Lever action rifles are some of the most iconic firearms ever designed. Since their inception, they have captivated enthusiasts, as their capabilities make them an excellent choice for everything from simple recreation to hunting and western-themed competitions.
Still, traditional lever action rifles lack many of the modern features offered by rifles today. However, a new trend has appeared in recent years: tactical lever action rifles. These rifles blend traditional and modern designs, creating a versatile platform that caters to all enthusiasts.
While they won’t replace semi-auto rifles like the AR-15, they certainly provide the utility needed to make a serious upgrade to your shooting experience. Follow along as we break down what exactly makes these rifles so special.
What is a Tactical Lever Action Rifle?
A tactical lever action rifle is a traditional lever action rifle outfitted with modern components. Instead of traditional wooden furniture, these rifles feature aluminum or reinforced polymer handguards with M-LOK or Quad-Rail mounting capabilities, upper picatinny rails for optics, and enhanced stocks for better ergonomics.
This fusion of old and new makes it easier to mount accessories and optics, adapting the rifle to perform well in various applications.
Tactical Lever Action Rifle Calibers
Lever action rifles can be chambered to take a wide array of ammo, with each one lending itself to different applications. Traditional larger calibers like .45-70 and .30-30 are some of the most popular options, but there are a lot of other large caliber chamberings for lever actions. Modern lever action rifles feature newer options like .360 Buckhammer. It offers higher velocities and less bullet drop, making it an excellent hunting cartridge. Other notable calibers include .450 Bushmaster and .350 Legend.
Lever actions can also be chambered to take smaller pistol cartridges too, such as .357 Magnum/.38 Special, .44 Magnum, and .45 Long Colt. Each one offers substantially less recoil, plus their smaller size usually comes with a greater magazine capacity too.
Which Caliber Should You Choose
Choosing a caliber depends on your personal preferences and intended use. For hunting, larger calibers like .30-30, .45-70, and .360 Buckhammer are more than suitable for hunting white-tail deer, elk, and other large game. For small to medium game, smaller calibers like .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, and .45 LC are perfectly suitable cartridges.
For recreation, though, you can realistically use any of the cartridges mentioned above. For the sake of affordability, though, options like .357 Magnum and .45 Long Colt is generally easier to find and has lower costs compared to other calibers. In addition to them, you could also opt for something even smaller, like .22LR, if you’re looking primarily for a fun plinking rifle that is.
Although none of the calibers mentioned above are tactical rifle cartridges per se, they’re all great options for their specific applications.
Best Lever Action Rifles for Tactical Use
Being one of the oldest, most well-known, and time-tested rifle designs, it’s no surprise that there are a lot of lever action rifles to choose from. Of the many popular lever guns, some of the most popular manufacturers are Henry, Winchester, Marlin, and Rossi.
Henry Repeating Arms
Henry Repeating Arms is one of the most popular lever action manufacturers around, with their Model X being one of the more sought-after options for a tactical lever gun build. The Model X isn’t just one rifle, but it instead encompasses multiple Henry models, including the Big Boy X and the large frame Lever Action X Model.
Henry Big Boy X Rifles are chambered in either .45 Long Colt, .357 Magnum, or .44 Magnum, and come with a 17.4-inch or 19.8-inch barrel. Henry Lever Action X rifles have a longer 21.375-inch barrel and come chambered in larger cartridges like .45-70, .30-30, and .360 Buckhammer. No matter which one you go with, each model comes standard with a black synthetic stock and handguard, a fully adjustable rear sight, a fiber optic front sight, and a blued steel finish on the receiver. In addition to this, the barrel is threaded to accept different muzzle devices.
As far as tactical modifications go, Henry Model X rifles already have most of the features you need. For a true tactical build, though, you’ll mainly need to add an upper picatinny for mounting optics. These rifles are easy to customize. As we mentioned before, there are a ton of manufacturers producing high-quality components for them, so as far as customization goes, you have free rein.
Winchester
Winchester needs little to no introduction. As one of the oldest and most well-renowned firearms manufacturers, they’ve produced a fair number of solid rifle platforms. This same commitment to quality has translated well to their lever action rifle like the Winchester Model 94 and Model 1886.
