Home Forums Lever Action Central Lever Actions - General Is is heresy to put a scope on a lever-action?

If you need one, then by all means, mount one. I chose my lever rifles because I love how they pack and I love the challenge of open sights.

I have rifles set up both ways, but at 47 my 'iron' sights are peeps. One with a globe front. Caint quite do the original sight thing very well anymore.

At my age (almost 50) my eyes demand a scope. I do put smaller scopes on my lever actions compared to my bolt action rifles. I have a 6x fixed on my 30-30 and a 4x fixed for my 45-70. But I have not been able to allow myself to put a scope on my 39A. I don't hunt with the 39A so it's not as critical for a casual target gun.

I'm with Klik,
At 55 my eyes aren't what the used to be, but with the invention of fiber optics combined with a peep sight I do OK. When I can't see these, I'll prolly quit hunting.
Virgil B.

You might ... want to take a look at the: A O Sight Systems, Lever Scope mount & The Leupold M8 (2 1/2) Scout Scope combo.

This stuff's specifically designed for Marlin & Winchester lever-guns.

When used with a set of Weaver 'low rings', the result is very compact; the Leupold intermediate eye-relief scope is only 10" in length and adds very little weight to the rifle- and does not adversly affect the handling or the looks of your fine lever action rifle.

Call it denial, if you will (although sitting in front of the puter with strong reading glasses is simply my reality - no denying that), but I think there are many good choices to be had in sights other than factory opens before one needs to concede the "need" for a scope on a lever. At 50, I certainly know what the loss of my youthful vision means. However, I have found, since I yet have good distance vision, that a rear peep has extended my ability to use "opens." I also know that the use of a second aperture on the front - a globe sight- can allow very functional use of iron sights for target work.

Handgun sights are another story. However, I have learned from them, even though my eyes and brain tell me that they are quite fuzzy, that, with practice, I can still use them in a functional and productive manner. I just need to practice more. Imagine that. I get - make that "need" - to do again, what I did as a youngster; get out and shoot more. It is less of an option than it was when my vision was better. And who said getting older has no benefits?

These old eyes use all the advantages I can get.

I guess my feeling on the M94s is that when they are the multi-purpose "lawn and woods" versions, the ones set up both for hunting and golfing - they have the tee-off divot in the receiver - then do whatever you do with them. I have intentionally avoided those for personal reasons - not just because I don't golf .

This of course is the "heresy" option...

Just another old guy with Presbyopia here. I have scopes on all my lever guns. I am sold on the El Paso Weaver V4.5 20mm variable scope, and I love the old Denver Redfield 5 Star 20mm low power variables.

I have weaver 2 peice grand slam bases and Leupold quick release scope rings on all of my 336's. Open iron sights, then return to zero scope (1.5x5 Leupy) mounts. Best of both worlds.

I agree that leverguns look and handle better without a scope. But as I get older I find that I can't be accurate enough with open sights. (I can stay on an 8 inch shoot-n-see at 100 yds, really in about 6", but that's about it.) Aperture sights are a good compromise, as has been suggested. But, I still can shoot much more precisely with even a low-power scope.

I think a smaller scope in the 2-4x range with a 20 mm objective looks and handles best. A compact of some kind might also be a contender. But, you may find that you would like a bit more magnification. In that case you just have to live with the mismatched looks and be happy with better performance.

Good shooting!

Now that's an idea! I hadn't really considered the quick-release rings due to accuracy issues, but being as we're talking lever actions and not long range F-class rigs I don't see why they won't work just fine.

When I scope my lever I opt for the small compact scopes (Leupy 1-4x20, 1.5-5x20, 2-7x28, 2.5 etc) mounted as low as possible. They do not ruin the handling qualities of the levergun and are much better than open sights for aging eyes. I like a Williams FP peer with hi vis front sight as well.

At 51 I can still use a peep sight with success. I just hate the aesthetics of a scope on a levergun, other than a BLR or Savage. I have bolt guns with scopes when I feel the need to really reach out there.

That said, use what you want and need to!!!

I agree with McCann, well said.

Yes, scopes on lever guns is a heresy!!

Oh yes, I have 5 or 6 heresys in the safe.


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Bushnell Scopechief 1.5-4.5 on a Mossberg 472. It is my rifle. I didn't buy it for it's looks. I didn't buy it to hang it on the wall. I bought it to shoot deer.

New Leupold FX 2.5 on a Marlin 1894S .44 Mag. I think it looks like it belongs there.

I find nothing wrong with scopes on levers. Makes all of them much better 150 yd rifles.

Scopes are anathema on a levergun, especially if handy carry, balance, and clean lines are important to you. If you hunt in the thick stuff at reasonable ranges the iron sights are fine. Go with a ghost ring rear sight instead. If ranges and eyes beg for a scope, the Leupie FX 2.5 looks more in place than all the others and answers the mail for more precise shot placement and 50+ year old eyes. Mannlicher's setup is a nice one.