The Leverguns.com Levergun Poll

[71fan]

We frequently have topics asking “what is your favorite levergun?” or “what is THE best levergun,” and we have a bit of fun. Generally we get a very comprehensive list containing about every levergun out there, then it goes into the archives and we forget about it until the next round. I enjoy those topics and I enjoy reading the justifications that folks have for their choices.

I would like to get a bit more scientific about it, however. Instead of asking what your “favorite” levergun is, or what you think is the “best” levergun ever made, I want to do a running poll of what characteristics you think are best in a levergun. I have compiled a list of characteristics found on the various leverguns throughout history, which I think is fairly comprehensive. If we get enough participation (enough data points) the end result will be a conglomeration of the Levergun.com’s members idea of the ideal levergun. I will basically choose the majority answer or average answer from each category to determine the characteristics of the “best” overall levergun. The end result may or may not be brand/model specific – that will depend on the results. Also, I think there is a high likelihood that it may not even exist in today’s market, and may never have existed at all.

I will throw out only one stipulation – this rifle is for North American hunting in your area, hunting what you like to hunt. Size and type of game is entirely up to you. Type and location of hunting is entirely up to you. I just want to make sure that we leave Africa out of the picture, and be sure this is not a benchrest rifle. Finally, use “favorite” and “best” interchangeably in your line of thinking, however you see fit.

My motivation for this poll is simple: I have a lot of leverugns – too much to shoot and enjoy each one. To this day, I don’t own, nor have I run across, “the one.” I am hoping this poll will bring me closer to discovering “the one.” I am quite serious about having a rifle made up to the resultant specifications, if it doesn’t already exist in factory form.

The easiest way to answer is to cut and paste my questions and answers into a new response, replacing my answers with yours. I will keep a running spreadsheet as the responses come in. Once the topic dies out, I will compile the data and post a new topic with the results.

I hope to get a LOT of feedback. I love spreadsheets and data, and I love leverguns, and I hope to learn something from this. At any rate, the results should prove interesting.

Thank you and enjoy!!

[71fan]

1) Configuration – rifle/carbine (nose cap or barrel bands): rifle
2) Butt – shotgun/crescent/carbine/pad: shotgun
3) Stock – pistol/straight: pistol
4) Stock – checkered/smooth: checkered
5) Takedown/solid frame: takedown
6) Box mag / tube magazine: tube fed
7) Tube mag length - half/button; two-thirds; full: two-thirds
'8) Safety – tang/crossbolt/none with half-cock: none with half-cock
9) Barrel length: 22”
10) Barrel configuration - octagon/round/half-oct: half-oct
11) Barrel weight – lightweight(pencil)/standard/heavy: lightweight
12) Cartridge length – pistol / rifle: rifle
13) Caliber (this may be hard for many, so pick a range if you want): .348 to .375
14) Optimum to maximum weight (range) (unloaded but field ready): 7 to 9 lbs
15) Scoped or open sights: open
16) Scout mount or standard mount: n/a
17) Scope power: n/a
18) Front sight – bead; post/blade; globe with inserts; hooded/unhooded: post/blade, unhooded
19) Barrel sight – none/blank; folding; sporting/semi-buckhorn: folding
20) Aperture sight – receiver/tang/none: receiver
21) Metal finish - blue, stainless, parkerized/robar, blue/case colors: blue/cased
22) Make/action: no preference

[bsaride]

1) Configuration – rifle/carbine (nose cap or barrel bands): rifle
2) Butt – shotgun/crescent/carbine/pad: any as long as it doesn't ruin the look
3) Stock – pistol/straight: pistol
4) Stock – checkered/smooth: checkered
5) Takedown/solid frame: takedown
6) Box mag / tube magazine: either
7) Tube mag length - half/button; two-thirds; full: full
'8) Safety – tang/crossbolt/none with half-cock: none with half-cock
9) Barrel length: 20”, 24"
10) Barrel configuration - octagon/round/half-oct: octagon or half-oct
11) Barrel weight – lightweight(pencil)/standard/heavy: standard
12) Cartridge length – pistol / rifle: rifle
13) Caliber (this may be hard for many, so pick a range if you want): any .30 cal
14) Optimum to maximum weight (range) (unloaded but field ready): 7 to 9 lbs
15) Scoped or open sights: open
16) Scout mount or standard mount: n/a
17) Scope power: n/a
18) Front sight – bead; post/blade; globe with inserts; hooded/unhooded: Lyman 17 with narrow blade
19) Barrel sight – none/blank; folding; sporting/semi-buckhorn: none, blank
20) Aperture sight – receiver/tang/none: receiver

[505stevec]

I'm sorry 71, I have not found "the one" either but I will continue to buy all I can because I really dont think I will ever find "the one". or at least I hope not. In my case things I dont want would be shorter than thing I do. I dont like half mags. I dont like pistol grips either. I like the straight stock configuration. That is about as scientific as I can get with out a calculator or slide rule

[Doc Hudson]

1) Configuration – rifle/carbine (nose cap or barrel bands): Carbine
2) Butt – shotgun/crescent/carbine/pad: shotgun
3) Stock – pistol/straight: Straight
4) Stock – checkered/smooth: checkered
5) Takedown/solid frame: Solid
6) Box mag / tube magazine: Detachable Box Magazine
7) Tube mag length - half/button; two-thirds; full: Full-length
'8) Safety – tang/crossbolt/none with half-cock: none with half-cock
9) Barrel length: 20
10) Barrel configuration - octagon/round/half-oct:Either Round or Octagon, I halte the half & half
11) Barrel weight – lightweight(pencil)/standard/heavy: Standard or Heavy, the sporter barrels heat up too fast
12) Cartridge length – pistol / rifle:I like 'em both, pistol cartridges for traditional guns, rifle for BLR
13) Caliber (this may be hard for many, so pick a range if you want): .357 Magnum, .358 Win & .45-70 Gov't
14) Optimum to maximum weight (range) (unloaded but field ready): 7 to 9 lbs depending on caliber
15) Scoped or open sights: Open on tubular magazine guns and scopes on the box magazine guns
16) Scout mount or standard mount: Standard
17) Scope power: 3-9x
18) Front sight – bead; post/blade; globe with inserts; hooded/unhooded: Bead, Unhooded
19) Barrel sight – none/blank; folding; sporting/semi-buckhorn: folding
20) Aperture sight – receiver/tang/none: receiver

