Why Everyone Likes Lever Actions
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- Опубліковано 27 сер 2024
- It's the launch of our new video series all about lever actions! Why lever actions? Because everybody loves lever actions and today we're going to talk about why. We're looking at each chapter in the history of the lever action and why people have continued to choose these 19th century relics over the other available options.
Correction: At 6:40, I said the US Army adopted the Remington Rolling Block rifle after the Civil War. They actually selected a different breech loader: the Springfield Trapdoor. I got the two confused.
Featured Guns:
Marlin 1894 .357 Magnum (w/ work by Grizzly Custom Guns)
Henry X Model .357 Magnum & .44 Magnum
Marlin 336 Dark Series .30-30
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The US Army adopted the Trapdoor Springfield for the next 30 years, not the RRB.
Beat me to it.
Yep, my mistake! I got my breech loaders confused.
I thought “when does the trapdoor fit in?” RRB didn’t make sense. The US Army Ordnance Dept., being frugal, converted many Springfield rifle muskets into trapdoors once the metallic cartridge technology came along (1873).
And that was a mistake
@@RalphReagan Considering it was replaced by a mag fed rifle in very short time, it wasn't really the worst idea they have ever had.
>"not easy to mount flashlight to a levergun"
>ductape existing
It’s not hard.
exsisting? Do you mean 'exiting'?
Well, iirc some brands have recently introduced tacticool versions od their lever action rifles... It has picattiny and all that jazz
Roll pins and JB Weld would like to have a word with you.
Given enough time and enough tape a man can make anything a bottle opener -My Gpa
My stepdad's grandfather was a deer hunting guide in New Hampshire. He had a Marlin 30-30. There was a notch on the stock for every deer he shot with it. I counted 27, and thought "boy that's pretty impressive" until I turned it over and found 50 more notches
I like how he thought he was gonna get to 100
Why do we like lever actions, simple they are bad ass.
Cowboy mode activated
Terminator mode activated
Yeehaw time
Spin the gun to reload
For me its that my grandfather loves lever action
Why does everyone like lever actions?
Answer: "chtach- chtach"
Because the DON'T have all that tactical crap on them, just a simple and effective rifle.
yeah they are even fun in games like farcry
Because they are like shotguns but cheaper
Because .45-70 govt is awesome
Did you mean " lever-action sound...lever-action sound"? Hard sound to spell out, lol.
Lever guns are like pump shotguns: simple, robust, powerful and fun. There is just something pleasing about the way they operate.
Bolt action is simpler more robust
Manually operated guns are always more satisfying, bolt, lever, straight pull bolt, pump action, single action revolvers, all of them.
@@Slender_Man_186 Except the single action revolvers though since (at least I find) reaching with your thumb to cock the hammer back every single time is annoying. It's not nearly as natural as pumping a shotgun or even working a bolt action.
@@arnox4554 That's why you fan a single action revolver with your off hand.
@@azh698 Yeah, if you wanna sacrifice accuracy.
Chris, I didn't hear you mention the biggest plus of all to us lefties; they are totally ambidextrous, unlike bolt action rifles.
I wouldn't say totally ambidextrous. Loading gate on the right side is kind of a pain to deal with for lefties.
@@LuckyGunner Not really we gripp the gun with our left hand and load with the right
Lucky Gunner Ammo
Well if it’s a Henry, you’re stuck with loading through the tube which is ambidextrous. I know there are newer versions with a side loading gate but they are few and far between when it comes to pistol calibers like .357, .44, and .45 Colt since right now they’re only available in the Model-X.
aside from the brass ejecting towards you instead of away yea they are! but I guess most guns are like that so you just get used to it.
This explains why my it's my dad's favorite! I love that.
I always liked the idea that you could buy a Colt pistol, a Winchester rifle, and one box of Remington ammo that fit 'em both.
Look at the Data on gun sales since 2014. Semiautomatic Rifles are popular, but Lever Action Rifles are neck and neck 2nd Place. The ammo is a reason. You can cheaply stick up a uniform cartridge for your long-gun and handgun.
@@josephruiz7233 I'd argue it is laws too. Gun Grabbers love to go for semi autos
Ruger and Henry but I do have the Remington. 😊
I will give one reason and the only reason, everybody secretly wants to be a cowboy. And a lever action rifle is a cowboys rifle.
It's cool AND Practical !
Quigley down under disagrees.
I’ve been caught 😂😅 but I do love my lever gun because it’s light and easy to carry.plus since hornady came out with the LeverRevolution lineup you can get some extra range/accuracy out of these classic guns and cartridges
Yeah that makes sense
I should have been a cowboy, I should have learned to rope and ride (and not plagiarize country song lyrics) . Or a billionaire. This engineering gig is okay but...
When someone asks "why do you need an assault rifle" my answer is:
It's a simple repeat of American history.
