The ‘tactical’ levergun is not going to go away…

[AJMD429]

.
…and I think that’s a GOOD thing…!

Blued-steel and walnut guns if ALL types are being replaced by stainless & synthetic ones, or at least nitride and laminate.

AR’s replacing M1A’s was an aesthetic ‘A’ to ‘D’. especially with the first-wave triangular forend ones.

My ‘All-weather’ Ruger Hawkeye wasn’t too much of an affront to my M77V ‘200th year’ model, but clearly was a deviation from the ‘classic’ lines of the M-77 that won many over from the Win-70 and Rem-700 designs.

And my Savage in-line stainless muzzleloader is so much easier to maintain than the blued muzzleloaders are that the ‘inauthentic’ look is worth putting up with.

Now none of those changes is being promoted as ‘tactical’, because the fundamental application of the firearms in question is not increasing in terms of defensive potential. However when leverguns go stainless-and-synthetic, especially if accommodations are made for better sights or a light, there truly IS an upgrade in ‘tactical’ application.

https://youtube.com/shorts/mM4BXCc6aSM

Since I like leverguns, including the beautiful walnut and blued steel ones, with ‘classic’ lines, I appreciate being able to use one for bump-in-the-night applications. Yes, the ‘classic’ design works for John Wayne against injuns, and John Wick could probably use one against zombies, but my old eyes and need for help there means I’m either gonna modify my levergun, or just keep it in the safe and grab the AR15 if bumps in the night happen.

I think the young, less nostalgic crowd, that grew up with Glocks and AR15s, isn’t going to even consider leverguns as anything other than pretty-but-obsolete range toys, given the very practical “if you have just one rifle” suitability of the AR15 with its exchangeable uppers (22 WMR, 5.56 NATO, 300 Blackout, & 50 Beowulf would cover many needs), or for the person who figures a handgun is plenty for home protection and mostly hunts, why not get a 308 or even 358 Win bolt action?

On the other hand, if they have the option of a levergun in 357 or 44 Mag, with ten shots in the tube, a few spares or even shot cartridges on a stock-carrier (and not leather like ‘we’ like, but nylon or aluminum most likely), a decent Skinner or even a red-dot sight, and the option of a laser if desired, there becomes less to lose versus that AR15 they were considering. Especially if the whole package is wood-free, so they can take it out in the rain without a 30 minute cleaning ritual afterwards to prevent magazines tube rust.

So if we want leverguns to stay popular we should be GLAD the ‘tactical monstrosities’ are being produced - and eagerly bought…!

[jeepnik]

Did he seriously toss that rifle down on the bench? I know it's ugly and "tactical", but come on throwing firearms down?

[AJMD429]

Did he seriously toss that rifle down on the bench? I know it's ugly and "tactical", but come on throwing firearms down?

I noticed that - I wonder if it was a toss onto something soft, combined with a sound-effect.

The worst part of the DIrty Harry movie was when he had to toss that S&W 29 (actually I think it was a different model in 41 Mag, but STILL....!!! )

I'd have had to beg to just 'set it down gently...)

[JBowen]

As much as I like my traditional blue and wood levers, I think they have a place in some people's collection. I have been looking at them but haven't brought
one home yet.
The throwing his down on the bench like a tool makes me cringe!
JBowen

[Scott Tschirhart]

Here’s a good example:

https://youtu.be/rdVdQrzllIw?si=wIXgaz3Nqf6P-Xa8

[Streetstar]

I like 'em -- I'll add one to the arsenal one of these days but id rather have one based on a Winchester style action - so i may have to eventually pick up a basic Ranger carbine or something similar and roll my own

I absolutely do like MArlins and have had some great hunts with a Guide Gun --but The MArlins and Marlin style actions (like the Henry's ) -- always carried "fat" --- but in a 45/70 Guide Gun operation i appreciated the extra heft --- but theres not much cruising around Oklahoma that a 30/30 wont handle

[sghart3578]

I like them a lot. My Marlin 1894 CST goes with me a lot. It gets bumped around all the time and still works.

When I hanker for some nostalgia I have my old 32-20 or 38-55. Both of which look like they have been dragged behind a logging truck but still shoot better than me.

And don't forget, real world hunters and killers of men have been modifying weapons to better suit the mission since forever. Roger's Ranger sawed off the barrels of their Brown Bess's to make them easier in the bush. That's just one example of course.

[jeepnik]

As tactical as I'll go.

If I feel I need something more in the line of a combat arm.

45-70 and 7.62. Both actual rifle rounds.

[Scott Tschirhart]

This is about as tactical as I get.

[AJMD429]

I absolutely do like MArlins and have had some great hunts with a Guide Gun --but The MArlins and Marlin style actions (like the Henry's ) -- always carried "fat" --- but in a 45/70 Guide Gun operation i appreciated the extra heft --- but theres not much cruising around Oklahoma that a 30/30 wont handle

With the skeletonized aluminum forends like in that video or the ones from Ranger Point Precision, the Marlins balance well and are lighter and waterproof. Even if it weren’t so much more helpful for adding a better sling, sights, and light, that forend change would be worth it.

Haven’t yet figured the virtue in going out on a rainy night to deal with dog packs in the goat pasture and not having a suitable light or night-capable sights on my gun, much less having to remove the forend when I get back inside instead of just going back to sleep.

[Paladin]

I have modified a couple, only one with a hand guard on a Rossi. I put a suppressor on to walk the dogs. I have Cerakoted a few to keep them from corroding due to the weather conditions. This was my Colonel's Kalifornia assault rifle, a 16-inch 30-30, when I got transferred to his location from Afghanistan (none of our ARs were legal then).

30-30 Trapper.jpg

Rossi .357

Rossi 357 painted.jpg