By Shane Jahn
In a distant time when single-shot, muzzle-loading rifles were the norm, imagine men wading into combat to find the adversary armed with repeating lever action rifles. The shock of the opposing riflemen continuing to fire rapidly after the initial shot must have been tremendous. Lever action repeaters were game changers on the battlefield.
Benjamin Tyler Henry’s invention of his 16-shot 44 Rimfire lever action rifle in 1860 was known as, “the gun you could load on Sunday and shoot all week!” It was groundbreaking, maybe more so than Browning’s 1911, Garand’s M1, or Stoner’s AR-15. My justification for this is that those latter guns came about after repeating metallic cartridge firing firearms were the norm. Think of those heroic, poor souls hurriedly cramming powder, patch, and ball down the barrel of their smoke poles while trying to stay alive!
After Henry’s invention the lever action rifle quickly rose to fame as a fighting gun and improvements came along in frequency that is easy to follow with Winchester’s naming their rifles by the year of debut. While this article is aimed at the military aspects of the lever action rifle and is not intended to be a thorough historical piece, it is important to mention some of the more famous rifle configurations. Lever gun models like the 1866 “yellow Boy”, 1873, 1876, 1886, 1892, 1894, and 1895. This non-inclusive rundown of lever gun models entails transitions that brought about stronger actions and new calibers. With the Model 1894 came the incorporation of smokeless powder and the 30-30 Winchester cartridge, an effective round which remains popular to this day. Winchester was not the only game in town in the lever gun world, although it can be argued their rifles were the most popular. Marlin was there with their Model 1881. Savage provided a different look to the lever action rifle with the Model 1895 and later with their famed Model 1899.
Lever action rifles brought rapid fire capabilities for military and law enforcement personnel. The public latched onto the concept of the lever gun for personal defense and hunting as well. History records the lever action as a formidable weapon used for fighting battles and early photographs show soldiers and especially lawmen embracing the lever action rifle as their longarm. Untold battles were fought across the United States and abroad with the lever action.
The benefits of the lever action are numerous. It’s the rifle preferred by this writer for defense and I have plenty of experience with M4 carbine. In my opinion the lever gun is easier to carry and holds plenty of powerful rounds. Shooting lever actions through numerous courses on the ranges at Gunsite have shown that this rifle configuration works. From distant steel to the square range and through the shoot house, the lever gun performs perfectly. Traversing the donga course where steel targets are encountered while slowly walking through a brushy, dry ravine, a lithe lever action is a formidable weapon. Good cartridge choices abound in the lever action. Pistol cartridges in a short carbine are a favorite. The guns are compact and easy to maneuver in a vehicle or in the confines of a home. The old “cowboy gun” doesn’t frighten the uninformed anti-crowd like the “assault rifle” does, if you worry about those sorts of things, or find yourself in the unfortunate situation where you can’t legally own certain rifles.
Lever guns are handy, and the traditional configurations are a true hunter’s rifle. They spur the hunter to hunt. Get as close as one can to game, then slip up a little closer and make a precision, killing shot. Rapid follow-ups, should they be needed, can be applied with lightning speed by keeping the rifle shouldered and running the lever with enthusiasm.
Lew Gosnell is an instructor at Gunsite Academy, one of the top training facilities in the nation for learning the business of gunfighting. Lew is a no-nonsense kind of guy. Ask his opinion and you will get an answer forged by real-world understanding and personal experience. His dry wit is second to none! Lew served in the Marine Corps from 1976 to 1983 in Artillery and Military Police. He served in East Los Angeles as a police officer and Sergeant, retiring after 31 years, working patrol, detectives, warrant team supervisor and many other positions. He has an extensive competition background, having won the SOF 3-Gun, End of Trail SASS and Steel Challenge Shotgun Speed Championship. He has been a Gunsite instructor and Rangemaster since 2008. When Lew talks, I listen. Along with most other types of firearms, he handles a lever action rifles and single action revolvers with precision.
Having known Lew for years and having had the pleasure of being instructed by him many times, I asked his thoughts on the lever action rifle as a defense gun. Here are his comments.
Tactical Applications. What do we want a lever gun to do?
The gun, as a modern and reliable rifle, starts around 1873, with the 1873 Winchester, in caliber 44/40 WCF. Everything after this was either a stronger action design, or in a more powerful caliber. With a reliable action, and reliable center-fire ammunition, the lever action rifle from Winchester, Marlin and a couple of other makers, was a slim and reasonably accurate gun. The original 44/40 WCF, fired a 200-grain bullet at over 1,000+ feet per second (Think modern 10 mm power). Later improvements, like the Winchester 1886 and 1894, in 45/70 and 30/30 respectfully, gave power that could take any game. So, what do we need, a good handling gun out to 200+ yards. We have it.
Handiness.
Original 20" bbl. Winchester it's weight about 6-6.5 pounds and are slightly over an inch thick at the action. This slim design makes for easy one hand carry without a sling. If we add a "Tactical, Sop/Mod compatible fore-end", weapon-light, and optic, plus spare ammo cuff or ammo mounts, we add weight. If that is okay with the user, I'm all for it.
Expectations.
We are used to MOA performance from Box-Store priced rifles. I know and have witnessed new Ruger "Marlin" 1895's that are that accurate. However, most average 1894 30-30's will be pressed to do better than 4 inches at 100 yards. Is that bad? Not at all, and will work on deer, bear and felons.
While the design of the lever action is antiquated, if we consider that the originals are well over 160 years old, it is still a formidable choice as a defense rifle. It may no longer see action on the military battlefield, but it is still carried by lawmen today. I know current law enforcement personnel who rely on the lever gun to uphold the laws of this great nation and protect the public. The lever action rifle is uniquely American and is a relevant firearm for hunting and personal protection. May it forever be so!