The New Classic Lever-Action Rifle: A Few of Our Favorites
History of Lever Actions
Forged by history, dominating the wild west, and dating back for almost two centuries, lever action firearms have been rooted in history for quite a long time. While they existed prior to the Civil War, the wartime era of experimentation and development in the firearm industry allowed for increased manufacturing and popularity of these rifles. One of the most successful was Benjamin Tyler Henry’s invention of the Henry Rifle in 1860, which was given to Union soldiers during the war. It became a commercial success soon after, with subsequent models becoming popular for hunting and defense applications in the wild west.
Additional advances in the area of lever action rifles and lever action shotguns were made by Winchester and Marlin, with popular models like the Winchester 1873 and the Marlin 1889. These models, as well as subsequent models from the brands, continued to develop what could be done with a lever action firearm. If you want to read more about the full history, check out this article from Gun Digest.
A Few of Our Favorite Lever-Action Firearms
Now that we’ve looked at a brief history of lever-action rifles, we want to cover some of our favorite options we have available here at GrabAGun. Whether you’re a collector looking for a high-end lever action or you looking for one at a more affordable price point, we have something for you! We have different caliber options available that are good for a variety of applications including hunting, target shooting, and plinking.
Marlin 1895 SBL
The Marlin 1895 SBL delivers excellent performance and precision in a lightweight, durable, and reliable lever action rifle design. This Marlin lever action is a modern version of the historical model that comes chambered in .45-70 Gov and has a 19-inch threaded barrel, making it ideal for hunting. Features include a laminate stock, a fiber optic front sight, an adjustable rear ghost ring sight, and a 6-round capacity.
With its acquisition by Ruger, fans of the Marlin brand may be worried that the newly manufactured models won’t stay true to the Marlin name. However, that’s not the case. Ruger has manufactured this American-made Marlin 1895 SBL lever-action rifle with great pride and attention to detail. Ruger has said you can expect the same traditional, time-honored design of the classic 1895 Marlin combined with Ruger’s trusted reputation for high-quality, reliable firearms. Improved manufacturing processes have created tighter tolerances, resulting in an ultra-reliable, attractive rifle. Multi-layered quality control procedures, including daily function and accuracy audits and multiple inspections, help create high-quality products you can depend on.
Marlin 1895 SBL Specs
| Caliber: .45-70 Gov | OAL: 37.25” | Barrel Length: 19” |
| Capacity: 6-Rounds | Sights: Fiber Optic Front, Ghost Ring Rear | Receiver Material: Stainless Steel |
| Stock Material: Laminate Wood | Twist: 1:20” | Weight: 7.30 lbs |
Marlin 1895 Trapper
The Marlin 1895 Trapper is another example of a quality Marlin firearm. Like the 1895 SBL, the Trapper is based upon the original Marlin 1895 and is chambered in .45-70 Gov. This 1895 Trapper features a shorter 16.1-inch barrel and a 5-round max capacity, making it easier to maneuver.
The 1895 Trapper has a durable construction, with the receiver, lever, and trigger guard plate being CNC machined from 416 stainless steel forgings. The Marlin 45-70 Trapper also has laminate stock and forend that feature a checkered texture for better grip and handling in every condition. The gun also features a 5-round tube mag and an 11/16″-24 thread pattern on the barrel with a factory-installed thread protector.
Marlin 1895 Trapper Specs
| Caliber: .45-70 Gov | OAL: 34.25” | Barrel Length: 16.1” |
| Capacity: 5-Rounds | Sights: Peep Rear Sight, Fixed Blade Front | Receiver Material: Stainless Steel |
| Stock Material: Laminate Wood | Twist: 1:20” | Weight: 7.1 lbs |
Henry Golden Boy .22LR
One of the best-selling lever action rifles on the market is the Henry 45-70 for sale. So if you are looking for a quality 22LR rifle for plinking or small game hunting, the Henry Golden Boy lever action delivers great precision and performance in a durable and reliable rifle design. The Golden Boy is a masterpiece of fine-crafted gunsmithing. Any shooting enthusiast who closely examines one will be immediately impressed with the excellent fit, finish, and visually elegant design. Based upon the traditional design of Henry lever action rifles, this Golden Boy Henry is designed and crafted to be pleasing to look at as well as shoot. It features a 20-inch blued octagonal barrel, a smooth American walnut stock, a brass butt-plate, and a gleaming Brasslite receiver and barrel band.
Additional features of the gun make it a great high-performer. It has an adjustable buckhorn-type rear sight and a fixed front sight for quick and easy target acquisition. It balances well and makes for highly accurate offhand shooting. The smooth action associated with Henry lever actions is present in this Golden Boy Henry as it opens and shuts with effortless slickness, allowing right and left-handed shooters to safely and easily use any Henry lever action rifle.
