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

Last updated March 2026 · By Nick Hall, lever-action shooter who has owned Henry, Marlin, and Winchester lever rifles across multiple calibers

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Best Lever Action Rifles in 2026 at a Glance

Why Lever Action Rifles Matter in 2026

The best lever action rifles for 2026 stay true to a 160-year legacy while absorbing modern upgrades like threaded barrels, M-LOK handguards, and Picatinny rails. Oliver Winchester commercialized the platform in 1866, and John Browning‘s 1886 and 1894 designs still shape every lever gun on this list. The action is fast, the manual of arms is simple, and the sound of a lever being cycled remains the most recognizable note in American firearms. Whether you want a lever action 30-30 brush gun, a .45-70 for big game, or a pistol-caliber carbine for plinking, one of these nine picks fits the job.

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.

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How We Tested the Best Lever Action Rifles

We evaluated nine lever action rifles across six criteria: accuracy at 100 yards, cycling reliability with Hornady LEVERevolution and Federal ammunition, trigger quality, build quality, optic compatibility, and street price. Every rifle chambers SAAMI-spec cartridges. Rifles ship through ATF-licensed FFLs, and the NSSF tracks the modern lever gun revival as one of the fastest-growing rifle categories of the last five years.

We also looked at the Browning BLR, Mossberg 464, Cimarron, Uberti, and Taylor’s & Company lever guns but cut them for quality control, availability, or because they duplicated picks already on this list. Test ammo included Hornady LEVERevolution, Federal Fusion, Buffalo Bore, and Barnes VOR-TX.

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1. Henry Big Boy X: Best Overall

TL;DR: The Henry Big Boy X is the best lever action rifle overall for 2026. It pairs a 17.4-inch threaded barrel, M-LOK handguard, and Picatinny rail with classic side-gate loading. Chambered in .357 Mag, .44 Mag, or .45 Colt. Made in Bayonne, NJ by Henry Repeating Arms.

• 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

Price	Accuracy	Reliability	Handling	Prestige
3.5/5	4/5	5/5	4.5/5	4/5

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.

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2. Marlin 1895 SBL: Best Big Game

TL;DR: The Marlin 1895 SBL is the big-game lever gun. Chambered in .45-70 Government, 18.5-inch stainless barrel, ghost ring sights, Picatinny top rail, and a laminate stock. Loaded with Buffalo Bore or Hornady LEVERevolution, it stops anything on the continent inside 200 yards.

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

Price	Accuracy	Reliability	Handling	Prestige
2.5/5	3.5/5	5/5	4/5	5/5

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.

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3. Marlin 336 Classic: Best Deer Hunting

TL;DR: The Marlin 336 Classic is the best lever action 30-30 for deer hunting. Micro-Groove rifling, American walnut stock, rebounding hammer, and a crossbolt safety. Drilled and tapped for scopes, ready for open or peep sights. More whitetails have fallen to the 336 than probably any other rifle.

• 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

Price	Accuracy	Reliability	Handling	Prestige
3.5/5	3.5/5	5/5	5/5	5/5

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.

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4. Henry Long Ranger: Best Modern Cartridge

TL;DR: The Henry Long Ranger is the longest-range lever gun in production. Detachable 4-round box mag feeds spitzer bullets (impossible with tubular magazines), geared rotary bolt locks up tight, chambered in .308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, .243 Win, and more. 500-yard lever-action reality.

• 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

Price	Accuracy	Reliability	Handling	Prestige
3/5	4.5/5	4/5	4/5	4/5

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.

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5. Winchester Model 1873: Best Classic

TL;DR: The Winchester Model 1873 is “the gun that won the West” in modern production. 20-inch octagon barrel, color case-hardened receiver, straight-grip walnut stock, and a 14+1 tubular magazine. Chambered in .357 Mag, .44-40, and .45 Colt. The Sporter variant is a cowboy-action staple.

• 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

Price	Accuracy	Reliability	Handling	Prestige
2.5/5	3/5	4/5	4/5	5/5

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.

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6. Marlin 1894 Classic: Best Cowboy Action

TL;DR: The Marlin 1894 Classic chambers pistol calibers in a lever gun: .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, .45 Colt. 20-inch round barrel, American walnut stock, side-gate loading, and 10-round tubular magazine. Perfect cowboy action match gun or home-defense truck gun under $1,200.

• 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

Price	Accuracy	Reliability	Handling	Prestige
3/5	3.5/5	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5

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.

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7. POF Tombstone: Best PCC

TL;DR: The POF Tombstone is the modern lever gun reimagined for PCC matches. 9mm Luger, 16-inch threaded barrel, Picatinny top rail, M-LOK handguard, uses Glock-pattern magazines. Made by POF-USA. Completely absurd, completely awesome, completely current.

• 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

Price	Accuracy	Reliability	Handling	Prestige
2/5	3.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	3/5

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.

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8. Henry Golden Boy: Best Rimfire

TL;DR: The Henry Golden Boy is the best .22 LR lever action rifle for beginners and plinkers. Brasslite receiver, American walnut straight-grip stock, octagonal 20-inch barrel, 16+1 tubular magazine. Smooth as a 1890s Winchester at one-fifth the cost.

• 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

Price	Accuracy	Reliability	Handling	Prestige
4.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	5/5	4/5

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.

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9. Rossi R92 Carbine: Best Budget

TL;DR: The Rossi R92 is the best lever action rifle under $1,000. Brazilian-made clone of the Winchester 1892 action, chambered in .357 Mag, .44 Mag, or .45 Colt, 16 or 20-inch barrels, stainless or blued finishes. Brush gun / truck gun perfection on a 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

Price	Accuracy	Reliability	Handling	Prestige
5/5	3/5	3.5/5	4.5/5	2.5/5

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.

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How to Choose a Lever Action Rifle

The best lever action rifles split into four clear use cases. Pick the right rifle by matching caliber to job.

Brush Gun and Truck Gun

A dense-cover brush gun wants a short barrel (16 to 18 inches), a proven lever action 30-30 or .35 Remington chambering, and open or peep sights. The Marlin 336 Classic owns this job, and the Rossi R92 in .357 Magnum is a lighter-recoiling alternative. Both work equally well as a truck gun that rides all day without complaint.

Big Game and Dangerous Game

For elk, moose, grizzly, and hog, step up to .45-70 Government or .444 Marlin. The Marlin 1895 SBL with Buffalo Bore 430-grain hard cast is the go-to guide gun for Alaska bear country. The Henry Big Boy X in .45-70 is the modern alternative with Picatinny and M-LOK real estate for optics and slings.

Cowboy Action and Historical Shooting

Cowboy Action Shooting (CAS) matches require authentic pre-1900 patterns. The Winchester Model 1873 Sporter and Marlin 1894 Classic are the mainstream choices. Cimarron, Uberti, and Taylor’s build licensed replicas if you want the look without the Miroku or Ruger premium.

Modern Tactical and PCC

Threaded barrels, M-LOK, and Picatinny rails put lever guns back in the modern fight. The POF Tombstone feeds Glock-pattern 9mm magazines, the Henry Big Boy X runs suppressed in .45 Colt, and the Henry Long Ranger in .308 Winchester reaches 500 yards. This is where the best lever action rifles intersect with modern sporting rifles.

Budget and Beginners

The Rossi R92 is the best lever action rifle under $1,000. For pure plinking and teaching new shooters, the Henry Golden Boy in .22 LR delivers the lever-gun experience without the recoil or ammo cost. Both are excellent first lever guns and classic NRA Basic Rifle training platforms.

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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

Frequently Asked Questions