NOVEMBER 24, 2025
 
 
 

FEATURE

 

Before The Lever Gun Chronicles, I never considered myself a lever-gun guy. I didn’t own cowboy boots. I didn’t grow up on ranches or horses. I wasn’t raised on frontier movies or steeped in cowboy mythology. But none of that mattered. Somewhere between the steel, the wood, the action, and the stories, these rifles became something more than a curiosity.

They became teachers.

Theodore Roosevelt once said, “The Winchester rifle is by all odds the best weapon yet made for the game I hunt. “Buffalo Bill Cody famously called the lever gun “the boss of all rifles,” and Annie Oakley proved its brilliance to the world with every exhibition shot she ever made. Their words and deeds remind us that lever guns have always been more than tools. They are symbols of ingenuity, reliability, and the American character itself.

The lever gun has been declared obsolete more times than any other American firearm. Yet it keeps returning, earning back its place, again. And here we are in 2025, seeing not a revival driven by nostalgia but a renewed respect built on performance, history, and heart. Walk into any shop and you’ll find lever guns lined up proudly, not as novelties but as serious hunting rifles. Lever guns didn’t disappear.

America simply remembered them.

My introduction to lever guns began with humility. I wrestled early with the so-called “range limitations,” those tired internet talking points that obsess over what lever guns cannot do instead of what they teach. At first, those limits frustrated me. Was I capable of being effective with a rifle that forced me to get close?

Eventually, I realized the truth: those limits were lessons. The lever gun pushed me to hunt harder, move smarter, and become far more aware of my surroundings. Instead of stretching distance, I sharpened my fieldcraft. Instead of relying on reach, I relied on skill.

Ask any hunter and they will tell you: the bolt-action rifle is a ballistically superior tool, no question. If my only goal were to stretch my shots across the horizon and claim technical victories, I would always choose a bolt-action. But if I want to sharpen my instincts, my patience, my woodsmanship, if I want to be a better hunter, then the lever gun is the best mentor a rifleman could ask for. Its limits demand creativity, discipline, and skill. Its lessons are hard-won and lasting.

In that process, I didn’t just grow as a marksman or hunter; I grew as a person. The lever gun refined my accuracy, sure, but it also refined my character. That is honor. That is brilliance. And that is the American spirit, expressed in steel, walnut, and yes, sometimes carbon fiber.

One of the biggest revelations from a year covering this platform was discovering that today’s lever-gun renaissance isn’t owned by a single company. It’s an industry-wide movement. Winchester carried the torch through generations. Henry brought lever guns back into everyday American homes. Rossi welcomed new shooters. Browning elevated strength and refinement. Uberti and Pedersoli preserved Old World craftsmanship. Smith & Wesson shocked the industry with a bold re-entry. Marlin, reborn under Ruger, returned stronger, tighter, and more precise than ever.

This resurgence isn’t rivalry-fueled. Its passion fueled. Every manufacturer placing a lever gun on the shelf sustains a part of America’s identity. Every hunter carrying one into the field writes the next chapter.

Talk with hunters across the country and you hear the same thing:

A lever gun just feels right.

That connection isn’t nostalgia. It’s truth. Lever guns cycle fast without breaking cheek weld. They move intuitively through brush and timber. They are safe to carry chambered. They can take the biggest game in North America – or the world. And they create a bond between hunter and moment that modern rifles sometimes struggle to replicate. 

Today’s lever guns are the most capable they’ve ever been. Precision machining has tightened tolerances. Forged receivers add strength. Threaded muzzles welcome suppressors. Optics-ready rails pair seamlessly with modern glass. Feeding geometry, finishes, triggers, stocks, all of it has improved.

Ammunition makers like Hornady, Federal, Remington, and Buffalo Bore have been just as instrumental, creating ammunition specifically tuned for lever guns across hunting environments and big-game species.

This revival proves something important:

The lever gun belongs to all of us.

Its future isn’t owned by Marlin, or Henry, or Winchester, or Rossi, or Smith & Wesson, or Pedersoli, or Uberti.

Its future belongs to the entire American firearms community, manufacturers, hunters, guides, craftsmen, engineers, people who love this platform and push it forward.

We are living in a rare moment where the entire industry is pulling in the same direction. And that direction is forward.

Looking ahead, the next decade will reshape lever guns more dramatically than the last century. Suppressor-ready models, new lever-specific cartridges, precision-focused variants, youth and women-specific builds, backcountry-light platforms, ranch-defense configurations, and refined optics integration are no longer concepts, they’re coming. We aren’t witnessing a comeback; we’re witnessing evolution. And evolution, done right, is how heritage lives.