Henry Golden Boy .22LR Specs
| Caliber: .22LR | OAL: 38.50” | Barrel Length: 20” |
| Capacity: 16-Rounds | Sights: Brass Bead Front, Adjustable Semi-Buckhorn Rear | Receiver Material: Brass |
| Stock Material: Wood | Twist: 1:16” | Weight: 6.75 lbs |
Rossi R92 .357 Mag
The Rossi R92 is a great lever action rifle, providing classic, light handling in a traditional build. Inspired by the proven model 92 lever action, the rifle delivers smooth performance in the classic design. This Rossi R92 357 combines a beautiful traditional hardwood stock with blued finish components to deliver a big-bore rifle suitable for hunting as well as range use.
Features of the R92 Rossi include an adjustable rear buckhorn sight, a drift adjustable front sight, an elegant classic wood profile, and an exquisitely smooth-cycling action. The black oxide-finished barrel and receiver add durability, pair well with the wood stock and forend, and prove that contemporary engineering can pair seamlessly with time-honored craftsmanship and design.
Rossi R92 .357 Specs
| Caliber: .357 Mag | OAL: 37.88” | Barrel Length: 20” |
| Capacity: 10-Rounds | Sights: Buckhorn Front & Rear | Receiver Material: Steel |
| Stock Material: Wood | Twist: 1:30” | Weight: 5.60 lbs |
Rossi Rio Bravo
Merging traditional design with a modern, tactical feel, the Rossi Rio Bravo is based on the company’s popular line of R92 traditional lever action rifles. The Rio Bravo is affordable, lightweight, and well-suited for small-game hunting, plinking, and pest control. We think it’s a great choice for someone that’s interested in lever action mechanics while preferring more modern gun designs.
Features of the Rio Bravo include a sturdy aluminum alloy frame, an ergonomic black polymer stock with rear sling mount, and a forend with M-LOK slots for easy mounting of accessories. The rifle also features a fixed fiber optic front sight and an adjustable fiber optic rear sight. Rio Bravo brings the traditional rifle experience to the rimfire category. The Rossi Rio Bravo rifle from Rossi features fiber optic sights, cross-bolt safety, and a polished black finish.
Rossi Rio Bravo Specs
| Caliber: .22LR | OAL: 36” | Barrel Length: 18” |
| Capacity: 15-Rounds | Sights: Fiber Optic Front, Adjustable Fiber Optic Rear | Receiver Material: Steel |
| Stock Material: Polymer | Twist: 1:16” | Weight: 5.50 lbs |
Henry Side Gate .410Ga
The Henry Side Gate is the only lever action shotgun on our list, but it’s featured for good reason. The Side Gate offers the best of both worlds, firing .410 shotgun shells with a traditional lever-action design. With a focus on quality, looks, and durability, Henry Repeating Arms delivers great firearms you can depend on.
This model features a hardened brass receiver that provides the same yield and tensile strength as steel. The gun’s brass accents continue through the shotgun with the buttplate and barrel band. Its American walnut furniture is set off by intricate, deep checkering that will ensure a good grip in any situation. Additional features of the Henry shotgun include a standard removable tube magazine for safe and easy unloading, as well as a side loading gate to keep the magazine topped off. It boasts semi-buckhorn rear and ivory bead front sights and a 20″ round blued steel barrel that delivers accuracy. From whitetail hunting to days at the range, to standing as a favorite showpiece in the gun cabinet, the Side Gate Lever Action is a must-have for any lever action aficionado, and it solidifies Henry as the first name in lever action rifles.
Henry Side Gate Specs
| Caliber: .410 Gauge | OAL: 38.10” | Barrel Length: 19.80” |
| Capacity: 5-Rounds | Sights: Adj Semi-Buckhorn Front, Ramp Rear | Receiver Material: Steel |
| Stock Material: Wood | Stock Finish: American Walnut | Weight: 7.09 lbs |
Lever Actions at GrabAGun
Rooted in history and perfected with time, lever action rifles and lever action shotguns provide a fun, traditional option for hunters, plinkers, and collectors alike. If you liked the lever actions we have on our list or are looking for something else, you can easily find it available at GrabAGun.com today! Whether you are looking for a Henry lever action, a Marlin lever action, or any number of other guns, GrabAGun has a great selection at affordable prices! We have rifles, shotguns, and ammo for sale, along with additional accessories. Thanks for reading and we hope you enjoyed this Lever Action Overview.
-Matthew Cornell