Expert maintenance, repair best for Dependable Lever-Actions

John Browning designed M1894 and M1895 lever actions to make working parts accessible.

-  Jim Dickson

Ever since the Henry repeater came out in 1860, American outdoorsmen have been locked in a love affair with lever-action rifles. There is a lot to love. The guns often display impeccable handling characteristics whether it be a M1892 44-40 carbine or a M1895 .405 big game rifle. A lot of folks like the feel of a traditional lever action, and there is no denying that a good one can be operated fast. The traditionally inclined also like that link to the past, and as long as the gun works for them, why shouldn't they?

Throughout much of the 20th Century, the M1894 .30-30 Winchester was synonymous with deer rifle. During much of this time, Winchester faced competition from the Marlin 336 lever action. With side ejection and solid receiver top, it was easier to mount a scope on the Marlin.

Prior to this, the M1860 Henry repeater and the M1866 Winchester "Yellowboy" in .44 rimfire began the pistol caliber lever action's reputation as an all-round rifle, one which could bag small game without ruining all of the meat and also take down big game.

The Winchester M1873 in 44-40 followed by the M1892 in .44-40 cinched this reputation and these two rifles have been the favorite of many a subsistence hunter ever since.

For pure big-game hunting, Winchester brought out the M1876, basically an enlarged M1873 chambered for cartridges like the 45-75 and 50-90. Marlin actually beat them to the punch with their M1881, the first rifle chambered for the .45-70. Winchester answered with the M1886 chambered for the .45-70 and the .50-100-450, arguably the best factory lever-action stopping round ever.