New lever rifles

ISCS Yoda

ISCS Yoda

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American Rifleman carried an interesting report on the current introduction of a host of "modern" lever rifles. I'm wondering if anyone has tried ANY of them yet.....comments definitely solicited. I liked the S&W version when I saw it, especially in .45 Colt, but maybe one of the new tacticool pistol calibers is a better plan?
 
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I'm not a lever action expert or guru, but have handled the new S&W, Marlins, Rossis and Henrys. They all seemed like quality guns to me. I've had a Winchester 30-30 and Marlin .44 for years, and recently acquired two Henry .357 carbines. Even though both of mine are the shorter barrel versions, no way around it, the Henrys are heavier than the others. Especially the one with the octagonal barrel. Can't say the Henrys are better than some others, but can say they seem to be good rifles so far. One of the Henrys, with the semi-buckhorn rear sight, shot so high at 25 yards as to be all but unusable. I called Henry about it and explained the issue. The nice lady at Henry said she would send me their tallest front sight at N/C. She did, and that fixed the issue.

I've read that some .357 lever actions balk at feeding .38 Spcl. ammo, but both of mine fed the several types of factory .38 Spcl. I've tried just fine. That's about the sum total of my knowledge about the new lever actions..
 

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Am kinda liking lever actions, and have a few. Am tempted by the new 45-70's with 16 inch threaded barrels. And while liking classic wood stocks, am thinking the new plastic with wide lop adjustability would be extremely utilitarian without cutting down a wood stock for my short arms.
 
I like my handgun caliber carbines, but I think in a real SHTF situation, I would prefer a rifle caliber lever action for its versatility. I wouldn't feel too under gunned with a synthetic stocked Browning BLR in .308 with an 18 inch barrel, a dull finish, and 15 / 20 round detachable box magazines. A 1x8 illuminated optic mounted.

Remington once made a similar version of the 7600 pump rifle, a gun probably before its time.

Larry
 
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I haven't seen or handled any of the "new" lever action rifles in any of my local stores. I have however shot and hunted with a number of lever action rifles over the past 40 years. My .357 mag. and .41 mag. rifles see the most use on a semi-regular basis, but don't discount the 30-30 or 45-70. Inside of 100 yds. the first two have accounted for both whitetails and hogs, but the latter two have as well and at longer distances.
Blued steel and walnut rifles that are light, handy, AND accurate - what's not to like? All of mine have proven records for humanely taking the aforementioned game. They also stir memories of a slower more relaxed time when a man's word was his bond, and a simple handshake was better than a signed contract.
That all may be too much "recollecting", but I'm old and set in my ways. I do use other action type rifles, but I'll not be relinquishing my lever guns any time soon!

WYT-P
Skyhunter
 
We have Henry, Winchester, and Rossi; they all work as designed.

Henry Story:

My grandson is an Eagle Scout, my son ordered him an "Eagle Scout Centennial" 44 mag to be presented at his ceremony.

When you order a rifle from Henry, you can have your name incorporated in the serial number. The ceremony date was approaching and my son had the dealer check on the delivery of the rifle. Henry had not received the rifle back from the engraver.

Henry sent another rifle and a presentation case for the ceremony and to keep free of charge. The original rifle was also delivered after completion of the serial number. Henry Customer Service is great.
 
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My latest "new" lever action is a Rossi triple black in 44 magnum. It features a 16.5 threaded barrel, large loop with leather wrapping and a black texture painted wood stock.

I tried the peep sight which was ok but ended up putting a older tasco 5 moa red dot optic on which I really like so far.

With only 100 rounds of full metal case 44 magnum and 44 special through it, it has been reliable smooth feeding and accurate so far.

The price being 200 to 250 less than the average going rate made it quite doable. Happy with it so far and it's a handy and fun shooter.

IMG-0132.jpg
 
Several times I've considered the new Marlins made by Ruger in both .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum. AMERICAN RIFLEMAN, etc., reviews have been good. I would only shoot cast bullets in such guns, but already have cast bullet rifles that I don't shoot enough.

I don't care for the modernistic versions or the large loop levers, but apparently there are many that like such feature and that's fine. None of these guns are long-range models and an optical sight really detracts from the appearance, maybe not as bad as on a handgun, but they take away from the clean trim lines, unless, of course, your eyesight requires a scope.
 
I've tried a few of the modern lever guns in the store. I think I'll stick with My 1958 vintage Model 94. My Browning Model 71 was one of the best I ever had. Sold it tho.
 
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I have no experience with the newer lever guns. All mine are from 1890 to around 2000. The pistol caliber one are the most fun to shoot. I've got them in .32-20, .357 Mag, .44 Mag and .45 Colt. Luckily I got them all before the prices went crazy.

Fishinfool said:
Remington once made a similar version of the 7600 pump rifle, a gun probably before its time.
Larry
Click to expand...

The Remington 7615 is another fun one to shoot. I'm surprised it hasn't been brought back for the states that have banned the semi-auto guns.

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Mike said:
Please show an area and explanation of where carbine style rifles are "banned" for usage.
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*
It seems to me that the reference was to AR platforms, which have bans and restrictions in several states. There is no question that these bans are of questionable constitutionality, as with the bans on standards capacity mags (the 30 round Mag is the standard, but some states get their bloomers in a bunch about them). For the resulting legal and political reasons (some low quality prosecutors will analyze an otherwise justified shooting with an AR differently), if one lives in such a place or travels through them, there is a lot to be said for a lever gun. I am waiting for mine, and have what I need to set it up as much like an AR as possible (RDS, light, sling). I am likely to add a SxS 12 gauge with a light probably a Stoeger) for similar reasons. With a minimum length barrel and 000 buck, it is a serious close range weapon.

Is there a legal difference from the platform used? Not in terms of assessing the use of force. Any other assertion is misconduct, but I do this stuff for a living and want all the silly issues on my side.
 
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