Best Lever Action Rifles in 2025: Deals, Prices & Caliber Guide

Lever action rifles are experiencing a full-blown renaissance. Whether it's cowboy action shooting, suppressed brush guns, or just the sheer satisfaction of cycling that lever, r/gundeals can't get enough of them. We tracked over 40 lever gun deals to bring you real price data on every model worth buying.

Caliber Guide: What Should You Choose?

Before picking a rifle, pick your caliber. This decision matters more than the brand name on the receiver.

Our pick for most shooters: .357 Magnum. It does everything well. You can load .38 Special for cheap plinking and subsonic suppressed shooting, then swap to full-power .357 Mag for serious work. Out of a 16–20" lever gun barrel, .357 Mag gains significant velocity and becomes a legitimate 100+ yard cartridge.

The Rifles: Ranked by Community Approval

Henry Big Boy — The r/gundeals Favorite

With an average of 178 upvotes, the Henry Big Boy is the undisputed community favorite lever action on r/gundeals. And it's not hard to see why: the fit and finish is gorgeous, the action is butter-smooth out of the box, and Henry's lifetime warranty is legendary. Available in .357 Mag and .44 Mag. The brass-framed models are particularly beautiful, but the steel-framed versions are more practical for hard use. Under $764 is a steal — jump on it.

Henry Model X — The Tactical Lever Gun

The Henry X takes everything good about the Big Boy and adds modern features: a side loading gate (finally!), threaded barrel for suppressors, Picatinny rail, and M-LOK handguard. It's the lever gun for people who want to mount optics and cans. Under $759 is a solid deal. If you're building a suppressed lever gun, this is the platform — pair it with a good can from our hunting setup guide.

Marlin 1894 — The Classic, Reborn

The Marlin 1894 is the classic pistol-caliber lever gun. Now manufactured by Ruger (who acquired Marlin from the Remington bankruptcy), quality has returned to pre-Freedom Group levels. The 1894 always had a side loading gate, which was its main advantage over Henry for years. Available in .357 Mag and .44 Mag. With 15 tracked deals, there's solid price history — under $886 is a great deal. The higher price vs. Henry reflects the Ruger-era quality improvements and strong brand loyalty.

Marlin 1895 — The Big Bore

The 1895 in .45-70 Government is the lever gun you bring when the game shoots back. This cartridge has been putting down North American big game since 1873, and in a modern lever action it's devastating at brush-gun distances. The 1895 SBL (stainless with laminate stock) is the Jurassic Park gun — and that alone moves units. Under $950 is excellent. Recoil is stout, ammo is expensive, but nothing else feels quite like touching off a .45-70.

Honorable Mentions

Winchester Model 94: The original lever action icon. The current Japanese-made versions are beautifully crafted but command premium prices ($1,200+). If you want a classic .30-30 deer rifle with decades of heritage, this is it.

Rossi R92: The budget entry point for lever guns, typically found around $550–$650. Brazilian-made and serviceable, but the action usually needs some breaking in. A good choice if you want a .357 lever gun without the Henry/Marlin price tag.

Comparison Table

What to Buy: Our Recommendations

Best overall: The Henry Big Boy under $764. The community has spoken with 178 average upvotes — it's the smoothest, prettiest lever gun you can buy at this price. If you need a loading gate, step up to the Henry Model X.

Best for suppressor builds: The Henry Model X in .357 Mag with a threaded barrel. Load .38 Special subsonic rounds and enjoy near-Hollywood-quiet shooting.

Best for hunting: The Marlin 1894 in .44 Mag for deer and hogs, or the Marlin 1895 in .45-70 for anything bigger. See our best hunting rifles guide for more options.

Looking for something completely different? Check out our best pistol caliber carbines guide or the Ruger RXM deep dive.