Lever-actions still rule down south

Jamie

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Sep 21, 2025
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Lever guns are still popular down south. I grew up using one for hunting trips with family and gosh they're pretty quick. It’s about tradition and looking good, not just how they work. I use mine for deer and pigs up close. What models do you trust and do you use new scopes or keep it old-school?
 
I've had a bunch of Winchester 94's in my lifetime, all were 30.30's, at least 10 or more. They always ended up being traded off for something or another, wish I had a few back. As it stands today I don't have a lever gun...I have been tempted to get one of the Rossi .357 R92's like my neighbor got a while back but haven't done so..yet. 😊 I have never scoped a lever gun as the brush and distances involved in my neck of the woods would make it less useful, or even cumbersome....yep, old school! 👍
 
I have three, 1) A Marlin Glenfield that I purchased in the 80's It has a X4 scope on top of see through mounts and I put a leather sling on it.
2) Henry Big boy, blued steel, 44 Mag with Holoson red dot, I know - looks a little odd, but its pretty effective at 75 yards. I haven't tried it any further so the jury is still out on that. I did add a leather sling, but it slid around on my shoulder terribly. Ive replaced it with one called "the claw". If y'all haven't tried one of these slings - you should , I highly recommend it.
3) Henry Big boy with the brass receiver chambered in .357. I removed the buck-horn sights. I have difficulty seeing the iron sights. Its an age thing. Old enough to afford the rifle, too old to see well enough to use it. Let me know if anyone else can relate to that.
I added a peep-sight just above the receiver. I purchase it from a company called Skinner Sights. I selected their brass option. Looks good on top of the brass receiver. Initially it appears to be a game changer for me - but honestly, I haven't had it at the range yet. The rifle is just too nice. That brass shines like a new penny and I cant bear the thought of scratching it. I never was going to use it in the woods, just as plinking rifle. One that is more affordable to shoot than the .44 .
I was going to trade it, but my grandson has already laid claims to it. I'm a big fan of the lever action rifles, and now - I guess he is too.
 
Lever guns are still popular down south. I grew up using one for hunting trips with family and gosh they're pretty quick. It’s about tradition and looking good, not just how they work. I use mine for deer and pigs up close. What models do you trust and do you use new scopes or keep it old-school?
Yep, you nailed the lever-action thing, out here everyone's got one. I have an old Marlin that's super smooth. I prefer the iron sights..putting a scope on it just feels wrong since it's been used for hunting since forever
 
I have three, 1) A Marlin Glenfield that I purchased in the 80's It has a X4 scope on top of see through mounts and I put a leather sling on it.
2) Henry Big boy, blued steel, 44 Mag with Holoson red dot, I know - looks a little odd, but its pretty effective at 75 yards. I haven't tried it any further so the jury is still out on that. I did add a leather sling, but it slid around on my shoulder terribly. Ive replaced it with one called "the claw". If y'all haven't tried one of these slings - you should , I highly recommend it.
3) Henry Big boy with the brass receiver chambered in .357. I removed the buck-horn sights. I have difficulty seeing the iron sights. Its an age thing. Old enough to afford the rifle, too old to see well enough to use it. Let me know if anyone else can relate to that.
I added a peep-sight just above the receiver. I purchase it from a company called Skinner Sights. I selected their brass option. Looks good on top of the brass receiver. Initially it appears to be a game changer for me - but honestly, I haven't had it at the range yet. The rifle is just too nice. That brass shines like a new penny and I cant bear the thought of scratching it. I never was going to use it in the woods, just as plinking rifle. One that is more affordable to shoot than the .44 .
I was going to trade it, but my grandson has already laid claims to it. I'm a big fan of the lever action rifles, and now - I guess he is too.
It’s funny how we use our grandkids for an excuse to get new guns LOL and how they end up with guns that would be used for trading. I still have 1 old 30-30 Winchester that is my truck gun it’s light, fast, and shoots really well with open sights
 
I still use my grandpa's Winchester 94 in .30-30. Just iron sights, though. Becausee why mess with something that works?
 
I've had a bunch of Winchester 94's in my lifetime, all were 30.30's, at least 10 or more. They always ended up being traded off for something or another, wish I had a few back. As it stands today I don't have a lever gun...I have been tempted to get one of the Rossi .357 R92's like my neighbor got a while back but haven't done so..yet. 😊 I have never scoped a lever gun as the brush and distances involved in my neck of the woods would make it less useful, or even cumbersome....yep, old school! 👍
Winchesters are hard to beat, lots of history there. The Rossi .357 R92 is a great and versatile pick. I often leave mine iron-sighted for brush hunting too
 
I have three, 1) A Marlin Glenfield that I purchased in the 80's It has a X4 scope on top of see through mounts and I put a leather sling on it.
2) Henry Big boy, blued steel, 44 Mag with Holoson red dot, I know - looks a little odd, but its pretty effective at 75 yards. I haven't tried it any further so the jury is still out on that. I did add a leather sling, but it slid around on my shoulder terribly. Ive replaced it with one called "the claw". If y'all haven't tried one of these slings - you should , I highly recommend it.
3) Henry Big boy with the brass receiver chambered in .357. I removed the buck-horn sights. I have difficulty seeing the iron sights. Its an age thing. Old enough to afford the rifle, too old to see well enough to use it. Let me know if anyone else can relate to that.
I added a peep-sight just above the receiver. I purchase it from a company called Skinner Sights. I selected their brass option. Looks good on top of the brass receiver. Initially it appears to be a game changer for me - but honestly, I haven't had it at the range yet. The rifle is just too nice. That brass shines like a new penny and I cant bear the thought of scratching it. I never was going to use it in the woods, just as plinking rifle. One that is more affordable to shoot than the .44 .
I was going to trade it, but my grandson has already laid claims to it. I'm a big fan of the lever action rifles, and now - I guess he is too.
Cool collection, I love the classics. That Skinner sight on brass looks fancy and good call on the sling swap. Your grandson wanting the rifle? That's the best review ever :)
 
I've had a bunch of Winchester 94's in my lifetime, all were 30.30's, at least 10 or more. They always ended up being traded off for something or another, wish I had a few back. As it stands today I don't have a lever gun...I have been tempted to get one of the Rossi .357 R92's like my neighbor got a while back but haven't done so..yet. 😊 I have never scoped a lever gun as the brush and distances involved in my neck of the woods would make it less useful, or even cumbersome....yep, old school! 👍
Having ten Winchester 94s is cool. I get why you avoid scopes in dense areas. If you ever want something different, a Rossi .357 R92 would be a great old-school, easy-to-carry option
 
Having ten Winchester 94s is cool. I get why you avoid scopes in dense areas. If you ever want something different, a Rossi .357 R92 would be a great old-school, easy-to-carry option
My neighbor was wanting to get himself a lever gun, the R92 was my suggestion. We hit the gun show in Knoxville about a year or so ago and he got himself the .357, there were only two of them in the whole show, the .357 he bought and one .44 Mag. He has been very happy with the R92.

The one he got is the longer version with the octagonal barrel.

We've probably put somewhere around 400 rounds through it so far, fantastic shooting rifle. As for accuracy, it's kind of hard to miss with it, pretty much dead on the money! 😊
 
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