The Yellowstone effect

[sigp220.45]

Two stores on my regular route mentioned people calling in the last week looking for lever action rifles. Then two guns I put on consignment yesterday (a Model 94 and a 336) sold within two hours of the store opening today at fair but not give-away prices.

I think its the Yellowstone effect - its the most-watched show on TV right now and the good guys (if you can call them that) predominantly use lever action rifles (Winchester 94s). In the season opener the bunkhouse crew use their Winchesters (and a length of rope) to put down a bunch of attackers who are all armed with modern tactical type guns.

I wonder if lever action sales are being affected elsewhere?

 

[hyena]

I'm ahead of that trend. I bought my Winchester Model 94 30-30 new in 1994 when they had the 1894-1994 edition. I have absolutely no use for it, then or now, and that wasn't exactly the peak quality years at Winchester. But it shoots good, I always wanted one, and I love it. Watched too much John Wayne and The Rifleman when I was a kid.

BTW - I've watched the Yellowstone season 4 premier twice already, and will likely watch it again before Sunday night.

 

[Duckfood]

In East Tennessee, lever guns are always popular... Particularly the 30.30 and .357 calibers... The bigger boys still sell fairly well, but, not like the two listed...

 

[Jessie]

I have a few others but it’s about all I need in the Virginia woods. 100 yds is a longish shot. It’s the one I usually grab to head out there.
I’m sure Yellowstone is helping sales. Longmire helped some earlier.

 

[dmthomp32]

Haven’t watched Yellowstone yet but I’ve heard it’s good. Big fan of Longmire though, another excellent show.

I think like most guns levers are in demand but I think the closing/sale of Marlin has contributed to the rising cost and lower supply. Ruger thanks s close to shipping them out though so that may help stabilize the market a little. I’ve never owned a Winchester lever but I do love my two 1894 Marlins!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Shark Bait]

I've always liked lever action rifles. I have no doubt that popular shows and movies influence sales of many things.

 

[Hair Trigger]

Haven’t watched Yellowstone yet but I’ve heard it’s good.

Watch it from the very beginning when you do, there's a lot to know so you'll understand the dynamics of the show. Go ahead and buy all 4 seasons, because you'll want to watch it frequently.

I've thought about a lever gun, simply because I don't have one. I'd probably go for one in a handgun caliber, most likely .44M.

If the "Yellowstone Effect" is selling more lever action guns, you'd think that gun battle at the beginning of S4E1 would have AR's rolling off the shelves. One of the best modern gunfights I've ever seen on TV or the movies, right up there with the one in Heat.

 

[jay73]

Funny this thread came up today. I just started watching season one yesterday to see if it's worth watching as everyone says.

I too like the lever rifles.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

 

[Mule Packer]

Yellowstone effect??!! Dang...and all this time I thought everyone was copying me.

 

[canoeguy]

I dig lever rifles.....



I shoot a Rossi 92 in .357 caliber the most. Here's a pic from a recent outing with my 14 year old Nephew. He was shooting the 9MM AR of course, me the Rossi 92....

 

[44wheelman]

Yellowstone effect….thought this might be about bourbon.

 

[Grayfox]

I'm a lever lover!
But at my age I guess I'll have to blame it on John Wayne.

 

[kraynky]

Yep, I always thought that it was a "Duke" effect that sold leverguns. I have many more lever actions than I do bolt or semi-auto action rifles.

The movie "Wind River" sold a ton of Marlin 1895s in 45-70 I heard.

Taking a lever gun out in the morning I suspect. A 444. Marlin never fails, ......... as long as a deer shows up.

 

[.357magger]

Don't know about Yellowstone, but I do know that they're more than adequate for self defense in 99% of situations anyone is likely to encounter, outstanding for most hunting in the lower 48, and defeat the goofy intent of Blue State gun laws regarding magazine capacity and "evil" features.

In short, they're still great tools and an iconic, and uniquely American, design. What's not to like?

Just my $.02. I've never watched Yellowstone.

 

[geen]

Yellowstone is a fun show I love anything with a western theme. The women on the show are easy on the eyes and lots of lever action guns whats not to like.

Uberti 1894 26 inch barrel in 30-30

Rossi 93 in 38/357

 

[S&W Fan]

Lever gun prices are going crazy. ARs are less expensive today, who’d have thought that would happen lol. It seems especially true of handgun caliber examples. I would love to add a .357 but everyone I’ve seen is well out of my price range, some going as high as $2k, nope not gonna do it.

 

[rwt1405]

Yeah, I'm a "lever" kinda guy.

Only have a few in .357 mag and .44 mag

I have a few more Marlins in .30-.30

Also a few Winchester .30-.30's, and .44 mag

First pic is of my Marlins in .357 and .44 mag

Second is one of my Rossi .357's, and also my only Henry (.22LR)

 

[terry_tr6]

but when there is serious work to e done, you notice they are AR based gun that come out. and being LE, of course they get to have full auto.

 

[LostintheOzone]

Lever gun prices are going crazy. ARs are less expensive today, who’d have thought that would happen lol. It seems especially true of handgun caliber examples. I would love to add a .357 but everyone I’ve seen is well out of my price range, some going as high as $2k, nope not gonna do it.

Same here. I've been waiting for a 357 or 44 mag Browning or Winchester to come up on the internet for a few years. My budget is $1000 and so far I haven't found one. I lost a Browning 92 a few months ago when it went a few bucks over my first and only bid. Since then they seem to have gone up even more so I may remove myself from all the craziness. If I'm going to pay that much money for a rifle I think I'll start looking at a 45-70 single shot something or other. They seem to be in the not-so-hot category right now. Walt never carried a single shot rifle.

 

[BearBio]

Never watched the show (I once met Costner and he's an a--). Just gave my last lever action to my daughter and SIL (an 1892 short rifle take-down in 38-40), along with a custom Vaquero converted to 38-40. Both case-hardened and engraved.