Editing Lever action

{{Short description|Type of firearm action}}
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[[file:Winchester 73 open.JPG|thumb|The toggle-link action used in the iconic [[Winchester Model 1873]] rifle, one of the most famous lever-action firearms]]
[[file:Volcanic.JPG|thumb|Picture showing a Volcanic Pistol]]
A '''lever action''' is a type of [[action (firearms)|action]] for [[repeating firearm]]s that uses a manually operated [[cocking handle]] located around the [[trigger guard]] area (often incorporating it) that pivots forward to move the [[bolt (firearm)|bolt]] via internal [[linkage (mechanics)|linkage]]s, which will feed and extract [[cartridge (firearms)|cartridge]]s into and out of the [[chamber (firearms)|chamber]], and cock the [[firing pin]] mechanism. This contrasts to other type of repeating actions such as the [[bolt-action]], [[pump-action]], [[semi-automatic firearm|semi-automatic]], [[fully automatic]], and/or [[burst mode (weapons)|burst mode]] actions. A firearm using this operating mechanism is colloquially referred to as a '''levergun'''.

Most lever-action firearms are [[rifle]]s, but some lever-action [[shotgun]]s and a few [[pistol]]s have been made. The [[Winchester Model 1873]] rifle is one of the most famous lever-action firearms, but many manufacturers (notably [[Henry Repeating Arms|Henry]] and [[Marlin Firearms|Marlin]]) also produce lever-action rifles. [[Colt's Manufacturing Company|Colt]] produced the 6403 lever-action [[Colt-Burgess rifle]]s from 1883 until 1885 and [[O. F. Mossberg & Sons|Mossberg]] formerly produced the [[Mossberg model 464|Model 464]] rifle.

==History==
[[file:Spencer Carbine 2.JPG|thumb|left|Spencer-carbine M1865, .50 inch]]

In 1826, a lever-action revolver was capable of firing six shots in less than six seconds. It was produced in Italy by Cesar Rosaglio and patented in 1829.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pfsZAQAAIAAJ&dq=Rosaglio&pg=RA1-PA72|title=Antologia; giornale di scienze, lettere e arti|date=June 24, 1832|via=Google Books}}</ref>

[[file:Colt Burgess open.JPG|thumb|Colt-Burgess rifle]]

The first lever-action rifles on the market were likely the [[Colt ring lever rifles|Colt's 1st and 2nd model ring lever rifles]], both [[cap and ball]] rifles, produced by the [[Colt's Manufacturing Company|Patent Arms Mfg. Co. Paterson, N.J.-Colt's Patent]] between 1837 and 1841.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}} The ring lever was located in front of the trigger. This loading lever, when pulled, would index the cylinder to the next position and cock the internal hidden hammer.

[[file:Colt 2nd Paterson Rifle.jpg|thumb|left|Colt Paterson ring lever rifle]] 

Multiple lever-action designs, including the [[Volcanic pistol]], were designed before the [[American Civil War]],{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}  but the first significant designs were the [[Spencer repeating rifle]] and [[Henry rifle]], both created in 1860.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}} The Spencer was a lever-operated rifle with a removable seven-round tube magazine, designed by [[Christopher Miner Spencer|Christopher Spencer]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}} Over 20,000 were made,{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}} and it was adopted by the United States and used during the [[American Civil War]],{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}} which marked the first adoption of an [[infantry]] and [[cavalry]] rifle with a removable magazine by any country.{{citation needed|date=May 2015}} The early Spencer's rifle lever only served to unlock the action and chamber a new round; the hammer had to be cocked separately after chambering.{{cn|date=January 2025}}

The [[Henry rifle]], invented by [[Benjamin Tyler Henry]], had a centrally located hammer, cocked by the rearward movement of the bolt rather than an offset hammer typical of [[muzzle-loading]] rifles. Henry placed the magazine under the barrel rather than in the buttstock, an idea copied by most designers since.{{cn|date=January 2025}}

[[file:Marlin39receiver.jpg|thumb|Mechanism of [[Marlin 39A]] receiver]]

