbines.<\/li>\n
- Mare\u2019s Leg lever guns are essentially a gimmick created by Hollywood. Several companies make them, and I own one, but their 12-inch barrels and lack of a full stock make them more difficult to operate. Mine is a fun range gun, nothing more, though some shooters have learned to operate them effectively.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
These configurations are general, and the lines sometimes blur. My Henry Big Boy Carbine, for instance, actually has a Trapper-length 16-inch barrel. That\u2019s just how Henry classifies it.<\/p>\n
Strengths of Lever Actions<\/strong><\/h2>\nLike any firearm platform, lever guns have strengths and weaknesses, and it\u2019s important to match the gun to the intended task. Lever guns are used primarily for hunting, and their strengths lean in that direction.<\/p>\n
Lever Guns are Fast<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe lever gun\u2019s biggest advantage over other manual action rifles is speed. Run properly, a good lever gun is capable of reloading faster and smoother than a bolt action or even a pump.<\/p>\n
Even a moderately experienced lever gun shooter can get two aimed shots on a game animal without breaking the sight picture. We all aim for a single-shot kill, but that doesn\u2019t always happen. Duplicating that feat with a bolt action requires far more practice and skill.<\/p>\n
We mentioned the various barrel lengths, but traditional lever gun cartridges, like the .30-30, have limited ranges baked into their design. Hornady\u2019s LEVERevolution ammo extends that range a bit, but you still won\u2019t be making 400-yard shots. A 16 or 20-inch barrel will usually do the job for those cartridges, assuming you choose the right load.<\/p>\n
Those shorter barrels make for a nice, handy, compact rifle in the deep woods. There\u2019s a reason, actually several reasons, my Marlin has made all those trips into the mountains. If I want to hunt open farmland, I\u2019ll take something else. But the Marlin is my mountain rifle. It doesn\u2019t hurt that the .35 Remington cartridge, with a 200-grain bullet, is a real thumper. That round in that particular rifle has never failed to knock a whitetail down on the first shot.<\/p>\n
Lever Guns are Robust<\/strong><\/h3>\nA quality lever gun is tough. They\u2019re meant to be run hard. In fact, they\u2019re most reliable when you run them hard. I deliberately used the word \u201crobust\u201d for this section since many lever gun manuals say to run the action \u201crobustly.\u201d That means you run it hard and fast. Short-stroking a lever gun\u2019s action is the surest way to cause a jam. Don\u2019t baby your lever gun. It\u2019s built to take it.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve only encountered one test gun that didn\u2019t hold up to that philosophy, despite the gun\u2019s manual using the word \u201crobustly.\u201d But it was a new model from a respected company who was already aware of the issues by the time I alerted them. They assured me they were fixing it. That rifle is still on the market, so I hope they did so.<\/p>\n
Several companies offer large loop options. The large loops look cool, but they come from John Wayne himself, not the Old West. It seems the Duke\u2019s large hands required a bigger loop, so they made one for his personal Winchester 1892, and the trend caught on. I like them, but I recommend using a paracord braid or leather sleeve. Running the action \u201crobustly\u201d with an unpadded large loop will beat your knuckles up something fierce.<\/p>\n
On a side note, a large loop combined with a Trapper-length barrel allows you to spin-cock your lever gun like Chuck Connors did in the old TV show, The Rifleman<\/em>. It looks awesome, but don\u2019t do it very often because it\u2019s hard on the action. Just make sure you don\u2019t bash your face with the barrel if you choose to try it. Ask me how I know.<\/p>\nWeaknesses<\/strong><\/h2>\nLever gun weaknesses, to me, are relative to the task I\u2019ve assigned a particular firearm. Other lever gun enthusiasts I know seem to share that perspective. Let\u2019s address them individually.<\/p>\n
Loading Speed<\/strong><\/h3>\n\u00a0A fair criticism of lever guns is that they are generally slow to load. Whether the gun has a traditional tube magazine or breechloading internal box or rotary mag, reloading isn\u2019t exactly fast. But in a hunting scenario, is that really an issue? My Marlin 336 has a 6+1 capacity. If I can\u2019t get it done on a whitetail with that, I have no business in the woods.<\/p>\n
Likewise, my Henry Golden Boy holds 16 rounds of .22 Long Rifle ammo. Reloading is admittedly slow. But 16 rounds for hunting or plinking is pretty good. I can\u2019t really complain about it.<\/p>\n