After the Civil War, when the soldiers assimilated back into civilian life, they wanted the latest firearms they had shot and/or trained with.
You know, "That Yankee rifle you can load on Sunday and shoot all week".
Henry's and Winchester 1866's held a lot of rounds and shot really fast.
150 years later........AR-15's. Same exact thing.
A long, long time ago... wait, that's the song... anyway, back when I was a pup, cost of military arms came up and one person noted, "In 1876 a newly minted Trooper paid a month's wages for a lever action. 90 years later, a newly minted GI would pay a month wages for an M-14." The more things change, the more they remain the same. I'm curious now, however, to know if the same holds true today for a Trooper to purchase an M-16/M-4, etc.
I was thinking the same thing. Lever guns were the "assault rifles" of their day. Americans just like keeping up with gun technology. The final check and balance to a corrupt government.
They banned our ar15s a few months ago (Canada)
@War Zone talking about canada lol, not us
Too bad we can't legally own an assault rifle produced after 1986 in the US.
it doesn't hurt that .30-30 ammo is relativly available right now.
Not soo much in my area .... Glad I have been buying some every now and then
Yep. Just bought some a couple of days ago.
So is 40cal that doesn't make it right lolz. I actually owned a 3030 and once sold I had some ammo left over, took two years to sell that ammo listing it every other week on armslist while ALL my other calibers sold. Just a data point. Love the 3030 just not many city slickers using it of any.
Been buying a box or two every pay day getting ready for hunting season
Shhhh.
*cries in 9mm*
Three reasons to own a lever gun:
1. The simplicity of design makes it easy to load, shoot, and repair, there's not a ton to the workings of the cycling mechanism and most people can understand how it works easily.
2. Lever guns come in a wide and popular variety of calibers making them viable for those new to shooting as well as seasoned sharpshooters. It can also make finding ammo a little easier too depending on what is available in your area.
3. They are, in most instances, quite ascetically pleasing, they have a good solid design, they are maneuverable and can take some punishment but still look good.
I couldn't have said it better. That #1 reason is really beneficial for those who shoot a lot, also. I can put hundreds of rounds thru my Henry .357 Big Boy, and still field strip it, clean it, and reassemble it in a short time... and that's without worrying I broke it, missed a part, or that it won't function just as before.
I also chose the .357 for reason that my wife has a .357 S&W Model 19, and buying bulk ammo, for target shooting, is easier and cheaper, especially since they can chamber .38 as well. That kinda versatility is really important for those who shoot a lot, and don't want to mortgage their house for ammo.
Plus, lever actions are just, well, cool looking. I'm biased, I suppose, as I am a fan in general of Civil War/Old West era firearms, but even many not interested in such weapons still find them pleasing to the eye.
I have my eye, already, on my next purchases: A 45 Colt Big Boy, to match my 45 Colt "1858" Remmy repro conversion, and a 30-30 Winny... Not to mention the Spencer repro that I'm trying to convince the wife to let me drop cash on. Might have to buy her something "special" first though. Lol!
Perfect comment. I really cannot agree more with point no. 3. That Marlin 1895SBL just looks sexy.
Bolt action is lot simpler
@@marshalofod1413 -- BINGO on the "cool looking." All the "cowboy" movies showed the lever action guns.
@@GilmerJohn What, no AR's in the cowboy movies??
cuz when I was young "The Rifleman" was one of my favorite TV shows.
“The most unfortunate looking rifle ever produced.” That’s a very kind way of describing the thing that appeared on the screen. The “Bless his heart.” Of rifle descriptions.
Which rifle was he talking about?
@@bubsnicket The "tactical" lever action by Mossberg. The thing is NOT a graceful combination of modern and old.
She wouldn't get kicked out of the bedroom is all I'm saying... especially with the way this country is headed.
@@stuartwithers8755 ahh thanks, I must have missed that part in the video then read Paul's comment and spent 5 mins skipping around unsuccessfully trying to find it 😂
It's that AR style stock that really makes it look butt ugly...
In a time of one shot pistols and muzzle loader rifles, the lever action a truly incredible feet of engineering.
They already had revolvers by the time the lever action debuted.
It was the assault rifle of its day.
@@kevindavis5966 Hell they had hand cracked machine guns before the lever action came around ofc they were not something you could carry on your shoulder.
@@chrisrawr6177 Henry and Spencer rifles beat the Gatling gun to the field by about two years (1860 vs 1862). The lever action rifle itself had been around since before the 1840’s whereas the Gatling gun was not invented until 1861.
