5 Best Lever Action Rifles

The Lever Action Rifle is one of the most iconic rifles, dating all the way back to the Wild West. Now, the Lever Action is a popular choice for hunting, plinking, and cowboy action shooting. Here, we go over some of our most popular lever action rifles and some factors to consider when choosing your next lever action.

Uses

The lever action rifle is a classic choice across several shooting disciplines. Here is an overview of a few of the most popular uses.

  • Cowboy Action Shooting – The lever action rifle was an iconic rifle in the Wild West. Today, its legacy lives on through collectors, reenactors, and through cowboy action shooting contests. Click here for an Intro to Cowboy Action Shooting.
  • Hunting – Lever action rifles have been a staple among hunters for generations. Their simple designs, easy shouldering and swinging, and reliable shooting make them a great choice for hunting game in short to mid-range scenarios.
  • Defense – More and more manufacturers are coming out with tactical lever action rifles. Lever action rifles are simple to use, quick to shoulder, and can come with rails for added optics or tactical accessories.
  • Target Shooting – Lever Action Rifles can be really enjoyable to shoot and are a very popular choice for target shooting. There are numerous models of rimfire lever action rifles available for inexpensive plinking.

Cartridges

Lever Action Rifles have a wide range of uses thanks to the numerous cartridge options available with lever action designs. Here at MidwayUSA, you can find lever action rifles chambered in 22, 30-30, 357 Magnum, 45-70, 44 Mag, and many more cartridges!

Brands

There are several brands that play a major role in the lever action rifles industry. Some of these include Winchester with legendary models like the 94, Henry, with their Big Boy and Golden Boy models, and Rossi with their range of models, including several tactical styles.

Here are our picks for the 5 Best Lever Action Rifles:

1

Henry Big Boy Brass Lever Action Rifle

In the past, Henry have always taken inspiration from the original 1860s-era Henry rifle by opting to design firearms with a removable tube magazine. They're no sticks in the mud though, and when loyal Henry customers ask, loyal Henry customers receive. The Side Gate Lever Action offers up the best of both worlds with standard removable tube magazine for safe and easy unloading and a side loading gate to keep the magazine topped off.

 

Features

  • 20" Octagon Barrel
  • Brass Receiver
  • Side Gate
  • Brass Front Bead and Fully Adjustable Semi-Buckhorn Rear Sight
  • Drilled and Tapped

What Customers Are Saying

Great Henry craftsmanship and function!

Excellent off hand accuracy and reliable feeding of cartridges...side gate works well, but also appreciate front tube loading capability. Beautiful rifle with attractive wood and fit and finish.
- Jirafa, 8/8/2023

About Henry

Henry Repeating Arms was started by Louis Imperato and his son Anthony in Brooklyn, New York, in 1996. The company was named after Benjamin Tyler Henry, the inventor who patented the first repeating rifle in 1860. Henry’s first model was the H001 Classic Lever Action .22. Since then, the company has moved its headquarters to Rice Lake, Wisconsin, and has expanded its offering to include around 200 different models of rifles, shotguns, lever action pistols, and more. Henry’s most popular model is the Golden Boy Lever action rifle. Some other popular models include the Big Boy, Long Ranger, AR-7, and many more, available right here at MidwayUSA. Henry aims to manufacture a line of classic, well-crafted firearms that every enthusiast can afford. Henry’s company motto is “Made in America, Or Not Made At All.” So rest assured, when you read the roll mark on the barrel of a Henry, it’s going to say “Made in USA.”

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2

Rossi R95 Trapper Lever Action Rifle

The Rossi R95 Lever Action Centerfire Rifle was designed to fill a hole in the increasingly popular lever action rifle category. The superior fit and finish, along with an attractive price point, make this rifle a great addition to any collection. There is no more aesthetically pleasing feeling than a smooth lever action. It’s evocative of great westerns, classic hunts, and everything that’s good about America. You’ll experience that feeling every time you lever a new round into the chamber thanks to the hand finished action. Someone once said the best guns are made from steel and wood. The hardwood walnut forend and stock on the R95 are the perfect match for the deep blue finish. The cold hammer forged barrel enhances accuracy while preserving the longevity of the rifle. Your groups won’t change from the first to the ten thousandth shot. The R95 is also drilled and tapped for optics from the factory. It’s using 8-40 screws, so lots of common mounts will go on easily.

 

Features

  • Hammer forged barrel
  • Smooth, hand finished lever action
  • Large loading gate
  • Hardwood walnut finish
  • Drilled and tapped scope mount for optics

What Customers Are Saying

Great firearm

The value for the money is outstanding. Way smoother than any of my Marlins even older ones. Extremely accurate. Easy loading and well finished. Yes the wood is not real walnut..more like walnut stained. It is finished well in wood to metal fit and it is a working gun. Have mine set up with a can a thermal for hogs ...couldn't be happier with it. 5 shot groups at 100 yds with rem standard 405 grain soft points 1 inch to 1.5 and the 1.5 is probably me not the gun. Highly recommend
- Tn Dave, 5/30/2024 Shop Now
3

Citadel Levtac 92 Lever Action Rifle

High quality components and precise manufacturing make Citadel firearms ideal for both new shooters and experienced gun owners. The durability, reliability and excellent build quality will ensure years of service you can count on. The Levtac-92 rifle features a M-Lok handguard, blued barrel, and black metal finish.

