January 25, 2024
By Keith Wood
Lever-action rifles are hot sellers right now. Whether it is a counter-reaction to the long-range craze or simply an appreciation for the practical utility of a design that is more than 150 years old, lever guns are back in a big way. To feed that demand, firearm manufacturers are busy pushing new lever-action rifles to market. Multiple makers rolled out new lever-actions at the 2024 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Nev. Here’s a glimpse at what’s coming.
Marlin 1895 Dark Series When Ruger acquired the Marlin brand, I knew that it would be in great hands. Ruger has reintroduced various products in the company’s lineup, adding upgrades along the way. New for 2024 is the all-new 1895 Dark Series. Chambered in .45-70 Government, the Dark Series combines the mechanical virtues of a classic lever-action with modern design elements including a polymer stock with an adjustable comb, an M-LOK compatible railed forend, ghost-ring sights, a full-length Picatinny rail and a removeable muzzle brake on the threaded barrel. The 1895 is a 50-state legal general-purpose carbine suitable for anything from bear hunting to home defense.
Winchester Ranger 22 Not all lever guns are big bores. Winchester, one of the oldest brands in the lever-action world, is introducing the new Ranger chambered in .22 LR. This lightweight little carbine uses a machined aluminum receiver, a tubular magazine and a two-piece walnut stock. The rear sight is adjustable. The best part is that the rifle easily takes down into two sections, making it easy to stow under a seat or in a backpack.
Rossi R95 45-70 On the heels of the .30-30 R95’s success, Rossi is expanding its lineup to include a .45-70 chambering. This variant will be available in three hammer-forged barrel lengths 16.5, 20 and 22 inches. Both the 20- and 22-inch lengths will have a 5+1 capacity while the 16.5-inch Trapper will hold 4+1. Each of them will use a walnut-finished Brazilian hardwood stock. The front sight is drift-adjustable, and the rear Buckhorn sight is adjustable for elevation. Receivers are drilled and tapped 8-40 for scope mounting and the R95 is compatible with many aftermarket accessories design for the Marlin guns.
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Uberti USA 1873 Hunter Uberti is putting a new spin on one of the most enduring designs in history, the 151-year-old 1873, a.k.a. The Rifle That Won the West. Chambered in either .45 Colt or .44 Magnum, the 1873 Hunter uses a 20-inch barrel with a 10-round tubular magazine. Both the forend and buttstock are made from walnut with checkered grip panels. Here’s the twist: the half-octagon barrel serves as a host for a Picatinny rail for mounting a Scout-style or red dot scope. Traditional? No. Practical? Definitely.
Smith & Wesson Model 1854 S&W patented its first lever-action, the Volcanic, back in 1854. To honor that history and step into the modern era, the company has introduced its new lever-action rifle. Chambered in .44 Remington Magnum, the 1854 has a 19.25-inch threaded stainless steel barrel, and a black synthetic stock with textured grip panels and M-LOK attachment points. Capacity is 9+1. This carbine combines a gold bead front sight with an adjustable rear ghost ring from XS Sights along with a Picatinny rail for mounting optics. There is also a Limited Edition model with a high-grade walnut stock and a black PVD finish.