[El Chivo]

1) Configuration – rifle/carbine (nose cap or barrel bands): rifle
2) Butt – shotgun/crescent/carbine/pad: carbine
3) Stock – pistol/straight: pistol grip
4) Stock – checkered/smooth: checkered
5) Takedown/solid frame: solid
6) Box mag / tube magazine: tube fed
7) Tube mag length - half/button; two-thirds; full: full
'8) Safety – tang/crossbolt/none with half-cock: none with half-cock
9) Barrel length: 24”
10) Barrel configuration - octagon/round/half-oct: round
11) Barrel weight – lightweight(pencil)/standard/heavy: lightweight
12) Cartridge length – pistol / rifle: rifle
13) Caliber (this may be hard for many, so pick a range if you want): .308
14) Optimum to maximum weight (range) (unloaded but field ready): 7.5lbs
15) Scoped or open sights: Scope
16) Scout mount or standard mount: standard Weaver low
17) Scope power: 1x-3x
18) Front sight – bead; post/blade; globe with inserts; hooded/unhooded: globe
19) Barrel sight – none/blank; folding; sporting/semi-buckhorn: none
20) Aperture sight – receiver/tang/none:tang

[Bruce]

1) Configuration – rifle/carbine (nose cap or barrel bands): rifle
2) Butt – shotgun/crescent/carbine/pad: shotgun
3) Stock – pistol/straight: pistol
4) Stock – checkered/smooth: checkered
5) Takedown/solid frame: takedown
6) Box mag / tube magazine: tube fed
7) Tube mag length - half/button; two-thirds; full: Button
'8) Safety – tang/crossbolt/none with half-cock: none with half-cock
9) Barrel length: 24”
10) Barrel configuration - octagon/round/half-oct: round
11) Barrel weight – lightweight(pencil)/standard/heavy: lightweight
12) Cartridge length – pistol / rifle: rifle
13) Caliber (this may be hard for many, so pick a range if you want): .308
14) Optimum to maximum weight (range) (unloaded but field ready): 7
15) Scoped or open sights: open
16) Scout mount or standard mount: n/a
17) Scope power: n/a
18) Front sight – bead; post/blade; globe with inserts; hooded/unhooded: dovetailed blade
19) Barrel sight – none/blank; folding; sporting/semi-buckhorn: none
20) Aperture sight – receiver/tang/none: receiver


Chad,

Can I add something?

Material - blued steel; stainless; parkerized:

My order would be stainless, parkerized and blued.

[20cows]

1) Configuration – rifle/carbine (nose cap or barrel bands):carbine
2) Butt – shotgun/crescent/carbine/pad: crescent
3) Stock – pistol/straight: straight
4) Stock – checkered/smooth: smooth
5) Takedown/solid frame: solid
6) Box mag / tube magazine: tube fed
7) Tube mag length - half/button; two-thirds; full: full
'8) Safety – tang/crossbolt/none with half-cock: none with half-cock
9) Barrel length: 16.5”
10) Barrel configuration - octagon/round/half-oct: round
11) Barrel weight – lightweight(pencil)/standard/heavy: standard
12) Cartridge length – pistol / rifle: rifle
13) Caliber (this may be hard for many, so pick a range if you want): .38-55
14) Optimum to maximum weight (range) (unloaded but field ready): 6 to 8 lbs
15) Scoped or open sights: open
16) Scout mount or standard mount: n/a
17) Scope power: n/a
18) Front sight – bead; post/blade; globe with inserts; hooded/unhooded: post/blade, unhooded
19) Barrel sight – none/blank; folding; sporting/semi-buckhorn: flat-topped notch
20) Aperture sight – receiver/tang/none: none

The ONE:



(It now sports a barrel sight)

[Andrew]

1) Configuration – rifle/carbine (nose cap or barrel bands): rifle
2) Butt – shotgun/crescent/carbine/pad: cresent
3) Stock – pistol/straight: pistol
4) Stock – checkered/smooth: checkered
5) Takedown/solid frame: solid
6) Box mag / tube magazine: tube fed
7) Tube mag length - half/button; two-thirds; full: full
'8) Safety – tang/crossbolt/none with half-cock: none with half-cock
9) Barrel length: 22”
10) Barrel configuration - octagon/round/half-oct: octagon
11) Barrel weight – lightweight(pencil)/standard/heavy: standard
12) Cartridge length – pistol / rifle: pistol
13) Caliber (this may be hard for many, so pick a range if you want): .30-.45
14) Optimum to maximum weight (range) (unloaded but field ready): 7 to 9 lbs
15) Scoped or open sights: open
16) Scout mount or standard mount: n/a
17) Scope power: n/a
18) Front sight – bead; post/blade; globe with inserts; hooded/unhooded: post/blade, unhooded
19) Barrel sight – none/blank; folding; sporting/semi-buckhorn: folding
20) Aperture sight – receiver/tang/none: receiver

[BenT]