@@kevindavis5966 Revolvers where also a marvel of engineering
Being europian and not raised in a nation of guns i had no idea that lever-action rifles were a thing until an awesome character on one of my favorite shows (Arcane) shot one. The mechanics of them are so different to everything I was raised on! Cocking the trigger plate downwards to load it blew my tiny little mind! I have spent probably spent 6 of the last 24 hours learning about guns and about leaver-action. I am an artist and I appreciate both the modern technology Lever styles and the experience of using it being totally fun!! And Chris smashed both of my main thoughts! They happen to look awesome and classy and found in a range of styles, but also at the end of the day its hugely fun to pump and shoot each round. I'm 29 in my time I've learned a lot of the trad ways, and i absolutely love tradition when it was ingeniously designed to the point that it's still brilliant to use today. Thank you Chris!
As. CA Liberal, I promote responsible gun rights. I spent my adolescence in northern TX, began driving to school at age 14, with a lever-action 30-30 and a 12-bore shotgun in the gun racks in the back wiindow of my old pickup truck. *NOBODY* in the rural high school would have ever even *thought* of shooting up the school and killing classmates with their guns.
Of course, I was drilled in gun safety from an early age and told that when I hunt, nor to shoot anything that I couldn’t eat, or that way preying in our livestock/crops. Wild dog s and hogs roamed the Trinity River bottom s and killed calves, lambs, and ruined well-kept gardens overnight.
A gun is a tool-it’s the User who abuses others with it.
@@drcovell @drcovell I enjoyed hearing your story of how you grew up with guns and the responsibility you personally bear when you use them. As someone who manufactures leatherwork, I can tell when objects are tools and definitely when they are not, and a gun is definitely a tool. There's an expression that is "every object is a weapon if you think hard enough" the problem with guns is that their purpose as a tool is the power to take someone's life instantly from a distance. Now, that would be genuinely okay if the United States were Switzerland, but it is not, and there is an abundance of crazy people who are only getting crazier in the digital age. NZ and Australia instantly banned firearms after a massacre at a school. I don't think the USA needs to outright ban guns but there need to be some _seriously_ stricter rules around them.
Look into the 1873 Winchester. A truly artful mechanism
I’m squarely in “gun culture 2.0,” didn’t grow up with guns in the house, don’t hunt. That said, I’ve discovered the enjoyment of training, tactical drills and just plinking. My father-in-law has a couple of bolt action .22s, and they are really fun: quiet, cheap to shoot, simple. I recently purchased a Browning BL-22, what a great little rifle, and it’s something I can pass down to my sons as they get old enough to shoot. Looking forward to this series!
Go hunting man it's not that hard and it's a blast to witness all the nature. And then you will understand the phrase when the Forrest comes alive it's about 30 min befor sun rise you hear all the animals wake up at once pretty much. Just be still and dont make noise it's not that hard make sure you do invest in scent free soap and shampoo and scent away spray.
Go rabbit hunting. They're plentiful, tasty if you brine and steam cook them, a challenging moving target, and don't require tracking or baiting like deer. You have Paul Harrell has a good video on it.
.22lr is enough. A guy that used to give me his kills said that he was getting sprays from a .22 magnum. My .22 break barrel pellet gun would blow clean through bone.
If you're near a cattle ranch, they may invite you to do pest control. Thumper will eat the bottom bales of alfalfa stacks and topple them.
Yeah same here. I had only shot guns a couple times while growing up. My family had guns but most of them were given to us and my father wasn't the happiest about having them, so we never really went shooting. Then I decided to get myself a pistol. Got myself a Ruger Security Six. Fell in love with it. Guns are alot of fun. I try to go to the range at least once a week.
For me, there’s just something satisfying with manually cycling an action. Whether it is lever action or bolt action, you feel in complete control. It’s the same reason I drive a manual transmission over automatic. Call me old school, but that’s my take on it. Good video by the way!
Single action revolver, lever action rifle, double barrel/single shot shotgun, some good ol' single shot like the sharps or the Springfield trapdoor are never going to fade away I think
Pump Action Shotguns: "Am I a joke to you?!?!"
Lever actions are just fun. My collection includes a Marlin 336BL, a Mossberg 402 Palomino, and a Rossi Rio Bravo. Everyone loves running a lever action.
Patrolling the Mojave almost makes you wish for a nuclear winter.
The lever action rifle and the living puppy brain gun were my favorite guns by far in that game!
" my spurs go like jingle jingle jingle jangle "
*War, War never changes.*
We won't go quietly, the Legion can count on that.
And another thing, another settlement needs your help, ill mark it on your pipboy
The real reason why everyone likes lever actions: *Cowboy Game*
Guilty
That and growing up with a Red Ryder
And Cowboy movies.
I bought cowboy game because of lever guns
Chuck Connors from "The Rifleman"
The excitement of shooting a lever action is like shifting a standard transmission versus a boring automatic.
Hey, great analogy!
Amen.
I dont know how to drive stick and im embarrassed
Bingo!
Same with bolt action-- I recently had to decide between a new lever Henry, or a new bolt Savage... A horrible choice to have to make.
