Why have lever prices doubled?

[Dave DeLaurant]

Since pre COVID it seems to me lever action rifle prices have doubled. Much more than any type of firearm. Can anyone explain why?

I don't think they are entirely unique in this respect -- M1 Carbines and Garands have also roughly doubled in price, as well as many other desirable milsurps.

Some guns haven't, though. I think Luger prices peaked earlier and may actually be dropping slightly. The price for a Ruger 10/22 has remained pretty steady, while a Mini-14 had risen considerably.

Things seem a little too weird right now to make any sweeping statements, beyond the obvious fact that firearm prices in general have risen significantly of late.

 

[Eugen]

Last year I inherited a nice 1939 30-30 Winchester '94 from an aging relative that he has had his whole life. It was my first lever action, and I am 70 y.o. LOL
I am happy as I can be with it. While I have heard prices are rising on many vintage firearms (read: high quality and not made anymore), this one has family history and is priceless to me.

 

[citizenconn]

I don't mind paying what a lever gun costs as long as it's the real deal, a gun that my kids will inherit. I don't feel the same about modern guns, if an AR is worn out I think you just toss it and get another for half what a lever gun costs. A traditional gun is likely to go to a smith for repair .

If a part wears out on one of my dozens of ARs in the many calibers I have them chambered for, I just replace it. I can cannibalize the part from another AR I'm not using if needed, but don't have to since I have a stockpile of spare parts, barrels, magazines, uppers, lowers, buffer tubes, stocks, grips, etc, etc. Sorry you don't seem to enjoy your AR as much as your other firearms.

I have all sorts of firearms and enjoy them all. If I buy something I end up not enjoying, I send it to a new forever (for now) home. I like that I can customize my ARs however I choose. Need a Steampunk AR? I can do that.

 

[Guns and Guitars]

There is and was a perfect storm.

1. Winchester stops USA production. Now it’s made in Japan, a lot pricier too.

2. Marlin gets bought by Remington, quality takes a nosedive, people start seeking out anything “JM” stamped.

3. Remington somehow manages to go bankrupt and close due to financial shenanigans, taking Marlin with it.

4. There’s a global pandemic that simultaneously slows or shuts down global supply lines and transport (making those Mirokus, Ubertis, etc much more scarce.)

5. Said pandemic brings with it unrest, which means there are millions of folks who suddenly decide the time is right for a gun. Many probably bought levers, because the humble 30-30 is on about every easily google-able internet list of good value guns. Plus levers are more old timey, less off-putting to many than a new AR or Glock.

6. Said pandemic also brings free stimulus money. Guns are hot commodities. This boosts everything that can go bang.

7. Biden gets elected. Now unrest becomes full on panic as seemingly every gun guy decides to buy what he may ever want since gun-grabbing is in the air. Many decide to buy lever actions since it’s well known (those internet articles again) that levers are very effective, nearly as fast as a semi-auto, and far less likely to be banned. What a great time to buy that Winchester 94 or Marlin 336 you always wanted.

Long story short: lots of folks decided to buy a lever action in the last couple of years as an ideal “just in case” gun, and meanwhile supply of new ones has been very few and far between (except Henry which many look down on.)

8. Yellowstone, the TV show, became a hit. Lol

 

[westernrover]

As a would-be buyer of a lever gun, I think it has to do with simple supply and demand. There's a low supply of lever guns (other than Henry) because makers have had greater demand for other models. Just like 357 bullets weren't given priority in the face of unprecedented demand for mostly 9mm, not many gun makers have seen the urgency of getting lever guns on the shelves compared to other priorities.

I'm not sure why there are so many Henry guns. Is it because they don't make AR-15's like everyone else or is it because there's fewer people that want Henrys? FWIW, I love my Henry single shot shotgun, but have no interest in their lever guns (remember I am in the market for a lever gun, just not a Henry).

With low supply, the prices can go up as long as there is more demand than the supply. I saw a Winchester (Miroku) top $2K. I almost bought that same model this time last year, but couldn't stand to pay the then $1800 price tag.).

Personally, I'm just going to wait it out. If the prices don't come down, the dollar will keep getting worth less and then these prices will be bargains. I don't think the prices can go any higher in the near term.

 

[dh1633pm]

I just traded for a Marlin 336 made in CT. Traded a Remington 700 ADL. It's my third Marlin. Of the three one was made at the arms. Its not bad, wood to metal is better than the CT ones. Hate that freaking scanner code on the receiver. Don't want a Henry, been burned already from them on a 22. Getting a few more levers from my dad. There has always been something special about the American Lever Gun.

 

[Ignition Override]

Have never owned a lever-action.

There is no actual reason for this in the past, except that milsurps and mil-styled rifles caught my attention.

