Practical Lever Gun Upgrades With Bobby Tyler
Caleb Savant
one year ago
Despite being well over 150 years old, the lever action rifle is an extremely reliable, practical, "working" firearm that is still super popular in the 2020s. Still, anything good can be improved on, so today our old friend Bobby Tyler of Tyler Gun Works made the trek all the way from Friona, Texas, to join Caleb. He tells us about some practical upgrades you can make to your favorite lever gun to boost its performance. Bobby's sample lever actions here are base models by Henry Repeating Arms, but these upgrades can be made to Winchesters, Marlins, and other popular lever guns.
SIGHTS: Basic lever action rifle sights are, well, pretty basic. But you can improve your sight picture immensely with a set of sights by Andy Larsson of Skinner Sights. In fact, some upscale factory lever rifles come with Skinner sights. Andy offers rear sights that that fit right into the factory dovetail on the barrel, and other models that mount to the top of the receiver for a longer sight radius.
CARTRIDGE CUFF: Don't be "that guy" who runs out of ammo before his day in the field is done! Consider adding a cartridge cuff, which slips over the buttstock and holds a half-dozen or so spare rounds. Some cartridge cuffs incorporate a sling. Others include a raised cheek pad that'll help you get a more comfortable, secure cheekweld.
BIG LOOP LEVER: Aftermarket big loop levers are available both blued and color-case finished steel, so you can channel your inner John Wayne with style. As a practical benefit, the big loop lever functions like an oversized triggerguard on your AR-15, letting you shoot your lever gun while you're wearing heavy gloves in the depths of a Midwest hunting season cold snap.
.22 RIMFIRE DIFFERENCES: What if your cherished lever action is chambered in the most popular cartridge of all time, .22 Long Rifle? (Here's lookin' at you, Winchester 9422 and Marlin 1897 fans!) With a little help from a good gunsmith, says Bobby, you can get centerfire upgrades installed your favorite rimfire lever gun.
