The Top 8 Best Affordable Lever Action Rifles!

 The Top 8 Best Affordable Lever Action Rifles! video by Gun Junkies.

Summary: 

When it comes to rifles, there is something special about lever action rifles. But with increasing prices every year, many shooters are left behind, simply not buying it. Wondering if there are still great lever-action rifles that won’t empty your wallet? Which models give you solid performance without the hefty price tag? Stay with us until the end of this video as we explore the top 8 best affordable lever action rifles you can own without spending big.

The 10 Most Reliable Lever Action Rifles For Hunting and Range!

The 10 Most Reliable Lever Action Rifles For Hunting and Range! by Scoper 360°.

Summary: 

Modern performance, classic soul — these10 lever-action rifles prove the old action still wins in the field. From compact .45-70 power to detachable-mag precision, this video breaks down reliability, accuracy, and real hunting capability.

In this video we test and explain the most reliable lever-action rifles for hunting and range work. If you assume lever guns can’t match modern rifles for accuracy or cartridge versatility, watch closely — three of these models deliver sub-MOA potential with the right ammo, and several use magazine designs that safely accept pointed bullets.

7 MILLION SOLD: INSIDE THE RISE OF THE WINCHESTER ’94

7,000,000 SOLD: INSIDE THE RISE OF THE WINCHESTER ’94 by Legacy of Gunpowder

Summary:

Discover the incredible story behind the Winchester Model 1894 — one of the most iconic rifles in American history. From its creation by John Browning to its role in shaping the frontier, this lever-action rifle became a symbol of the Old West and a favorite among hunters and collectors. Learn why the Winchester 1894 remains a legend over 100 years later.

When Good Guns Go Bad: Handling Malfunctions Safely

When the Good Guns Go Bad: Handling Malfunctions Safely in Cowboy Action Shooting: Dead Gun Rule, video by Dry Socket’s Cowboy Action Theater .

Summary:

What happens when your firearm malfunctions in the middle of a Cowboy Action Shooting stage? In this detailed instructional episode of Dry Sockets Cowboy Action Theater, we take a close look at what to do when your gun goes dead — how to declare it, how to handle it, and how to keep your stage (and posse) running safely and smoothly.

We’ll walk through:

 • How to recognize when a firearm is officially “dead” under SASS rules

 • Properly declaring and staging a dead gun without sweeping anyone or breaking the 170

 • How the Timer Operator and Spotters respond when a shooter calls a malfunction

 • What NOT to do (to avoid those dreaded stage or match DQs)

 • Tips for staying calm, communicating clearly, and getting safely back into the stage flow

The 5 Most Reliable Lever Actions For Hunting AND Range

 The 5 Most Reliable Lever Actions For Hunting AND Range (2025) by Gun-Man Ballistic.

Summary: 

These five lever actions balance classic reliability with modern performance for the range and the hunt.

Lever guns are back, but which ones can you actually depend on? I took 2025's top contenders to the field and the range to find out. This isn't just about nostalgia; it's about performance under pressure. We're breaking down the five most reliable lever actions that deliver accuracy for hunting and smooth cycling for range day. See which classics hold up and which new models made the cut.

Top 7 Pistol Caliber Lever Rifles Dominating 2025 (Video)

Top 7 Pistol Caliber Lever Rifles Dominating 2025 - #1 Changes Everything by GunForge.

Summary:

The "perfect pair" is no longer just a cowboy's dream. The concept of one belt of ammunition feeding both your revolver and your carbine is back, and in 2025, it's more practical and powerful than ever. We are living in the renaissance of pistol caliber lever rifles.

In this episode of Gunforge, we explore how this 19th-century platform has evolved into a serious 21st-century tool for home defense, new shooters, and firearm enthusiasts. We are counting down the Top 7 pistol caliber lever rifles that will absolutely dominate 2025.

We'll cover everything from the undisputed king of value, the Rossi R92, to the purist's choice, the Uberti 1873. We'll also look at the new American standard from Henry with their Big Boy Side Gate, and the triumphant return of a legend: the Ruger-made Marlin 1894.