1) Configuration – rifle/carbine (nose cap or barrel bands): rifle
2) Butt – shotgun/crescent/carbine/pad: shotgun
3) Stock – pistol/straight: straight
4) Stock – checkered/smooth: checkered
5) Takedown/solid frame: solid
6) Box mag / tube magazine: tube fed
7) Tube mag length - half/button; two-thirds; full: two - thirds
'8) Safety – tang/crossbolt/none with half-cock: none with half-cock
9) Barrel length: 22”
10) Barrel configuration - octagon/round/half-oct: round
11) Barrel weight – lightweight(pencil)/standard/heavy: standard
12) Cartridge length – pistol / rifle: rifle
13) Caliber (this may be hard for many, so pick a range if you want): .30- .35
14) Optimum to maximum weight (range) (unloaded but field ready): 7 to 8
15) Scoped or open sights: open
16) Scout mount or standard mount: n/a
17) Scope power: n/a
18) Front sight – bead; post/blade; globe with inserts; hooded/unhooded: bead ,unhooded
19) Barrel sight – none/blank; folding; sporting/semi-buckhorn: folding
20) Aperture sight – receiver/tang/none: receiver

[Hobie]

1) Configuration – rifle/carbine (nose cap or barrel bands): carbine
2) Butt – shotgun/crescent/carbine/pad: shotgun
3) Stock – pistol/straight: straight
4) Stock – checkered/smooth: smooth
5) Takedown/solid frame: solid
6) Box mag / tube magazine: no preference
7) Tube mag length - half/button; two-thirds; full: full
'8) Safety – tang/crossbolt/none with half-cock: none with half-cock
9) Barrel length: 20”
10) Barrel configuration - octagon/round/half-oct: round
11) Barrel weight – lightweight(pencil)/standard/heavy: lightweight
12) Cartridge length – pistol / rifle: no preference
13) Caliber (this may be hard for many, so pick a range if you want): .25 or larger
14) Optimum to maximum weight (range) (unloaded but field ready): 5½-6½ lbs
15) Scoped or open sights: n/a
16) Scout mount or standard mount: n/a
17) Scope power: n/a
18) Front sight – bead; post/blade; globe with inserts; hooded/unhooded: post/blade, unhooded: Sourdough post, unhooded
19) Barrel sight – none/blank; folding; sporting/semi-buckhorn: none/blank
20) Aperture sight – receiver/tang/none: receiver
21) Metal finish - blue, stainless, parkerized/robar, blue/case colors: blue/cased
22) Make/action: Marlin 336, Marlin 94, Winchester 92, Winchester 94, Winchester 1886, Winchester 1895, Savage 99

[RIHMFIRE]

1) Configuration – rifle/carbine (nose cap or barrel bands): rifle
2) Butt – shotgun/crescent/carbine/pad: cresent
3) Stock – pistol/straight: straight
4) Stock – checkered/smooth: checkered
5) Takedown/solid frame: solid
6) Box mag / tube magazine: tube fed
7) Tube mag length - half/button; two-thirds; full: full
'8) Safety – tang/crossbolt/none with half-cock: none with half-cock
9) Barrel length: 26
10) Barrel configuration - octagon/round/half-oct: octagon
11) Barrel weight – lightweight(pencil)/standard/heavy: standard
12) Cartridge length – pistol / rifle: rifle
13) Caliber (this may be hard for many, so pick a range if you want): 38-55
14) Optimum to maximum weight (range) (unloaded but field ready): 7 to 8
15) Scoped or open sights: open
16) Scout mount or standard mount: n/a
17) Scope power: n/a
18) Front sight – bead; post/blade; globe with inserts; hooded/unhooded: post ,unhooded
19) Barrel sight – none/blank; folding; sporting/semi-buckhorn: buckhorn
20) Aperture sight – receiver/tang/none: tang

but I am an equal opportunity shooter....
I like em all!

[dr walker]

1) Configuration – rifle/carbine (nose cap or barrel bands): rifle
2) Butt – shotgun/crescent/carbine/pad: shotgun
3) Stock – pistol/straight: pistol
4) Stock – checkered/smooth: smooth
5) Takedown/solid frame: solid
6) Box mag / tube magazine: tube fed
7) Tube mag length - half/button; two-thirds; full: full
'8) Safety – tang/crossbolt/none with half-cock: none with half-cock
9) Barrel length: 26
10) Barrel configuration - octagon/round/half-oct: half oct
11) Barrel weight – lightweight(pencil)/standard/heavy: standard
12) Cartridge length – pistol / rifle: rifle
13) Caliber (this may be hard for many, so pick a range if you want): 45-70
14) Optimum to maximum weight (range) (unloaded but field ready): 8-9
15) Scoped or open sights: open
16) Scout mount or standard mount: n/a
17) Scope power: n/a
18) Front sight – bead; post/blade; globe with inserts; hooded/unhooded: post ,unhooded
19) Barrel sight – none/blank; folding; sporting/semi-buckhorn: folding
20) Aperture sight – receiver/tang/none: reciever

[alnitak]

1) Configuration – rifle/carbine (nose cap or barrel bands): carbine
2) Butt – shotgun/crescent/carbine/pad: crescent
3) Stock – pistol/straight: straight
4) Stock – checkered/smooth: smooth
5) Takedown/solid frame: takedown
6) Box mag / tube magazine: tube fed
7) Tube mag length - half/button; two-thirds; full: full
'8) Safety – tang/crossbolt/none with half-cock: none with half-cock
9) Barrel length: 20”
10) Barrel configuration - octagon/round/half-oct: octagon
11) Barrel weight – lightweight(pencil)/standard/heavy: standard
12) Cartridge length – pistol / rifle: rifle
13) Caliber (this may be hard for many, so pick a range if you want): .30-30
14) Optimum to maximum weight (range) (unloaded but field ready): 6 to 8 lbs
15) Scoped or open sights: open
16) Scout mount or standard mount: n/a
17) Scope power: n/a
18) Front sight – bead; post/blade; globe with inserts; hooded/unhooded: bead, unhooded
19) Barrel sight – none/blank; folding; sporting/semi-buckhorn: folding
20) Aperture sight – receiver/tang/none: receiver

[AndyM]

