9 Best Lever Action Rifles (2026): Tested & Ranked

Last updated March 14th 2026

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Best Lever Action Rifles in 2026 at a Glance

Rifle	Model Details	Key Specs	Check Price
	BEST OVERALLHenry Big Boy X Modern lever action with M-LOK, Picatinny rail, and fiber optic sights. Available in .357 Mag, .44 Mag, and .45 Colt.	Caliber: .44 Mag Weight: 7.3 lbs Barrel: 17.4″	Check Price ↓
	BEST BIG GAMEMarlin 1895 SBL The Jurassic World rifle. Stainless big loop lever in .45-70 Government for the biggest game in North America.	Caliber: .45-70 Govt Weight: 7.5 lbs Barrel: 19″	Check Price ↓
	BEST DEER HUNTINGMarlin 336 Classic The legendary .30-30 deer rifle. Ruger-made quality with cold hammer forged barrel and walnut stock.	Caliber: .30-30 Win Weight: 7.0 lbs Barrel: 20.25″	Check Price ↓
	BEST MODERN CARTRIDGEHenry Long Ranger The only lever action that handles .308 Win, .243 Win, and 6.5 Creedmoor. Detachable box magazine and side ejection.	Caliber: .308 Win Weight: 7.0 lbs Barrel: 20″	Check Price ↓
	BEST CLASSICWinchester Model 1873 The gun that won the West. Grade I walnut, case-hardened receiver, and 150 years of American history.	Caliber: .45 Colt Weight: 7.2 lbs Barrel: 20″	Check Price ↓

Introduction: Best Lever Action Rifles in 2026

The lever action rifle is the most American firearm ever made. It won the West, it starred in every John Wayne movie ever filmed, and it’s still one of the most satisfying guns you can shoot today. The action is fast, the manual of arms is simple, and there’s nothing else that sounds quite like a lever being cycled.

I’ve been shooting lever actions since my grandfather handed me a Marlin 336 on my first deer hunt, and I still reach for one when I want to enjoy a day at the range. The market has exploded in the last few years. Ruger’s takeover of Marlin brought those classic rifles back to life with modern manufacturing, Henry keeps pushing the platform forward with models like the Long Ranger, and even POF has thrown a curveball with a 9mm tactical lever gun.

This guide covers nine lever action rifles across every use case, from big game hunting with .45-70 Government to plinking with .22 LR. Whether you want an heirloom-quality cowboy rifle or a modern tactical lever gun, there’s something here for you. For more rifle guides, check out our best hunting rifles roundup and our best .30-06 rifles guide.

1. Henry Big Boy X — Best Overall

• Caliber: .357 Mag, .44 Mag, .45 Colt (multiple models)
• Barrel Length: 17.4″
• Weight: 7.3 lbs
• Capacity: 7 rounds
• Action: Lever action, tubular magazine
• MSRP: ~$1,069

The Henry Big Boy X takes everything that makes a lever action great and wraps it in a modern, tactical package. You get fiber optic sights (green front, red adjustable rear), a full Picatinny rail for mounting optics, and M-LOK slots on the forend for lights, lasers, or whatever else you want to bolt on. It’s a lever action that’s ready for the 21st century without forgetting where it came from.

What I like most about the Big Boy X is the versatility of the model line. You can order it in .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, .45 Colt, .30-30, .45-70 Government, or even .410 bore. That means the same platform works for everything from snake clearing to bear defense. The .357 Mag version is my personal favorite because you can shoot cheap .38 Special all day at the range and switch to full-power .357 for hunting.

The carbon steel receiver with matte blue finish is tough and weather resistant. The synthetic stock with rubber recoil pad is comfortable for extended shooting. And Henry’s lifetime service warranty means if anything ever goes wrong, they’ll make it right. I’ve put over a thousand rounds through my Big Boy X without a single malfunction. The action is smooth, the trigger is crisp, and the gun just works.

Best For: Shooters who want a do-everything lever action that bridges the gap between classic action and modern features.