The list doesn't stop at classic wood and steel. The tactical lever gun is here, and the Henry X Model (#2) bridges the gap between cowboy and modern defense. But our #1 pick is a complete shock from a legendary company that no one saw coming. The Smith & Wesson Model 1854 is a game-changer that combines the best features of all pistol caliber lever rifles into one incredible package.

If you believe in the philosophy of the "perfect pair" and the future of the pistol caliber lever rifle, this is the episode for you.

Wayne’s 100-Year-Old Winchester Collection

Video by Rugged Tactical.

Wayne’s 100-Year-Old Winchester Collection | Model 1892, 1894 & 1897

Summary:

In this interview, Wayne shares the incredible story behind three Winchester firearms that have been passed down through generations — each over 100 years old.

These heirloom guns include:

Winchester Model 1894 .30-30 lever action rifle

Winchester Model 1897 12 gauge shotgun

Winchester Model 1892 .25-20 lever action rifle

Each firearm holds a piece of his family’s history, connecting Wayne to his dad and grandpa.  They reflect the enduring legacy of America’s Western frontier and the craftsmanship that defined it. We talk about what makes these vintage Winchesters special, how they’ve been preserved, and the memories attached to them.

If you love classic lever actions, antique Winchesters, or family gun stories, this interview is for you.

Why Hunters Keep Coming Back To The .30-30

Above, my Winchester 94 with my grandfather's Winchester 62A I inherited. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Six years ago, I was staying in Albuquerque overnight as I had an early morning flight to Fort Lauderdale, Florida for a cruise to Key West and Havana.

To kill time, I went to Ron Peterson's Firearms gun store to browse around. I spotted on a rack a Winchester Model 94 in .30-30 for sale. I had been looking to buy a pre-64 Winchester 94 for some time. I checked it out and it was made in 1962 (verified by its serial number) and in great shape. I put it on layaway and picked it up after I returned from the cruise. It is my favorite firearm.

Apparently, I was not the only one in recent years looking to buy a .30-30 lever-action rifle. Lever-actions have made a big resurgence in popularity.

The Avid Outdoorsman has posted an article on why hunters keep coming back to the .30-30. 

It begins with:

There’s something about the .30-30 that keeps it hanging around, no matter how many new cartridges hit the shelves. It doesn’t have the flattest trajectory. It’s not the hottest round on paper. But none of that matters in the woods where it counts. The .30-30 earned its place in deer camps because it flat-out works—and it’s never given you a reason to doubt it. You can talk all day about modern bullets and long-range performance, but for the kind of hunting most folks actually do, the old lever gun still makes a lot of sense. That’s why it keeps showing up in truck racks, scabbards, and meat poles across the country. And once you’ve taken a deer with one, odds are you’ll want to do it again.

To read more, go here. 

6 Best Lever Action Rifles On The Planet (Video)

 6 Best Lever Action Rifles On The Planet video by AntPrepper.

Curious Relics #121: Winchester Model 1894 – Part III

Above, the writer's grandfather's Winchester 1894. Writer's photo.

Part 3 of Curious Relics: Winchester Model 1894 has been posted at AllOutdoor.

It begins with:

Dating: Winchester Model 1894

Dating Winchester Model 1894 rifles comes with challenges. Over 7 million guns were produced across 130+ years. A significant portion of Winchester’s factory records were destroyed in a 1959 fire. The hardest part is that getting verified information involves spending money, specifically for factory letters from the Cody Firearms Museum.

Let me give you a personal example. This specific gun has always been in my family’s lore. It is “Grandpa’s 32-40.” As kids, me and my cousins always heard about it. When my grandfather passed, the oldest grandson inherited the 32-40. I made an effort to get the Cody Firearms Museum documentation, and since we all care about this extension of him, I pursued it.

As with part 2, the focus is on dating the rifle and factory records of the 1894.  Some records still exist, while some (as noted above) were destroyed in a 1959 fire. My Winchester 1894 was made in 1962, so records are still available. 

To read more, go here.

2026 WACA Show July 10-11-12, 2026 In Cody

Above, yours truly at the 2025 WACA show. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

Last July, Mitch Geriminsky and I attended the Winchester Arms Collectors Association Show in Cody, Wyoming. 