1) Configuration – rifle/carbine (nose cap or barrel bands): rifle
2) Butt – shotgun/crescent/carbine/pad: crescent
3) Stock – pistol/straight: straight
4) Stock – checkered/smooth: smooth
5) Takedown/solid frame: solid
6) Box mag / tube magazine: tube fed
7) Tube mag length - half/button; two-thirds; full: full
'8) Safety – tang/crossbolt/none with half-cock: none with half-cock
9) Barrel length: 22" - 26"
10) Barrel configuration - octagon/round/half-oct: octagon
11) Barrel weight – lightweight(pencil)/standard/heavy: standard
12) Cartridge length – pistol / rifle: rifle
13) Caliber (this may be hard for many, so pick a range if you want): 32 WCF, 44WCF, 45-70 .30-30
14) Optimum to maximum weight (range) (unloaded but field ready): 6 to 8 lbs
15) Scoped or open sights: open
16) Scout mount or standard mount: n/a
17) Scope power: n/a
18) Front sight – bead; post/blade; globe with inserts; hooded/unhooded: post, unhooded
19) Barrel sight – none/blank; folding; sporting/semi-buckhorn: none
20) Aperture sight – receiver/tang/none: tang

[Pete44ru]

I actually altered one to my ideal - the old Winchester 94 Deluxe - an early BigBore94 in .375 Win.
If I had it to do over again, I would do the same, but in .356 Win - although not in an AE model.

My limitation at the time was the original 20" barrel, but I shortened the mag to a button, and swapped out the buttstock, lever, and lower tang with a pistol-gripped version from an 1894-1994 Centennial Model w/crescent buttplate.
Everything bolted in easily, and the wood stain/figure and checkering exactly matched the existing XTR forend's.

1) Configuration: rifle
2) Butt: crescent
3) Stock: pistol
4) Stock: checkered
5) Frame: solid
6) Magazine: tube
7) Mag length: button
'8) Safety: half-cock
9) Bbl length: 22-24”
10) Bbl config: round
11) Bbl weight: lightweight
12) Cartridge type: rifle
13) Caliber: .356 Win
14) Optimum weight: 7lbs
15) Scope/sights: neither
16) Scout/standard mount: neither
17) Scope power: n/a
18) Front sight: ramp/bead, unhooded
19) Bbl rear sight: none, bbl w/o dovetail slot
20) Aperture sight: bolt peep

.

[Grizz]

1) Configuration – carbine (nose cap or barrel bands)
2) Butt – shotgun
3) Stock – straight
4) Stock – checkered or smooth
5) Takedown/solid frame: solid
6) Box mag / tube magazine: tube fed
7) Tube mag length - full
'8) Safety – tang/crossbolt/none with half-cock: none with half-cock
9) Barrel length: 16 - 18”
10) Barrel configuration - octagon
11) Barrel weight – standard
12) Cartridge length – pistol or rifle: depends on cartridge
13) Caliber (this may be hard for many, so pick a range if you want): pistol: .44 or .45 or .480 rifle: 45/70
14) Optimum to maximum weight (range) (unloaded but field ready): 7 to 9 lbs
15) Scoped or open sights: open
16) Scout mount or standard mount: n/a
17) Scope power: n/a
18) Front sight – bead; fiber no hood
19) Barrel sight – none/blank;
20) Aperture sight – receiver/tang/none: receiver

21) Material: stainless steel
22) Action: Winchester 1892 and Winchester 1886

[GoatGuy]

1) Configuration – rifle/carbine (nose cap or barrel bands): carbine
2) Butt – shotgun/crescent/carbine/pad: shotgun
3) Stock – pistol/straight: straight
4) Stock – checkered/smooth: smooth
5) Takedown/solid frame: solid
6) Box mag / tube magazine: tube fed
7) Tube mag length - half/button; two-thirds; full: two-thirds
'8) Safety – tang/crossbolt/none with half-cock: none with half-cock
9) Barrel length: 20" - 22”
10) Barrel configuration - octagon/round/half-oct: round
11) Barrel weight – lightweight(pencil)/standard/heavy: standard
12) Cartridge length – pistol / rifle: rifle
13) Caliber (this may be hard for many, so pick a range if you want): .30 - .45
14) Optimum to maximum weight (range) (unloaded but field ready): 6.75 to 8
15) Scoped or open sights: open
16) Scout mount or standard mount: n.a.
17) Scope power: n.a.
18) Front sight – bead; post/blade; globe with inserts; hooded/unhooded: bead/hooded
19) Barrel sight – none/blank; folding; sporting/semi-buckhorn: folding
20) Aperture sight – receiver/tang/none: receiver

[Old Ironsights]

1) Configuration – rifle/carbine (nose cap or barrel bands): rifle
2) Butt – shotgun/crescent/carbine/pad: crescent
3) Stock – pistol/straight: pistol
4) Stock – checkered/smooth: smooth
5) Takedown/solid frame: takedown
6) Box mag / tube magazine: tube fed
7) Tube mag length - half/button; two-thirds; full: full
'8) Safety – tang/crossbolt/none with half-cock: none with half-cock
9) Barrel length: 20”
10) Barrel configuration - octagon/round/half-oct: round
11) Barrel weight – lightweight(pencil)/standard/heavy: standard
12) Cartridge length – pistol / rifle: pistol? (straight wall cartridge)
13) Caliber (this may be hard for many, so pick a range if you want): .348 to .375
14) Optimum to maximum weight (range) (unloaded but field ready): 7 to 9 lbs
15) Scoped or open sights: open
16) Scout mount or standard mount: n/a
17) Scope power: n/a
18) Front sight – bead; post/blade; globe with inserts; hooded/unhooded: post/blade, hooded
19) Barrel sight – none/blank; folding; sporting/semi-buckhorn: folding
20) Aperture sight – receiver/tang/none: receiver

EDIT: I would pick "Box" over "Tube" magazines if I could get more than a 5-shot BLR mag... (like my 50rd 96/22 "banana" clip...)

