Purpose-driven firearms are the rule for 21st century defenders, hunters, and competitive shooters, but a thoughtful pairing of lever-actions and wheel guns ramp up the fun factor like nothing else…and their general-purpose applications aren’t to be ignored, either.
by Rob Reaser
Lever-action carbines and low-slung revolvers are as ingrained in the American psyche as knots in a pine tree. If you don’t feel the “oohs” and “aahs” when you shoulder a classic lever gun or wrap your hand around a traditional single-action revolver, you better have someone check you for a pulse.
But as is the way of progress and the inevitability of change, classically styled iron has taken a back seat to fresher designs and advances in technology. What was state-of-the-art a century and a half ago is, today, nostalgic and quaint. AR-15s, precision bolt rifles, and modular, striker-fired pistols have long ago commanded the firearms marketplace.
That is not to say you can relegate all lever guns and revolvers to the purposes of cowboy action shooting, plinking, and fireplace mantle décor. On the contrary, it is not difficult to argue that these firearms are enjoying a renaissance of sorts. The viability of revolvers for a broad range of personal defense needs has ensured their longstanding position in dealer showcases. And those seeking “something new” after years of pursuing all the technical and tactical angles of modern firearms are increasingly looking to the classic lever-action rifles and carbines to spice up their game.
Nostalgia and wistful, Old West fantasies aside, classic iron has real-world advantages — key among them is cartridge compatibility. We’re talking, of course, about long arms and revolvers chambered for pistol-caliber cartridges. Although we may never need to engage in a prairie firefight with a band of cattle rustlers (then again, some might), having a single loading that’s interchangeable with your long gun and sidearm is a fine thing, indeed, whether you are defending yourself, the homestead, or the back forty. It also simplifies range sessions and introduces an economy of purchase when buying bulk ammunition.
With all this in mind, we thought it would be an interesting exercise to come up with pairings of lever-action rifles and revolvers made by the same manufacturer with the same chambering. In short, the ultimate combo for those who hold high regard for brand affinity and get-it-done simplicity.
Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson enjoyed massive buzz last year when the company rolled out its Model 1854-series lever-action rifles. As with some other long arms in this article, the S&W Model 1854 in .44 Magnum blends classical styling with modernized features today’s range runners and hunters will appreciate. The big nod to modern sensibilities is the receiver-mounted Picatinny rail — perfect for hosting all manner of red dot optics via a rail mount adapter. Additional modernized features include an 11/16-24 threaded muzzle to accept a brake or suppressor, an XS ghost ring rear sight paired with a gold bead front sight for those who want to keep it really simple, and a rugged Armornite finish on the receiver and barrel. MSRP: $1,399
For a powerhouse load like the .44 Magnum, the logical handgun pairing for the Model 1854 is S&W’s hard-working N-frame Model 29. Optioned with the 6.5-inch blued barrel, the Model 29 has the sight radius for highly accurate shooting in the near range while maintaining comfortable carry manners when fitted with a robust leather holster. The cylinder holds six rounds of .44 Magnum. MSRP: $1379.
Henry
If there is one company in the US that deserves recognition for keeping the torch burning brightly for classical-styled lever-action rifles in the modern era, it is Henry Repeating Arms. In fact, we owe Henry founder and CEO Anthony Imperato a big thanks for securing the legacy Henry trademark and reviving this historic firearm brand for future generations.
