Bond Arms LVRB
While Bond Arms’ handguns have all the attention of its fans, the company actually teased an entirely new direction at last year’s SHOT Show. This year we got a closer look at a shockingly innovative lever action that looked like was half AR and half cowboy. The LVRB looks and feels like a tactical-style lever gun that essentially mates an AR-15 upper with a uniquely lever-driven lower.
Fed by standard 30-round AR magazines, the rifle shows off a fairly short throw and smooth action. The rifle is slated to wear Magpul brand, Remington 870-pattern furniture as it doesn't have a buffer tube to worry about. Further, users will be able to customize many aspects of the rotating bolt design, ranging from stocks and magazines to the lever itself and likely even chamberings.
The rifle we handled at SHOT Show was chambered in .223 Wylde, which is ideal for both .223 Rem and 5.56 NATO. Future chamberings are already in the works for .300 Blackout, .450 Bushmaster, and .350 Legend. Per leader Gordon Bond, the goal is to begin shipping in Q2 2024 with an estimated retail price of $1,599. If what we’ve seen of the LVRB so far works as well as advertised, Bond will have a game changer on its hands.
Winchester Ranger
The gun world is bursting with new lever-action rifles, but if you’ve been craving a fresh lever-driven rimfire, Winchester’s Ranger surely has your attention. Chambered in .22 LR, the Ranger uses a billet-aluminum receiver, 20.5-inch barrel, and walnut stocks. A tubular magazine holds 15 rounds. The trigger can be adjusted for overtravel, while the hooded front and adjustable rear sight also aid in accuracy.
Shooters wishing to use an optic will appreciate the grooved receiver. The Ranger wears a compact 13-inch length of pull, giving the rimfire a more compact feel along with its light 5.25-pound weight. Though coming from the American Legend brand, the Ranger is actually built in Turkey, which is likely the only way the company could keep the suggested retail pricing at the affordable $419.99 level.
S&W 1854 Series
That’s right. Not only is Smith & Wesson entering the modern lever-action market, but it’s doing so with a series. At the time of launch, two distinct models were on display. There’s the standard 1854 with its black synthetic furniture and stainless metalwork at an MSRP of $1,279, and then you have the eye-catching 1854 Limited Edition dressed in high-grade walnut and retailing for $3,499.
The company makes it clear in its advertising that the lever gun draws heavily from its proven lines of revolvers, mirroring “a crisp and smooth action (that is) robust and tough.” The initial 1854s are chambered in .44 Rem Mag. They feature a threaded barrel, flat trigger, large loop lever, Picatinny rail, tubular magazine, and crossbolt safety. The rifles carry a nine-round capacity and mark S&W’s first lever-driven firearm since the early Volcanic design of the 1850s.
Henry Lever Action Supreme
Big news from the all-American brand. Henry Repeating Arms debuted an entirely new platform that remains a lever gun but takes an interesting turn. The Supreme does things differently, using a rotating bolt design and match trigger while feeding from PMags commonly used in modern sporting rifles.
The Supreme will, for now anyway, be available in two chamberings: .223 Rem and .300 Blackout. The suppressor-ready rigs show off a threaded barrel, internal hammer, free-floated barrel, ambidextrous controls, short-throw lever, and Picatinny rail. Henry touts sub-MOA accuracy with the Supreme, making it instantly interesting to hunters. Retail pricing is expected to be in the $1,400 range.
Marlin Dark Series
Another year marks another addition to the rapidly expanding family of Marlin-by-Ruger lever guns. The blacked-out Dark Series had a rabid following during its short run years ago, and now Ruger has answered the call and re-introduced the Dark Series beginning with an 1895. There’s a nylon-reinforced polymer stock with M-LOK attachment slots, anodized aluminum handguard, cheek riser, Picatinny rail, and thick recoil pad.
The barrel is threaded at 11/16x24 TPI and fitted with a fiber-optic front sight and tritium ring. We got a look at the first of the series featuring a 16-inch barrel and chambered for .45-70 Gov’t. That Model 1895 Dark is retailing at $1,429. However, there’s more on the way with both a Model 336 Dark in .30-30 Win and Model 1894 Dark in .44 Rem Mag forthcoming later in 2024.
Rossi Triple Black
The dark and tactical movement has certainly taken the lever world by storm with just about every manufacturer offering one. Now, Rossi is on the bandwagon, showing off its Triple Black based on the M92 action.
The rifle we saw at SHOT Show was fitted with a 16-inch barrel, chambered in either .44 Mag or .357 Mag, and dressed in wood furniture that has been painted with what the company calls “durable all-weather black-on-black splatter paint.” Metalwork is Cerakoted in black as well. There’s a Picatinny rail, adjustable rear peep sight, threaded barrel, and thumb safety. The Triple Black carries an MSRP of $1,060.99.
FightLite Herring Model 2024
Carrying on with the movement of AR-looking lever actions comes one we’re not at all familiar with just yet: the FightLite Industries Herring Model 2024 Modern Lever-Action rifle. That’ a long name for an all-black, modular, lever-driven system. The company claims the new gun has the flexibility of modern sporting rifles, which means there’s the opportunity for different calibers, barrel lengths, sight options, and more.
Like other newbies on this list, the Herring uses a rotating bolt design similar to an AR. This one feeds from AR-15 STANAG-pattern magazines. The initial rifles will be available in 5.56 NATO and .300 Blackout, though users can theoretically configure them for many AR chamberings.
Of particular note, FightLite teased that both rimfire and pistol-caliber conversion kits will be forthcoming. That opens up the possibility of .22 LR, 9mm, 10mm, .45 ACP, or 5.7x28mm in the future. Though we’re unsure exactly when the first rifles will begin shipping, suggested retail is set at $1,299.99.
For a fun look at this gun in action, here’s a short demo video from FightLite featuring a Herring in .300 Blackout with a 60-round drum:
That’s Not All
That seems like an overwhelming roster for 2024, but to tell the truth, this list isn’t even complete. Over the previous few months, we’ve seen a number of other – largely unexpected – lever guns trickle into the market. There’s been the POF-USA Tombstone, news of a Stag Arms/Aero Precision combo of lever gun we’ve yet to see, and the Heritage Settler in rifle, carbine, and Mare’s Leg configurations. There’s sure to be even more pretty soon.