The reason lever guns endure is simple:

They remind people why they fell in love with shooting in the first place.

They have personality. They reward rhythm. They demand responsibility. They carry stories, and they pass them on.

Two of the most challenging hunts of my life were done with lever guns: taking my first mountain lion in Arizona with a Marlin 1894 in .44 Magnum and taking my first bull elk in Colorado with a Smith & Wesson 1854 in .45-70. Those hunts didn’t just prove capability; they gave me swagger. 

The truth is you don’t need to be a cowboy to love a lever gun. These rifles belong to anyone who believes in grit, honesty, craftsmanship, and heritage. Lever guns reflect the character of the people who carry them.

Falling in love with them didn’t just make me a better rifleman or hunter.

It made me more American.

As the editor of The Hunting Wire, I’ve had a front-row seat to this renaissance. And I can say with absolute confidence: lever guns aren’t just alive, they’re thriving.

To every manufacturer building them, every ammunition company pushing boundaries, and every hunter choosing one for the field:

Keep going.

The lever gun isn’t just part of our past.

It is absolutely, undeniably, and proudly part of our future.

Special thanks to GunBroker.com, whose support made The Lever Gun Chronicles possible. Without their partnership, we could not have spent a year exploring the rifles that shaped American hunting, and, in many ways, shaped us.

Jay Pinsky – Editor, The Hunting Wire
jay@theoutdoorwire.com

FEATURE

By Cindy Sandoval, USFWS

The season has turned. Shortening days pull us outside, tugging on old instincts and traditions. It’s hunting season. It’s the final hurrah for warm weather fishing. For many of us, it’s time to come together to gather, to reflect, and to give thanks.

On cold mornings, we rise early and take to public lands and waters, sneaking in a few more days outdoors before winter settles in. We fill our freezers, share thermoses of coffee, swap stories with family and friends, and build the kind of memories that are passed down over campfires and kitchen tables.

Pheasant hunters at Peaceable Hill Farm in Vermont’s Champlain Valley. Photo Courtesy of USFWS

Memories made in the field or on the water, often come full circle at the Thanksgiving table. Of the over 1,150 species of birds and mammals in North America around 145 species can be lawfully harvested through hunting. These species contribute enormously to food resources, collectively providing billions of meals throughout the country. Over a two-year period, U.S. hunters harvested enough game for more than 1.8 billion deer meals, 272 million elk meals, and 43 million wild turkey meals, according to the Wild Harvest Initiative. These meals are not only celebrated, but are often shared with family, friends, and communities. In Texas, 42 percent of hunters reported sharing their harvest with people outside of their household. In Wyoming, over 68 percent of hunters shared their harvest.

Across America, we have access to some of the best outdoor opportunities on Earth. Wild turkeys roam our woodlands. Native trout swim in our cold streams. Elk bugle across our mountain ranges. And in so many places, it’s ours to enjoy. It’s public. It’s abundant.

That abundance is something to be deeply thankful for, because it wasn’t always this way. We live in a golden era of conservation and public access. So golden, in fact, that we often forget this abundance was forged out of scarcity. A century ago, many of the species we see today were fighting for survival. Habitat was vanishing. Waterways were polluted. Game laws were non-existent. There was no coordinated national effort to bring wildlife back, and few dollars to do so even if there had been.

Then came a shift. In 1937, hunters and conservationists led the charge to create lasting change. Their efforts led to the Pittman-Robertson Act, redirecting a federal excise tax on firearm and ammunition manufacturers, marking funds for wildlife restoration and habitat conservation. In 1950, angler efforts followed with the Dingell-Johnson Act, which placed a similar tax on fishing tackle manufacturers and later a portion of the fuel tax attributed to motorboat fuel. Together, these funds created the foundation of the industry-state-federal partnership that fuels American conservation.

For over 80 years, this partnership has worked in the background, putting wildlife back on the landscape and creating access for outdoor pursuits. These federal excise taxes, administered by the Office of Conservation Investment, have paid for state fish and wildlife agency biologist salaries, species restoration, fish hatcheries, wetland restoration, boat ramps, Wildlife Management Areas, public shooting ranges, and hunter education. Every state, commonwealth, and U.S. territory has benefited. Through these acts more than $27 billion have been apportioned to state fish and wildlife agencies for the management of over 500 species of mammals and birds, sport fish populations, and the habitats needed for species survival.