🙁
Went with the Bolt Savage because of lesser cost, less flashy rifle (the Henry was a 'yellow boy,') and more common/effective caliber-- .30-06 Axis vs .45LC Henry.
Sometime soon, I'll get a lever, but I really want it in either .357mag or .30-30, which my LGS didn't have.
But, once I sighted in my Axis, I very quickly re-discovered the utter joy of working the action myself to achieve incredible accuracy from such an inexpensive, yet quality long gun!
Your content is fantastic. You have played a crucial part of my gun journey over the last 6 months - from having never even shot a gun, to now owning 10!
From the detailed reviews in which you often address the concerns of new shooters, to your great ballistics videos - you’ve been a tremendous help. Thank you!! And it’s not just the content, but your production quality is so great too - your videos are so informative, but NEVER boring. Like this one, which I’ll share with my Dad like I have many of your other videos.
Regarding the lever action rifles, I bought a Browning BL22 recently and I love it! Just good old fashioned fun!
Lever actions make my spurs go Jingle Jangle Jingle.
Yeehaw parrrdner
Having grown up in the wilds of the Rockies with a father who was a serious fan of all things 19th century western, particularly firearms, it always amazes me how many people are unaware of the effectiveness of lever action rifles and single action revolvers! A lever action rifle in .30-30 or any revolver cartridge .357 Mag or larger can be a DEVASTATING and tremendously fast tool in the hands of a well trained rifleman.
I think it’s mostly because you do need a decent amount of practice/training/skill to be that effective with them. Most people now want that instant gratification of being decently effective with a Glock or AR as soon as they pick it up. But outside of an offensive battle/war type scenario, it’s real hard to beat the effectiveness of a lever gun and six shooter
.357 mag fired from a 16" barrel gives .30 M1 Carbine stopping power. That's nothing to sneeze at.
And if you have an 1895 in 45-70, it is only going to take 1 to get the job done, lol. A 200gr 44 mag in an 1894 leaves the barrel around 1900-2000 fps, packing a boat load of energy.
@@vikingsoftpaw Probably a bit more effectively, due to better bullets at lever action velocities.
Andrew Henley: I've been a firearms instructor for >30 years now and find that most people use the quantity and rapidity of fire of a semi-automatic to (theoretically) make up for their lack of skill. Not all, but many (most?). Skill at arms is requisite no matter the platform, as I'm sure you're aware.
Michael Medley, you're 100% correct and using some of the more potent boutique .357 Mag ammo (Buffalo Bore) the .357 nips at the heels of the venerable .30-30 WCF.
Tim, you just HAD to go to the .45-70, didn't you? I love my 1895 guide gun. Few people realize that a cartridge that is almost 150 years old in design is one of the most potent game slayers on Earth today. Between the .45 Colt and the .45-70 (both 147 years old) out of a lever gun, there is little a rifleman can't manage!
I worked all summer in 1974 when I was 17 to buy my first gun with my own money. I bought a Winchester 94, I still have it, it's near mint and it was the best 74 bucks ever spent. I now have two Henry lever guns that I love too. Lever actions, America's gun! A lever gun in anything but wood and blued steel makes me a little queasy but I am glad they are available to introduce a whole new generation to this iconic weapon.
Brass in a lever gun is nice to.
@@thecowboy6317 You are absolutely right!
Anything other than common hard wood and blued steel were not pleasing to my eye either but,,lately the exotic woods and stainless steel have grown on me enough that i actually like the look now..
I’d rather have a Marlin 336 Dark or 1894 Dark than a Remington 7615 (pump action rifle in 5.56). The Remington was the best option available during the 94-04 ban years. Under today’s laws and thinking traditionally, yes I’d like to see blued steel and walnut with some brass mixed in but I’ll take a stainless and synthetic 30-30 if I can’t have an AR
People likes lever actions because the "tch tch" sound. Just like how everyone likes the M1 Garand because "PINNNGGG".
I like my Garand because of the history, and the fact that I shoot 2" groups at 300 yds with it. Since I got it, it has become my favorite rifle. I do have a Henry .357 carbine that I love as well.
Nobody likes the ping....everybody likes the bang...
I love my .45-70govt Marlin 1895 Cowboy with a 26" octagon ballard barrel, 9+1 capacity! Such an amazing shooter.
Chris: “I really need to make a video for the channel.”
(Ammunition shortage happens)
Chris: “Well, I guess it time for a lever gun series.”
My marlin 1894 .357 magnum is hands down my absolute favorite gun to shoot and the one gun every friend wants to shoot first 👍🏼 solid round for a rifle/handgun combo, best choice in my opinion! Gonna love this series!
Kevin L I saw someone with some really old lever action rifles and the rest of us at the range were admiring them. There is just something special about them!
Quality Guru no way to deny it, you just feel cool running one haha
Vintage 444 Marlin cut to 18" and wearing a 4X scope. Best PA brush gun ever and powerful enough for anything in the state. I enjoy the looks you get at the range when loading up those brass sausages.
