Will lever action rifles become the new AR's?

Personally, I think the notion of "defending against a tyrannical government" would be an extremely rare thing anymore....and even if it did happen, the odds of basic people being able to stand up against an increasingly technological military is a bit folly. That's just my opinion, of course.

As for "levers being the new AR's,...unlikely. I have an AR-15. I have a Uberti 357 Winchester clone. I much prefer the Uberti...and personally like the appearance of it much more. Again...just my opinion.
 
hso said:
Keep in mind that 5.56 AKs are based on the 5.45 instead of attempting to shink the 7.62x39 guns to 5.56. Easy-peasy.
Click to expand...
That’s a good point that is quite easily overlooked. I had a 5.45 AR upper for a while and I still forget about that chambering.
 
Orion8472 said:
the odds of basic people being able to stand up against an increasingly technological military is a bit folly.
Click to expand...
Does that only apply to the 2A?
Is it also a bit of folly to think the voice of "basic people" can stand up against an increasingly large and technological federal government?
 
Orion8472 said:
Personally, I think the notion of "defending against a tyrannical government" would be an extremely rare thing anymore....and even if it did happen, the odds of basic people being able to stand up against an increasingly technological military is a bit folly. That's just my opinion, of course.
Click to expand...
I used to think this too. These days, I'm not so sure.

Hopefully we will never have to find out.
 
The polish army uses a 5.56 AK and these are imported. If that’s what you want, get it (I wouldn’t mind one myself, for the same reasons.)

As for bans, prospective bans, etc, every one is different. BUT if they ban high cap mags in a place, they’ll push for all semi-autos next. If they ban semis, you can bet that levers will be next. Most bans in the US grandfather existing owners so if anything it’s more of an argument to buy the semi-auto now. I won’t lie, I own a few levers and it does make me happy in a certain sense that “they’re less likely to be banned.” But, I bought them because I wanted them. And intellectually I know that “less likely to be banned” is probably not true, nor do I really care, because if they’re taking my old .30-30, well… I’m not likely to comply anyway. I live in a very gun-friendly state but if the demographic cards are dealt in a bad way it could be gun-unfriendly tomorrow (look at VA or WA) so one can’t really count on anything. I’m inclined to buy what I want, my crystal ball is broken.
 
Beck said:
Funny you should ask.....Turns out nothing changed ....Most were grandfathered in....I still have my Rossi 92 as well. It's a fun gun. Glad I bought it anyway...
Click to expand...
I couldn't agree more. I got bolts too...and revolvers....all my wonder nine/AR buddies are begging to shoot the fun stuff.....
image_123923953 (5)~2.JPG
 
A couple hundred years ago John Adams said, "I must study politics and war, that our sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy." Lever guns are the clearest example that his approach was successful. They're not much different than a new boat, an expensive pair of shows or a 75" 4K HDTV: A luxury. If one stockpiled weapons purely for defense it's difficult to imagine a lever gun being a top purchase, and to see if that's reasonable you should look to see how many modern militariess issue lever-guns as the primary infantry arm. A lever gun can be a fine tool for many purposes but ultimately they're toys when viewed from a 2nd Amendment point of view. Again, I am certainly not saying one shouldn't buy or use them, and I myself am kind of wanting a Rossi 92R! But I have no illusion that a lever .45 Colt is going to supplant my Primary Arms Mk114 Mod 1 as a defensive arm. A skilled rifleman could use a lever gun to defend home and hearth, but the same could be said of a .50 Hawkins. Hell, I've even seen cases in the news where homeowners in the US have successfully used swords or machetes for HD! But just as few would advise selecting a sword as one's primary HD tool, few would suggest that a lever gun is a better option than a modern fighting shotgun or carbine.

I expect levers to get a bit more popular simply because, regardless of what you see on the idiot box, the USA is a fabulously wealthy nation. That wealthy is not evenly or ethically distributed but there are still plenty of people willing to service high levels of debt to keep up with mortgages and toys they can't afford. Some will buy a lever because they live in a state where they can't own an auto, but that's probably a minority of buyers as a percentage of total sales. I wouldn't be surprised to find pistol caliber lever guns to eventually lead that market segment owing to lower cost to shoot vs most non-5.56 rifle offerings.
 
Alinsky’s “Rules for Radicals” advises to name the object you wish to destroy, isolate it, destroy it.
Semi autos = “assault weapons”
Bolt actions= “sniper rifles”, remember JFK!
Lever actions= “rapid fire high powered rifles”
Single shots=“ light weight, high powered weapons of war”
See how this goes? They will not stop until they have them all.
 
Hokkmike said:
I have been tempted of late to throw a lot of money into buying an AK. The 7.62x39 is a nice round but I am heavily invested in .233/5.56.

I do have a Marlin 45c in a nice lever action rifle.