If a round of centerfire ammo used in Levers somehow decreased to about .35/round my attitude would change.
But this wish is quite irrational.

 

[speedingpickle]

Long story short: lots of folks decided to buy a lever action in the last couple of years as an ideal “just in case” gun, and meanwhile supply of new ones has been very few and far between (except Henry which many look down on.)

Apologies for going off on a tangent but I'm curious about this last part. Why are Henry's looked down on? I handle them every time I go to the LGS and I really like how light and compact they are, and they appear to be well made.
If they came out with a sidegate in .44mag I'd be all over it!

 

[JB111]

Apologies for going off on a tangent but I'm curious about this last part. Why are Henry's looked down on? I handle them every time I go to the LGS and I really like how light and compact they are, and they appear to be well made.
If they came out with a sidegate in .44mag I'd be all over it!

Some people dislike their looks while others dislike the fact that they are heavier when compared to similar models from other companies. Some people dislike the materials they use in some of their rifles, such as the .22s having receivers made of zamak. I only own one henry rifle, which happens to be one of their .22s and am quite fond of it. It did/does have one issue though, the hammer has always been prone to rust since the day I got it so I keep it sprayed with ansoil mp or whatever clp I have on hand. Other than that, never had a problem. Ive put around 2k rounds through it without a single jam. Its accurate as can be and the action is smooth. No matter the gun there are going to be a group of people who dislike it.

 

[3Crows]

Apologies for going off on a tangent but I'm curious about this last part. Why are Henry's looked down on? I handle them every time I go to the LGS and I really like how light and compact they are, and they appear to be well made.
If they came out with a sidegate in .44mag I'd be all over it!

If you want a Henry, buy one, they are okay rifles. I do not particularly like "Henry" name because the company coopted the name Henry due to historical significance in 1996. If they had named their company George or Bill or even Sue or anything other than Henry because they are not Henry I might feel somewhat different but there are a plethora of other reasons. I do not like them due to their fake plated Zamak .22 receivers. I did not like the tube loading for centerfire cartridges. As well, they are heavy and sort of chunky and ugly and the balance is off though at ten feet the wood looks pretty. And they basically copied Marlin including the Marlin Jam and I still do not like the tube loading even with a gate added, like a belt and suspenders! I also do not like a (Henry) rifle with a transfer bar and no half cock. I do like the Marlin CBS and that Marlin did retain the half cock for traditional carry, the lesser of evils IMO. And the CBS is easy to remove, the Henry TB, not so.

But they have decent customer service, quality seems consistent and their rifles more or less shoot good. Some like the chunky look and that industrial chrome All-Weather is appealing in an odd way and the brass receiver center fire rifles are sort of pretty. So all in all, if you like them, go get a Henry. Me, I am a Marlin guy and I admit prejudice. I could be talked into an All-Weaher in .44 Magnum . Or a Rossi in stainless, oh yeah .

Even with the ownership changes, Marlin has a historical lineage and history. The sleek design and balanced feel of the Marlin rifles remains the same over many decades. Marlin did not copy anybody and under Ruger's stewardship Marlin can only get better, so far, so good.



The "Henry" rifles, aside from the rimfire, are fine rifles. Opinions are opinions. A hunting buddy has a Big Boy and he loves it. And Henry does in fact make a side gate loading Big Boy in .44 Magnum, yes, they do!

 

[westernrover]

I mentioned that I didn't want a Henry myself. I think the main reason is simply that I want a toggle-action 1873 and that nothing else will do.
Adopting the Henry name wasn't insensible and doesn't offend me. Is Winchester any more authentic nowadays? I'd take a One in One Thousand if I could, but as it is, I'll gladly settle for a replica.

The original Henry was the basis for the 1873 and had a toggle link action. I can understand today's Henry opting for the pivot-action that can best be described as a scaled-down Marlin 336 action. It's stronger. It also has side ejection versus top ejection which is associated with easier scope mounting on the Marlin but doesn't apply to the Henry since they didn't use steel for the receiver on many of their guns and mounting a scope to brass doesn't work. Instead they offer a cantilever barrel mount.

For the handgun cartridges I want to shoot, the 1873 action is strong enough and smoother. Instead of tilting the cartridges toward the chamber and jamming them in at an angle, the cartridge elevator lifts them in a horizontal orientation and the bolt pushes them straight into the chamber. It also works with the action canted to one side or the other or even upside down.

I disliked the top-of-tube magazine loading because it makes it impractical to keep the magazine topped-off. It can also be a safety risk to put my hands near the muzzle. I just want to stay away from that end when I'm firing and reloading the gun. I'm not impressed since they added the side gate. It would have been better had they owned their design.

As I mentioned, I do like the Henry company and their single shots. I have a steel 20 ga and everything about it is beautiful. Other than combat/home-defense, it's all the shotgun I'll ever want.