2. Marlin 1895 SBL — Best Big Game

• Caliber: .45-70 Government
• Barrel Length: 19″
• Weight: 7.5 lbs
• Capacity: 6 rounds
• Action: Lever action, tubular magazine, side ejection
• MSRP: ~$1,499

If you watched Chris Pratt cycle a Marlin 1895 in Jurassic World and immediately wanted one, you’re not alone. That movie single-handedly created a run on the 1895 SBL that lasted years. But the hype is justified. This is a serious big game rifle that will put down elk, moose, and yes, even brown bear with the authority that only .45-70 Government can deliver.

The Ruger-made version is a significant step up from the late Remington-era Marlins that had quality control issues. The stainless steel barrel and receiver resist corrosion in wet hunting conditions, and the laminate stock is both elegant and weather-proof. The oversized loop lever lets you cycle the action with gloves on, which matters when you’re hunting in freezing temperatures.

The .45-70 Government cartridge has been dropping big game since 1873, and modern loads from companies like Hornady and Buffalo Bore have pushed it even further. Inside 200 yards, there’s nothing on this continent that can take a hit from a .45-70 and keep coming. The Picatinny rail up top makes mounting a low-power scope straightforward for those longer shots.

Fair warning: full-power .45-70 loads kick hard. If you’re recoil-sensitive, consider starting with Hornady LEVERevolution loads, which are manageable and accurate. Also check out our best hunting rifles roundup for more options across different cartridges.

Best For: Big game hunters who need maximum stopping power for elk, moose, and dangerous game at close to medium range.

3. Marlin 336 Classic — Best Deer Hunting

• Caliber: .30-30 Winchester
• Barrel Length: 20.25″
• Weight: 7.0 lbs
• Capacity: 6 rounds
• Action: Lever action, tubular magazine, side ejection
• MSRP: ~$1,199

More whitetail deer have fallen to the Marlin 336 in .30-30 Winchester than probably any other rifle in American history. This is the rifle your grandfather carried, your father carried, and the one you should carry if you hunt in thick woods and heavy timber where shots are inside 150 yards.

The Ruger-made 336 Classic is the best version of this rifle ever produced. The cold hammer forged barrel delivers consistent accuracy, the checkered American black walnut stock is beautiful, and the overall fit and finish is a genuine step up from the late Remington-era Marlins that frustrated a lot of loyal customers. Ruger got this one right.

At 7.0 pounds with a 20.25″ barrel, the 336 Classic is one of those rifles that just disappears in your hands. It points naturally, cycles fast, and puts the second shot on target before the deer even knows what happened. The side ejection means you can mount a scope without any clearance issues, though plenty of hunters run these with open sights and do just fine.

The .30-30 Winchester is the limiting factor. It’s perfect inside 200 yards, but ballistically it falls behind modern cartridges at longer range. If you need more reach, look at the Henry Long Ranger in .308 Win further down this list.

Best For: Whitetail hunters in the Eastern woods and thick timber who want the most iconic deer rifle ever made.

4. Henry Long Ranger — Best Modern Cartridge

• Caliber: .308 Win (also .223 Rem, .243 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor)
• Barrel Length: 20″
• Weight: 7.0 lbs
• Capacity: 4+1
• Action: Lever action, geared 6-lug rotary bolt, detachable box magazine
• MSRP: ~$1,330

The Henry Long Ranger solves the biggest limitation of traditional lever action rifles: cartridge selection. Classic lever guns use tubular magazines, which means pointed (spitzer) bullets are a no-go because bullet tips can strike primers under recoil. The Long Ranger uses a detachable box magazine and a geared, 6-lug rotary bolt that creates bolt-action-strength lockup. That opens the door to .308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, .243 Win, and .223 Rem.

The accuracy is genuinely impressive. American Hunter documented sub-MOA groups with the .308 version, including a 0.77″ three-shot group at 100 yards with Federal Fusion 150gr. The free-floated 20″ barrel and clean 3.5-pound trigger contribute to the kind of precision you’d expect from a bolt action, not a lever gun. I’ve seen consistent 1″ groups with match ammo, which makes this a legitimate 400-yard hunting rifle.

