2025 Rifle of the Year

The Henry Lever Action Supreme Rifle is an innovative approach to long guns. The lever-­action rifles were introduced in January 2025, chambering either .223 Remington/5.56x45mm or .300 Blackout.

The ability to feed these cartridges from commonly available AR-­pattern detachable magazines distinguished the Lever Action Supreme. Since the 150-­year-­old lever-­action concept wasn’t conceived to feed from detachable magazines, Henry’s engineers designed components to consistently align and secure the magazines while providing the rifle with a familiar magazine release latch system. Additionally, unique linkage was invented to allow the lever to operate and avoid interference with the magazine during its travel. The system also had to work with a new bolt and chamber developed to accommodate the alternating position of cartridges atop AR-­pattern magazines. Henry’s achievement is nothing short of remarkable.

Deserving of attention is the rifle’s handling qualities, flexibility to accept optics, and threaded barrel. When equipped with a suppressor and fed subsonic ammunition, the Lever Action Supreme Rifle was quieter than most firearms chambered in the same calibers. This is due to barrel length and the fact that the bolt assembly remains locked in battery until the user decides to rack the lever and cycle the action.

Accuracy potential was more than acceptable for a lever-­action rifle. Henry’s Lever Action Supreme Rifle produced sub-­MOA five-­shot groups when tested with match ammunition, and near-­1-­MOA groups with other quality loads. These results were enhanced with optics, using an optional rail attached to the receiver.

Even though the Henry Supreme Lever Action Rifle was the result of all-new engineering, the suggested retail price rivals the value of traditional lever-­actions as of 2025. However, many will find the Supreme is more practical for defense and hunting purposes.

Henry Lever Action Supreme

• Type: Lever action, magazine fed
• Cartridge: .223 Rem./5.56 NATO, .300 Blk.
• Capacity: 10, 20, 30 rds.
• Barrel: 18 in., 1:8-­in. twist (.223 Rem.); 16.5 in., 1:7-­in. twist (.300 Blk.)
• Length: 38.15 in.
• Weight: 6 lbs., 9 oz.
• Stock: American walnut, rubber recoil pad
• Finish: Blued (steel); anodized black (aluminum)
• Sight: Blade (front), trapezoidal notch, adj. (rear); drilled, tapped for Weaver 63B-­type mount
• Trigger: 3 lbs., 2 oz.; 3 lbs., 6.5 oz. (tested)
• Safety: Tang switch
• MSRP: $1,299
• Manufacturer: Henry Repeating Arms, 866-­200-­2354, henryusa.com

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