I would like to see Henry expand their product line. I think they could fit single-action revolvers into their line quite nicely but they would probably want to innovate something and not just be another SAA clone maker. Ruger proved it could be done. I think the BFR is just a beefed-up SBH. There are a few ways Henry could be different. I think they could even get into DA revolvers. Anyone could quite easily make a bigger commitment to quality in that area than the current S&W, Colt and Ruger.

 

[Hunter 08]

One guy I work with, says that the Marlin lever action rifles are a lot stronger built compared to Henry rifles. In that they can take the heavy hitting loads without issue and the Henry rifles may not last long. Not sure if there's any validity but that is one thing I've heard.

 

[Mosin77]

Apologies for going off on a tangent but I'm curious about this last part. Why are Henry's looked down on? I handle them every time I go to the LGS and I really like how light and compact they are, and they appear to be well made.
If they came out with a sidegate in .44mag I'd be all over it!

It’s a fair question and I think it’s been answered well. To sum up, some of them are ugly compared to the more legacy brands/designs, don’t quite have the same handling, and are made to a price. I don’t have a lot of experience with the newer centerfire designs but the 22s are smooth but don't have the “feel of craftsmanship” of a Marlin or Winchester. Great for the woods not so great for “I’m shopping for one lever action to experience the breed before a ban” which I think is what was driving a lot of the run on levers in the last few years.

 

[.45Coltguy]

I mentioned that I didn't want a Henry myself. I think the main reason is simply that I want a toggle-action 1873 and that nothing else will do.
Adopting the Henry name wasn't insensible and doesn't offend me. Is Winchester any more authentic nowadays? I'd take a One in One Thousand if I could, but as it is, I'll gladly settle for a replica.

The original Henry was the basis for the 1873 and had a toggle link action. I can understand today's Henry opting for the pivot-action that can best be described as a scaled-down Marlin 336 action. It's stronger. It also has side ejection versus top ejection which is associated with easier scope mounting on the Marlin but doesn't apply to the Henry since they didn't use steel for the receiver on many of their guns and mounting a scope to brass doesn't work. Instead they offer a cantilever barrel mount.

For the handgun cartridges I want to shoot, the 1873 action is strong enough and smoother. Instead of tilting the cartridges toward the chamber and jamming them in at an angle, the cartridge elevator lifts them in a horizontal orientation and the bolt pushes them straight into the chamber. It also works with the action canted to one side or the other or even upside down.

I disliked the top-of-tube magazine loading because it makes it impractical to keep the magazine topped-off. It can also be a safety risk to put my hands near the muzzle. I just want to stay away from that end when I'm firing and reloading the gun. I'm not impressed since they added the side gate. It would have been better had they owned their design.

As I mentioned, I do like the Henry company and their single shots. I have a steel 20 ga and everything about it is beautiful. Other than combat/home-defense, it's all the shotgun I'll ever want.

I would like to see Henry expand their product line. I think they could fit single-action revolvers into their line quite nicely but they would probably want to innovate something and not just be another SAA clone maker. Ruger proved it could be done. I think the BFR is just a beefed-up SBH. There are a few ways Henry could be different. I think they could even get into DA revolvers. Anyone could quite easily make a bigger commitment to quality in that area than the current S&W, Colt and Ruger.

Just to comment on a couple of things And in no way is this a negative to what westernrover had to say.
First, the receiver is indeed steel and the brass receiver is a hardened brass alloy with a high tensil strength. I have both versions and they accept scope mounting with ease. The cantilever mount has pretty much gone away, because Talley[Henry Store] offers a integeral one piece mount/ring set-up that is superb. Have one on each of my Henry's.
As to tube fed, doesn't bother me, as I've been loading my 39A that way for 30+ years. I no longer hunt, so for desert plinking, this is fine.
To try and answer another couple of questions; I couldn't say who's action may be stronger. A call to Henry may answer that.
As to looks, well, as they say,"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". I like my Henry's, my one Marlin and my Mod 94 30-30. Like 'em all.

 

[krs]

I like that Henry revived the style of the earliest lever guns but wish they'd made hem look "older" out of the box. It wouldn't have been difficult to trick their line to produce aged brass and deep colored walnut, a least I wouldn't think it would and I've "aged" dozens of reiflee finishes for my own and for selling purposes.
I could buy a Henry now, I suppose, since my hands no longer let me load my beloved Garands, but I've got another problem... both of my favorite dogs, now deceased (second just two weeks ago) were named "Henry" and I don't think I can take much more of the pain of losing him has been that such a constant reminder would likely bring.

 

[speedingpickle]

Thank you gentlemen for the reasonable and balanced responses. And for allowing me to get off track. I've never seen a Marlin or Winchester lever (or Rossi for that matter) so, well, you don't know what you don't know, ya know? I appreciate being able to tap into your expertise.

