POF Tombstone Review: Shooting the Futuristic 9mm Lever-Gun

The firearms market is notorious for being demanding and sometimes irrational. Gun companies work to develop a new product to meet consumer demands only to ultimately hope it is a hit. When the product is released, there is the inevitable wave of social media commentaries from people that have never even seen the new gun in person. This has been the way of things for a very long time, yet serious companies are unphased by it.

Full Review: POF Tombstone

In fact, some companies have the courage to develop products that others would not simply because they get stuck in the status quo mindset. A company that breaks this mold is Patriot Ordnance Factory. Over the years, POF has brought us some really innovative designs and recently decided to even push its own boundaries. However, the latest development from POF is radically different. It is a 9mm lever gun that modernizes many elements of this century-old rifle platform.

The Futuristic Tombstone

POF has done something unique that will certainly be of interest to shooters and especially those who are fans of lever guns. On the surface, the Tombstone operates like a traditional lever-action rifle. And while the basics of the rifle are similar to a hundred like it before, all the other aspects of the gun are unique. In place of the traditional tubular magazine, the Tombstone utilizes a proprietary detachable magazine that first appeared with the 9mm Phoenix pistol.

POF Tombstone full length left — (Photo by Michael Bordon)

Like the Phoenix, it comes in 10-, 20- and 35-round capacity versions. A 20-round mag is supplied with the Tombstone rifle. Action-wise, the gun is much smoother than other lever guns I have run. The lever is beveled and offers a large loop design for added comfort and control, especially while wearing gloves. It also has a modern flat-face trigger that is equally smooth. It has a clean, clear break at 3.5 pounds and lends itself to excellent accuracy. And there’s more…

Magpul SGA Stock

These stocks have become very popular on defensive shotguns, and the SGA is ideal for a rifle like the Tombstone because it offers 2 inches of LOP adjustment with stock spacers. The comb of the stock is also adjustable, which allows the shooter to properly align their eye with the sights.

Sights, Barrel & Rail

The rifle comes with adjustable XS ghost ring sights and has a rail allowing the installation of an optic. POF has chosen to use a 16.5-inch fluted barrel with 1/2×28 threads and a dual chamber muzzle brake on the Tombstone. Surrounding the free-floating barrel is a POF 10.5-inch Modular Receiver Rail (MRR) that offers M-LOK attachment points at the 3, 6. And 9 o’clock positions and 2-inch rails at the 12 and 6 o’clock positions. QD attachment points make attaching and removing a sling an easy task. There is also enough real estate at the front of the rail to add a light, bipod or other accessories.

The Tombstone blends AR feel with the classic lever-gun design. — (Photo by Michael Bordon)

Performance & Extras

On the range, I found the Tombstone to have a mixed feel between lever gun and AR. One of the features that brought this to mind was the button magazine release. Those who have the AR manual of arms deeply set in themselves will find this to be second nature. The Tombstone has a cross-bolt safety on the rear portion of the receiver that can be engaged when the hammer is cocked. The two-position hammer has a large spur that’s easy to manipulate. The hammer spur also has a circular hole that allows the operator to install a hammer extension should the shooter desire.

I found the gun quick and easy to run. Contrary to its appearance, the gun is only 5 pounds, 12 ounces, and 36 inches long. I decided to take advantage of the modern nature of this 9mm lever gun and added an EOTech optic as well as a SilencerCo Osprey 2.0 9mm suppressor. And as the saying goes, that’s when the party started. I found the gun to be exceptionally soft shooting and surprisingly accurate. I was able to constantly print 2-inch groups at 25 yards. My mind stewed a bit to define the experience. Ultimately, it was a cross between a 9mm PCC and a .22 lever gun. More simply, it was a blast to shoot.

There will obviously be distractors from this gun simply because it looks different. What I would suggest is that you don’t let the opinions of those who have never even touched this gun steer you. It is an enjoyable, accurate rifle that would be a great addition to any collection. Take a moment and seek one out and see for yourself why this is a great addition to the POF lineup. For more information, visit pof-usa.com.