We spent several hours browsing through over 300 tables of firearms, mainly Winchesters. It was the first day of show open to the public. 

Above, some Winchester lever-actions on display. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While everyone was friendly and there were some interesting guns, I found that most seemed to be a bit overpriced. Perhaps if we went on the last day, sellers may be amenable to lower their prices so not to have to pack up their guns and make enough moolah to cover the cost of their tables. 

Above, the 2025 WACA show. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I may go back to the show next year. I haven't yet decided. It will be held on July 10-11-12, 2026 at Riley Arena, 1400 Heart Mountain Street, Cody, WY.

If I do go, I may just fly to Cody (it is a long drive from home) and just get a hotel room. 

For more information, go here.

What I Learned About Lever Guns

"Ignoring This Detail Nearly Cost Me – What I Learned About Lever Guns" by Beam Firearms.

Summary:

This could’ve gone very wrong. I used to pick lever rifles based on nostalgia and looks. I figured a good name and a classic design were enough for the field. I was wrong.

A rifle is a system, and I learned the hard way that mine was completely untested. The wrong ammunition, an unproven zero, and a lack of realistic practice meant my tool was a gamble, not a guarantee. That's a mistake that can cost you dearly when a single shot is all you get.

I stopped treating my rifle like a museum piece and started treating it like a serious tool. In this video, I break down the top .357 Magnum lever guns—from Rossi and Uberti to modern Henry, S&W, and Marlin—not by their history, but by how they perform when it counts. I share the critical lessons on matching ammo to your rifle, choosing a sighting system for real-world use, and drilling until the mechanics are second nature.

Mistakes happen. Here’s how to learn safely and turn your lever gun into an extension of your will.

5 Lever Action 30 30 Rifles That Prove Old School Power Wins

Video by Beam Firearms.

Summary:

I never thought I’d say it, but these five lever-action rifles chambered in .30-30 Winchester are STILL outshooting modern rifles in 2025. They’ve been around since 1895, and for good reason—they get the job done. Whether you're in the woods chasing deer, busting through brush for hogs, or just need something dependable, these rifles are the go-to for American hunters who know what works.

In this breakdown, we’ll dive into five of the top lever-action .30-30 rifles that are still making their mark. From the budget-friendly Mossberg 464 to the legendary Winchester Model 94, I’ll explain why these classic guns continue to dominate. With manageable recoil, reliability, and stopping power, the .30-30 cartridge remains a proven favorite in any hunter’s arsenal.

Stick around to the end to see why these rifles aren’t just for nostalgia—they’re still incredibly practical in 2025.

 

Old Lever-Actions That Balance Better Than Modern Copies

Above, my 1962 vintage Winchester 94 is a comfortable carry. 

Are today's modern versions of classic lever-action rifles as good as the earlier ones?

That depends upon whom one is talking to. Some are saying that the old lever-actions balance better than modern copies.

That is a topic of a slideshow article by MSN. 

They begin it with:

Modern lever-actions might bring stronger steels, threaded barrels, and optics rails, but something often feels off when you shoulder them compared to the originals. Old lever-actions were built for hunters and riders who needed a rifle that carried naturally, swung smoothly, and stayed steady in hand. The balance wasn’t an accident—it was the product of design choices that put handling ahead of bulk or accessories.

If you’ve ever carried a vintage Winchester or Marlin through the woods, you know the difference. They come to the shoulder quicker, point naturally, and feel lighter than their actual weight suggests. Modern reproductions often look the part, but once you mount them, the balance isn’t quite there. Hunters and collectors who keep the old rifles around aren’t doing it just for nostalgia. These rifles still handle in a way that’s tough to replicate, even with today’s machining. Let’s look at the classic lever-actions that continue to prove their balance is unmatched.

To see more, go here. 

Testing A 100-Year-Old Winchester 94

New video from Outdoor Tactics.

Topic: Testing A 100-Year-Old Winchester 94

Summary: 

In this video, we'll put a 110-year-old Winchester Model 94 .30-30 lever-action rifle to the test for the 2025 deer season. This vintage rifle was restored in Part 1, and now we’re testing its capability to bring down a deer in 2025. The results are impressive – despite its age, this lever-action prints tight groups at typical deer-hunting range, proving that old guns can still shoot straight.

