Best Lever Action Rifle

[Alpo]

If I had to choose between a new Marlin or a new Henry lever gun, I'd go with a new Rossi model 1892. I have a EMF (made by Rossi) model 1892 saddle ring carbine in .38/357 that is a fine shooter, is plenty accuate and has been 100% reliable. There just not hardly anything smoother than a '92 lever gun.

Wish I could "like" that twice. They don't get no better than John Browning's 92.

 

[hangnoose]

1,500 round count

you can find some low round count safe queens out there, maybe even an unfired one. at gun shows and private sales it's not uncommon to see some with a couple more zero's added to that 1,500 rounds, and they still shoot great. they just show a lot more "character".

 

[Old 44 Guy]

I've owned many lever actions. First was a Mod.94 30-30 that I took my first buck with 60 years ago. Then a Mod. 95 Win. in 35 W.C.F., my Elk rifle.A Mod 39 Marlin, a 1873 Win. 44-40, a Mod. 76 in 45-60 Cal. Sav. 99 250-3000, Marlin 94 32-20, Sav.99 30-30.etc.All are long gone except my first 30-30. Now have my hunting rifles, a Marlin Guide gun 45-70, a Win. Mod. 88 308 & a Henry Golden Boy 22. Guess I just like lever actions the best.

 

[rayb]

The last rifle I bought was a Savage 99 in 30-30. Sort of a combination of all the older lever actions.

rayb

 

[Nevada Ed]

Marlins are built like a tank but the old Winchester can be easy on the eye.............

 

[VAdoublegunner]

I seem to have quite a few lever guns.
Among my favorites are an early Browning B92 in 44 Mag, and a couple of 1886s. Yep, they were made by Miroku, but blasphemy though it may be, I think they not only compare favorably to the originals but in some small details may surpass them. All quality firearms, especially the 1886 hi grade rifle.

For rimfire, it is a tough choice. I like the Marlin 39A or Mountie, also the Browning BL22, but for my money I think the Winchester 9422 edges them out slightly. The action seems smoother on the Winchesters, but that may just be subjective or my particular rifles. I also like my Marlin 1894M, as fine a 22 Mag lever action as ever was built, true big rifle styling and size; they are relatively uncommon too. Not a big fan of the Henry rifles, although I know many are and I would like to support a quality American product. The seem accurate and reliable, are relatively decent looking. But, I just have difficulty getting over the potmetal receiver and plastic internals. And, by comparison to the others, they look a little cheaper....you can spot one clear down the firing line compared to the others.

 

[WPWarhawk]

My three favorite types of firearms are Smith & Wesson revolvers, side by side shotguns, and lever action rifles. Not necessarily in that order.

This one isn't the most powerful or most accurate lever gun I own, but it's probably my favorite.

Browning 92 in 44 Magnum, wood has been checkered and re-finished. Bought this from an older gentleman at a Salt Lake City gun show. He had recently returned from Alaska where this gun saw duty behind the door in a wilderness cabin.

I've used it on a couple of feral hogs in Texas.

 

[Prof_Fate]

a couple of years ago I went shopping for a lever 30-30 and looked at several pre-64 winchesters and ended up with a new marlin 336 ($279 w/ scope - a steal).
Extremely accurate rifle. I've not examined it closely, but yeah, it's not 'perfect' - a protruding screw on the side and you have to sorta hold the lever close for it to fire (a safety feature? Annoying regardless).

Kicks more than my garand and not cheap to shoot. And it's not light.

I went looking for a lever gun in 357 and looked at winchester (pricey), henry (pricey), marlin (new and used "real" ones) and a rossi 92. I chose the rossi and love it. It just feels right and is very accurate and light. With 357 rounds it's got about the hitting power of a 30-30 to 100 yards but can be shot cheaply (since I reload 38).

The winchesters all felt 'loose' or worn out in the action..which I hear is normal for them. Normal or not I don't like it.

 

[akjaeger]

I kinda like lever guns. For years my brown bear backup rifle has been a Winchester 71 pre-war deluxe that was converted to 450 Alaskan in the 1950's. The old gentleman I bought it from said he killed a polar bear and a brown bear with it, it's notched up 7 more brownies in my hands.