[J Miller]

1) Configuration – rifle/carbine (nose cap or barrel bands): carbine
2) Butt – shotgun/crescent/carbine/pad: shotgun (checkered metal)
3) Stock – pistol/straight: pistol
4) Stock – checkered/smooth: smooth
5) Takedown/solid frame: solid frame
6) Box mag / tube magazine: tube fed
7) Tube mag length - half/button; two-thirds; full: full only
'8) Safety – tang/crossbolt/none with half-cock: none with half-cock
9) Barrel length: 20”
10) Barrel configuration - octagon/round/half-oct: round
11) Barrel weight – lightweight(pencil)/standard/heavy: standard
12) Cartridge length – pistol / rifle: rifle
13) Caliber (this may be hard for many, so pick a range if you want): 30WCF
14) Optimum to maximum weight (range) (unloaded but field ready): 6 to 8 pounds
15) Scoped or open sights: open
16) Scout mount or standard mount: n/a
17) Scope power: n/a
18) Front sight – bead; post/blade; globe with inserts; hooded/unhooded: post/blade, unhooded
19) Barrel sight – none/blank; folding; sporting/semi-buckhorn: none/blank
20) Aperture sight – receiver/tang/none: side mounted receiver sight, Lyman 66A preferred
21) Metal finish - blue, stainless, parkerized/robar, blue/case colors: plain blue or blue/cased
22) Make/action: Pre USRAC Winchester

Hmmmm, I think I just described a Mdl 94 Winchester.

Joe

[Mike D.]

The following requirements must be met in an 1886 Winchester.
None other will do.

1) Configuration – rifle/carbine (nose cap or barrel bands): rifle
2) Butt – shotgun/crescent/carbine/pad: shotgun w/hard rubber BP
3) Stock – pistol/straight: pistol
4) Stock – checkered/smooth: checkered
5) Takedown/solid frame: takedown
6) Box mag / tube magazine: tube fed
7) Tube mag length - half/button; two-thirds; full: full
'8) Safety – tang/crossbolt/none with half-cock: none with half-cock
9) Barrel length: 22”
10) Barrel configuration - octagon/round/half-oct: round
11) Barrel weight – lightweight(pencil)/standard/heavy: rapid taper lightweight
12) Cartridge length – pistol / rifle: rifle
13) Caliber (this may be hard for many, so pick a range if you want): .40-82 WCF
14) Optimum to maximum weight (range) (unloaded but field ready): 7 to 9 lbs
15) Scoped or open sights: open
16) Scout mount or standard mount: n/a
17) Scope power: n/a
18) Front sight – bead; post/blade; globe with inserts; hooded/unhooded: post/blade, unhooded
19) Barrel sight – none/blank; folding; sporting/semi-buckhorn: blank
20) Aperture sight – receiver/tang/none: receiver, Lyman #56

[AJMD429]

1) Configuration – rifle/carbine (nose cap or barrel bands): carbine/barrel band
2) Butt – shotgun/crescent/carbine/pad: pad
3) Stock – pistol/straight: pistol
4) Stock – checkered/smooth: checkered
5) Takedown/solid frame: solid frame
6) Box mag / tube magazine: tube fed - BUT preferably with a removeable tube magazine which can be stored loaded!
7) Tube mag length - half/button; two-thirds; full: full
'8) Safety – tang/crossbolt/none with half-cock: crossbolt like Marlin plus halfcock
9) Barrel length: 20”
10) Barrel configuration - octagon/round/half-oct: round
11) Barrel weight – lightweight(pencil)/standard/heavy: heavy
12) Cartridge length – pistol / rifle: 'long' pistol - for 500 S&W
13) Caliber (this may be hard for many, so pick a range if you want): .429 to .500 (.500 S&W; or .460 S&W if long action)
14) Optimum to maximum weight (range) (unloaded but field ready): 7 to 8 lbs
15) Scoped or open sights: open but see next answer
16) Scout mount or standard mount: see through, on receiver, either quick-detatch and not interfering with receiver sight, or with an incorporated receiver sight in the base of the rings.
17) Scope power: 5-20
18) Front sight – bead; post/blade; globe with inserts; hooded/unhooded: bead, removable hood
19) Barrel sight – none/blank; folding; sporting/semi-buckhorn: folding aperture or none
20) Aperture sight – receiver/tang/none: receiver
21) Finish: Stainless

[71fan]

Thanks for the input so far. The spreadsheet is growing quickly.

I added two categories based on a few requests and comments. One is for metal finish and one is for action type. I should have included finish and simply overlooked it. I had considered action type, and left it out originally because I figured the resultant levergun would dictate the action, and/or it would be adaptable to multiple actions. Plus, I wanted this to be action adn manufacturer neutral. However, I can see how the information would be useful and I will start tabulating it if you want to include it.

The new categories are numbers 21 and 22 on my original post.

If you've already posted, don't worry about adding them unless you want to. Edit your original response and I'll see the edits and add the info.

Thank you all everyone for your participation.

[Old Savage]

This is the one that best fills the requirements of the question - .308. But it's funtionality could be improved with a factory rubber butt pad if I could find a good one. And, it is my wife's favorite - she calls it the autumn gun - she likes the "checkering". She doesn't shoot she just likes the way it looks.