John Marlin, founder of [[Marlin Firearms]] Company, introduced the company's first lever-action repeating rifle, the Model 1881. This was chambered in rounds such as [[.45-70 Government]] and [[.38-55 Winchester]]. Its successor was the 1895 solid-top design, known as the [[Marlin 336]] today. It gave rise to the [[Marlin Model 1894|Model 1894]], which is still in production.{{cn|date=January 2025}}

[[File:Marlin 336W.png|thumb|left|[[Marlin Model 336|Marlin 336W]]. Linked here is a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58LbxVd4buo 3D animation of lever-action mechanism in action] ]]

By the 1890s, lever actions had evolved into a form that would last for over a century. Both Marlin and Winchester released new model lever-action rifles in 1894. The Marlin rifle is still in production, whereas production of the Winchester 94 ceased in 2006. While externally similar, the Marlin and Winchester rifles are different internally. The Marlin has a single-stage lever action, while the Winchester has a double-stage lever. The double-stage action is easily seen when the Winchester's lever is operated, as the entire trigger group drops down to unlock the bolt which then moves rearward to eject the spent cartridge.{{cn|date=January 2025}}

[[file:Savage 99.jpg|thumb|Savage Model 99 rifle]]

The fledgling [[Savage Arms Company]] became well known after the development of its popular hammerless Models 1895 and 1899 (which became the Model 99) lever-action sporting rifles. The Models 1895 and 1899 were produced from their introduction in 1899 until the expense of producing the rifle and declining interest in lever-action rifles resulted in dropping the Model 99 from production in 1998.{{cn|date=January 2025}}

[[Sturm, Ruger & Co]] introduced a number of new lever-action designs in the 1990s.{{cn|date=January 2025}}

== Use in warfare ==

The Henry Lever-Action<!--assuming this is a proper noun – if not, replace the hyphen with a space and use sentence case--> was used in the [[US Civil War]] and was used in the US until the Winchester Model 1866 rifle replaced it. The Spencer repeating rifle was also used in the US Civil War. Additionally, rifles using the lever-action design were used extensively during the 1930s by irregular forces in the Spanish Civil War. Typically, these were Winchesters or Winchester copies of Spanish manufacture. At least 9,000 Model 1895 rifles are known to have been provided by the [[Soviet Union]] in 1936 to the [[Republican faction (Spanish Civil War)|Spanish Republicans]] for use in the [[Spanish Civil War]].<ref name="arc5">{{cite book |last1=Mercaldo |first1=Luke |last2=Firestone |first2=Adam |last3=Vanderlinden |first3=Anthony |title=Allied Rifle Contracts in America |year=2011 |publisher=Wet Dog |isbn=978-0-9707997-7-7 |page=83}}</ref> Both the Russian Empire and the United States adopted the [[Winchester Model 1895]] as a military weapon.<ref name="arc1">{{cite book |last1=Mercaldo |first1=Luke |last2=Firestone |first2=Adam |last3=Vanderlinden |first3=Anthony |title=Allied Rifle Contracts in America |year=2011 |publisher=Wet Dog |isbn=978-0-9707997-7-7 |pages=77–78}}</ref>

=== Shotguns ===
[[file:M1887 LH.JPG|thumb|A modern reproduction of the [[Winchester Model 1887]] lever-action shotgun]]

Early attempts at repeating shotguns invariably centered around either bolt-action or lever-action designs, drawing obvious inspiration from the repeating rifles of the time. The earliest successful repeating shotgun was the lever-action [[Winchester Model 1887]], designed by [[John Browning]] in 1885 at the behest of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. The lever-action design was chosen for reasons of [[brand recognition]] despite the protestations of Browning, who pointed out that a [[slide-action]] design would be much better for a shotgun. Initially chambered for [[black powder]] shotgun shells (as was standard at the time), the Model 1887 gave rise to the Winchester Model 1901, a strengthened version chambered for 10ga [[smokeless powder]] shells. Their popularity waned after the introduction of slide-action shotguns such as the [[Winchester Model 1897]], and production was discontinued in 1920. Modern reproductions are manufactured by Armi Chiappa in Italy, [[Norinco]] in [[China]], and [[ADI Ltd.]] in [[Australia]]. Winchester continued to manufacture the [[.410 bore]] [[Winchester Model 1894]] (Model 9410) from 2003 until 2006.

