Some Lever-Actions In Jamestown

Above, Nandoh Munoz shooting his Henry .22 lever-action. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Out here in the Four Corners region of the Southwestern United States, Second Amendment gun enthusiasts dominate the population. 

In our community of Jamestown, New Mexico, most here have firearms. With that in mind, it is not a good idea to plunder residences in the community at will. It could lead to a one-way trip to the pearly gates or the nether regions.

Our group of friends occasionally break out our firearms and head over to the shooting area. It is a small area set aside for shooting in the Cibola National Forest, which abuts our community. It is accessible by a couple of dirt roads. 

Above, Larry Lucier shooting his Henry .22 lever-action. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Readers of this blog know that I am a Winchester 94 rifle fan. I bought it seven years ago. It was made in 1962 and is in .30-30 caliber, making it a pre-1964 rifle collectors seek.

I am not the only one in our group who favors a lever-action rifle. Two of my friends have Henry .22 LR rifles that are of more contemporary vintage. 

Friend Nando Munoz bought his a few years ago in Gallup. Friend Larry Lucier had his longer (at least as long as I've known him). 

Above, yours truly with the Winchester 94. Photo by Larry Lucier.

One thing I've noticed about the Henry lever-action rifles when trying them out, they are heavier that my Winchester 94. When Nandoh tried out my Winchester, he noticed how much lighter it is. This light weight is one of many reasons deer hunters prefer it over other rifles, especially when trudging through the woods. 

Other friends like to hunt bigger game in New Mexico and favor bolt-action rifles.