Big Horn Armory Model 89 Black Thunder
Many young, impressionable kids back in the 1960s developed a deep regard for the celluloid heroes of the day — with TV cowboys such as Paladin, Matt Dillion, the Lone Ranger, the Cartwrights and others deeply influencing their formative years. They would spend hours each week, eyes glued to the family Zenith console, watching stories of the Old West — and the timeless struggle between good and evil — unfold in black and white and then, finally, in living color, dreaming that one day they would be a rifle guy or girl.
And those iconic lever-action rifles that won the Old West were also commonplace in most of the deep-woods hunting camps in those days, and for good reason. For hunters who wanted a dependable, quick-handling, lightweight firearm with considerable knockdown power at moderate ranges, they’re hard to beat. This core group acknowledges two things: that most big-game animals taken in this country are killed within lever-action cartridge ranges, and that hunting is about the challenge of spot-and-stalk rather than just spot-and-shoot. Others hunt with lever guns for nostalgic reasons.
While bolt-action and, more recently, AR-platform rifles now dominate the hunting landscape, lever guns still have their place and have even gained back some of the popularity they enjoyed back in the day, and for three good reasons: nostalgia, efficiency and better ammo offerings. Add the fact that this platform lends itself well to protecting life and liberty and you have a firearm that can serve double duty.
So, for your customers with a nostalgic bent — or those who see the value in a lever gun for hunting and home protection— here are eight lever guns that are sure to trip their trigger.
Big Horn Armory Model 89 Black Thunder (pictured above)
Chambered in .500 S&W Magnum, Big Horn Armory’s Model 89 Black Thunder ($2,899) is a great choice for hunting, home defense or survival situations. Its robust design includes stainless-steel construction, heat-treated and coated with a black nitride finish, making it nearly impervious to corrosion. A black laminate stock adds strength and additional weather resistance, as well as no-nonsense aesthetics. The Model 89BT comes from the factory with a Skinner rear aperture adjustable sight and factory-installed scout scope mount rail. The Model 89BT features a short 16.25-inch barrel and M-Lok rail on the front of the forend to mount lights, laser sights or other accessories. It also includes an energy-absorbing 1-inch Pachmayr Decelerator butt pad, tank-style muzzle brake and fiber-optic front sight.
Browning BLR Lightweight ’81 Stainless Takedown
The Browning BLR Lightweight ’81 Stainless Takedown ($1,229.99-$1,499.99) is an accurate, fast-handling lever-action rifle that sports a satin finish on a laminated gray hardwood stock. A satin-nickel finish on the receiver and matte finish on the stainless barrel minimize game-spooking reflection, and its Truglo/Marbles fiber-optic front sight aids positive target acquisition in low-light conditions. This takedown model is unique, allowing the user to simply flip a finger lever and instantly separate the rifle into two parts for space-saving storage or easy transportation. The BLR Takedown is factory drilled and tapped for an optional forward-mounted, scout-style scope base to provide a rock-solid optics mounting platform, allowing the user to remove the barrel for transportation and storage without losing the scope’s zero.
Henry Long Ranger Express
Carrying on with Henry Repeating Arms’ popular Long Ranger series, the Long Ranger Express ($1,285), chambered for .223 Rem/5.56mm, is a utilitarian, multi-purpose and exceedingly capable rifle. It weighs in at 7 pounds and sports a threaded 16.5-inch round blued-steel barrel, water-resistant birch laminate stock, internal transfer bar safety, black solid rubber recoil pad, integral fore and aft sling swivels and a five-round detachable steel-box magazine. Atop the black-anodized aerospace-grade aluminum receiver sits a factory-mounted Picatinny rail, ready to accept a red-dot sight, versatile low-power variable optic or precise fixed-magnification scope. From hunting foxes to wild hogs, this rifle is ready to go to work.
Legacy Sports International Citadel Levtac
Citadel Levtac .45 Colt and .410-bore lever-action rifles from Legacy Sports (starting at $699/.410-bore; $899/.45 Colt) are equipped with a modular forend M-Lok design for easy accessory attachments while providing a firm grip and a tough black synthetic stock. Topped with a Picatinny rail, rear peep sight and front blade sight, the Levtac features an 18-inch threaded barrel in the .45 Colt version and 20-inch barrel in the .410-bore offering, with a large lever-action loop for easy access. The rifle is sure to be a hit with hunters while doing double duty for home defense or as a camp/truck gun.
Marlin 1895 SBL
The Marlin 1895 SBL lever-action rifle, chambered in .45-70 Govt. ($1,479) offers smooth lever-action cycling, adjustable Ghost Ring rear and high visibility tritium fiber optic-front sights, and a host of other features that make it a great choice for short- to medium-range shooting. With a cold hammer-forged stainless-steel 19.1-inch threaded barrel and overall length of 37.25 inches, this lever-action powerhouse is both compact and lightweight — weighing in at only 7.3 pounds. The iconic hammer block safety lever prevents accidental discharge while loading/unloading the six-round tubular magazine, while a gray laminate stock and forearm with cut checkering provide exceptional handling and comfort in rugged conditions. An updated Picatinny rail provides a stable mounting surface for a variety of modern optics.
Taylor’s TC73 Tuned Rifle
Chambered in .357 Mag., the Taylor’s TC73 Tuned Rifle ($1,904.89) is designed on the traditional 1873 lever-action platform for exceptional accuracy at medium range. It has a 20-inch barrel and 10-round capacity and features a walnut stock and forend, forged steel frame with case coloring and a smooth hammer/trigger pull. It includes a custom action with hand polishing, custom hammer and lever springs, custom magazine tube spring and an overall lightened action. The TC73 Tuned Rifle has a buckhorn rear and blade front sights and steel butt plate. It has an overall length of 39.25 inches and weighs 7.9 pounds.
Winchester Model 94 Carbine
The Winchester Model 94 Carbine, chambered in .30-30 Win. ($1,309.99), is a compact lever-action rifle that, because of its size and quick handling, is a great choice for hunting in heavy cover for deer, bears, wild hogs and other fast-moving game. With today’s superior ammunition designed specifically for lever actions, the Model 94 is as relevant as any bolt action for many hunting situations. Features include a satin walnut stock with authentic straight-grip styling, classic carbine-style forearm and blued steel carbine strap butt plate. The Model 94 Carbine is drilled and tapped for optional scope mounts and has a triple-checked button rifled barrel, bolt relief cut and a Marble Arms front sight and adjustable semi-buckhorn rear sight.
Zanders TriStar LR94 Lever Shotgun
The Zanders TriStar LR94 .410-bore lever-action top-eject shotgun ($1,070) is chambered for 2 1/2-inch shotshells and has a capacity of five-plus-one rounds. It features a 22-inch barrel, top firing pin block safety, front blade fixed and rear adjustable sights, nickel-plated receiver and walnut stock and forend. It comes with one Beretta/Benelli Mobil-style modified choke and black rubber recoil pad, has an overall length of 40.75 inches and weighs 6.28 pounds. The LR94’s compact size makes it a good truck gun as well as a good choice for hunting and home defense.