Australian firearm laws strictly control [[pump-action]] shotguns and [[Semi-automatic firearm|semi-automatic]] actions (Category C, D & R). [[Lever-action]] operation falls into a more lenient category (Category A & B), which has led to an increase in popularity of lever action shotguns.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Salna |first1=Karlis |title=Imports of Adler shotgun pouring into Australia |url=https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2016/03/04/imports-adler-shotgun-pouring-aust/ |access-date=8 March 2020 |work=The New Daily |date=4 March 2016}}</ref>

=== Other applications ===
[[Image:M1895 diagram.jpg|thumb|M1895 operating mechanism showing the lever in the forward (top) and rear (bottom) positions]]

A one-off example of lever-action reloading on automatic firearms is the [[M1895 Colt–Browning machine gun]]. This weapon had a swinging lever beneath its barrel that was actuated by a gas bleed in the barrel, unlocking the breech to reload. This unique operation gave the nickname "potato digger", as the lever swung each time the weapon fired and would dig into the ground if the weapon was not situated high enough on its mount.

== Cartridges ==

The cartridges for lever-action rifles have a wide variety of calibers, bullet shapes, and powder loads which fall into two categories: low-pressure cartridges with rounded bullets, and high-pressure cartridges with aerodynamic pointed ("[[spitzer]]") bullets.

Some lever-actions are not as strong as bolt action or semi-automatic rifle actions. The weaker actions utilize low- and medium-pressure cartridges, somewhat similar to high-powered pistol ammunition. To increase the bullet's energy at relatively low velocities, these often have larger, heavier bullets than other types of rifles. The most common cartridge is the [[.30-30 Winchester]], introduced by Winchester with the Model 1894. Other common cartridges include: [[.22 calibre]] [[Rimfire ammunition|rimfire]], [[.38 Special]]/[[.357 Magnum]], [[.44 Special]]/[[.44 Magnum]], [[.41 Magnum]], [[.444 Marlin]], [[.45-70 Government]], [[.38-40 Winchester]], [[.44-40 Winchester]], [[.45 Colt]], [[.25-35 Winchester]], [[.32-40 Winchester]], [[.35 Remington]], [[.38-55 Winchester]], [[.308 Marlin Express]], and [[.300 Savage]]. There is some dispute about which of these cartridges can safely be used to hunt large game or large predators. Even in the largest calibers, the low velocities give these cartridges much lower energies than [[.450 Nitro Express|elephant gun cartridges with comparable calibers]]. However, even the smallest cartridges fit lightweight, handy rifles that can be excellent for hunting small herbivores, pest control, and personal defense.

Some stronger, larger pistols (usually [[revolvers]]) also accept some of these cartridges, permitting the use of the same ammunition in both a pistol and rifle. The rifle's longer barrel and better accuracy permit higher velocities, longer ranges, and a wider selection of game. 

Some of these cartridges (e.g. the [[.50-70 Government]] (1866) and [[.45-70 Government]] (1873)) are developmental descendants of very early black powder metallic cartridges. When metallic cartridges and lever actions were first invented, very small, portable kits were developed for hand reloading and bullet molding (so-called "cowboy reloading kits"). These kits are still available for most low-pressure lever-action cartridges.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Best Portable Reloading Press|url=http://www.reloaderaddict.com/the-best-portable-reloading-press-for-the-money/|website=Reloader Addict|access-date=29 July 2017}}</ref>

Stronger lever-actions, such as the action of the [[Marlin Model 1894]], can utilize high-pressure cartridges. Lever-action designs with strong, rotary locking bolts (such as the [[Browning BLR]] with seven locking lugs) safely use very high-powered cartridges like the .300 Winchester Magnum, .300 WSM, and 7 mm Remington Magnum. Tilting block designs such as the [[Savage Model 99]] are also strong enough to handle much higher chamber pressures.

