Home Forums Lever Action Central Lever Actions - General What is your favorite lever action rifle.

These two Winchesters are a couple of my favorites. Both have been around the block a few times but still have nearly perfect bores and they shoot very good.

The top one is an 1894 in 30/30 with a 26 inch barrel. This one had the name and address from a previous owner under the butt plate. I sent a letter to the old gentleman letting him know where his rifle had ended up. I never expected to hear back and I was shocked when he replied. He had bought it used during the 1930s and used it for years in Massachusetts deer hunting. I put his original note, his letter and my own note back in the butt stock for the next owner to find. I guess that makes this one kind of special to me and elevated it to the status of a real keeper.

The bottom one is a 53 winchester in 25/20. I bought it because it looked like a natural fit for the 94 in a caliber that would be fun to shoot and reload.

Both very cool rifles.

Call me an odd ball, but the 1894 Marlin is my absolute favorite. They just point right, carry like a feather and are sleek.

shrapnel, you and i have a lot of the same rifles ! i love all the lever guns, and like you try to use them all. i have a 22 long 73 like that , with proper tang sight. bullard 1886 45/70, and even an 1878 burgess 45/70.

i am bringing some of the them down to my place in bozeman soon [ up in spirit hills ]; bringing stepson down to school at MSU.. in a few years i will be living there half of the time.

[ will be down there august 2-11th, buying some furniture and shooting prairie dogs. --- including a couple of lever action 22 magnums of course. ]

hope to run into you some day down there some day.

My sentimental favorite is my M94 Winchester, acquired as a youth. It is still in good shape and hunts every year.

I fear nothing when I carry my Guide gun with 435 Grain LBT bullets moving at 1750 fps. Of course there isn't a whole lot to be scared of around here, but knowing that if the circus elephants get loose....

The one I thought of as the prettiest was my M71. I really regret selling it.

I started hunting with a 94 chambered for .32 Win. Special. I like the classic lines of the venerable 94, but I just can't fall in love with these old guns. Many Marlins have come and gone, from a 25-20, to several 30-30's, a .44 Mag which I still own, and an ugly old grey rat .35 Rem that shot an honest, 3 shot one hole group at 100 yards off the bench. To this day I kick my self for ever letting that one go. All this being said, I'm a total, unabashed fan of the 99. About a half dozen of these have been through my hands, and every one of them were good shooters. Dad hunted with a 99, and I carry one I bought off one of the Old Guard members of our camp. It just feels good in your hands, and many deer have been taken with it. I just had to have a Winchester 88 at one point in time and was totally disappointed with it. Heavy trigger, not very accurate, and just didn't feel like it was too well built. Once again, a very nice looking gun, but just not on my go to list.

I'm not a collector, though I've drooled a bit at some of the rifles posted here. I'm a hunter and shooter, and I am faster and more accurate with my 1894SS Marlin in 44 than I thought I could be with a lever gun. It feels good in my hands, shoulders without a thought. If only a few of the mechanics weren't so hokey, like the crossbolt safety, and the in-pieces firing pin. With my heavy cast bullets, it is near MOA, and good enough for anything I come across.

Mine is a good Marlin 336 in .30-30, made in 1953. I am hoping to add an old one like it in .35 Remington soon.

These two currently.

336SC in .30-30 from 1957. It wears a Lyman 3X.


Winchester 64 in .32 Special with a Lyman 66 receiver sight.

1946 M39 and 1976 1894 in 44Mag.



Honorable mention to my Henry Frontier in 22WMR.
Most accurate 22mag I've ever owned. I've killed a gob of game with that little rifle.

My next one:)

Marlin DOM 1969 in 35 Rem.

My 1899H 22 high power is high on the list but my most used and the one I would keep ahead of my other levers is a well worn first year production winchester 9422 magnum. That rifle has never let me down and has accounted for a pile of game plus its a pure joy to carry.

Here is an uncommon gun, a Marlin 1889 SRC in 38-40...







I will be around that time period, get in touch and we can tell stories about everyone else on the Campfire...

dang that is a nice 1889! looks nearly new never have latched onto a marlin 1888 or 1889...not for lack of trying though.

thanks,will try to give you a shout next week while we are down there.

Thanks to all who answered and posted pictures of their favorites. Many great rifles with a lot of history behind them.

It's especially nice to see rifles made from blue steel and wood.

Larry I just realized that you are the o.p. I love the model 71 you have there! We still haven't shot the Henry. We are waiting for the kids it get a little older before we get it going. Give my best to Miss Joanne.

My father purchased this rough 1899 Savage in 303 Savage caliber. He restocked it and jeweled the bolt, along with a few other improvements. Anyway, knowing I like Savages, he gave it to me, I assume because I helped him build a garage. It's a pretty cool rifle, and being nearly 100 years old, it still works as intended!

Tim, she says thanks. She still talks about the BBQ you treated us to.

Easy one. Daisy red ryder.