The first lever gun I had as a 9 yr. old was my Daisy BB Gun. Who doesn't love a lever action?
Daisy now makes an adult version of the Red Ryder. The only difference is the length of the butt stock.
Another reason the military didn’t want to adopt lever action rifles: they’re very difficult to shoot while prone.
No more difficult than the Krag. Punch your face with that bolt.
I can cycle my 1917 w/o moving head, but I can't say that about the Krag.
Not necessarily. All you need is about 3-5 inches from the bottom of the stock to the ground to operate the lever. And then you could angle the rifle sideways just a little bit to give you more room. Then you immediately get back on sight and continue firing. With a bolt action, you gotta completely move your head out of the way, cycle the bolt, then realign your sights.
Not nearly as much as they've been made out to be.
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Lol. You can always tell when someone has no experience with a levergun.😂😂😂 I hope your foot tastes good, da chicken man.
@@petrosspetrosgali I'm just repeating a frequently given reason for why the military didn't adopt the rifle. Perhaps you disagree with them on the facts, but their being wrong wouldn't change the fact that this is a reason why they said they wouldn't adopt them.
Hey bud. I’m not really sure why everyone is so critical of every little detail. But I thought the video was very informative and educational, and I really appreciate someone taking the time to make it. Very cool stuff. I happen to have a marlin dark series 30-30 and love it. It’s also my sons favorite to shoot. If you have a second. I would love to know the model of this marlin in the video. I would love the wood and the fact that it’s customized. Sounds like a project for my son and I. Thanks!!
Adam Binder it looks to me to be a 1894 Marlin; probably a 357 but could be a 44 mag
@@russherbert839 He says in the beginning of the video it is a 357
Thanks Adam, glad you enjoyed it. The rifle at the beginning of the video is a Marlin 1894 in .357 Mag, made in 1980. You can get very a very similar setup with the current production Marlin 1894 Dark Series.
@@LuckyGunner what mods did you make to your rifle? The sorts of mods you do might be of interest to others.
In my late teens, we were deer 🦌 hunting. My cousin and I were riding in the back of the pickup. He kept one in the chamber and I kept telling him it was not only illegal but was unsafe. He said he wanted to be ready when he saw game. When we finally saw a buck, we jumped out as soon as the pickup stopped. As I jumped, the lever went down and as my feet hit the ground, the lever came back up and I got my first shot off and was jacking my 2nd round in when my cousin finally got his rifle cocked! I love a good lever action!
Thank you for not playing that annoying, ubiquitous music like hip hop or trendy pop/rock that many gun channels play.
As an Oglala Lakota, I approve of this message.
Santee!
How
@@zackdoc hehani wasté (good morning)
I’m about to buy my first lever action. Henry H010B. Can’t wait.
I love walking along a creek with my model 1887 lever shotgun and gold pan opposite. Its my favorite hiking gun, and really feels like the tool for the job.
*why everybody loves lever-action guns*
“They’re reliable and look cool”
*video ends*
2:40 BECAUSE THEY ARE COOL. THAT'S IT! Not everything has to be cringy "high speed low drag, elite oper8or" 4 pound ar-15s with a Pmag and LPVO. And thank god people are interested in more things that just that.
Aimed fire beat spray and pray any day of the week.
There’s definitely something to be said about the efficiency and advancements of modern guns, I like the Styre AUG myself, but there’s an undeniable badass factor that lever actions have.
You forgot one of the coolest reasons to own a short lever action - spin cocking ;)
Didn't say it was necessary or even smart, but damn is it cool to one hand T2/John Wayne that rifle
Arnold Schwarzenegger actually uses a Chiappa 12gauge lever action shotgun,not a rifle. But whatever...spin cocking is cool, but also ridiculous at the same time!
You watch too many movies
I need to try this.it may be ridiculous but I know I’m gonna feel cool doing it
One of the very few people I could just sit and listen to talk for 20 minutes. Interesting video. Thanks.
I love my lever guns. Marlin 336 in 30-30 and a Henry 22
mag. A lever gun is a truly ambidextrous gun.
You might be able to trade that lever action rifle for 5 rounds of 9mm next week at this rate.
I'm a generous man, I'll give 10 rounds for it right now no questions asked.
Guns and parts are going up in price too, so I don't think that will work. However, I was able to get a new Corvette C8 with a box of Blazer Brass in 9mm.
I’ll give you 100 rounds of 9mm for a Marlin or Winchester lever gun any day
Cory Carlson Why, what’s the problem? I didn’t recognize any change of price of 9mm here in germany, in fact i bought 1000 just last week for a fairly decent price, compared to the prices here (175 bucks)
I've been able to buy 50 round boxes of 9mm ball ammo for 10 dollars around here lately. And they usually have plenty of it which is a nice change from the massive shortage we have been dealing with in the last few months. About a month ago I paid 35 dollars a box for the same ammo at a different location because they were the only place that had it.