[Ben_Rumson]

Exactly like hfcable's
http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewt ... it=+hunter

[DavidS]

In a Winchester levergun it should have the following.
1- Octagon or half round barrel
2- Rifle configuration
3- Creasent butt
4- Pistol grip stock
5- Full or button magizine
6- Tang sight
7- Checkered wood is a plus
8- Pre 1942 manufacture

[Bruce Scott]

1) Configuration – rifle/carbine (nose cap or barrel bands): RIFLE
2) Butt – shotgun/crescent/carbine/pad: CRESCENT
3) Stock – pistol/straight: STRAIGHT
4) Stock – checkered/smooth: CHECKERED
5) Takedown/solid frame: SOLID
6) Box mag / tube magazine: TUBE
7) Tube mag length - BUTTON
'8) Safety – HALF COCK
9) Barrel length: 24"
10) Barrel configuration - OCTAGON or ROUND
11) Barrel weight – STD/HEAVY
12) Cartridge length – pistol / rifle: RIFLE
13) Caliber (this may be hard for many, so pick a range if you want): 38-55
14) Optimum to maximum weight (range) (unloaded but field ready): 7-8 LBS
15) Scoped or open sights: EYES DEMAND A SCOPE
16) Scout mount or standard mount: STD
17) Scope power: 2.5X
18) Front sight – bead; post/blade; globe with inserts; hooded/unhooded: post/blade, unhooded: BLADE or SOURDOUGH, UNHOODED (if I could still see)
19) Barrel sight – none/blank; folding; sporting/semi-buckhorn: NONE
20) Aperture sight – receiver/tang/none: RECEIVER (comment at 18 applies)
21) Finish: BLUE
22) Action: WIN 94 (W/O REBOUNDING HAMMER & SAFETY)

[rjohns94]

1) Configuration – rifle/carbine (nose cap or barrel bands): rifle
2) Butt – shotgun/crescent/carbine/pad: pad
3) Stock – pistol/straight: straight
4) Stock – checkered/smooth: smooth
5) Takedown/solid frame: takedown
6) Box mag / tube magazine: tube fed
7) Tube mag length - half/button; two-thirds; full: two-thirds
'8) Safety – tang/crossbolt/none with half-cock: none with half-cock
9) Barrel length: 22”
10) Barrel configuration - octagon/round/half-oct: round
11) Barrel weight – lightweight(pencil)/standard/heavy: standard
12) Cartridge length – pistol / rifle: rifle
13) Caliber (this may be hard for many, so pick a range if you want): .457 mag
14) Optimum to maximum weight (range) (unloaded but field ready): 7 lbs
15) Scoped or open sights: open and Scout mount
16) Scout mount or standard mount: scout
17) Scope power: 1-3x
18) Front sight – bead; post/blade; globe with inserts; hooded/unhooded: post/with high vis bead/ hooded
19) Barrel sight – none/blank; folding; sporting/semi-buckhorn: none
20) Aperture sight – receiver/tang/none: ghost ring rear
21) Metal finish - blue, stainless, parkerized/robar, blue/case colors: parkerized
22) Make/action: marlin 1895


My Wild West Guns Co-pilot is my version of the perfect hunting levergun. I tried to answer to reflect that. add accurate, fast handling, action job, oversized lever and for my type of hunting, its perfect. I can't think how to improve on it. I know its not beautiful in looks, but in function and performance its simply the best I can imagine.

[John in MS]

1) Configuration – rifle/carbine (nose cap or barrel bands): rifle
2) Butt – shotgun/crescent/carbine/pad: pad
3) Stock – pistol/straight: pistol
4) Stock – checkered/smooth: checkeredl
5) Takedown/solid frame: takedown preferred, solid frame ok if takedown unavailable
6) Box mag / tube magazine: tube fed
7) Tube mag length - half/button; two-thirds; full: button
'8) Safety – tang/crossbolt/none with half-cock: none, with half-cock (crisp trigger, no more than 3.5 lbs)
9) Barrel length: 22"
10) Barrel configuration - octagon/round/half-oct: round
11) Barrel weight – lightweight(pencil)/standard/heavy: lightweight
12) Cartridge length – pistol / rifle: rifle
13) Caliber (this may be hard for many, so pick a range if you want): .30-30
14) Optimum to maximum weight (range) (unloaded but field ready): 6.5-7.5 lbs
15) Scoped or open sights: open barrel sight (see below) and receiver sight (primary)
16) side mount (no extra holes required on Win 94) for occasional scope use as needed
17) Scope power: 2-7X Leupold if eyesight declines, or for use in load development/specialized hunting situations
18) Front sight – Redfield sourdough post, no hood
19) Barrel sight – folding: original, early Marble's 95 (NOT current production, which is different!) -- folds completely flat, has no elevator, does not interfere with receiver sight, can be zeroed for a different load from aperture sight, such as a small game load or a deer load if aperture is zeroed for small game
20) Aperture sight – Receiver: original, steel Lyman 66, which allows instant removal of aperture slide and quick return to zero; Merit hunting adjustable aperture. Removable slide allows quickly choosing folding barrel sight.
21) Finish: Rust blue, bone/charcoal case hardening
22) Action: Winchester 94, pre-1950
23) Forend: pre-war Winchester 64 rifle type -- more slender than post-war 64, but not as slim as regular 94 rifle type. Sorry to be so specific, but I can't help it -- I love that forend!!

Basically, my needs could be met by a Winchester 64 (prewar preferred) right out of the box...

[TCB in TN]

1) Configuration – rifle/carbine (nose cap or barrel bands): would like both
2) Butt – shotgun/crescent/carbine/pad: any but crescent
3) Stock – pistol/straight: straight
4) Stock – checkered/smooth: checkered
5) Takedown/solid frame: solid
6) Box mag / tube magazine: box mag
7) Tube mag length - half/button; two-thirds; full:
'8) Safety – tang/crossbolt/none with half-cock: none with half-cock
9) Barrel length: 16" for carbine 22” for rifle
10) Barrel configuration - octagon/round/half-oct: round
11) Barrel weight – lightweight(pencil)/standard/heavy: lightweight for carbine, standard for rifle
12) Cartridge length – pistol / rifle: rifle
13) Caliber (this may be hard for many, so pick a range if you want): .243, .308, and .358win
14) Optimum to maximum weight (range) (unloaded but field ready): 7 to 9 lbs
15) Scoped or open sights: flat top rec. with good open and able to mount a scope if needed
16) Scout mount or standard mount: Scope
17) Scope power: depends upon type of hunting
18) Front sight – bead; post/blade; globe with inserts; hooded/unhooded: post/blade, unhooded
19) Barrel sight – none/blank; folding; sporting/semi-buckhorn: folding
20) Aperture sight – receiver/tang/none: receiver
21) Metal finish - blue, stainless, parkerized/robar, blue/case colors: blue/cased
22) Make/action: no preference a slightly lighter sleeker short action BLR.

