I’ve heard several times that the 2024 SHOT Show has been referred to as “The Year of the Lever-Gun.” I was at Industry Day at the Range, Monday before SHOT started and saw and got to shoot several new lever action rifles there. Then at the show itself, I found a few more. All total, there was 16 and perhaps others, not counting some variations on a theme. It seems that like revolvers, lever-guns are making a come-back. A big surprise was the number of “Tacti-cool” lever-actions, besides the more traditional renderings. If I can’t have an MSR, then one of these “Black Lever-Guns” might just fill the bill. Let’s take a look at what I saw.
Bond Arms LVRB
Conceived at the 2019 SHOT Show and a prototype shown at SHOT 2023, this year the LVCR has evolved into what will be the eventual final product. A black, tactical lever-gun designed for the .223 Wylde (.223/5.56), future calibers may include the .300 Black-Out, .450 Bushmaster, and .350 Legend. It has a cam/rotating bolt mechanism and a short-throw lever action that allows it to handle longer cartridges that feed from a standard 30-round MSR magazine. The lever is contoured mate with the pistol grip buttstock. Safety features include cross-bolt ad grip safeties. There’s a Picatinny rail system on the top of the receiver that extends forward onto the handguard for sights or optics. The full-length handguard covers most of the rifles 16.25” barrel and has M-LOK slots. The buttstock is an 870 style by Magpul. Projected MSRP is $1599.00.
Chiappa Wildlands 92 Tactical Lever-Action TD Rifle
Based on the Winchester Model 92, this Tactical lever-gun in .44 Magnum has lots of features. It has a threaded and capped 16.5” barrel, near full-length aluminum handguard with M-LOK slots, Picatinny rails on the receiver, a black synthetic skeletonized stock with an adjustable comb, and side-saddle cartridge carriers. It is also a take-down for easy transportation and storage. Cartridge capacity is 5 rounds; it has a matte blue finish, sling swivels, angle ejection, large-loop lever with paracord wrapping, and included is a paracord sling. MSRP is $1850.37.
Cimarron Firearms Model 1894 Trapper
This traditional-style lever-gun is just like Grandpa’s old .30-30. Being a Trapper version it has a 16.10” barrel, adjustable rear sight, post front sight, and features an all-blue finish, with color case-hardened hammer and lever. The straight-wrist walnut stock has a lacquered finish, with a steel crescent butt-plate. Cartridge capacity is 5+1 rounds. It has the traditional top-ejection action invented by John Browning, and has been called the “ultimate lever-action design.” MSRP is $1496.26.
Henry Axe .410 Lever Action Shotgun
Wielding the Axe might make you feel like Steve McQueen in “Wanted Dead or Alive.” With it’s “Axe Handle” cut-down pistol-grip walnut 1088 stock and enlarged loop finger-lever, it sure fills the bill. Even with a 15.14” barrel, it has a 5-shell magazine capacity, plus it’s a side-loader, which makes it easy to top off with fresh shells. It has a bead front sight and the muzzle is internally threaded for an invector style chokes. There’s also a version with a brass receiver, and an X Model, which has a “Tacti-cool” synthetic stock with mounts that allow you to configure it any way you want. There’s also a Hi-Viz front sight. These guns are great for tight quarters and will serve for home defense or for just plain fun shooting. MSRP on the version shown is $1008.00.
Henry Supreme Lever Action Rifle
This new rifle from Henry Repeating Arms debuted at the 2024 Industry Day at the Range and is not even on the Henry website as yet. While it resembles the Henry Long Ranger rifle series, it is configured to accept any MSR (AR) type magazines. It is chambered in .223/5.56 or 300 Blackout and has a linkage driven action, with a rotating bolt head. It will have a 16” barrel in 300 BO or an 18” barrel in .223/5.56; both are threaded for suppressor use. It has a fully adjustable rear sight, plus the receiver is drilled and tapped for optics mounting. There’s also an ambidextrous magazine release and tang safety. It comes with a match-grade adjustable trigger and checkered walnut stock, with sling swivel studs. MSRP will be in the $1280-1300 range.
Heritage Mfg. Settler Lever Action Rifle
Heritage has entered the lever action rifle market with The Settler. Heritage is now offering a .22 LR lever-gun. This version has a 20” barrel, aluminum alloy receiver with simulated color-case finish, a polished black oxide barrel, enlarged lever, cross-bolt safety, and a hardwood stock with Heritage “brand.” There’s also an adjustable rear sight, post front sight and cross-bolt safety. Weight is just 5.3 Lbs. perfect for those little Buckeroos and Buckerettes. It also comes in Settler Compact (16.5” barrel) and Mare’s Leg (12.5” barrel) versions. MSRP for the 20” rifle version is $507.99.