Shooters have developed topping-off techniques for side-loading lever guns, which can be aided by a butt cuff side saddle. I have one of those for my Henry Big Boy Carbine, putting an extra 8 rounds of .357 Magnum at my fingertips. But reloading still can\u2019t be characterized as fast.<\/p>\n
But fear not. Fast-loading options do exist. The most prominent are the Henry Lever Action Supreme and Predator rifles. They accept standard AR-15 magazines and can reload as fast as you can run the drill. The Bond Arms LVRB will also use AR-15 mags when it becomes available. The Browning BLR and Winchester 88 also use detachable box magazines, but the manual of arms won\u2019t be quite so fast as the Henrys, nor will they approach the Henrys\u2019 capacity.<\/p>\n
Range Limitations<\/strong><\/h3>\nTraditional lever gun cartridges, like .30-30 Winchester, .35 Remington, .45-70 Gov\u2019t, and the newer .360 Buckhammer<\/a>\u00a0are not designed for long-range shooting. Same with the pistol caliber models. The traditional tube magazine prohibits using spitzer bullets because of the risk of putting excess pressure on the primer of the round in front of it. So these cartridges have, until recently, been limited to round-nose bullets, which deliver a punch, but do it at shorter ranges.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Consider the box or rotary magazine-fed models, like the Browning BLR, Henry Long Ranger, Savage 99, and Winchester Models 1895 and 88, that are chambered for longer-range cartridges like .30.06 Springfield<\/a>, .300 Savage<\/a>, .308 Winchester<\/a>, 6.5 Creedmoor<\/a>, and many others. These models are lesser known, but no less effective. The Browning, Henry, and Winchester 1895 are currently in production. Pre-owned Savages and Winchester 88s can be easily found online and aren\u2019t overly-expensive. They\u2019re all fantastic rifles. Henry also offers the Lever Action Supreme and Predator rifles, chambered for .223\/5.56<\/a>, .300 Blackout<\/a>, and .450 Bushmaster<\/a>.<\/p>\n Pistol-caliber lever guns in .357 Magnum<\/a>. .44 Magnum<\/a>, and .45 Colt<\/a> are also capable deer rifles. Use the right load, and you have plenty of gun. But understand that your range will be more limited. One of my high school friends took several whitetails with a .44 Magnum-chambered Marlin 1894. Other good choices include the Winchester 1892, Rossi R92, Henry Big Boy, Heritage 92, and Smith & Wesson\u2019s 1854.<\/p>\n If you’re going to buy your first gun, why not make it something you can hunt with too?<\/p>\n Lever guns are also emerging as defensive firearms, especially in states where buying a modern semi-auto carbine is difficult or impossible. A pistol-caliber lever carbine can hold up to 10 rounds, and a shooter can learn to run the action very fast with just a little practice. Several companies are making lever guns specifically set up for defense, like the Marlin Dark Series or Henry\u2019s X line. Smaller companies are also getting in on the action, as with the promising Bond Arms LVRB.<\/p>\n These guns have modern, synthetic stocks; slotted front handguards for accessories; Picatinny rails; and threaded barrels for muzzle devices or suppressors. They make for a reliable, effective option if you can\u2019t use an AR-15 or something similar. Companies offer these guns in many rifle and pistol calibers, ranging from .22 Long Rifle<\/a> all the way to 450 Bushmaster and .45-70 Gov\u2019t. That includes .223\/5.56 and .300 Blackout.<\/p>\n There are four basic lever gun configurations: Rifle, Carbine, Trapper, and Mare\u2019s Leg.<\/p>\n These configurations are general, and the lines sometimes blur. My Henry Big Boy Carbine, for instance, actually has a Trapper-length 16-inch barrel. That\u2019s just how Henry classifies it.<\/p>\n Like any firearm platform, lever guns have strengths and weaknesses, and it\u2019s important to match the gun to the intended task. Lever guns are used primarily for hunting, and their strengths lean in that direction.<\/p>\n The lever gun\u2019s biggest advantage over other manual action rifles is speed. Run properly, a good lever gun is capable of reloading faster and smoother than a bolt action or even a pump.<\/p>\n Even a moderately experienced lever gun shooter can get two aimed shots on a game animal without breaking the sight picture. We all aim for a single-shot kill, but that doesn\u2019t always happen. Duplicating that feat with a bolt action requires far more practice and skill.<\/p>\n We mentioned the various barrel lengths, but traditional lever gun cartridges, like the .30-30, have limited ranges baked into their design. Hornady\u2019s LEVERevolution ammo extends that range a bit, but you still won\u2019t be making 400-yard shots. A 16 or 20-inch barrel will usually do the job for those cartridges, assuming you choose the right load.