The Henry Big Boy is the company’s lever-action rifle series chambered for traditional handgun-caliber ammunition, including .44 Magnum/.44 Special, .357 Magnum/.38 Special, .45 Colt, .41 Magnum, and even later chamberings such as .327 Federal and .32 H&R Magnum. Our old-school pairing from the Henry line begins with the Big Boy Steel Carbine in .357 Magnum. Offered with a standard or a large loop lever, the Big Boy Steel Carbine comes with an adjustable semi-buckhorn ramp rear sight and brass bead front sight, yet the drilled and tapped receiver allows for convenient optic mounting. Sling swivel studs beg to host a classic leather strap and the solid rubber recoil pad challenges even the hottest loads. MSRP: $1,088
Of the many lever-action rifles and carbines Henry manufactures, we chose the Big Boy Steel Carbine in .357 Magnum because it is the perfect match to Henry’s only (and recently introduced) large-caliber handgun, also appropriately called…the Big Boy Revolver. The gun’s rich walnut grip panels (offered in the Gunfighter or bird’s head grip profile) and blued steel are a perfect match for the Big Boy Steel Carbine. Shoot ON contributor Bob Campbell presented his review of this new Henry six-shooter and proclaimed it to be a “stout, burly revolver” that is “very smooth in double-action fire.” Campbell continues, “It may look old school, but it shoots like a modern tuned revolver.” MSRP: $928
Uberti
Old West firearms fans and cowboy action shooters are well-acquainted with the Uberti name. This Italian manufacturer, headquartered in Gardone, Italy and with a footprint in the U.S. under the Uberti USA label, produces high-end replicas of classic 19th century American arms. But exact replicas are not among our selection for old-school pairs. Instead, we cast our eyes to the two newest entries in the extensive Uberti USA catalog intended for the modern hunter/shooter.
Uberti’s 1873 Short Rifle Hunter is our long arm pick. Styled after the company’s 1873 carbine series, the Short Rifle Hunter bridges the 21st century with an included Picatinny rail kit for those looking to mount a red dot or a scout-style riflescope. Otherwise, enjoy the factory-installed buckhorn rear and brass bead front sight set. Chambered in .45 Colt (also available in .44 Magnum), the Short Rifle Hunter is built around a case-hardened frame and half-octagonal 20-inch barrel dressed with A-grade walnut furniture. The squared buttstock hosts a rubber recoil pad to deliver positive shoulder mounting and modest recoil mitigation. MSRP: $1,699
To accompany the Short Rifle Hunter, Uberti simultaneously introduced the Single-Action Cattleman Hunter revolver. Offered in .45 Colt, this 6-shot wheel gun is modeled after the iconic Colt Single-Action Army. Like the rifle, this gun also includes a Picatinny rail you can mount that spans the frame and the 7.5-inch blued steel barrel. MSRP: $829
Rossi
While Rossi USA makes no pretense that their R92-series lever-action rifles are replicas of the classic 1892 Winchester, the overall design hits close to the mark. One of their more interesting offerings to our eyes is the R92 in polished stainless with an octagonal 24-inch barrel. Chambered in .357 Magnum and dressed with a natural Brazilian hardwood stock and forend, this combination is pleasing to both handle and to observe. The gun comes with an adjustable ramp buckhorn rear sight and drift-adjustable front sight and holds 12 rounds in the tube. MSRP: $1007.99
Rossi’s nod to classic firearms is limited to the company’s lever-action lineup, so finding a revolver match means selecting a modern-era handgun. And that’s just fine because when Rossi returned its attention to manufacturing revolvers a couple years ago, the company introduced the medium-frame RM66 — a most suitable wheel gun for hunting given its .357 Magnum chambering and 6-inch barrel. The stainless-steel finish is an esthetic compliment to the R92 rifle while the fully adjustable rear sight ensures point-of-impact tuning with your choice of hunting loads. Recoil management for those hard-hitting cartridges comes via a full underlug barrel design and rubber grip. MSRP: $636.99
Ruger/Marlin
This next selection heads way off the classical reservation, but that’s OK. If you want a fully modern interpretation of an Old West pairing, here it is. Although this combo represents different brands, Ruger owns Marlin, so it’s all in the family.
