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Lever Guns Are Making A Comeback!
Many of us start the year off by attending the annual SHOT Show in Las Vegas. SHOT, which stands for Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show, is the largest private trade show for industry professionals to get together and see what all of the manufacturers have been up to and what the next year will be looking like.
As I walked the floor this year, I noticed and heard quite a bit of buzz around lever-action rifles. Now that we’re more than halfway through the year, we’ve seen many of them hit the market, and the overall feedback has been positive.
Lever-action rifles have come a long way! Source
So, what exactly is the allure of lever guns? Which ones are brand new this year that you may want to take a look at for yourself? I’ll answer both of those questions, so keep reading!
The Classic Lever Gun
It’s hard for anyone to deny the unique and satisfying feeling of shooting their first lever gun. Regardless of your age or history knowledge, there is an ingrained sense of nostalgia shooting a lever-action rifle, especially the more traditional wooden models.
But aside from the fun one has shooting them, lever-action rifles present quite a few advantages that you may not think of right off the bat. First, they are often highly maneuverable due to their typically short and lightweight build. If you’re a hunter who often finds yourself hiking through dense wooded areas, this could be a huge advantage.
Compact and capable. Source
They also offer a wide variety of caliber choices and a surprising amount of capacity. This means you can have one that’s great for teaching first-time shooters, such as one chambered in .22 LR, and then one suitable to take down a few deer, chambered in .30-30 Winchester.
Last but certainly not least, they are also reliable. Having a gun that is all three of those things definitely checks most boxes for people and if you’re still on the fence at that point, just go shoot one and you won’t be for long.
Here are a few of the new models for 2024 that have people, including myself, talking.
New Models
Smith & Wesson 1854
S&W has been hard at work pumping out firearm after firearm over the last few years, often a simple new variation of its popular M&P line, whether a pistol or a semi-automatic rifle. So people were very surprised to see the 1854 announcement go live.
More traditional looking models are available as well, but this would be the model I’d go for. Source
Offered in .45 Colt or .44 Magnum and in either walnut or stainless steel, these lever-action rifles offer a nice blend of classic and modern styling. Any of the models you decide to go with will have a repeatable flat trigger, a large loop operating lever, and a 410 SS barrel.
Each model also comes with an XS ghost ring rear sight and a Picatinny rail for optics, making it a hard gun to pass up.
Winchester Ranger
Remember how I mentioned lever guns can be great for training beginners? The new Winchester Ranger is perfect for exactly that.
Chambered in .22 LR and sporting a simplistic feature set, the Ranger is not as intimidating as certain others can be to first-time shooters. Despite its less-than-bulky appearance, the Ranger was made with durability in mind.
There is something beautiful about a classic no-frills lever-action rifle. Source
It features a precision-machined billet aluminum receiver that is lightweight and strong. The walnut stock provides a classic aesthetic that is also comfortable, thanks to the straight grip styling and satin finish.
For an affordable, easy-to-shoot, and classic lever action, I recommend at least checking out the new Ranger from Winchester.
Marlin Dark Series Model 1895 or 336
If you’re used to and fond of your AR-15s and prefer a more tactical style, the Marlin Dark Series rifles are for you!
At the time of writing, two models are available: the 1895 chambered in .45-70 Government and the 336 chambered in .30-30 Winchester, both offering a 5+1 capacity.
The tactical aesthetic is just my style. Source
Featuring a polymer stock with M-LOK slots and an aluminum handguard with more M-LOK attachment points, these rifles are meant to be customized with your favorite accessories and attachments.
It even has a threaded barrel with a factory-installed radial muzzle brake, fiber optic front sight and cheek riser in case you decide to add an optic, making it ready to go out of the box.
Conclusion
As you can see, lever-action rifles come in all sorts of calibers, styles, and price points. So whether you’re looking for a simplistic and soft-shooting .22 LR or a tactical battle-ready .30-30 Winchester, there are options out there for you.
A lever-action rifle can also be a great firearm to pass down from generation to generation, so do not worry so much about the price. It can become a family heirloom.
As always, stay safe, train hard, and have fun.
