Lever Action Rifles You Should Own

Above, lever-action rifles on display at the Billy the Kid Museum
 in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those who are current owners of lever-action rifles and would like to add to their collections or those who are just getting interested in them, Ammoland has posted a list of lever-action rifles you should own. 

They begin with:

From legendary Western films to the modern-day shooting range, lever-action rifles have remained a stalwart symbol of firearms evolution. Both collectors and users alike cherish these rifles for their unique operating mechanism and historic significance.

The Legacy of Lever-Actions

Lever-action rifles have been a fundamental part of firearms history, evoking emotions ranging from nostalgia to admiration. Their timeless appeal is undeniable, and their functionality remains unchallenged even in today’s modern era.

The legacy of lever-action rifles dates back to the mid-19th century, emerging as a revolutionary design in the world of firearms. With their distinctive lever mechanism, these rifles provided shooters with a rapid-fire capability unmatched by other contemporary firearms. This feature made them particularly popular among settlers and frontiersmen in the American West.

One of the earliest and most notable designs was the Henry rifle, a lever-action tubular magazine rifle recognized for its use at significant battles like the Battle of the Little Bighorn[4]. Benjamin Tyler Henry designed the original Henry, a sixteen-shot .44 caliber rimfire breech-loading lever-action rifle, in 1860. This rifle laid the groundwork for subsequent designs, including the iconic Winchester rifle series, which has been described as one of the most famous and popular hunting rifles of all time[3].

Lever-actions have also found their way into popular culture, solidifying their position as symbols of the Wild West. They have prominently featured in Western films like “Monte Walsh” with Tom Selleck and “The Wild Bunch,” as well as in literature and folklore, which adds to their nostalgic value.

Despite the technological advancements in firearms, lever-action design has stood the test of time. Their simple yet effective mechanism remains appealing for hunting, sport shooting, and even self-defense. Modern manufacturers, such as Henry Repeating Arms, continue to produce these rifles, further cementing their place in firearms history[5].

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