We start with Marlin’s Dark Series Model 1894. Yeah…this ain’t your great, great, great grandpappy’s Marlin Model 1894. In fact, this .357 Magnum-chambered lever gun meets all the “tactical” options of a modern AR, sans the action type. Of course, there is the expected Picatinny rail for optic mounting, or go with the adjustable ghost ring rear and fiber-optic/tritium front sights for quick sight picture acquisition. Tipping the 16.17-inch barrel is a radial muzzle brake, which you can jettison for a suppressor if you like. The aluminum handguard and nylon-reinforced polymer stock is M-LOK compatible for diverse sling positions and accessory inclusion. As modern lever actions go, the Dark Series Model 1894 has all the tricks. MSRP: $1,429
Naturally, our pairing of choice for the Dark Series Model 1894 is Ruger’s Super GP100 in .357 Magnum. Admittedly, while Ruger has plenty of revolver offerings that would go well with the Marlin, the Super GP100 is the perfect visual and caliber match. The half-lug and skeletonized barrel shroud are just too cool while the 8-round cylinder is much appreciated. The gun comes with a fully adjustable rear sight and a bright fiber-optic front sight for cartridge-tuned accuracy and low-light visibility. Finally, the Hogue hand-finished hardwood grip is an elegant choice alongside the matte PVD finish. MSRP: $1,899
Heritage Manufacturing
Moving back to more classical styling, consider these two rimfire offerings from Heritage Manufacturing.
Heritage placed its flag in the small-caliber, single-action six-shot arena years ago, and has pretty much stayed there with a few recent exceptions that borrow from sister company Rossi’s R92 line. One of the company’s newest models is the Settler Compact in .22 LR. This gun, modeled on the 1892 Winchester, is a real looker with its character-rich furniture, polished black oxide barrel, and simulated case-hardened aluminum alloy receiver. The 16.5-inch barrel is fronted by a drift-adjustable sight and backed with an adjustable ramped buckhorn sight. Magazine tube capacity is 13 rounds. MSRP: $499.99
The Rough Rider series represents Heritage’s workhorse line of single-action revolvers. It’s no surprise that the Rough Rider 6.5-inch Case Hardened model is the sweet match to the Settler Compact rifle. The zinc alloy frame boasts a simulated case-hardened finish that smartly accents the black oxide cylinder and barrel finish along with the elegant cocobolo hardwood grip. The cylinder holds nine rounds, and empty cartridges clear individually courtesy of a spring-loaded ejection rod. These guns come with a safety block lever, but we still recommend carrying on an empty chamber. MSRP: $222.99
Taylor’s & Company
No discussion of old-school SSAs and lever-actions would be complete without a look at the offerings by Taylor’s & Company. As with Uberti, Taylor’s & Company specializes in period-correct replica firearms from back in the day as well as classically styled arms tweaked to modern shooter expectations.
One of the more interesting models the company offers is the made-in-the-USA TC73 lever-action. Not only does it have a 100-percent American made pedigree, but it is also chambered for the prolific 9mm pistol cartridge. The 18-inch barrel has a round contour and blued steel finish while the frame and lever are case-colored steel. Matched with a high-quality walnut forend and stock and including a semi-buckhorn rear anda white bead front sight, the TC73 carries off the traditional 1873 styling quite well while the addition of a rubber butt pad brings the gun into contemporary alignment.
Similarly chambered is the TC9 1873 single-action revolver. This SSA clone may harken back to earlier times, but it will run the latest in 9mm defensive loads. All metal work is blued steel, which ideally complements the plow handle-style checkered walnut grip. The barrel length is five inches, and the half-fluted cylinder holds six rounds. Sights are pure old-school — notched frame and a fixed front blade. MSRP: $670.50
Heritage-style lever-action rifles and revolvers may not satisfy modern demands for mission-specific, purpose-driven firearms. Nevertheless, these guns have served us well for over 150 years, and there are many reasons why they continue to be manufactured and improved upon decades after they diverged from the mainstream. They are dependable, easy to shoot, uncomplicated to operate, and for general-purpose applications, they still get it done. And did we mention…they’re fun to shoot and inspirational to carry?
