What's new
By:
Filters

Lever action shotguns

fal308

Red Skull Member
Joined
May 21, 2020
Member Number
1096
Messages
34
With all the talk in here of (defensive) shotguns lately was wondering whether anyone here uses a lever action shotgun? Henry .410, 1887 or clone etc. They aren't all threatening looking like a tactical weapon, they look like an "old west" gun etc.
The Henry could be suspect as only in .410 but at hallway distance a bad guy probably won't care if they get hit by a .410 or 12 ga. if using the correct ammunition.
A lever could have problems being short-stroked but so can a pump.
1887/clones I don't really see offhand any major deficiencies to using as a defensive home firearm from no extended magazines.
Think reloading could e a problem. Reloading an 1887 isn't the easiest procedure.
Your thoughts on how they would work as a home defense gun.
 
Looks like terminator met bill cody!
cumbersome at best.
Gimme a handgun and that onna sling as last ditch!
 
I have a marlin 9410. Lever action 410.
shoots 2.5 only.

Fun gun to shoot. Guy I bought it from carried it in his motorhome for defense because most of the federal and customs agencies he encountered would ignore it as a serious weapon.
He carried slugs and buck for it.

A slug Is pretty deadly out of it.

Before buying that I wanted the stainless rossi 410 lever. Thought it would be a great truck gun for whatever.

Anyway, yes sight of a big bore rifle is intimidating. Cycles harder that I think it should.

But it is a great, compact weapon. I reload so doesn't cost me much to shoot and enjoy.

A lever action is great, simple, very safe and fun but not the best choice for defense.

Better than a single shot I suppose
 
Tiha said:
I have a marlin 9410. Lever action 410.
shoots 2.5 only.

Fun gun to shoot. Guy I bought it from carried it in his motorhome for defense because most of the federal and customs agencies he encountered would ignore it as a serious weapon.
He carried slugs and buck for it.

A slug Is pretty deadly out of it.

Before buying that I wanted the stainless rossi 410 lever. Thought it would be a great truck gun for whatever.

Anyway, yes sight of a big bore rifle is intimidating. Cycles harder that I think it should.

But it is a great, compact weapon. I reload so doesn't cost me much to shoot and enjoy.

A lever action is great, simple, very safe and fun but not the best choice for defense.

Better than a single shot I suppose
Click to expand...

only shooting 2.5" in 410 kinda kills it, because 3" 410 is nasty in a close-up encounter.
 
Texas97 said:
only shooting 2.5" in 410 kinda kills it, because 3" 410 is nasty in a close-up encounter.
Click to expand...

I agree completely. But lever action 410s if you read about them, not very many if any claim to shoot 3" Reading reviews, the guys that have tried have had feed problems but switching to 2.5 solved the problem.

So yeah, not ideal at all. Just a fun toy at this point. I do keep slugs and buck around but really that is a pretty desperate measure. I shoot clays with it from time to time watching other guys try to figure out what I am shooting is fun.

Thought a 410 handgun would be a good mate. Depending on the maker they only take 2.5 as well.

Just bought an AR410 upper, it only takes 2.5" as well.
 
I have an 1887 clone on a "Show off" mount near the front door, it's loaded with brass cased #4 buck and it flat works as long as you cycle that lever like you hate it. As far as reloading that is a no-go for me, drop it and grab something else! A Henry Axe is on my list of wants!
 
Are Black Aces Turkish shotguns like all the other cheap shotguns on the market? Website says they're based in Florida, but I'd wager that their shotguns ain't made there.
 
Lee said:
Are Black Aces Turkish shotguns like all the other cheap shotguns on the market? Website says they're based in Florida, but I'd wager that their shotguns ain't made there.
Click to expand...

Google says

Who makes Black Aces shotguns?
Here's what they have to say about them: Black Aces Tactical (BAT), a veteran owned American manufacturer, is proud to announce the release of the Pro Series M and M Pump line of magazine fed 12-gauge shotguns. Said Black Aces Tactical, “The Pro Series M and M Pump project has been underway in secret for some time


So not sure if that is better or worse than turkey.
 
I'm between a Marlin and Henry 410. Also been eyeballing the Henry Axe but trying to figure if you could put a brace on it instead of the stump grip.
 
I am a little late to this thread, but I bought a Black Aces lever 12 ga a year ago. Love lever actions and had been wanting a lever 12 ga for years, but couldnt bring mysrlf to drop the coin on the chinese knockoff pf thebpld Winchester. Was jealous of the Turkish made lever 12ga available in Australia but nobody was importing them to US. Was stoked to find out about Black Aces and found a dealer a couple hours away. Luckily, the only one they had in stock was the version I wanted. I loke it, no complaints with it. Not the besy quality I have ever seen, but ptetty decent. Action does take some effort- enough so that using the pistol grip stock would be dumb. As much as I love lever actions though, my HD shotgun is still my my old Remington 870 with folding law enforcement stock.
 
Thanks, good to know to avoid.