I’ve always contended you need a good lever action to run a carpet bagger out of town
May have to consider one to run goveness Newsom out of our state Capitol
Indeed. In fact, I'd advocate that more people should integrate "running a carpetbagger out of town" scenarios into their training regimen. It's largely a lost, but much-needed skills these days.
@@charlesmiller6826 what happened to leaving Arizona the states getting so much nicer the more you people leave
I bought my Marlin 336W in .30-30 six years ago. I cherish it, and it embodies everything I like about firearms, and nothing I don't.
I got my 45-70 and I love shooting it. Such a great rifle.
You're absolutely right about peoples' love for the lever-action, but you left out one key reason us old guys love 'em, and that can be clarified with two words; "The Rifleman" btw, GREAT video
I found your channel about six months back and have been "hovering" ever since. This proposed series convinced me - I just subscribed. Among my other guns - guns more precise and tactical, I have a nearly stock Winchester '94 in 30-30. The only change is replacing the buckhorn with a Williams field peep sight. That rifle just simply fits me and shoots where I want it to. I have, on numerous occasions, shooting offhand at 50yds, gotten better groups with it than with a very accurate Ruger 10-22 with a 4x scope. There is a lot to be said about that slender configuration.
Very good. I enjoyed this history on the lever action. I currently own a Winchester 94 that I inherited from my Dad. Its a 1953 model. He always carried it either in the back window of the pickup or in a scabbard when on the horse (we lived on a 5k acre ranch). I can remember my Dad pulling that gun out of the scabbard and shooting a coyote and the horse never stopped walking. Never even flinched. Seeing that and watching westerns made me love lever actions.
I have a 72 Marlin 336 30-30. I have to say I love shooting it. I’ve had it for over a 13 yrs now. When I bought it it was a little beat up from the original owner who tripped and fell onto it in a creek. Since it was damaged I got a good deal on it. Although first time taking it out shooting, it somehow shard a piece of brass that totally locked up the action of the Rifle. So I took it to a gunsmith and had it fixed. I had them replace some worn out parts and screws. I found a replacment forearm for the damaged one from when the previous owner fell and busted it up. Best part about that is the replacement forearm matches the butt stock better than the original. The rifle now looks great and operates just as it should. Even though I have some bolt actions and Semi auto rifles. Lever action’s are still my favorite rifles the shoot.
I love his point about things making cool noises.
One reason why I really like shooting lever actions is the super mechanical feeling that I get when cycling the action. All sorts of things these days are electronic and whisper-quiet and manual or mechanical systems can feel really satisfying in a way most that most of the products we use these days just don't.
It's the same reason I love shooting with antique mechanical cameras, hearing a mechanical shutter, and advancing the film creates deepens the experience somehow.
I would love a take down lever action. Talk about a great camp/backpack rifle
Check out Wild West Guns in Anchorage Alaska, they make a biggie! They have a web site.
Look up the Chiappa Alaskan, comes in two barrel lengths too...
Miroku makes a bunch of high end Winchester clones and they have a few takedown models.
Also on the list is the Browning BLR available in a takedown version, which is notable for using a box magazine instead of a tube so you can run modern bullets. The Taylor’s on the other hand is available with a threaded barrel from the factory.
There are several good takedown builders, wild west guns in ak/nv lever arms in Colorado and Dove customs in wv....i refuse to admit that its a problem more i like takedowns. In regards to the blr wonderful gun just try the trigger before buying as the trigger varies so much from the factory and i dont think the main gunsmith in pa that did them does them anymore
If you live in Canada, a lever action with modern optics is probably the one of the best tactical rifles you can still have
Watch out they may label it a CAR, cowboy assault rifle and take it away from you!
Great info, can’t forget the Model 99 Savage; this rifle was designed with the Cavalry in mind and just like most “military” rifles they made great big game hunting rifles. Also the Pedersoli “Boar Buster” 45/70 with a fwd rail. The new Henry is top player, and these first repeating rifles are very relevant. The ability to re-load one at a time like a shotgun is to say the least “tactical”...
Detaileed but not over wordy, an interesting overview. Thanks, Chris.
Had a Browning Lever Rifle in .308, I'm still sick that I sold it 35 years ago.
Love my blr 308
@@Perry2186 I love my blr .243! It was rusting in someones trunk when I got it. After cleaning it up I discovered that it's awesome!
@@chris9465 I think I want a 243 next for that light of a gun
We all have that "one that got away" we regret getting rid of, mine was my dads Savage 99 in .303 Savage.
Ironically it is one of the only cartridges i have seen consistently in stock lately, but when i owned it i could never find any.
