Tactical Lever Action Rifle: Best Of The New Old School (2023)

Updated 09/22/2023When laws or preferences force a shooter to choose a tactical lever-action, it’s best to opt for Plan B: the tactical lever-action. Top Tactical Lever Actions: Rossi Polymer Rio Bravo.22 LR Henry Model XBig Boy.45 Colt Marlin Dark Series.1894 Taylor & Co. My municipality tried to ban a variety of firearms. This included the semi-auto carbines, including the AR-15. Thankfully, the state supreme Court overturned the law, but it did make me think. In these times, what would be a good substitute for a semi auto carbine? It’s not a thought experiment that most people would like to do, but it is one that many citizens will have to consider, or even ponder, should the inmates of their asylum ever run the asylum. The tactical lever-action is what I am referring to. It’s not an exact replica of an AR, AK, or any other semi auto, but it has proven itself over and over again. Open a history book about the westward expansion of the United States and you’ll find many examples, from the legendary Winchester 1873 that tamed the frontier to Marlin 1894 that opened up the vast Alaskan Backcountry. These guns are as carbine-hard as the men who used these guns living off the land or fending the front forty. It’s quite a resume! They’ve only gotten better over time. The tactical lever-gun has no set definition. Many people dismiss them as polymer-stocked versions of the originals. Some wear plastic, but certainly not all. There are more options than just dark finishes or ominous names like “Model X” and “Dark Series”, such as those offered by Henry and Marlin. There are four features that are common to most tactical lever-actions: Accessory Mounting: Like AR-style rifles, Picatinny rails and M-Lok slots make adding a useful accessory such as a weapon light easy.Threaded Muzzle: For a gun meant to defend in close quarters, the option to attach a suppressor without the assistance of smiths is welcome. It’s often found with a combination of four features. Accessory mounting: Like AR-style rifles that have Picatinny rails, M-Lok slots and accessory mounting make it easy to add a useful weapon light. Threaded muzzle: For a firearm designed to defend close quarters, having the option to attach suppressors without the assistance of a gunsmith, is a welcome feature. Sighting systems: Many, if they don’t all, offer faster target acquisition systems It was unnecessary. The system is still among the fastest and most versatile available today, despite its more than 150-year-old concept (at the very least in its current form). These features are added to the already robust firearms to better suit modern tastes and applications. The tactical lever action is a great choice for today’s tough world. Here are six I’ve found that particularly excel in the role.Best Tactical Lever-Action RiflesRossi Polymer Rio Bravo .22 LROn the bug-out end of the tactical lever-action, the Rio Bravo fits the bill.MSRP: $359.99 TaylorsFirearms.comUp front, I’ll say this rifle misses a few key tactical features: threaded muzzle and accessory-attachment points. It does have one notable advantage that makes up for its shortcomings. It’s a takedown. It’s a takedown. The Alaskan can be broken down into a neat 17-inch package in either case. It weighs about 6 pounds when empty. This is surprising because the rifle features a thick octagon-shaped barrel and is stocked with wood with a rubber overlay. Chiappa could’ve saved a few ounces by using polymer furniture. But the extra heft is right for this particular style of gun. A Winchester ’92 clone that spits out spent cases. Chiappa, the manufacturer, avoids conflict by moving the Weaver style optics rail forward in scout rifle style. The rail also contains the rear section of iron sights, a Skinner adjustable back peep, with a large aperture. This gives it a function similar to a ghost ring. The bright red fiber optic front makes it quick to the target, but also capable of holding a long-range shot. The lever loop is a bit larger than I like, but still not Hollywood. The 7-round tubular magazines can be consumed in a flash if you get used to it. RossiUSA.comLike the Rio, the R92 Triple Black is just off the mark in some respects. Overall, it is a good option for the right application. The R92 is a line of Winchester ’92 clones with a proven track record that offers a good combination of quality and affordability. The Triple Black is a well-thought out upgrade that keeps the rifle true to its roots, but the Brazilian manufacturer tweaks it with some well thought-out upgrades. I’ve already stated my preference for.357 magnum, but despite the.44 magnum option, I still believe shooters would be better served by the smaller caliber, unless they are buying a dedicated hunting rifle. My favorite feature of the rifle, however, is the integrated Picatinny Rail/rear sighting. Rossi has chosen a peep-hole rear with a relatively wide aperture, paired with a large blade in the front. This makes it a very useful rifle for situations where nimbleness and speed are important. But I imagine that most would use the rail with a 1x scope or multi-powered optic, both of which are suitable for the 16.5 inch barrel gun. The gunmaker also doesn’t run afoul of the top-ejection port, moving this system well forward.Lever-actions, particularly pistol-caliber models, are well served with a suppressor and the Triple Black is threaded for action. The rifle comes with a knurled thread guard installed by the factory until you mount yours. The 8+1 rifle does not have any accessory attachment points. This makes it more suitable as a bug out gun than a home defense specialist. The grip and loop are also disappointing, at least to me. Rossi used the same stock as its R92 hardwood straight, but the company couldn’t resist adding a larger loop. BondArms.comThis entry is here as an honorable mention as the Bond Arms LVRB is yet to be released. This rifle was first unveiled at SHOT Show in 2023, and is expected to be available sometime during Q1 2024. If it proves to be a good product, then this will become the ultimate tactical lever action rifle on the market. It will be compatible with standard AR-15 magazines and uppers, handguards, and other components. The company will release the.223/5.56 upper first, but also has.300 BLK and 9mm uppers in the works. The Remington 870 pattern can be used to replace the stock. This model is not only the most radical departure from traditional lever action designs, but it’s also the most tactical. If you’re looking for a true lever action AR-15, keep an eye out for it. Editor’s Note: The article originally appeared in the American Made 2021 special edition of Gun Digest the Magazine. The target grids and bullseyes are measured in MOA. Subscribe to the Gun Digest newsletter and we will send you your print-at home target pack immediately. Enter your email below.