Marlin Model 336 Lever Action Rifle
Ruger has been working overtime putting Marlin lever action rifles back on the market. Returning is the Model 336 in .30-30 Winchester. There’s a Classic blue steel and walnut version with a checkered pistol-grip stock, 6-round capacity and 20.25” barrel. Then there is a brand-new version I saw at SHOT that is basically the same but, but is rendered in stainless-steel, has a laminated checkered stock with rubber butt-pad, but lacks the barrel bands like the Classic. It also has a large-loop lever, a Pictatinny rail that runs from the receiver down onto the barrel for several inches and has a built-in rear peep-sight. The front sight is a ramped post with a fiber-optic insert. The barrel muzzle is threaded and capped for suppressor use. MSRP on the Classic is $1279.00, the new version hasn’t been priced yet.
Marlin Model 1894 Lever Action Rifle
New Marlin Model 1894 rifles have not been available for quite a while, that’s changing; now Ruger is cranking them out in .357 and .44 Magnum. A favorite of Cowboy Action Shooters, the version shown has an 18.63” barrel, 9+1 (10+1 in .38 Spl.) cartridge capacity, alloy steel receiver and barrel, with a satin blue finish, and American black walnut stock that is checkered, has a rubber butt-pad, and sling swivels. There’s also an adjustable semi-buckhorn rear sight and a hooded brass bead front sight. A second version has a 20.25” barrel. MSRP is $1279.00.
Not to be outdone in the “Tacti-cool” lever-action market, Marlin has just introduced the Dark Series. I’m interpreting that there will be others in this series, but for now their largest lever-gun, the Model 1895 in .45-70, is the first. It features a nylon-reinforced polymer stock with M-LOK attachment slots, flush cup sockets for QD sling swivels, a cheek riser for an optimum sight picture when using an optic and a generous recoil pad. The anodized aluminum handguard features M-LOK attachment slots and QD sockets. Also, the mid-sized finger lever has a unique flare on the bottom for more comfortable cycling. Major components of the alloy steel rifle feature a black Cerakote finish for improved durability. The bolt and lever have a nitride finish for superior wear protection. A Picatinny rail extends from the top of the receiver onto the barrel and has a built-in adjustable rear ghost-ring sight, mated with a fiber-optic front sight. Its 16.17” barrel is threaded at the muzzle and has a detachable muzzle brake. Cartridge capacity is 5+1 and the MSRP is $1429.00.
Rossi USA Rio Bravo Tactical Lever-Action Rifle
So far, a “Tacti-cool” .22 RF lever-gun hadn’t made an appearance; until now. Rossi recently unveiled their Rio Bravo. Besides being chambered in .22 LR, with a 10-round capacity, it can be had with a polymer stock and forend in Black, FDE, and OD Green. The stock is ergonomically designed and the forend is equipped with M-LOK slots. The wrist of the stock and forend have textured zones to enhance grip and handling. The top of the receiver has a Picatinny rail and a matte-black finish, while the 16.5” barrel has a polished black oxide finish, plus is threaded at the muzzle. There’s also a cross-bolt safety, sling swivel studs, and a medium loop-lever wrapped in paracord. MSRP is $393.99.
Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Lever Action Rifle
Proving beyond doubt that the lever-gun is back in style, S&W has introduced their Mdoel 1854, plus a dressed-up limited edition version. The standard model is stainless steel with a black synthetic stock, the other blue steel and fine walnut. Both are .44 Magnums with a 19.25” barrel, rail/ghost ring rear sight, gold bead front sight, large loop lever, and 9+1 capacity. Features on the synthetic stock include textured areas on the pistol grip and forend, plus the forend has an M-LOK slot on either side. Both stocks have sling swivel studs. MSRP is $1279.00 and the deluxe version has a $3499.00 price tag.
Check out the LipseysGuns.com Video review on the Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Lever Action
TriStar LR94 Lever Action Shotgun
Another interesting lever-action scattergun in .410 bore is the LR94. The one I saw at SHOT 2024 had an attractive color case-hardened receiver, polished blue barrel and half-magazine, plus a very finely figured and checkered walnut butt-stock and forend. On the website are two other versions; one has matte-black finish on the metal, and the other a satin nickel. The model that I saw has a 24” barrel, takes 2.5” shells, and has internal threads at the muzzle for convertible choke tubes. The action is based on the Winchester Model 1894 and there is a safety lever on top of the receiver. Other features include an adjustable rear sight and blade/brass bead front sight, plus the finger lever has a leather wrap. Magazine capacity is 5 shells, but is factory plugged for 2 shells. MSRP is $869.99.
Winchester Ranger .22 Lever Action Rifle
I almost walked right by the Winchester setup at the 2024 Industry Day at the Range, but a sign fluttering in the wind caught my attention. It looked like the Model 9422 of my youth had returned! This new .22 LR lever-gun is called the Ranger. It has a machined aluminum receiver, black anodized, with an engineered smooth lever-action cycle, plus an adjustable trigger. The 20.5” blued barrel is chromoly steel and the tubular magazine holds 15 cartridges. Other features include an adjustable rear sight, hooded front sight, satin finished walnut stock, and the rifle can be taken down into two parts, by removing one big screw. MSRP is $419.00.
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