To krs...When they go they take a part of you with them and those wounds never heal. You have my deepest condolences.

 

[mshootnit]

I've had my Remlin 336 Stainless for going on 5 years now. Except for some sharp edges in the loop, stiff loading gate spring, and sharp edges that scrape the brass during loading, overall I'm very happy with it. Looking at doing some Ranger Point Precision parts on it. I paid $763 for it, then sent in the $75 mail-in rebate they were running in summer 2017. If they had done more machining to the lever loop to round out the sharp edges and the loading gate sharp edges, I'd have been even more happy with it.

I've filled the tube all the way which I believe is 6+1 in the pipe, no malfunctions.

They have good shooting barrels. I had 2 of these along with a real Marlin. Looked the same, shot the same, action sounded different. And the real Marlin came with better sights.

My boys played a lot of Red dead, and both came to me asking to go shoot a lever action. And also after they played a ton of COD they both know prettty much all of the WWII small arms. Funny how that works

 

[jag1954]

I'm partial to my Henrys. No issues whatsoever and great shooters.

 

[jmorris]

Since pre COVID it seems to me lever action rifle prices have doubled. Much more than any type of firearm. Can anyone explain why?

The .gov made money they didn’t have and gave it to people that didn’t earn it. They buy up goods faster than they can be created, so being a finite resource prices go up as there are fewer available to purchase.

It also doesn’t help that the people that received the “free” money don’t care about elevated prices because they didn’t work for the money anyway. So as people sell at insane prices, only the stupid sellers don’t follow.

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/law-of-supply-demand.asp

 

[Obturation]

I don't get the hate for Henry at all. I have 4 Marlins , newest being a 2004ish 336w, oldest being a model 1897 made I believe in 1898. I've owned a couple win 94s but don't anymore. I know about nice lever guns, Henry makes good ones in my opinion. Not the prettiest "blueing" you'll ever find but most have good wood and run well. I've got a h010 (45-70 no side gate) that I shoot all the time, it's one of my favorite rifles.

 

[trekker73]

The reasons prices went up is we hamstrung world economy for almost two years. Inflation and taxation is the result. Raw materials, energy, logistics, everything was gobbled up by the biggest businesses and the trickle down effect is either direct price/demand manipulation by the players remaining or operating expenses by small/mid size players becoming so high its passed onto you.

Look at the graph for consumer prices indexes, it climbs sky high after late 2020. Look at the net worth growth of the worlds richest, it matches it exactly. How about that gee whiz.

Even in medieval times the peasants knew something was up when they were running out of goods but the barons and kings were riding past with bags of gold tied to their horses.

Modern folks aint as smart it seems lol

 

[Bcwitt]

Stopping a production facility has costs. Restarting has greater costs. It isnt a simple on/off switch. They had to pay the lease on a building + taxes etc. While it was down. They have to get that money back somehow.

 

[3Crows]

When Ruger bought the Marlin IP (intellectual property) which was mostly of Remington development as no drawings really existed when Remington took over. Remington had to reengineer the rifles and create digital drawings to convert to CNC code. The antiquated junk machines and tooling that Remington acquired from Marlin was pretty much useless after the relocation. But, when Remington purchased Marlin, it was still a running company. When Ruger purchased the Marlin IP and remains of the day out of the courts it was not a running company.

Here is an interesting video that shows the new Marlin manufacturing cell in Mayoden. Start at around 14 minutes and you can see the entire process to build a new Marlin.

Dang, the Youtube video link is not available for reposting, search for on YouTube:

Ruger Marlin Mayodan, NC Plant Tour - featuring the LCP pistol and the new Marlin 1895 rifles

An aspect of this if you note is there is only the one cell dedicated to Marlin product. It appears they build each model in runs and then switch to another. I am not sure how they could build the 1894 on the 1895/336 line as the gauging and tool set up would need to be changed which provides plenty of opportunity for scrap and defects. Maybe they will set up an additional cell. They have a very sophisticated manufacturing cell with multi-step QC and modern CNC mills, laths and processes. Impressive to say the least. And the two rifles I have show it.

 

[Steve Milbocker]

I thought I paid too much for this one but maybe not! I didn’t hunt much this year but I enjoyed the time I spent with the old Marlin laying across my lap. 1893 built in 1900. 122 years old and still getting it done

 

[R.W.Dale]

If you've been into guns long enough you will see multiple gun "fads" that drive up prices for various makes or styles for no real reason. These tend to run about half a decade then they peter out. Usually around the time the manufacturers see this demand and start offering said hot item.

Apparently pump action deer rifles particularly 7600s are having a bit of a gun auction run too currently.