When the political climate brings pressure it causes one to consider buying what may not be available in the near future.

I am wondering if the Marlin will "fill in" in place of the semi-auto. It can hold 10 rounds, fires off a reasonable caliber fairly rapidly and with great reliability. It is relatively lightweight and handles well.

What do you think?
Click to expand...
The lever-action is a formidable weapon. Although it isn't magazine-fed, it can be topped-off without waiting 'til it's empty. I like the Marlin lever guns, especially the ones with full-length magazine tubes. The rounds, especially the .35 Rem, are very capable. One nice feature of lever-guns is being able to top-off the magazines without running out of ammo.
 
In 1996, with the AWB in place, Ruger was concerned enough that they brought out a series of lever action rifles along the lines of 10/22 and Deerslayer. The AWB was not renewed and the rifles did not sell very well, but they were planning ahead.
 
One criticism of levers is they don't do well in muddy trench warfare. My levers lead a pampered life and never get dirty. For home defense a 16" 92 in 38/357 isn't to bad.
 
Jim Watson said:
In 1996, with the AWB in place, Ruger was concerned enough that they brought out a series of lever action rifles along the lines of 10/22 and Deerslayer. The AWB was not renewed and the rifles did not sell very well, but they were planning ahead.
Click to expand...

A law change could boost their popularity as better methods become restricted. The creation of new markets. I like new stuff for folks, even if they are not for me.

3A8D29C1-0A0F-4425-9AB3-B53EAB210DE6.jpeg

https://fightlite.com/herring-mod24
 
jmorris said:
A law change could boost their popularity as better methods become restricted.
Click to expand...

Right, some posts do not take makeshifts under repression into consideration.
Even Jeff Cooper said he would rather have a lever action than an AK.

Mike Venturino reported going to a carbine class with a lever action. They weren't doing magazine dumps and he was always able to complete the string of fire and reload out of his pocket while the automatic shooters were picking up and stuffing dropped magazines.

Military use of lever actions was low likely because they are more complicated and less rugged than a bolt action.
Russia bought a lot of Winchester M95s in 7.62x54R complete with clip guides. Some of them came back surplus with little wear, not used if a bolt was available.
 
If you really are concerned about a possible ban, get what you want, now. Guns, extra mags, maybe spare parts. Those of us who endured the Clinton ban recall the problems with extra magazines; I still have some $40 HiPower mags that I was happy to have.
After that, get what you want, levers and SAAs, if that pleases you.
Moon
 
Pat Riot said:
If I were a gun grabbing politician reading this thread I might think to myself “Now look at that. We’re winning. They already think the way we want them to.”

If this comment perturbs you, Good!
Click to expand...

It doesn't perturb me. It is thought provoking though - causes one to think. In my state 4 laws limiting gun ownership by way of storage requirements, background checks, and etc., were approve just last week. We need to recognize that the tide is turning against us and act accordingly. As far as my OP goes, I ALREADY have the lever, I am really trying to justify the expense of an AK, which are expensive these days - with an eye to what the future might bring as to their availability.. Do I wish that to happen? - NO. Will I fight against it? As much as I can YES. Your comment is appreciated.
 
In my opinion we are staring down the barrel of pistol caliber carbines being the next big gun fad of the decade. Lever guns will be part of this but the fad this time will be a little broader based not just being about ONE platform like the AR and 1911 gun fad before it.
 
Will lever action rifles become the new AR's?
Click to expand...

No.

And for the same reasons they were rejected by the military over 100 years ago. Lever guns were tested and came up short compared to bolt rifles.

If you compare them objectively lever guns are much more complex and much less reliable. They are less powerful, less accurate, heavier, slower to reload, and more expensive. Most of them are hard to mount optics on.

Their rate of fire is MARGINALLY faster than a bolt rifle, but only when standing and exposed to return fire. You can't manipulate the lever from prone or behind most cover, at least not very fast. In those situations, a bolt gun is far faster to operate.

If for some reason I can no longer have my AR's, my next choice would be a lightweight carbine bolt gun in a moderate cartridge like 223 or 308. I'd prefer it have a DBM, but if that isn't a legal option I could make do with top loading. Cooper was on to something with his scout rifle concept.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
  • Locked
New Forum for lever action rifles!!!
Replies
4
Views
571
bubbygator
B
D
  • Locked
Good lever action rifles?
2
Replies
25
Views
2K
medic_guns
M
sturmruger
  • Locked
Ruger Lever Action rifles. Anyone??
Replies
10
Views
989
LAR-15
L
T
  • Locked
Lever Action 41 Mag
Replies
3
Views
457
twhman
T
HoosierQ
  • Locked
New Calibers for Lever Action Rifles
2
Replies
28
Views
2K
ArmedBear
A
Back
Top