Rifles That Handle Fast Shots Better Than Semis

Above, my Winchester 94. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Can lever-action rifles handle fast shots better than semi-automatics?

According to an article (and list of lever-actions) in The Avid Outdoorsman, some can and do cycle better and allegedly faster than semi-autos.

They begin their article with:

A lot of hunters assume semi-autos always win when you need to make fast follow-ups, but that’s not the full story. Some bolt-actions and lever-actions are designed so well that they can cycle and re-acquire targets faster than many semis. With the right rifle in hand, you don’t lose accuracy to speed—and sometimes you actually gain control. These rifles have proven themselves in the field when quick shots count.

I suppose that the term, "you be the judge" applies.

To see more, go here.

155 Yard Speed Lever Action Competition

Here's a fun video with lever-action rifles by Pearce Brothers Gear Guide.

Top 7 Lever Guns Just Got Tactical in 2025 (You Won’t Believe #1!)

Firearms Zone posted a list of top 7 lever-action guns that just got tactical.

Summary:

Lever-action rifles aren’t just cowboy wall-hangers anymore — they’ve gone tactical in 2025. From Ruger/Marlin’s compact 1895 Trapper Magpul, to Henry’s AR-mag-fed LASR, Taylor’s wild 9mm lever, Smith & Wesson’s new 1854 Stealth Hunter, Palmetto’s budget-friendly H&R, and of course, the iconic Winchester 94 — this countdown proves the lever gun is alive and evolving.

We’re breaking down the 7 hottest lever-action rifles of 2025, showing you which ones are worth buying, and which one will completely shock you at #1.

 

America’s Classic Deer Rifle With A Legacy That Won’t Die

Above, yours truly with the Winchester 94.

Regular readers know that my favorite gun is my Winchester 94 .30-30 made in 1962. That is why I post quite often about the rifle.

Well, here's another article that was posted yesterday at SOFREP (Military Content Group). They give a history of the Winchester 94, particularly ones in .30-30 caliber.

They begin it with:

Introduction: A Gun That Helped Settle the Dust and the Score

Before there were red dots, polymer frames, or tacticool rail systems, there was the click-clack of a lever-action rifle, and in the American wild, that sound usually meant business. Enter the Winchester .30-30, the rifle your granddad probably used to drop whitetails and bad attitudes in the same afternoon. First introduced in 1895, this was the first commercially available rifle chambered in a smokeless powder round, and it quickly became the deer-slaying, brush-busting sweetheart of North America.

And let’s be honest, boys and girls, it still is.

A Trip Through Cowboy Country: Where the .30-30 Belongs

I just got back from Angel Fire, New Mexico, this week, which is beautiful high country that still echoes with the spirit of the old frontier. The air smells like pine, the mountains loom like ancient guardians, and every third guy you see looks like he’s one cattle drive away from drawing iron.

Walking through those sun-bleached ridges and dusty backroads, I couldn’t help but think of the rifles that built this land, and none came to mind faster than the Winchester .30-30. It belongs out there. It feels right out there. Not in some glass display case, but slung across the back of a saddle or leaned against a porch railing while the coffee percolates.

The lever-action rifle is more than a tool, it’s part of the cultural DNA of the American West.

After soaking in Angel Fire’s ranchland history and riding an appropriately named horse called Trigger, I realized the .30-30 isn’t just still relevant. It’s still home.

The writer mentioned Angel Fire, New Mexico. It is a village in the Rocky Mountains and Philmont Scout Ranch is not too far from it.

To read more, go here.

Top 10 Lever-Action Rifles of 2025 (Video)

Video from Liberty Firearms.

Summary:

Welcome to the ultimate guide to the Top 10 Lever-Action Rifles of 2025! From the iconic click-clack of cowboy classics to modern tactical powerhouses, we’re diving deep into the best lever-action rifles for hunters, sport shooters, and collectors. In this video, we explore standout models like the Savage Arms Revel DLX, Henry Supreme Lever Action, Heritage 92, Smith & Wesson 1854 Stealth Hunter, and Browning BLR, breaking down their features, performance, and why they’re turning heads in 2025.