Some of the Turkish guns aren't too bad, but I still don't like supporting Turkey as they are our ally.
 
Weasel said:
wasn't even looking and ran across this in Cabela's. Henry 410. Need to chop the stock 1.5" or so and bummer the forearm rail seems to be a bit long as well. But fix the stock first and see how it feels after that. Didn't relaize it but removing the forearm is quite the job.

Click to expand...

Interesting, so it looks like you can load it by dropping shells in the tube or on the side of the receiver? Or is just one of those for looks?
 
Yes it has a functioning load gate. So can be loaded by the gate or the tube.
2.5" shells only. They don't want you to run 3" but I suppose the short shells won't work either.
It is a smooth bore and has invertor chokes.

So I was more excited about the gun as I thought this format would save some time. Not quite so.
  • The LoP is 14.25" which doesn't work for me, short arms. So will have to cut that down (looking for aftermarket stocks possibly).
  • The top is drilled and tap so a red dot will go there, was going to do a rail but second guessing that and might just go with a optics plate.
  • I'm not sure on the forearm yet, it feels like it's to far forward to use the rail for a grip but that could change after the stock is shortened. I do know the forearm is easier to remove if you cut it off, versus disassembling the feed tube / gun:rolleyes: If it was behind the sling point it probably would be perfect (for me and wrong for the other 90% of the pop).
But overall just like my other guns, buy them and tear it apart. :girly:
 
6gun said:
. As far as reloading that is a no-go for me, drop it and grab something else!
Click to expand...

I was thinking about this. With a pump you can combat rounds with your trigger hand holding the gun and your pump hand throwing the round into the chamber. Seems like it would be kinda awkward with a lever gun. Youd be working the actiona and grabbing the round with your trigger hand. You could do it Im just wondering about the ergos.
 
you can still do it with your hand on the trigger, roll the gun to the left so you can see the gate and stuff rounds in over top or under the bottom.
 
Weasel said:
you can still do it with your hand on the trigger, roll the gun to the left so you can see the gate and stuff rounds in over top or under the bottom.
Click to expand...

Loading through the gate isnt combat loading a gun. The whole point is to QUICKLY get a load in the chamber when the tube is empty to either fire or to have a loaded weapon while reloading. In a pump or even semi gun your trigger hand never moves. You pull the slide back as youre ejecting the spent shell, reach for a round, then depending on which way the brass is in your hand you either go over or under the gun drop it drop it in the chamber and push the slide (or smack the bolt release) as your replacing your hand. It should take about 2 seconds (or less) before you can pull the trigger or start slamming rounds into the tube. I can combat load in less and then reload the tube without ever taking my eyes of the target with an 870

As far as actually combat loading as 6gun pointed out, how do you drop the lever and keep your hand on the stock and finger near the trigger? Youre either swapping hands like a mother fucker or youre using your "strong/trigger" hand to work the action, load the round, work the action, then pull the trigger.

Im not saying it doesnt have a place in the gun safe Im actually fond of lever guns and have quite a few. It would make for an interesting deer gun in shotgun only areas, but it sure as fuck wouldnt be my first (second or third) choice for a defensive/tactical weapon. The "tactical" versions of lever guns are nothing but novelties designed to part tacticool morons from their money.
 
Last edited:
Whatever dude. I didnt say theyre worthless. I was pointing out that marketing one as a tactical defense gun is stupid. Im aware of the part they played in history well over a hundred years ago. Someone pointed out his thoughts I replied. You tried to show how wrong I was without knowing what you were talking about. Its cool spend your money on what you want.
 


Okay I took your comment out of context my bad. This guy does shows reloading to the chamber. His trigger does the reload and his rifle loads in the top but with the other style you could load from the side into the chamber (above the gate). Which is what I was trying to get at above obviously poorly. What am I missing?

I don't understand the comment on marketing for home defense. I don't recall seeing Henry marketing this as a home defense weapon? Or maybe marlin is? The OP asked about it.

I don't like the wood version of this gun and since it's either wood or all black/tac, I'll take the tac.
 
One of them was marketing their version as a tactical home defense rifle a couple years ago I dont remember which. I get it they need to sell guns and lever guns really dropped in popularity.

Hes fast enough. Ive never seen anyone or been effective at it myself at cowboy shoots. The cartridge never loads straight enough. Now Im going to have to grab a few and go to the range. It will give me a chance to piss of the old timers because Im shooting to fast.
 
You have to consider uses. No probably not first choice for home defense but better than nothing.

To me the draw for a lever gun has always been safety and dependability. You can load that thing. Throw it in your truck or where ever. It is perfectly safe. When you need it, swift lever cycle and it is ready to go.
No hunting for mags or ammo it is already in there. No worries that they semi-cycling system is gummed up or dirty. It just works works when you need it.

I imagined it more for critters and such on farm, but the guy I bought mine from carried it in his motorhome with deer slugs. In HIS experience law enforcement would ignore it and he was able to take it into Canada with him. Where as a hand gun was constant hassles.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Back Refresh