[Griff]

I might be lucky, but I have "THE ONE". And, it is one that I built myself (with some professional help) back in '89-'90. But I'm willing and desirous to have some differences between a few, therein lies the motivation for my "projects".
1) Configuration – rifle/carbine (nose cap or barrel bands): rifle
2) Butt – shotgun/crescent/carbine/pad: crescent
3) Stock – pistol/straight: straight
4) Stock – checkered/smooth: smooth
5) Takedown/solid frame: solid
6) Box mag / tube magazine: tube fed
7) Tube mag length - half/button; two-thirds; full: full
'8) Safety – tang/crossbolt/none with half-cock: none with half-cock
9) Barrel length: 2”
10) Barrel configuration - octagon/round/half-oct: octagon
11) Barrel weight – lightweight(pencil)/standard/heavy: heavy
12) Cartridge length – pistol / rifle: rifle
13) Caliber (this may be hard for many, so pick a range if you want): .30-30
14) Optimum to maximum weight (range) (unloaded but field ready): 8-½ lbs
15) Scoped or open sights: open
16) Scout mount or standard mount: n/a
17) Scope power: n/a
18) Front sight – bead; post/blade; globe with inserts; hooded/unhooded: "T" post in globe
19) Barrel sight – none/blank; folding; sporting/semi-buckhorn: none
20) Aperture sight – receiver/tang/none: tang
21) Finish: CCH & blue
22) Action: Winchester 94
23) Wood grade: XX fancy



The next project I'm building for myself will be configured thusly:
1) Configuration – rifle/carbine (nose cap or barrel bands): rifle
2) Butt – shotgun/crescent/carbine/pad: crescent
3) Stock – pistol/straight: pistol grip
4) Stock – checkered/smooth: smooth
5) Takedown/solid frame: solid
6) Box mag / tube magazine: tube fed
7) Tube mag length - half/button; two-thirds; full: full
'8) Safety – tang/crossbolt/none with half-cock: none with half-cock
9) Barrel length: 26”
10) Barrel configuration - octagon/round/half-oct: octagon
11) Barrel weight – lightweight(pencil)/standard/heavy: heavy
12) Cartridge length – pistol / rifle: rifle
13) Caliber (this may be hard for many, so pick a range if you want): .32-40
14) Optimum to maximum weight (range) (unloaded but field ready): ~8-½ lbs
15) Scoped or open sights: open
16) Scout mount or standard mount: n/a
17) Scope power: n/a
18) Front sight – bead; post/blade; globe with inserts; hooded/unhooded: globe w/inserts
19) Barrel sight – none/blank; folding; sporting/semi-buckhorn: none
20) Aperture sight – receiver/tang/none: tang[/quote]
21) Finish: CCH & blue
22) Action: Winchester 94
23) Wood grade: Exhibition

The one after that will be:
1) Configuration – rifle/carbine (nose cap or barrel bands): rifle
2) Butt – shotgun/crescent/carbine/pad: crescent
3) Stock – pistol/straight: pistol grip
4) Stock – checkered/smooth: smooth
5) Takedown/solid frame: solid
6) Box mag / tube magazine: tube fed
7) Tube mag length - half/button; two-thirds; full: ½ or ¾
'8) Safety – tang/crossbolt/none with half-cock: none with half-cock
9) Barrel length: 26”
10) Barrel configuration - octagon/round/half-oct: ½ round/octagon
11) Barrel weight – lightweight(pencil)/standard/heavy: standard
12) Cartridge length – pistol / rifle: rifle
13) Caliber (this may be hard for many, so pick a range if you want): .30WCF
14) Optimum to maximum weight (range) (unloaded but field ready): ~8 lbs
15) Scoped or open sights: open
16) Scout mount or standard mount: n/a
17) Scope power: n/a
18) Front sight – bead; post/blade; globe with inserts; hooded/unhooded: post
19) Barrel sight – none/blank; folding; sporting/semi-buckhorn: none
20) Aperture sight – receiver/tang/none: tang
21) Finish: CCH & blue
22) Action: Winchester 94
23) Wood grade: Exhibition

Actions are almost ready for final polishing and being refinished, one still needs some final fitting of the bolt:


And the wood should be received soon:


Now all I have to do is locate that .32-40 barrel. Thinking of going to Shilen to see what they might be able to do for me.
As you can see there are some similarities between all three. Go figure!

[Cimarron Red]

1) Configuration: rifle
2) Butt: shotgun
3) Stock: pistol
4) Stock: checkered with cheekpiece and cast-off and palm swell
5) Frame: take-down
6) Magazine: tube
7) Mag length: half
'8) Safety: half-cock
9) Bbl length: 26”
10) Bbl config: part octagon with top surface matte
11) Bbl weight: standard
12) Cartridge type: rifle
13) Caliber: .45-70 Gov't
14) Optimum weight: 7 -9 lbs
15) Scope/sights: sights
16) Scout/standard mount: n/a
17) Scope power: n/a
18) Front sight: bead, unhooded - Marble's Reversible
19) Bbl rear sight: none, bbl w/o dovetail slot
20) Aperture sight: tang, vernier
21) Finish CC & blue
22) Action 1886 Win
23) Wood Grade XX fancy
24) Trigger double set

I've added a category for trigger type.

[Griff]

24) Trigger double set
I've added a category for trigger type.

OOOHHHHH! If only that were an option... even a single set would make into the mix.

[Cimarron Red]

Hey, Griff,

They can still be found, but only on old guns. Here's one on my 94 Winchester rifle made in 1927.