When matched with state hunting and fishing license fees, these funds support conservation for current and future generations, all without costing the general taxpayer a dime. And here’s the kicker, it’s been so successful that we rarely think about it. We step out onto a Wildlife Management Area like it’s always been there. We cast into a lake certain fish have been stocked from the local state hatchery. We call in waterfowl over restored wetlands hoping the off-season practice at the public target shooting range pays off. We do all of this with a quiet assumption that this abundance of species and access will always be here. Thanks to decades of investment and continued partnership, it will.

Sharing a waterfowl harvest and cooking techniques. Photo courtesy of Delta Waterfowl

In this season of gratitude, we give thanks for another year outdoors, for time well spent with loved ones, for meals gathered from the land and waters we all share, and for the generations of foresight that made this abundance possible.
A Message from Real Avid

Real Avid, the leader in DIY for Guns®, has released a brand-new 16-part video series dedicated to one of the most critical—and often misunderstood—aspects of rifle accuracy: The Real Avid Master Series – Scopes - available now in its entirety on YouTube, giving shooters the ultimate “binge-worthy” deep dive into everything you need to know about selecting, mounting, using, and troubleshooting rifle scopes. 

From understanding magnification and reticles to mastering torque specs, ring alignment, and parallax, this all-new educational series takes viewers from scope selection to sight-in with the same methodical precision that defines every Real Avid innovation. Hosted by Real Avid’s in-house technical experts, each video breaks down complex concepts into easy-to-follow instruction that builds both confidence and competence at the bench.

“Understanding scopes and your personal application is fundamental.” comments Dustin Sanchez, Real Avid Pro Staff, “Even the most advanced rifle and high-end scope are useless if your setup isn’t precise. We wanted to arm shooters with not just the tools, but the knowledge to do it right every time.”

16 Videos. One Mission: Precision.

Each episode dives into a key step of the process, including:

  • Selecting the Right Rifle Scope
  1. How to Choose the Perfect Rifle Scope
  2. Understanding Magnification and Variable Power
  3. Tube Diameter and Objective Lens Size
  4. Scope Reticles Explained
  5. First vs. Second Plane Scopes
  6. Zero Stops, Turrets & Scope Features to Know
  7. Hunting vs. Long-Range Optics
  • Mounting and Setting Up Your Scope
  1. Choosing Rings, Bases & Mounts
  2. Scope Mounting – Tools, Setup & Process
  3. Leveling Your Reticle and Why It Matters
  4. Eye Relief & Cheek Weld
  • Using Your Rifle Scope
  1. Bore Sighting Basics
  2. Understanding and Correcting Parallax
  3. Zeroing Your Rifle Scope
  4. Dial or Hold? How to Use Your Scope in the Field
  • Maintenance and Troubleshooting
  1. Scope Care & Maintenance

Whether you’re mounting your first optic or fine-tuning your long-range setup, this series delivers the clarity and confidence every shooter needs to hit the mark.

The Real Avid Master Series – Scopes is available—watch all 16 episodes on the Real Avid YouTube channel.  

HUNTING NEWS & INFORMATION

The Archery Trade Association is proud to announce country music star Chase Rice as the featured entertainment for the ATA Industry Celebration, taking place Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, during the members-only ATA Trade Show in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Get Three Months of MyOutdoorTV for Only 99 Cents/Month

Council Executive Director Chuck Sykes Featured on Fist Full of Dirt Podcast with Host Cuz Strickland

Pope and Young Club has put together the biggest raffle in conservation, The Hunt of the Month, including THIRTEEN world class hunts! 

Fiction publisher Ark Press has announced that its summer 2026 offerings will include American Paladin, a gun-toting fantasy action-adventure from New York Times best-selling author Larry Correia, Red State Mars, the saga of a near-future Mars revolutionary war from two-time Prometheus Award winner Travis J. I. Corcoran, and The Pickle Factory, a biting, satirical novel of the CIA by a former case officer.

Pennsylvania’s statewide firearms deer season – which runs from Nov. 29 through Dec. 13 and includes two Sundays, Nov. 30 and Dec. 7 – will send more than half a million orange-clad hunters out to share time with family and friends, connect with nature, perform boots-on-the-ground wildlife management and secure healthy venison.

German Precision Optics (GPO) proudly announces the launch of the TACTICAL MONO 10x42 ED, a revolutionary compact monocular designed and engineered for rapid, reliable visual assessments in the most demanding environments.

