The Lever-Action Craze

Not so long ago, one might have assumed that the lever-­action rifle was as dead as a wheellock. Following the 2004 sunset of the Federal Assault Weapons Ban, so-called “Black Guns” dominated the market. Popular lever-­action designs were discontinued, too, as demand fell with corporate buyouts and increased manufacturing costs. The world is cyclical, though, and so are the interests of firearm enthusiasts. The world has rediscovered the lever gun.

The lever-­action rifle is too good to die. The trim lines, compact dimensions, impressive capacity and ease of use make them as practical today as they were in the 19th century! Iconic brands have been joined by others looking to ride the wave of popularity.

Winchester, a name synonymous with the lever-­action, has been one of the few constants in this segment. The company that bears Oliver Winchester’s name has been producing lever-­action rifles since it evolved out of the New Haven Arms Company shortly after the Civil War. Winchester kept the flag flying during the lean years and changes of ownership. Currently, Winchester produces 25 different lever-­action rifles ranging from the basic Ranger rimfire to the beautiful Model 1892 Deluxe Octagon Takedown.

The 2020 Remington bankruptcy nearly killed the Marlin brand, but Ruger saved it by purchasing the assets for $30 million at auction. Marlin now produces excellent rifles with 20 models spanning the classically styled to modern designs that borrow some influence from black guns.

The Savage 99 is one of the most storied rifles in American history. Its unique magazine allowed for spitzer-­style bullets, and its chamberings included the .250-­3000, cutting-­edge for its time. The late Judge David Harper, one of my career mentors, was a huge Savage 99 fan, so I’m always on the lookout for a good one. It was discontinued in 2003 as tooling wore out, but Savage reentered the lever-gun game with its rimfire Revel in 2025.

Henry Repeating Arms was founded in 1996. The company name was chosen to honor Benjamin T. Henry, who devised the 1860 Henry rifle that effectively began America’s relationship with the lever-­action during the Civil War. Today, Henry has one of the most diverse lever-­action product lines available, including historical tributes and the detachable magazine Lever Action Supreme. Henry proudly produces all its rifles in the United States.

Smith & Wesson might be considered a lever-­action newcomer by some, but the company’s history can be traced directly to the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company in 1854. That firm effectively invented the lever-­action design as we know it. As of 2026, S&W produces 16 different lever-­action rifles under the Model 1854 banner.

There are other lever-­action players including Browning, Rossi, Uberti and many more. Some of today’s lever-­action rifles may not look traditional, but most offer a utility. Actor John Wayne never carried a Model 92 with a red-dot sight, M-­Lok forend or a tactical light — but he might today. (Nah.)

The lever-­action was born in New England’s Gun Valley. Though modern tweaks have produced many altered versions, the brilliance of the lever-­action is that the fundamental mechanism hasn’t changed. This speaks to the brilliance of the platform. Americans didn’t invent the bolt-­action rifle and — though we may have perfected it — the semiauto isn’t ours either. Here’s hoping that the uniquely American lever gun reigns supreme for another 170-­ish years.

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