I have been fortunate to be involved with Ballistics Best since it was a general idea being kicked around. While it has always been an honor to be one of the evaluators, this year is special to me. It’s unique because I also get to head up the lever-gun category this year. I have always had a special place in my heart for lever guns. Above all, I am excited about the new interest shown in these classic shooters. With that being said, let’s talk about the process for Ballistic’s Best Lever-Action Rifle – 2024.

Ballistics’ Best Lever-Action Rifle – 2024

First, I gathered a team of evaluators. They included my son, who has also written for Athlon, his close friend Mario, and myself. This would offer a spectrum of views on the guns. Next up was the logistical tap dance of getting guns and ammo. I would be shooting a variety of calibers, so I must offer a huge thank you to Hornady, Federal, and Black Hills Ammunition for your support.

The testing process was pretty simple. Each category covered something that people in the lever gun market look for. The scale was set at 0-5, with the opening point being 3. That means every gun came in as a three and gained or lost points as the evaluation went on. Evaluators could assign any point value they felt was appropriate. Once we had all the guns and ammo in hand, a date was set, and we were on our way. Let’s take a look at this year’s contenders in alphabetical order.

Heritage 92

Our first contender is the Heritage 92. This is a classic lever action rifle inspired by the guns that won the West. Like many lever guns, it is available in multiple calibers. For this testing, I chose .357 Mag. The fit and finish of the gun were solid, and the action was smooth. I particularly liked the oversized lever, which would serve me well in cold weather when wearing gloves. I ran both .357 Mag and .38 Special through this rifle, and it was a pleasure to shoot.

Visit Heritage Mfg:https://heritagemfg.com/

Marlin 1894

The next rifle on the list is the Marlin 1894. Marlin has been in the lever gun game since 1879, and you can tell. This 1894 model was built for real use with no slop or play in the action. It also has adjustable semi-Buckhorn rear sights and a hooded front sight. This gun is all about being used. The rifle I received was chambered in 44 Rem Mag and was a pleasure to shoot. While it had a workhorse feel to it, it was still beautiful. The Black Walnut stock is eye-catching and is one of the reasons I love lever guns.

Visit Marlin:https://www.marlinfirearms.com/

Rossi R95

Rifle number three was the new Rossi R95. Fans politely badgered Rossi to bring a 30-30 to market and the R95 is the result of that push. The gun is feature-rich and includes a hammer-forged barrel, a smooth hand-finished lever action, and a large loading gate. It is also drilled and tapped for optics. It also has a nice walnut finish and a 5+1 capacity. This is an excellent rifle for North American game.

Visit Rossi USA:https://rossiusa.com/

S&W Model 1854

Our next rifle up comes to us from the good folks at Smith & Wesson. Their entry is the new Model 1854. This is a beautiful, jaw-dropping gun with modern features, such as a Picatinny rail for optics. It also has a threaded barrel should you choose to run it suppressed. Their use of XS Sights ghost ring rear sights is a mix of old and new. I found them quick and easy to use. As you would expect, the stock on the rifle was exceptional. Made from Walnut with clean checkering at contact points, it was perfect for this rifle. Lastly, it had a large lever to accommodate large and gloved hands.

Visit Smith & Wesson:https://www.smith-wesson.com/

Taylor’s & Company TC73

Under the letter T, we now have the great team at Taylor’s & Company. Their submission is the gorgeous TC73. I was taken with the beautiful case-hardened finish on the receiver when I opened the box. The TC73 is an 1873 lever action rifle designed with performance in mind while maintaining the historic features of the lever gun. The addition of 9MM to the 1873 Lever Action family is something Taylor’s aimed to bring to market. They succeeded with the TC73. While pistol calibers are common, the 9mm is not. Shooting this rifle was beyond enjoyable, with almost no felt recoil. It would be difficult to say goodbye to this rifle at the end.

Visit Taylor’s & Company:https://www.taylorsfirearms.com/

Uberti 1866 Yellowboy Rifle

Our next classic is the Uberti 1866 Yellowboy Rifle. Uberti is world-renowned for replicas, and the 1866 Yellowboy is a sample. The Yellowboy rifle refers to the Winchester Model 1866 lever-action rifle, nicknamed for its distinctive brass receiver, which gives it a yellowish appearance. It was one of the first Winchester rifles and is considered a classic “cowboy rifle” due to its design and historical significance in the American West. This rifle includes all the improvements made to the gun. These include a patented spring-steel loading gate and a wood forend for added comfort. It was an absolute pleasure to shoot.

Visit Uberti:https://www.uberti-usa.com/cartridge-rifles

Winchester Model 94

Our last rifle in the lineup is none other than the Winchester Model 94. The Winchester Model 94 is the world’s most popular lever-action, and today’s rifles utilize the latest manufacturing technology to produce the most accurate models ever. The Model 94 Carbine is a special rendition of “the perfect lever action.” Its size and quickness are perfect for hunting in thick brush for deer, bear, wild hogs, and other fast-moving game. Shooting it is like going back in time to the old West. The action was smooth, and the fit and finish were fantastic. It was everything you would expect from Winchester.

Visit Winchester:https://www.winchesterguns.com/

And the Ballistics’ Best Lever Action Rifle – 2024 is…The Smith & Wesson 1854

Much to everyone’s disappointment, we finally fired the last round of the day. When the last calculation was complete, the scores showed that this year’s winner was the Smith & Wesson 1854. This rifle was a favorite across the board. It was the clear winner of Ballistics’ Best Lever Action Rifle – 2024 with its touch of modernity grounded in a classic rifle.

Thank You

As I always say. I have a deep respect for all the companies that provide guns for testing. It takes a confident brand to step into the ring like this without knowing what the outcome may be. We would recommend any of these rifles to new and experienced shooters alike and are honored to have had the chance to test them all.

READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

For our 2024 Ballistic’s Best, our experts evaluated over 90 firearms, firing literally thousands of rounds downrange. They used our scoring system, drilling down on features such as accuracy, reliability, and more. Then the experts picked the very best performer from each and every group. 
Our readers, that’s you, get to vote on the very same groups our pros tested out on the range.

Check out our poll and CLICK HERE to cast your vote.

Lever-Action Rifle Scores & Specs