The Winchester Model 94 was originally introduced in 1894 and has since become one of Winchester’s most popular lever action rifles. Most chambered in .30-30 and .450 Marlin, these rifles come standard with wooden furniture and adjustable iron sights. Although these rifles don’t come with features like threaded barrels, and M-LOK handguards, they can easily be upgraded to include such features. In the same vein, the Winchester Model 1886 is another solid choice, having many of the same features as the Model 94, albeit in a bigger package that’s capable of chambering larger calibers such as .45-70.
Renowned for their reliability, it’s no surprise that these are some of the most popular rifles offered by Winchester, making for solid picks for a tactical lever action build. Still, keep in mind that there are some features that are unavailable without further alteration, the greatest of which being the lack of a threaded barrel. You can send your rifle off to a gunsmith to have your rifle’s barrel threaded, but if you want that feature, it’ll be easier to go ahead and pick up a rifle that’s already configured that way.
Marlin
Marlin is another excellent choice to consider when starting a tactical lever action build. Their Dark Series Lever Action Rifles have quickly become some of their most sought-after offerings, designed for use amongst recreational enthusiasts and hunters alike.
Like the other models mentioned, Dark Series rifles are already equipped with many of the features necessary for a tactical lever gun build. Currently, Marlin only has options available in two calibers, those being .45-70 and .30-30, but there are some upcoming models that are going to be chambered in .44 Magnum and .357 Magnum.
If you’re wanting to buy a rifle, that’s already kitted out with everything a tactical lever action needs, this is the one to get. Each rifle in Marlin’s Dark Series already comes with an adjustable reinforced nylon stock, a reinforced nylon M-LOK handguard, upgraded fiber optic sights with an adjustable tritium ghost ring, and a threaded barrel with an included muzzle brake. In addition to this, each of these rifles also has an upper picatinny rail for mounting optics.
Rossi
Rossi has been a producer of high-quality rifles for a long time, with their R95 and R92 being no exception.
Rossi’s R95 is a capable rifle that can come chambered in either .30-30 or .45-70, and they’re available with either 16.5-, 20-, or 22-inch barrel. The R92 is essentially the same rifle, albeit a bit smaller and chambered in either .45 Long Colt, .44 Magnum, and .357 Magnum. Both rifles offer the same features and can come upgraded from the factory as well. One such configuration is Rossi’s Triple Black Series. Rossi’s Triple Black rifles come equipped with upgraded furniture, upper picatinny rails, big loops with paracord wraps, enhanced sights, and threaded barrels, making these rifles a prime candidate for a tactical conversion.
Rossi firearms are known for their high-quality and affordability, so if you’re looking for a good entry level lever action rifle for a tactical build, it’s hard to pass on them. Something to note, however, is that there currently isn’t a Triple Black rifle variant chambered in .45-70. So, if you’re wanting to build out a rifle chambered in that caliber, you’re better off opting for one of the other models mentioned above until they begin producing one.
Building a Tactical Lever Action Rifle
If you already own a lever action rifle and want to transform it into a tactical styled one, you can absolutely do that. While it can be a bit easier to buy a new rifle, as the popularity and production of these rifles has grown over the years, so has their parts aftermarket. There are dozens of manufacturers producing multiple components for these rifles.
To get started building out your rifle, the most important components you’ll need are the stock and handguard. Magpul’s ELG stock provides a nice feel and has adjustable cheek risers for an optimal cheek weld. Likewise, their ELG handguard is M-LOK compatible, allowing you to mount accessories while also getting a better grip on your rifle.
In addition to Magpul, Midwest Industries offers both stocks and handguards as well. They have multiple stock options that have an aluminum construction and adjustable sections made of polymer. Their handguards are also made from aluminum that feature full-length M-LOK slots. Some models even come with upper picatinny rails, making your rifle more akin to a modern rifle.
Either way you go, it’s crucial that you research every option available to ensure it’s compatible with your rifle and comes with the features you want.
Conclusion
The lever action rifle will continue to be one of the most iconic rifle platforms ever created, and by combining their time-tested designs with the modern comforts and features found on the rifles of today, these rifles offer an incredible degree of versatility and adaptability.
Whether you buy a pre-equipped model or build one to your specifications, these rifles blend the simplicity of classic designs with the modularity of modern platforms. So long as you’ve taken time to research and ensure your components are compatible and have the features you want, you’ll enjoy a unique rifle that mixes tradition and modernity.
Remember, no rifle is complete without a proper optic. Our guide on the best red dot sights for lever action rifles goes in-depth on the different makes and models available that pair exceptionally well with lever action rifles.
