Lever Guns.... (Rifles; Unfinished)

Heh.... I figured I'd just go ahead and do it. Start breaking away from rifles in general to their own little threads... That's if our Oh So Loved Admin would start stickying worthy topics and the membership could provide a few that provided a good deal of useful information....

I've always had a soft spot for lever-action rifles. One of the first guns I considered buying was a "trapper" model .357 lever-action Winchester offered. Unfortunately lack of funding and the fact that no one who could sell me a firearm had one kept your's truly from purchasing such a firearm. However my old employer was there to introduce me to the work of art known as the Marlin 1894 in .45 LC. Sadly his .44 Magnum 1894 was stolen before I arrived on the scene. Otherwise one of the two would be in my possession even if I had to eat Top Ramen for two or three months.

Funny thing is a number of the designs produced by the patron saint of firearms (John Moses Browning) all those years ago have a solid track record and are still around to this day. Even those that were altered from the original design. What I love about about lever-guns is that the action (just like any other manually operated one) relies on the muscle of the shooter rather than that of the round. Like I've constantly droned on and on about a hundred times over again. This is a big plus when you're using low quality remanufactured/scavenged ammunition. Not to mention when it comes to down to bolt guns and lever guns I (key word) find it easier and faster to work a lever than throw a bolt. That's just me. You might be the same way. You might not be. One size doesn't fit all. Yadda yadda yadda.

One thing I'm willing to be someone is going to point out is loading on tubular magazines. This is a curse and blessing in the same package. The lack of a detachable magazine is a blessing in my humble opinion when it comes to survival. That means no magazine to drop and lose. When it comes to a detachable magazine you run out of them and you've got a single-shot rifle. Now I know you're going to be slower on the reload than if you had a detachable magazine. However you don't have to remove a magazine to top it off with a tubular magazine. So if things get hairy find a safe place to cower for a few seconds. Stuff some more lead in the pipe and give them hell. One weakness I've found with tubular magazines is a dent can ruin them for a while. However it isn't that difficult to repair. Mallet, something to hold the gun, and appropriate sized dowel. Guerilla gunsmithing at it's finest...

Still if you're interested there were a number of lever-action rifles using box magazines. I haven't the slightest clue at the moment if any are still made or are being reproduced by someone else. That's something you're going to have to look into. Nor can I really remember what cartridges they used. The only two I can remember off hand I think is the Winchester 1895 and model 88. The 1895 was offered in .30-30, .30-06, .303, and who knows what else. One of them I am still looking for this day, but will never find is a Russian model. It was offered in 7.62x54mmR and had a bayonet lug.... I love... The model 88 I think was offered in .308, .243, and I think (completely unsure) .30-06, but don't take my word for it.

There is also a lever-action rifle that uses detachable magazines. It was the BLR offered by Browning. Fairly certain it's still being made. Don't remember what it was offered in. Pretty sure almost everything common between .223 and .300 WSM. I've never owned or shot one though. So I can't say anything interesting about it. Hopefully someone here might have.

Why all the harping about lever-action rifles? It's one of the best options available to members in the UK and Australia. They don't have the stigma and/or cause the PSH (Pant S***ing Hysteria) that semi-auto or most slide-action rifles do/have. I'm willing to bet like most places here in the US when someone sees a lever-gun over there they think of the old John Wayne westerns. Then see it in a more positive sporting light. Unlike they would when they see a FAL, AK, AR, SKS, or hear the term "semi-auto" (or "pump"). Before anyone can say something I KNOW for a fact lever-guns are legal in the UK. Even pistol caliber lever-guns (.357 and .44 Mag).

Heh... Excellent news I have learned. Rossi is offering lever-action rifles now. If you meet whoever owns Taurus kiss the ring on their hand. If the price is right and I see one I just might pick up such a rifle. I think I'll go with .44-40 (they clain to offer one) just to see how things go. A .357 is definately on the list if they're not going to offer a .44-40 rifle. I've got my fingers crossed they'll offer a .45-70 rifle. However I doubt they will. So I'll have to turn to Marlin one day to build my bear stopping guide gun of awesomeness.