How Do Guns Work? Lever-Actions

by
posted on January 31, 2017
95.jpg
The lever-action rifle is a classic American design that matured between 1866 and 1900 in the hands of cowboys, pioneers and lawmen in the Old West. According to legend, Winchester lever-action rifles "Won the West." The lever-action remains a popular favorite among American hunters and cowboy-action shooters today.

Operation is by means of a full loop hand lever rotating on a pivot under the receiver. The lever is keyed to the bolt; pulling the lever downward unlocks the bolt, extracts and ejects the cartridge case and recocks the hammer. Pulling the lever upward feeds and chambers a fresh cartridge and locks the bolt to the receiver. The hand lever remains against the pistol grip when the action is closed and locked.

Most lever-action rifles have an exposed hammer with a tubular magazine under the barrel. The receiver on most lever-action rifles is a stressed part in that the bolt locks to it. Many lever-action designs are weak in that they cannot handle cartridges with breech pressures above 40,000 pounds per square inch (psi). 

While lever-action rifles offer accuracy suitable for most hunting purposes, they are not suitable for general target shooting due to the two-piece stocks and the lack of stiffness in the thin-walled receivers. 

Most lever guns are rifles, although lever-action shotguns were offered around 1900 and have recently been reintroduced. 

The advantages of lever-actions are fast operation; classic, trim styling; and light weight. The disadvantages? Many models are unsuited for high-pressure cartridges; they offer mediocre accuracy potential; and they're hard to disassemble for cleaning and maintenance.

Latest

aou.jpg

Video Review: Browning Citori Hunter Grade II Over/Under Shotgun

This 16-gauge boxlock shotgun has everything you need, and nothing you don't.

Buying .22LR: What You Need to Know

Not all rimfire ammunition is created equal! Here's what you should know before you buy.

An Ultimate "Do-All" Rifle: My Case For the Steyr Scout

If you could have just one rifle, what would it be? For this expert, a bolt-action rifle from Austria. Here's why.

Throwback Thursday: Lewis & Clark Trivia Quiz

How much do you know about their groundbreaking exploration of America?

Ammunition Science: Shotshell Ballistics

Here's how the science affects the way your shot flies.

Interests



Get the best of NRA Family delivered to your inbox.