Many lever actions have a tubular magazine under the barrel. It's not uncommon to see extra ammunition stored in externally mounted "shell holder" racks (usually as "sidesaddle" on one side of the [[receiver (firearms)|receiver]], or on the [[buttstock]]) for quick on-field reloading. To operate safely, cartridges for these should have bullets with rounded tips, and some use rimfire primers rather than centerfire primers. The safety problem is that long-range aerodynamic supersonic bullets are pointed. In a tubular magazine, the points can accidentally fire centerfire cartridges. A related problem is that some pointed bullets have fragile tips, and can be damaged in a tubular magazine. Some lever actions such as the [[Savage Model 99]] can be fed from either box or rotary magazines. The [[Winchester Model 1895]] also uses a fixed box magazine, and was chambered for a variety of popular commercial and military rifle cartridges at the time. More recently, spitzer bullets with elastomeric tips have been developed.<ref>{{cite web|title=Spitzer Bullets for .30-30 Reloaders: Boing, Boing, Boing!|url=http://www.realguns.com/Commentary/comar178.htm|website=Real Guns|access-date=29 July 2017}}</ref>

Lever-action shotguns such as the Winchester Model 1887 are chambered in 10 or 12 gauge [[black powder]] shotgun shells, whereas the Model 1901 is chambered for 10-gauge smokeless [[shotshell]]s. Modern reproductions are chambered for 12 gauge smokeless shells, while the Winchester Model 9410 shotgun is available in [[.410 bore]].

== Comparison to bolt-action rifles ==
{{procon|date=June 2021}}
[[File:Henry Rifle Receiver open.JPG|thumb|Henry rifle, toggle-lock]]

While lever-action rifles have always been popular with hunters and sporting shooters, they have not been widely accepted by the military. Several reasons for that have been proposed.

One significant reason for this is that it is harder to fire from the [[prone position]] with a lever-action rifle than it is with a [[bolt action|bolt-action]] with either a straight pull or rotating bolt.

While lever-action rifles generally possess a greater rate of fire than bolt-action rifles, that was not always a feature, since, until about the turn of the 20th century, most militaries were wary of it being too high, afraid that excessive round consumption would put a strain on logistics of the military industry.

Tubular magazines, similar to the one used on the first bolt-action rifle and used on hunting lever-action rifles to this day, are sometimes described as a problem: while a tubular magazine is indeed incompatible with pointed centerfire "[[Spitzer (bullet)|spitzer]]" bullets developed in the 1890s (discounting recently invented [[elastomer]]-tipped ones) due to the point of each cartridge's projectile resting on the primer of the next cartridge in the magazine, lever-action rifles actually adapted for military use (such as the [[Winchester Model 1895]], which saw service with the Russian Army in World War I) were fitted with a box magazine invented in the late 1870s.

Another explanation for the lack of widespread use of lever-action designs stems from the initial inability to fire high-pressure cartridges made possible by the invention of [[smokeless powder]] in the 1880s. Safe operation could only be carried out by using low-pressure cartridges in the toggle-lock lever-action rifles such as the [[Henry rifle]] and the following [[Winchester Model 1866]], [[Winchester Model 1873]], and [[Winchester Model 1876]] (which was used by the mounted police of Canada). The newer lever-action rifle designs, notably the [[Winchester Model 1886]], [[Winchester Model 1892]], [[Winchester Model 1894]], and the [[Winchester Model 1895]], with a strong locking-block action designed by [[John Moses Browning]], were capable of firing more powerful higher-pressure pistol and rifle cartridges.

In the end, the problem was economical. By the time these rifles became available in the late 19th century, militaries worldwide had put cheap bolt-action rifles into service and were unwilling to invest in producing more expensive lever-action rifles.

Due to the higher rate of fire and shorter overall length than most bolt-action rifles, lever-actions have remained popular to this day for sporting use, especially short- and medium-range [[hunting]] in forests, scrub, or bushland. Lever-action firearms have also been used in some quantity by prison guards in the United States, as well as by wildlife authorities in many parts of the world.
	
Many newer lever-action rifles are capable of shooting groups smaller than 1 minute of angle (MOA), making their accuracy equal to that of most modern bolt-action rifles.

Additionally, another advantage over typical [[bolt-action]] rifles is the lack of [[handedness]]: lever-action rifles, with similarities to [[pump-action]] shotguns, are frequently recommended as ambidextrous in sporting guidebooks.

== See also ==

* [[Antique guns]]
* [[Rapid fire crossbow]]

==References==

{{refs}}

{{Firearms}}

[[Category:Firearm actions]]
[[Category:Lever-action shotguns| Lever-action]]