Top Shooting Experts Highlight Must-Have Firearms Deals and Innovations for Hunters and Shooters

The Gamekeepers of Mossy Oak, airing Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on Outdoor Channel, is redefining how to celebrate the great outdoors. This series explores the intersection of science, hunting, fishing, and wildlife conservation, offering viewers and listeners a deeper connection to the natural world.

Fourth & Final Event of 2026 Fishing Class Team Series Set for Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana

Firearms News is Available Now at Newsstands, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, or Local Book Retailer

Collaboration streamlines Insider access for POMA members and strengthens the connection between media, brands, and outdoor professionals

The new Sport line of riflescope rings from Vortex ensure hunters now have an option that will exceed their expectations.

Legendary Competitor Discusses Her Celebrated Career, Time with the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, and New Partnership with Springfield Armory

The AX800 Suprema combines breakthrough gas-system technology, championship barrel engineering, and industry-leading recoil mitigation to deliver more effective shots, faster follow-ups, and less maintenance between hunts.

Stocking Stuffers, Flavor Bundles, and More for the Grill Masters and Food Lovers in Your Life

Whitetails Unlimited awarded more than $160,000 in grants to the National Archery in the Schools Program this past fiscal year.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has confirmed the presence of chronic wasting disease in deer for the first time in two new hunt areas: Deer Hunt Area 106 in the Cody Region, and Deer Hunt Area 150 in the Jackson Region.

This revolutionary product combines the best features of our Micro Elite and Gen Integr8 designs, offering unparalleled performance and customization for archers of all levels.

PRADCO Outdoor Brands is proud to announce the hiring of Daryl Cherry as Category Director (Feed & Seed), a pivotal leadership role responsible for driving growth, innovation, and market impact across two of the industry’s most trusted brands: Whitetail Institute and Ani-Logics Outdoors.

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) proudly recognizes the outstanding performance of Team Ruger member Steve Foster at the Mississippi State Steel Challenge Championship held in Florence, MS.

Fiocchi of America stands at the forefront of defensive, target, and hunting ammunition, proudly celebrating the remarkable accomplishments of its Pro Shooting Team Members Tyler Marshall, Affiliate Anna Rawe, Shelby Skagg and Richard Marshall Jr.

Ralph and Vicki invite you all to tune into their 25th season of The Choice on Pursuit Channel! This episode begins airing Monday November 24th @11:30PM (EST)

The Domestic Sheep/Bighorn Sheep Interaction Working Group will meet at 10 a.m., Nov. 25, in Lander at the Inn at Lander Warbonnet Room, 260 Grandview Drive. The event is hosted by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Wyoming Livestock Board and the Wyoming Department of Agriculture.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s proposed recommendations for 2026 pronghorn, elk, and population management hunts, and Copper State Draws for 2026-2027, are available for review at www.azgfd.com/hunting/regulations/hunt-guidelines-process/.  

Dead Air Silencers announces the appointment of Mike Clark as National Sales Manager – Law Enforcement / Military. The new position underscores the company’s expanding commitment to professional and defense markets both in the United States and abroad.

CZ-USA has joined as a Whitetails Unlimited national sponsor, announced WTU President Jeff Schinkten.

Engineered for compound archery’s Olympic debut, the X10 3.2MM Parallel Pro is also an outstanding choice for recurve and barebow competitors seeking top-tier precision.

In the newest episode of The Michael Waddell Podcast, presented by Spandau Armsand in partnership with Spartan Precision and Folds of Honor, host Michael Waddell is joined by Bill Thompson, founder of the hunting app Spartan Forge. The two discuss the intersection of military intelligence and ethical wildlife pursuit, bridging advanced technology with the traditions of the hunt. 

NSSF and partners to distribute over 2,000 free gun locks to Utah residentsto encourage secure firearm storage and help prevent accidents

By order of the Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission, hunting district 502 shall be closed to the hunting of ALL Bighorn Sheep one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, November 18th, 2025.

National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF) developed lane markers to help keep National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP®) 3-D tournaments running smoothly and safely.

NSSF®, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, is encouraged by President Donald Trump’s nomination of Robert Cekada to be the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and looks forward to his testimony before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee during his confirmation hearing.

 WOOX is proud to announce the introduction of the WOOX Forty-Seven line; a complete premium upgrade system for the legendary AK platform. 

GSM Fishing is always striving to be better. That’s why 2025 has been such a big year for new products. New offerings from Buckeye Lures and Big Bite Baits are just a few of the highlights.

Target Sports USA announced its 2025 Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions, including a daily Scavenger Hunt* running November 26, 2025, through December 8, 2025.

 
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