Lever Actions Are Back: Here Are Some Greatest Hits

Just the other day, a nice young fellow was at the house installing some wiring. He didn’t know what I do, but it doesn’t take much of a look around the living room to guess what I’m in to. We chatted for a bit, then he grabbed his phone and showed me a good “grip and grin” photo, him with a huge wild boar. He was proud to share an exceptional animal. Also in the picture — displayed with equal pride — was a new lever-action rifle: Smith & Wesson Model 1854 in .44 Magnum.

In that moment, I knew my gut-­sense was correct: The all-­American lever-­action is back. Although he owned handguns, the Model 1854 was his first...

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