I had an older Marlin 336 (new when I got it) in 30-30 that I sold when I was younger and I still regret that to this day.
My first rifle was a winchester model 250 22lr. That is the only firearm i have seen wore out from use. My dad bought it in 63, i took possession of it from him in 89. He had shot it alot. From 89-97 that rifle was consistently fed a steady diet of 2 bricks of remington thunderbolts per week. It got to where it would hardly set them off anymore. I rebuilt the bolt with new firing pin that was wore down too short, a new extractor claw and spring, and a new locking plate that rides ontop of the bolt and enguages the receiver. The take down pin has been replaced 3 times since , the firing pin and extraction claw once more. Still have it today and is absolutely my favorite firearm ever. It has introduced many of my peers to shooting, and in doing so consistently is a favorite among them. Lever actions are just plain fun. That particular one is a part of me at this point, an extension of me when in my hands, i can absolutely put them where i want them. Over the years i went from shooting at stuff, to shooting at things on the stuff, to shooting at parts of things on the stuff. This is how I challenge the youngsters once they plateau.
Why I got myself a Marlin 1894C?
(1) A lifetime watching my dad's Westerns.
(2) Shared revolver ammo.
(3) Stopping power.
(4) Easy cleaning.
(5) Classic novelty and coolness.
Great info
Indeed
Always good to see you in other comment sections
Just ordered a Winchester '92. (.357)
The shotgun nerd has a good video every now and again 😂
got my dad's winchester 94 , 32 winchester special, love this rifle !
Lever Action Rifles and Revolvers are the coolest guns imo.
Nothing beats the style and badass levels of those!
I have 3 Marlins, 1964- 2018 and a Henry. While I also have Ar's and bolt actions, the lever is a classic that remains my favorite!!!!
I don't like my lever action...I love my lever action!!!
Jose Mendez you only have one? 😉 I got 3, and think about buying another one (got a .22 Magnum, a .357 Magnum and 45/70, thinking about buying a lever action shotgun) regards from a fellow lever action fan from Germany 👋😁
@@erebostd 410 shotgun is a blast...and easy on your shoulders no matter what the load
Lever Actions are the Marilyn Monroe of firearms. Beautiful, sexy, classy, timeless, and desirable to all.
72 hours of research for a 20 min video man your dedicated good info to thanks I regret selling my 336 every time I see a lever gun
I have a Winchester 94 Trapper .357 Magnum and Winchester 9422 XTR .22 LR and I love shooting both. They both carry very comfortably in the woods with a hand around the action. And I've had a 94 in .30.30 in the past. All are fun to shoot. I never want to be without a lever action.
For my generation it was shows like "The Rifleman" and "The Rebel".
The Rifleman & Winchester '73 starring Jimmy Stewart.
Plus, Wanted: Dead or Alive and Cimarron Strip.
Jim McDaniels I heard the rifleman was a good show lever actions and revolvers still have a place in the modern day.
Gotta get a Mare’s leg.
Did you know that Mattel had a better setup for fast lever fore than chuck Conners had? Mattel toys used a swinging or flip paddle to trip the trigger. Much easier. the riflemans used a bolt and two nuts threaded in line through the lever to trip the trigger. Mattel was swell! lol
Dad bought me a Winchester 94 when I was a kid in the mid 70's(and still have to this day), been a fan ever since. Just got back into shooting and first thing I bought was a Henry. Interestingly I'm finding that the ladies like shooting lever action rifles- that's a good enough reason to own at least a couple in my book.....
Recently picked up a 70s Winchester 94 Teddy Roosevelt commemorative in 30-30. It's one of those that I'll never sell. One of the grandsons will get it someday.
Why are people surprised that smaller people like longarms that fire pistol calibers.
Like duh, I weigh 126 pounds and live by PPCs.
I work with a guy who has had opportunities to introduce firearms to women. He says the most common second "I wanna shoot that one again..." is his Rossi '92 in .357.
I grew up with the Daisy Lever-action air rifle, the a lever-action “BB” guns. Watched the rifleman in syndication, and Firefly (sci-fi western).
While at the range one day in my 20s in TX, there were several LEOs, comparing the AR platforms for effectiveness. One who hadn’t spoken up about the AR was a grizzled old Deputy Sheriff, who, without saying a word, threw up an old beer can, then made it dance in the air for 7 shots with his Winchester 30-30.
Nuff said!
When Lt. Colonel Jeff Cooper USMC ret. wrote an article in the 90s after the AWB was passed that the 30-30 lever gun could be the urban assault rifle.
556/"assault rifles" has nothing on 30-30. You better warn the entire neighborhood if you use a 30-30 for home defense lol
Man this was way better than anything on the history channel.
I’ve owned mine (357 mag) for nearly 2 years now. I found your review spot on. I have a GSA file cabinet where I store my handguns. The breakdown function of this gun allowed me to securely store my rifle.
