What's your favorite lever action rifle?

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38-45 Special

38-45 Special

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I've always been a huge fan of the lever action rifle. To me, they're practical for nearly any of one's firearm needs, not to mention the classic nature of their design. What is your favorite lever action rifle and/or preferred chambering of that rifle?

My personal favorite has to be the Marlin Model 1895 chambered in 45-70.
 
The 1886 Winchester Extra Lightweight .45-70, with the same model in .33 WCF a close second. I love my 73's, but have hunted (successfully) with the 86.

PRD1 - mhb - MIke
 
The Savage model 99, chambered in 250-3000, is my favorite lever action. The model 99 was so far ahead of it’s time. The model 99 is one of the neatest firearms that has ever been made. It has a look like no other firearm. It is ugly in away, but if you really look at it, it is a beautiful firearm. Some of it’s chambering were really great rounds and have been tweaked a bit and set the stage for a lot of the modern rounds we have now. If you ever get the chance, read some about Author Savage. He was a true innovator and a very interesting person.
 
For me the most useful is a Winchester Model 92 (clone) in 44 Mag. If I am going to step up to a center fire rifle cartridge I would change action types but a lever action pistol caliber carbine is super handy.
 
I've really become enamored with my Henry long ranger in 243. Been impressed with the accuracy and smoothness of the action. If they had the 6.5cm available at the time I would have gone that way instead. Interested in a Win 95 or BLR but have yet to get the opportunity to try either one.
 
No particular order... any Savage 99 with the rotary magazine. The JM stamped Marlins in their cowboy versions. Henry’s new model steel version of their original rifle. Winchester 88’s. Any Sharps, Rem Rolling Block or Winchester High/Low wall. Ruger 96/#1’s. Winchester lever action shotguns. Prob a couple I’m missing but this is a good start from my perspective.
 
Favorite that I own would be a Winchester 1895 in 30.06. I really want a modern Winchester 1886 in 45-70 as well but haven't purchased one yet.
 
I only have two, and picking a favorite would be too difficult. although for the fun factor and frequency of use I'd have to go with the Henry base model ( H001 ) .22 lever gun. Years ago a buddy had a Winchester 9422 that got me hooked on rimfire levers and when a local place had the Henry on sale in Oct. 2018 I jumped on it. Currently has a Tasco red dot on it just for plinking and it's a lot of fun. For more serious pursuits like deer season it would be a Marlin 30AS in .30-30 for a woods gun in rifle zones. LGS recently put a new Henry Long Ranger in .308 on the rack behind the counter and I got to fondle it recently. That thing is very, very sweet but I gotta unload some long guns first; and here I am trying to downsize the gun collection in retirement while simultaneously drooling on another lever gun at the LGS.
 
Of all I've handled, I think the newer Henry Big Boy Steels are my favorite. I know I'm not supposed to like them. I know they aren't supposed to be any good at all because you can't load them through a gate. I know they aren't marlins, etc...
But I do, it is, and I don't care. I have a marlin too, it serves it's purpose, but that Henry has impressed me repeatedly.
 
My favorite switches between my REP Marlin 1895SBL and my REP Marlin 336S. And, yes, I have several JM Marlins and of them these two I would not give up. The scopes are on Warne QR rings so they can be removed in moments for use of the open sights if I desire:

IMG-4063.jpg

Of the many Marlins I have owned going back into the early 70s and still own several including a Model 39A Mountie and a beautiful old 336T and a nice Glenfield and a couple more Marlins and a wonderful Winchester 9422M, these two Marlins above are the most accurate, smoothest and most reliable in function that I have had. A few more that have stood the test of time and would have to be pried from my cold, dead fingers:

IMG-1185.jpg
1957 Marlin 39A Mountie

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1986 Winchester 9422M

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1977 Marlin 336 Texan
 
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Winchester 1892, .45LC, 20" barrel with full magazine and large ring lever. Have had several 1894 rifles in .30WCF, and I liked the one with the slightly rebounding hammer, and no safety the best.
 
I should probably add this one... as my dad had a Winchester 88, which was the USA import of the Sako Finnwolf, his was in .308, but I think they came in .243 too. I shot it some, hunted with it, but dad was stingy with the ammo, thinking 20 shots was enough for a LIFETIME practice and hunting.... Since he never shot anything with it, I'm sure he was right!
 
I'm a fan of the 1886 Winchester in 45-70. Of the modern guns, I'm partial to Marlins made by Marlin before they became Remlins.
 
My .357 lever is a lot of fun with .38 Special. Maybe not the most practical - but that wasn't the question asked.


I like all the ones I have. They're all great in their own ways...
Very hard to pick a favorite.
 
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