A general discussion on the future of lever action rifles

[North Country Gal]

Any of you who have found a bona-fide gunsmith who knows how to work on those "antiques" should consider yourself lucky, indeed. Old school gunsmiths who made a living working on those now vintage revolvers and lever guns have been dying off for sometime, now. Before investing in expensive vintage guns that required a lot of hand-fitting to make, keep this in mind. You can't let just anyone claiming to be a gunsmith work on these guns.

[Rifletom]

Dang, lost my last post, so, I'll go again.
That long winded reply to lever guns from the 24hcf thread regarding an up-tick in lever sales is from your truly.
I've had a lever rifle for as long as I've been shooting. So, I defend 'em.

[dddrees]

Just getting into the game myself so my level of actual knowledge of the current gun market is little to none. However I would think North Country Gal is correct when she commented that those like I grew up on those Western TV and movies are getting older and unfortunately that interest maybe dwindling as we get older. We grew up at the time we were simply surrounded by lever guns. Also the only mattel guns were the one the military had just recently adopted. It wasn't even proven at the time. In fact it had numerous issues initially. I really find it sad as to the current state were fugly plastic seems to be king but at least I can be happy I'm part of the crowd that knows better. Because not only are those old school metal and wood guns still extremely functional they are also so very pleasing to the eye. Can anyone possibly show me any of those ugly plastic tactical wonder guns that look anywhere as nice as any of these?




At least for me one of the biggest appeal of a lever gun was how good looking they really are. Because after all how good the tool looks may not be as important as how it functions but it certainly doesn't hurt. For I grew up when plastic was considered cheap and ugly and I have yet to change my mind.

[markiver54]

I'm with you dddrees!

[CT_Shooter]

... I can be happy I'm part of the crowd that knows better. Because not only are those old school metal and wood guns still extremely functional they are also so very pleasing to the eye.

I couldn't agree more, ddd. You certainly have a great looking collection there.

[wingnut]

dddrees wrote:
... I can be happy I'm part of the crowd that knows better. Because not only are those old school metal and wood guns still extremely functional they are also so very pleasing to the eye.

However, the subject concerns the NEWer eyes of a beholder.

Ana4-2012-7.jpg

precious0ou.jpg

[dddrees]

I'm with you dddrees!

... I can be happy I'm part of the crowd that knows better. Because not only are those old school metal and wood guns still extremely functional they are also so very pleasing to the eye.

I couldn't agree more, ddd. You certainly have a great looking collection there.

Thank you sir.

[dddrees]

dddrees wrote:
... I can be happy I'm part of the crowd that knows better. Because not only are those old school metal and wood guns still extremely functional they are also so very pleasing to the eye.

However, the subject concerns the NEWer eyes of a beholder.

Ana4-2012-7.jpg

precious0ou.jpg

And there I would agree. Your vote matters and so does all those others buying that type of gun. But even though I have 20 years of military (Ret) experience with that particular style of gun I currently have no desire to actually get one. It just doesn't speak to me nearly as much as the guns that I currently have and the ones I plan on getting. Hopefully the next one in que is the Original Henry by Henry Repeating Arms Company.

[Blackdog]

when I came in with my 94 he looked up and said - Oh, I don't work on antiques."

Guess I'll have to find an real "gunsmith" and not this self-taught wanna-be.

M

finding a real gunsmith would serve you well

There in lies the problem. Way way too may wanabe gunsmiths hammering on guns with minimal knowledge.
Worked for Cabelas for a while - in the Gun Library. We had a gunsmith who would fix the broken ones, but did such a bad job (Hit them with a hammer!) that we ran him off. We went through 4 "smiths" in less than a year and never did find one who was good enough to keep.

Hope you find one,

Michael

[dddrees]

when I came in with my 94 he looked up and said - Oh, I don't work on antiques."

Guess I'll have to find an real "gunsmith" and not this self-taught wanna-be.

M

finding a real gunsmith would serve you well

There in lies the problem. Way way too may wanabe gunsmiths hammering on guns with minimal knowledge.
Worked for Cabelas for a while - in the Gun Library. We had a gunsmith who would fix the broken ones, but did such a bad job (Hit them with a hammer!) that we ran him off. We went through 4 "smiths" in less than a year and never did find one who was good enough to keep.

Hope you find one,

Michael

I would guess that none of these people were school trained? Of course that's a guess but if your not willing to pay much than you kind of get what your willing to pay for.

[markiver54]

Yeah...and how do you really know till it's too late, short of a reputable referral.

[dddrees]

Yeah...and how do you really know till it's too late, short of a reputable referral.

Sorry but recent experiences with "health care professionals" come to mind.


Greater care, a good a bit of research, and a little luck. Sometimes we take more care with our possessions than our own health. Mainly because we often place to much trust in a title or a shingle that one hangs.


Frankly these and other reasons have me going with new replicas with warranties.

[Vaquero]

Dang, lost my last post, so, I'll go again.
That long winded reply to lever guns from the 24hcf thread regarding an up-tick in lever sales is from your truly.
I've had a lever rifle for as long as I've been shooting. So, I defend 'em.

Me too, still have that first one.

RP

[JEBar]

I'm sure many of us shoot with our children and grandchildren .... pictures below are of our 10 year old grandson and his Henry BBS357 .... we will soon introduce firing lever action Henry 357's to our elementary school level granddaughters and down the road to introduce the same to our 2 infant grandsons

[markiver54]

Great pics..looks like he had a lot of fun! pretty good shooting there too.

[Vaquero]

Very cool JEB.
Looks like he was having a big time.

RP

[RanchRoper]

They do fit the scabbard well...when riding I really appreciate the lack of forearm on my 1860 as well...

[markiver54]

Great pic all around RR!

[North Country Gal]

Wonderful pics, all. Keep them coming, guys.

[Rifletom]

I'm sure many of us shoot with our children and grandchildren .... pictures below are of our 10 year old grandson and his Henry BBS357 .... we will soon introduce firing lever action Henry 357's to our elementary school level granddaughters and down the road to introduce the same to our 2 infant grandsons

Million dollar pictures right there JEBar! Havin' fun! Good on you guys.