The tradeoff is capacity. Four rounds in the magazine plus one in the chamber gives you five total, which is less than most lever actions. But for hunting, five rounds of .308 Win is more than enough. The side ejection keeps the top of the receiver clear for conventional scope mounting (a mount is included), and the American walnut stock with laser-cut checkering is beautiful. For other long-range options, see our best .308 semi-auto rifles guide.

Best For: Hunters who want lever action speed and handling with modern cartridge performance for shots beyond 200 yards.

5. Winchester Model 1873 — Best Classic

• Caliber: .45 Colt, .357 Mag, .44-40 WCF
• Barrel Length: 20″ (Short Rifle)
• Weight: 7.2 lbs
• Capacity: 10 rounds
• Action: Lever action, full-length tubular magazine
• MSRP: ~$1,549

The Winchester Model 1873 is the gun that won the West. That’s not marketing copy. It’s historical fact. This was the rifle that armed settlers, lawmen, outlaws, and cowboys across the American frontier. The modern reproduction stays faithful to the original design, and owning one is like holding a piece of American history in your hands.

The fit and finish on the current production Model 1873 is outstanding. The Grade I American walnut stock has a proper oil finish, the case-hardened steel receiver has that signature marbled color pattern, and the gold bead front sight looks exactly like it did in the 1870s. The cold hammer forged barrel is the one major concession to modern manufacturing, and it’s a welcome one for accuracy.

This is a cowboy action shooter’s dream gun. The .45 Colt is the classic caliber, but the .357 Magnum version is more practical for shooting sports because .38 Special ammo is cheap and plentiful. The full-length tubular magazine holds 10 rounds, and the side-gate loading is exactly what you’d expect from a Winchester.

The 1873 is not a hunting rifle. Pistol calibers limit effective range to about 100 yards. This is a rifle you buy because you love the history, you love cowboy action, or you just want one of the most beautiful lever guns ever made. And that’s reason enough.

Best For: History buffs, cowboy action competitors, and anyone who wants to own the most iconic lever action rifle in American history.

6. Marlin 1894 Classic — Best Cowboy Action

• Caliber: .357 Mag / .38 Special (also available in .44 Mag)
• Barrel Length: 18.63″
• Weight: 6.2 lbs
• Capacity: 9+1 (.357 Mag) / 10+1 (.38 Special)
• Action: Lever action, tubular magazine, side ejection
• MSRP: ~$1,359

The Marlin 1894 is the gun that started the “lever action renaissance” when Ruger brought it back with modern manufacturing. The Classic model in .357 Magnum is the one that gets recommended more than any other lever action on forums and Reddit threads, and for good reason. It’s light, fast, versatile, and pairs perfectly with a .357 Magnum revolver for shared ammunition between your rifle and sidearm.

At 6.2 pounds, this is one of the lightest centerfire lever actions you can buy. It handles like a toy and cycles fast enough for rapid follow-up shots. The checkered American black walnut stock is beautiful, and the Ruger-era fit and finish is a genuine improvement over the late Remington-era guns that turned a lot of loyal Marlin customers away.

The .357 Mag/.38 Special versatility is the real selling point. Load .38 Special for cheap plinking and target practice (10 rounds fit in the tube), then switch to full-power .357 Magnum for hunting or home defense. Out of an 18.63″ barrel, .357 Magnum picks up significant velocity over a revolver, making it effective on deer inside 100 yards. The SBL variant adds a stainless finish, big loop lever, and threaded barrel if you want more tactical capability.

Best For: Cowboy action competitors, revolver owners who want a matching rifle, and anyone who wants the most fun lever action for everyday shooting.

7. POF Tombstone — Best PCC

• Caliber: 9mm Luger
• Barrel Length: 16″
• Weight: 5.75 lbs
• Capacity: 10 rounds (accepts Glock magazines)
• Action: Lever action, detachable box magazine
• MSRP: ~$1,849

The POF Tombstone is the wildcard on this list. It’s a 9mm lever action rifle with M-LOK, Picatinny rails, a threaded barrel with muzzle brake, and it takes Glock magazines. That includes the 33-round Glock fun sticks if you want to go full space cowboy at the range. It’s completely absurd and completely awesome at the same time.