<\/p>\n Those shorter barrels make for a nice, handy, compact rifle in the deep woods. There\u2019s a reason, actually several reasons, my Marlin has made all those trips into the mountains. If I want to hunt open farmland, I\u2019ll take something else. But the Marlin is my mountain rifle. It doesn\u2019t hurt that the .35 Remington cartridge, with a 200-grain bullet, is a real thumper. That round in that particular rifle has never failed to knock a whitetail down on the first shot.<\/p>\n A quality lever gun is tough. They\u2019re meant to be run hard. In fact, they\u2019re most reliable when you run them hard. I deliberately used the word \u201crobust\u201d for this section since many lever gun manuals say to run the action \u201crobustly.\u201d That means you run it hard and fast. Short-stroking a lever gun\u2019s action is the surest way to cause a jam. Don\u2019t baby your lever gun. It\u2019s built to take it.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve only encountered one test gun that didn\u2019t hold up to that philosophy, despite the gun\u2019s manual using the word \u201crobustly.\u201d But it was a new model from a respected company who was already aware of the issues by the time I alerted them. They assured me they were fixing it. That rifle is still on the market, so I hope they did so.<\/p>\n Several companies offer large loop options. The large loops look cool, but they come from John Wayne himself, not the Old West. It seems the Duke\u2019s large hands required a bigger loop, so they made one for his personal Winchester 1892, and the trend caught on. I like them, but I recommend using a paracord braid or leather sleeve. Running the action \u201crobustly\u201d with an unpadded large loop will beat your knuckles up something fierce.<\/p>\n On a side note, a large loop combined with a Trapper-length barrel allows you to spin-cock your lever gun like Chuck Connors did in the old TV show, The Rifleman<\/em>. It looks awesome, but don\u2019t do it very often because it\u2019s hard on the action. Just make sure you don\u2019t bash your face with the barrel if you choose to try it. Ask me how I know.<\/p>\n Lever gun weaknesses, to me, are relative to the task I\u2019ve assigned a particular firearm. Other lever gun enthusiasts I know seem to share that perspective. Let\u2019s address them individually.<\/p>\n \u00a0A fair criticism of lever guns is that they are generally slow to load. Whether the gun has a traditional tube magazine or breechloading internal box or rotary mag, reloading isn\u2019t exactly fast. But in a hunting scenario, is that really an issue? My Marlin 336 has a 6+1 capacity. If I can\u2019t get it done on a whitetail with that, I have no business in the woods.<\/p>\n Likewise, my Henry Golden Boy holds 16 rounds of .22 Long Rifle ammo. Reloading is admittedly slow. But 16 rounds for hunting or plinking is pretty good. I can\u2019t really complain about it.<\/p>\n Shooters have developed topping-off techniques for side-loading lever guns, which can be aided by a butt cuff side saddle. I have one of those for my Henry Big Boy Carbine, putting an extra 8 rounds of .357 Magnum at my fingertips. But reloading still can\u2019t be characterized as fast.<\/p>\n But fear not. Fast-loading options do exist. The most prominent are the Henry Lever Action Supreme and Predator rifles. They accept standard AR-15 magazines and can reload as fast as you can run the drill. The Bond Arms LVRB will also use AR-15 mags when it becomes available. The Browning BLR and Winchester 88 also use detachable box magazines, but the manual of arms won\u2019t be quite so fast as the Henrys, nor will they approach the Henrys\u2019 capacity.<\/p>\n Traditional lever gun cartridges, like .30-30 Winchester, .35 Remington, .45-70 Gov\u2019t, and the newer .360 Buckhammer<\/a>\u00a0are not designed for long-range shooting. Same with the pistol caliber models. The traditional tube magazine prohibits using spitzer bullets because of the risk of putting excess pressure on the primer of the round in front of it. So these cartridges have, until recently, been limited to round-nose bullets, which deliver a punch, but do it at shorter ranges.<\/p>\nSelf-Defense Options<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Lever Gun Configurations<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n\n
Strengths of Lever Actions<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Lever Guns are Fast<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Lever Guns are Robust<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Weaknesses<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Loading Speed<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Range Limitations<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/9-marlin-336-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/Henry-Big-Boy-carbine-with-red-dot.jpg\")
<\/p>\n