I've always been intrigued by lever action rifles. Growing up in the 70's and early 80's did that for me by watching all the westerns my grandfather watched. Fast forward to middle-aged me, I finally got my hands on a Henry 357 mag LAR and i'm REALLY in love now.
This is going to be a great series to follow I am excited for this one.
Oh man, this is gonna be cool. I am sad to say I have never fired a lever action, but I've wanted one for years. There is just something so cool about them. I'll be following along with this for sure!
I learned to shoot on my dad's Browning 270 lever. God that was a great gun!
You should go over the Henry Long Ranger, it is a lever action with a free floating barrel, magazine, and a 6 lug rotating bolt. It is Modern in operation, but still has the wood grain stock and the matte black reciever.
Lever action is gaining popularity, IMHO due to the current anti-AR states, people don't want to bother with cloudy legal issues of AR.
I just got a lever action because they’re fun
Nah. Because they're fun to shoot and easy to keep fed and running.
Only a few states that would even be an issue. Its more to do with nostalgia and cool factor.
Yeah after New Zealand banned semi autos and my AR was seized I replaced it with a Marlin 336.
Lucy Carr your first mistake was letting them seize your gun instead of killing the bastards tyrants when they showed up at your door.
Chris, if you’re going to give lever actions a full review, you must discuss how Cowboy Action Shooting has helped popularize lever actions. You also need to show footage of some of the top cowboy action shooters working a lever gun as fast as, or faster than, a full auto rifle. Although those of us in the sport “dress up like cowboys” we are serious shooters who are serious about our guns.
You mean, like this.... ua-cam.com/video/ybGoN_5CDsA/v-deo.html
Even those not using mouse fart loads can be very quick by practicing the right techniques. But speaking of mouse fart loads the lever also has the advantage of tailoring the loads to the occasion. Full bore loads when you need the power and lower recoil loads when you need the speed. Even with the semi-auto you need to reacquire the target between shots. With a lever you can have the recoil of a .22LR on one shot and the power of a magnum on the next. Flexible.
The Marlin 336R (full rifle length barrel) in 35 Remington is the BEST modern Lever Action ever made. My 1951 336R was my grandfathers handed down to me when died early in life from cancer and I've taken up his use of it for hundreds of hunts for Grisly and Brown Bear, Elk, Moose, Mule and White Tail Dear and Big Horn Sheep.
My grandfather passed away in 2009 and left me his Savage Model 99E in .243 and I love it to pieces. A little fixed 4x power Tasco has been on it since he bought it new in the 60s and I've bagged my fair share of deer and coyotes with it.
My first rifle I ever owned was a 94. I still love lever guns and I still watch "The Rifleman" on METV. Great job on this video, it is a reminder of just how good lever action rifles really are. The modern rifles have come a long way and are a nice mix of the old and the new.
I'd love to see you include something about the Browning BLR in this series! They're kinda different from 19th Century lever guns, but super cool in their own way.
The sound of a lever action cycling is the best
Dear Chris,
Please keep reading our minds.
Thanks,
All of us
Takedown lever action modern 10mm, sounds like so much fun
If only they were available and affordable
Like the lever. Gun pistol in 45 colt long.. Same ammo works in both.
One of the best things about a lever rifle is you can find revolvers sharing rounds.
What an excellent communicator of well researched information that flows seamlessly. The information remains relevant and interesting the entire time. Lots of valuable personal insights all the while. Good job!!! Lucky Gunner is, well, "lucky" to have you as a representative.
my first guns i purchased were a .357 henry lever action and a mossberg 500, manual actions are just really satisfying
the pistol caliber lever with a can is so sweet
After almost a year of chasing one down and a preorder that left me nowhere I found a 4570 marlin dark. It was worth the wait. I was raised on old westerns and muzzleloaders and when I saw these I said I dont care the cost I'll finally get my lever gun. 100% my favorite gun. Ya pistols and my AR do alot of job better but when it comes to fun and looks the lever is where it's at.
Easy to clean, shoot and works every time.
Ability to reload the magazine while shooting is a nice feature you don't really see anywhere else. Not that anyone ever gets involved in a gunfight with a lever gun, but popping a couple of extra rounds in while you're in cover is something no other gun can do. And yes, spin loading!
Shotguns as well. And there's a few rifles that can be locked back and topped off with stripper clips like the M14 and VZ58.
Like. Most Winchesters
Really looking forward to this series. Love lever action rifles.
I'm so excited about this new series!
I learned on a lever action BB gun as a kid. I was only allowed to shoot it in the garage. Now that I'm older I'm looking for a lever action 30/30. I've got bolt action rifles and slug guns but miss the lever action.
I'll be picking one up if they ever start being distributed to the shops again
I love my Henry Big Boy .44 Mag. I bought it to protect my wife from bears when we were in the woods. Never had to use it, but I kept it.