[86er]

1) Configuration – rifle/carbine (nose cap or barrel bands): carbine or short rifle
2) Butt – shotgun/crescent/carbine/pad: shotgun with pad
3) Stock – pistol/straight: straight
4) Stock – checkered/smooth: checkered
5) Takedown/solid frame: takedown
6) Box mag / tube magazine: No preference
7) Tube mag length - half/button; two-thirds; full: two-thirds
'8) Safety – tang/crossbolt/none with half-cock: none with half-cock
9) Barrel length: 20" -22”
10) Barrel configuration - octagon/round/half-oct: round
11) Barrel weight – lightweight(pencil)/standard/heavy: lightweight
12) Cartridge length – pistol / rifle: rifle
13) Caliber (this may be hard for many, so pick a range if you want): .348 to .458
14) Optimum to maximum weight (range) (unloaded but field ready): 7 to 8 lbs
15) Scoped or open sights: open peep sights or scope, prefer capable for both
16) Scout mount or standard mount: weaver scope mount
17) Scope power: 4X or variable
18) Front sight – bead; post/blade; globe with inserts; hooded/unhooded: bead, unhooded
19) Barrel sight – none/blank; folding; sporting/semi-buckhorn: folding
20) Aperture sight – receiver/tang/none: receiver
21) Metal finish - blue, stainless, parkerized/robar, blue/case colors: blue/cased
22) Make/action: Win including Miroku or Browning marked

[71fan]

I have a few details based on the first 30 responses (up to 86er's post). I'll let it run through this weekend and see if we can add some more before I get the final results.

Here's the way it's shaping up:
Solid frame, rifle configuration, with a checkered pistol grip stock and a shotgun butt
22" standard weight round barrel, tube fed with a full mag tube
Caliber: .367 (average)
Open sights with an unhooded post/blade front, folding barrel or blank (tied), and a receiver mounted aperture sight
Metal finish would be blued/color cased

I looked through the Brophy/Marlin book, and the Madis/Winchester book, and found one picture of a very closely configured special order 1886 in Madis' book. It even has a Lyman 21 receiver sight and a folding barrel sight. I'll try to scan it and post it here later, but it's not a very good picture to begin with.

Anyway, thanks for all the responses - this has been enjoyable.

[Kansas Ed]

1) Configuration – rifle/carbine (nose cap or barrel bands): rifle
2) Butt – shotgun/crescent/carbine/pad: Crescent
3) Stock – pistol/straight: Straight
4) Stock – checkered/smooth: smooth
5) Takedown/solid frame: Solid Frame
6) Box mag / tube magazine: tube fed
7) Tube mag length - half/button; two-thirds; full: full
'8) Safety – tang/crossbolt/none with half-cock: none with half-cock
9) Barrel length: 26"
10) Barrel configuration - octagon/round/half-oct: Octagon
11) Barrel weight – lightweight(pencil)/standard/heavy: Standard
12) Cartridge length – pistol / rifle: rifle
13) Caliber (this may be hard for many, so pick a range if you want): .40
14) Optimum to maximum weight (range) (unloaded but field ready): 7 to 9 lbs
15) Scoped or open sights: open
16) Scout mount or standard mount: n/a
17) Scope power: n/a
18) Front sight – bead; post/blade; globe with inserts; hooded/unhooded: bead, unhooded
19) Barrel sight – none/blank; folding; sporting/semi-buckhorn: full buckhorn
20) Aperture sight – receiver/tang/none: none
21) Metal finish - blue, stainless, parkerized/robar, blue/case colors: blue/cased
22) Make/action: 1886 Winchester

Ed

[Schlemiel]

1) Configuration – rifle/carbine (nose cap or barrel bands): rifle
2) Butt – shotgun/crescent/carbine/pad: shotgun
3) Stock – pistol/straight: straight
4) Stock – checkered/smooth: checkered
5) Takedown/solid frame: takedown
6) Box mag / tube magazine: tube fed
7) Tube mag length - half/button; two-thirds; full: full
'8) Safety – tang/crossbolt/none with half-cock: crossbolt - for unloading (I know...)
9) Barrel length: 16”
10) Barrel configuration - octagon/round/half-oct: round
11) Barrel weight – lightweight(pencil)/standard/heavy: lightweight
12) Cartridge length – pistol / rifle: pistol
13) Caliber (this may be hard for many, so pick a range if you want): .44
14) Optimum to maximum weight (range) (unloaded but field ready): 6 lbs
15) Scoped or open sights: open
16) Scout mount or standard mount: n/a
17) Scope power: n/a
18) Front sight – bead; post/blade; globe with inserts; hooded/unhooded: post/blade, unhooded
19) Barrel sight – none/blank; folding; sporting/semi-buckhorn: n/a
20) Aperture sight – receiver/tang/none: receiver
21) Metal finish - blue, stainless, parkerized/robar, blue/case colors: blue
22) Make/action: Marlin 1894

[.45]

1) Configuration – rifle/carbine (nose cap or barrel bands): rifle
2) Butt – shotgun/crescent/carbine/pad: crescent
3) Stock – pistol/straight: straight
(4) Stock – checkered/smooth: smooth
5) Takedown/solid frame: solid
6) Box mag / tube magazine: tube fed
7) Tube mag length - half/button; two-thirds; full: two-thirds
'8) Safety – tang/crossbolt/none with half-cock: none with half-cock
9) Barrel length: 22”
10) Barrel configuration - octagon/round/half-oct: round
11) Barrel weight – lightweight(pencil)/standard/heavy: standard
12) Cartridge length – pistol / rifle: rifle
13) Caliber (this may be hard for many, so pick a range if you want): .444 to 45/70
14) Optimum to maximum weight (range) (unloaded but field ready): 7 to 9 lbs
15) Scoped or open sights: open
16) Scout mount or standard mount: n/a
17) Scope power: n/a
18) Front sight – bead; post/blade; globe with inserts; hooded/unhooded: bead
19) Barrel sight – none/blank; folding; sporting/semi-buckhorn: folding
20) Aperture sight – receiver/tang/none: receiver
21) Metal finish - blue, stainless, parkerized/robar, blue/case colors: blue
22) Make/action: marlin 1895