Lever Guns,Overlooked By Many But Still Fun.Got One?

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I have two. Wish I lived somewhere where it would actually be fun to shoot them, as I've yet to shoot either. One is a Henry 001 .22LR purchased new in 2015, and the other is a '68 Winchester 94, purchased in 2018 (I think.)

I've got plenty of ammo for the Henry, but not so much .30-30 for the Winchester.
 
Now someone needs to post a picture of a real lever gun. :neener: If it don't have a side gate loading port it ain't a real lever gun.

AZ4oY0Gl.jpg
My lever action carbine and shotgun.

The only allowable exceptions are original Henry's and 22LR, otherwise its got to have a side gate. :D

-YMMV don't take me too serious on this.
 
I have 5 lever action guns. Two 22s, a 357, 45colt and 44 magnum. Probably going to add another 22 and a shotgun to that mix. The most fun guns I own. The 22s will shoot shorts, longs and LR. The 357 and 44 will both shoot magnums and specials. The 45colt will shoot such a wide range of ammo it's almost funny.

and not a side loading gate in the bunch ;)
 
The "fun factor" is one reason I sold my Henry .22,,,
I was having so much fun jacking the lever,,,
I wasn't aiming at all.

I had just stepped up from a single-shot Henry AcuBolt,,,
The temptation to try and be Lucas McCain was just too much.

It was a delightful rifle but for me it was the biggest ammo waster ever.

On the other hand I believe the lever gun was the first assault rifle,,,
It's fast rate of fire can be devastating to an opponent.

Sure it only holds 10-12 rounds of ammo in the tube,,,
But with the side loading gate it can be topped off at any time.

The people in Commie-Fornia should embrace it as a viable home defense rifle.

Aarond

.
 
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I have several lever guns and am a Marlin guy for sure. I bought my first Marlin 336 about 1972. It had a crooked front sight, a good bit of barrel droop and it was a straight shooter despite it all. I too would agree, 22 rimfire rifles being the exception, that any lever gun I own must have a loading gate. I have several Marlin 336 and an 1895 Guide Gun and my little Winchester 9422M XTR. These two are my all time favorite Marlins, the scopes use Warne QR rings so I can retain use of the open sights for close range work:

IMG-4063.jpg

The 336S and 1895SBL above have WWG triggers and extractors. This winter I have some mods planned for the Guide Gun. Here is my 1977 Texan 336. It currently wears a 1978 Weaver K2.5 El Paso steel scope with Weaver rings:

IMG-4065.jpg

I must use a scope due to a vision problem, without going into detail, no open sight system of any sort is useful to me beyond 25 yards. These two are friends, the 9422M XTR and the Single Six Convertible:

IMG-1122.jpg

That is a steel El Paso Weaver K3 on Weaver .22 tip off rings.
 
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Absolutely! I own 2 Henry's and I'm searching for a .357 carbine to go with my revolvers. Had a couple 30-30s thru the years and loved them. The best one I ever had was a Marlin 336 with an old redfield peep. Great shooter. My first ever was a button mag 1892 src in 32-20. Still kick myself for trading it off.

aarondhgraham said:
On the other hand I believe the lever gun was the first assault rifle,,,
It's fast rate of fire can be devastating to an opponent.
Click to expand...

I promise it is. I can't speak for everyone, but I can put a lot of lead downrange in a hurry, and still hit what I aim at. Just don't let,that secret out! Then lever gun prices will go up!

Mac
 
MacAR said:
Absolutely! I own 2 Henry's and I'm searching for a .357 carbine to go with my revolvers. Had a couple 30-30s thru the years and loved them. The best one I ever had was a Marlin 336 with an old redfield peep. Great shooter. My first ever was a button mag 1892 src in 32-20. Still kick myself for trading it off.



I promise it is. I can't speak for everyone, but I can put a lot of lead downrange in a hurry, and still hit what I aim at. Just don't let,that secret out! Then lever gun prices will go up!

Mac
Click to expand...

The original (cowboy and Indian) assault rifle. Can drop bunches of big chunks of lead on a (toothy) critters arse with a 45-70 Marlin. My favorite over the counter 45-70 ammo is the HSM Cowboy 405gr HC and HSM 430gr HC Bear load. The HSM Bear ammo is a good bit milder than the Buffalo Bore and Garret products but is capable of putting just about anything down that walks.
 
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mcb said:
Now someone needs to post a picture of a real lever gun. :neener: If it don't have a side gate loading port it ain't a real lever gun.

View attachment 931555
My lever action carbine and shotgun.

The only allowable exceptions are original Henry's and 22LR, otherwise its got to have a side gate. :D

-YMMV don't take me too serious on this.
Click to expand...
Pshh, REAL lever guns have rotary magazines!
pix781219581.jpg
index-17.jpg
:p:D
 
mcb said:
Now someone needs to post a picture of a real lever gun. :neener:
Click to expand...
ok

1886 Winchester 45-70
index.php
 
I am a fan - I have a few. My first centerfire rifle was a Marlin 336 in .30-30; I will probably always be a levergun person. I also lusted after a Marlin 39A, which I also finally got after a few years...

I think they are iconic and classic. Not everyone sees the appeal, and I get that and it's fine.


I have considered .45-70 (what true levergun fan doesn't?) and .44 mag, but I can get by without either to be honest. That's not to say it won't ever happen...
 
I always enjoy lever actions. I have the basic Henry 001 and Marlin 39a, both great shooters but the 'feel' is different. A Winchester 30-30 which I prefer to my friend's Marlin 336, which surprised me. I would have thought the 'more solid' feel of the Marlin would be more appealing. Then there's the Marlin in 357 magnum and the Navy Arms/Uberti 1873 in 45 Colt. Besides just being fun, I like the idea of carrying a single action revolver and lever gun using the same ammo.

I can't afford them right now but I would love to have Henry Big Boy rifles in 41 Magnum and 327 Magnum (shooting 32 longs) just because I really like those calibers. :D

Jeff
 
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