 

Features

  • Lever Action
  • MLOK Handgaurd
  • Threaded Barrel

 

What Customers Are Saying

Amazing in every way.

The service was great. The rifle was accurate out of the box. The side gate needs a little bit of use to make it better for my small hands. But overall an amazing rifle . I am a regular guy who has a regular job. No compensation was received nor will be accepted for this review.
- JC, 8/24/2022 Shop Now
4

Winchester Model 1873 Sporter Lever Action Rifle

The remarkable new 1873 is like no other. It has the look more of a dedicated rifleman than a working cowboy. You may love this rifle for other reasons, but the fact remains that a '73 like this is pure classic. But Winchester has taken it a step beyond with a walnut stock with a satin oil finish that’s velvet smooth to the touch. The classic rifle-style forearm offers a timeless look and feel.  Then, of course, the color case hardening on the robust steel receiver, lever, crescent buttplate and forearm cap protect against corrosion and offer the most authentic 19th century look you can get. And then the crescent buttplate is the final touch -- slipping right into your shoulder for a more solid hold from any shooting position. The 1873 Sporter proves that age is just a number - these amazing features just can't be outclassed.

 

Features

  • 24" Octagon Barrel
  • Black Walnut Stock
  • Crescent Metal Buttplate
  • Polished metal forend cap
  • Bead Front Sight
  • Semi-Buckhorn Rear Sight
  • Polished Chamber
  • Polished Trigger
  • Drilled and Tapped

What Customers Are Saying

Love this 44-40

I got one of these in 44-40 with case harden receiver before the price went up. Love the rifle. Looks great and shoot's great. Fit and finish is really good. Still trying to work up a good load for it but its not bad with my current loading and I can put 10 rounds in a 4 inch group at 75 yards using the iron sights. I believe I could do better if it was not for my old eyes.
- old Va man, 7/29/2021

About Winchester

Winchester is The American Legend, a brand built on integrity, hard work, and a deep focus on its loyal Customers. Considered one of the world’s leading ammunition and firearms manufacturers, Winchester has built its reputation on delivering innovative products, providing top-shelf Customer service, and demonstrating industry leadership. Along with ammunition and firearms, Winchester offers many gun parts and accessories as well as tools, apparel, safes and storage, air guns, and more. We offer a huge selection of Winchester products, including the Model 70 Rifle, Super-X Ammunition, SX4 Shotgun, and AA Target Ammo. From our research and development efforts to our manufacturing processes, we understand the value of product quality and performance. With a reputation steeped in tradition, we have earned the moniker ‘The American Legend’ by delivering on our commitment to excellence in everything we do.

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5

Henry Small Game Lever Action Rifle

The lever-action itself is a time-honored design that’s every bit as valid today as it was in 1860 when B. Tyler Henry developed his legendary repeater. If you’re a dedicated small-gamer, these Henry lever actions with thoroughly modern Skinner sights mated to Henry’s well-known rimfire accuracy take the popular Frontier Model right square into new territory.

Small game can be hard to see, and when there’s a little more on the line than tin cans and Saturday afternoon plinking, precise sights are a must. Since the critters typically hunted rarely stand as still as tin cans do, quick follow-up shots are also frequently needed, and the smooth action Henry Repeating Arms is famous for is a perfect match for the capabilities of the Skinner sight.

In either barrel length, 16.25 or 20 inches, the Small Game Carbine and Rifle are fitted with Skinner’s solid steel rear base and fully adjustable aperture (with .096” insert or .200” ghost ring option) specifically dimensioned to line up perfectly with the tall brass bead front sight for easy zeroing, greater visibility, and more precision when it’s needed.

The Small Game series retained the American walnut stock, classic octagon barrel and versatile utility in all three standard .22 rimfires, the Long Rifle, Long, and Short to cover everything from trapline to tree-top and beyond; and added a cold-weather, glove-friendly, over-sized large loop lever to this trim four-season hunter. Easy through the brush, quick on target, and fast on follow-up. A serious hunting lever gun for serious lever gun hunters.

Features

  • 3/8" Grooved receiver for easy scope mounting
  • Long Rifle version also shoots 22 long and 22 Short
  • Large loop lever 

What Customers Are Saying

Review for the carbine

All the reviews I read praised this gun. After I bought one I have to agree. It's smooth, accurate, and has a good trigger. I like Skinner sights on carbines and this one has them too. The octagon barrel makes it look sturdy. This is a fun shooting 22 magnum.
- JB, 2/8/2020

About Henry

Henry Repeating Arms was started by Louis Imperato and his son Anthony in Brooklyn, New York, in 1996. The company was named after Benjamin Tyler Henry, the inventor who patented the first repeating rifle in 1860. Henry’s first model was the H001 Classic Lever Action .22. Since then, the company has moved its headquarters to Rice Lake, Wisconsin, and has expanded its offering to include around 200 different models of rifles, shotguns, lever action pistols, and more. Henry’s most popular model is the Golden Boy Lever action rifle. Some other popular models include the Big Boy, Long Ranger, AR-7, and many more, available right here at MidwayUSA. Henry aims to manufacture a line of classic, well-crafted firearms that every enthusiast can afford. Henry’s company motto is “Made in America, Or Not Made At All.” So rest assured, when you read the roll mark on the barrel of a Henry, it’s going to say “Made in USA.”

Shop Now