POF (Patriot Ordnance Factory) makes serious AR-15s that land on our best AR-15 under $2,000 list regularly, so the engineering here is legitimate. The 16″ barrel squeezes extra velocity out of 9mm, and the twin-port muzzle brake keeps muzzle rise to essentially nothing. At 5.75 pounds, it’s the lightest gun on this list and handles like a toy.

Is a 9mm lever action practical? Not really. A semi-auto PCC does everything this does with faster follow-up shots. But that’s missing the point entirely. The Tombstone is for the person who wants to stand out at the range, who wants a conversation starter, and who thinks the intersection of Old West and modern tactical is the coolest thing in the gun world. They’re right.

Best For: Range enthusiasts who want a unique, modern lever action PCC that accepts Glock magazines and turns heads at every shooting session.

8. Henry Golden Boy — Best Rimfire

• Caliber: .22 LR (also .22 WMR, .17 HMR)
• Barrel Length: 20″
• Weight: 6.8 lbs
• Capacity: 16 rounds (.22 LR)
• Action: Lever action, tubular magazine
• MSRP: ~$627

The Henry Golden Boy is the most beautiful .22 LR rifle you can buy. The Brasslite receiver catches the light, the American walnut stock feels like an heirloom from the day you unbox it, and the blued octagonal barrel looks like it belongs in a museum. It was the first rimfire rifle to win the Guns and Ammo Rifle of the Year award, and it earned it.

With 16 rounds of .22 LR in the tubular magazine, you can shoot all afternoon without breaking the bank on ammo. The action is smooth, recoil is essentially zero, and accuracy with the adjustable buckhorn rear sight is excellent for a rimfire. This is the gun that teaches new shooters how to love lever actions.

The Golden Boy is available in .22 LR, .22 WMR, and .17 HMR. The .22 LR version is the one to get for plinking and small game, while the .22 WMR offers more reach for varmint hunting. There’s also a Henry Youth version with a shorter 16.25″ barrel and reduced length of pull for younger shooters. For more rimfire options, check out our best .22 LR rifles guide.

Best For: Plinking, small game hunting, teaching new shooters, and anyone who wants the most beautiful rimfire rifle on the market.

9. Rossi R92 Carbine — Best Budget

• Caliber: .357 Mag / .38 Special (also .44 Mag)
• Barrel Length: 20″
• Weight: 5.6 lbs
• Capacity: 10 rounds
• Action: Lever action, tubular magazine
• MSRP: ~$699

The Rossi R92 is proof that you don’t need to spend $1,300+ to get into lever action shooting. At around $699, it’s the cheapest centerfire lever gun on this list, and it punches well above its price point. The Winchester 92 pattern action is fast and smooth, the 5.6-pound weight makes it the lightest centerfire option here, and the .357 Magnum/.38 Special chambering gives you the same ammo flexibility as the Marlin 1894 at roughly half the price.

The R92 has become a favorite in the cowboy action shooting community because of that fast action and light weight. When you’re running through a stage and need to cycle ten rounds as quickly as possible, the Rossi keeps up with guns costing three times as much. It’s also a solid ranch gun and truck gun because you’re not crying if it gets scratched up.

Where the Rossi gives up ground is in the finer details. The walnut on the laminate stock isn’t as nice as what you get from Henry or Marlin. Some owners report that .38 Special loads can have occasional feeding hiccups, though .357 Magnum runs reliably. And the Rossi name doesn’t carry the same heritage weight as the big three. But for the money, it’s hard to argue with a functional, fun lever action for under $700.

Best For: Budget-conscious shooters who want a capable lever action for cowboy action, range fun, or ranch use without premium pricing.

Related Guides

If you found this guide helpful, check out these related roundups:

• Best Hunting Rifles
• Best .30-06 Rifles
• Best .308 Semi-Auto Rifles
• Best .22 LR Rifles
• Best 6.5 Creedmoor Rifles Under $1,000

FAQ: Lever Action Rifles