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Why no lever action from ruger?
- Thread starter 1stmar
- Start date
Obambulate
New member
Rossi's already got it covered.
my dad had a Ruger lever action in .30 carbine when i was a boy, he got it to go with his Blackhawk in .30. I shot the snot out of that little gun for a few years, it fit my small frame(at that time) like a glove. he ended up selling it for some reason, it is the only one I have ever saw.
OK I was mistaken, went looking for it on the net here and found out it was a Marlin model 62 that dad had instead of a Ruger but it was still a sweet shooting little rifle and i would love to find another one
OK I was mistaken, went looking for it on the net here and found out it was a Marlin model 62 that dad had instead of a Ruger but it was still a sweet shooting little rifle and i would love to find another one
Last edited:
OldMarksman
Staff
I agree with that.Posted by James K: The reality is that most buyers of lever action rifles are traditionalists, who want guns that hark back to the "Old West", and that market is well covered by Winchester, Marlin, Rossi, etc. Several modern lever actions (Sako, Winchester 88, Ruger 96) have been failures for that reason. No matter who makes a lever action, any "modern" lever action design will not please those who buy lever actions.
However, though I never bought one, I really liked the old Savage 99 with a rotary magazine in .250-3000.
The original design came out in 1893, just after the '92 Winchester. So, maybe we wouldn't call it "modern".
reynolds357
New member
I like the old design lever actions. The Newer designs, as mentioned above, are in my opinion quite pointless. The old designs are nostalgic. The new designs? In a modern firearm, I would much prefer a semi auto to a lever.
bamaranger
New member
cost
As with everything else, cost/profit drives Ruger. "New" Ruger (without the old man) has steadily dropped old models that did not yield the profit they felt necessary. Too bad, as many of those "dropped" guns I liked. Including the 96 family of levers. (I also like Win 88's and the Savage 99's).
I too was surprised that the O/U has resurfaced.
Jim Watson makes an interesting point. Here's the counter point. If SA ownership goes sour due to legislation, might Ruger re-introduce the 96's?
As with everything else, cost/profit drives Ruger. "New" Ruger (without the old man) has steadily dropped old models that did not yield the profit they felt necessary. Too bad, as many of those "dropped" guns I liked. Including the 96 family of levers. (I also like Win 88's and the Savage 99's).
I too was surprised that the O/U has resurfaced.
Jim Watson makes an interesting point. Here's the counter point. If SA ownership goes sour due to legislation, might Ruger re-introduce the 96's?
g.willikers
New member
Yeah, the hammerless, non-westerner looking lever actions, just don't seem right.
They're probably a better design, but pump versions would probably have more appeal.
But both would have a hard time competing against bolt actions, for most folks.
They're probably a better design, but pump versions would probably have more appeal.
But both would have a hard time competing against bolt actions, for most folks.
Pumpgunman
Inactive
Rugar Lever action
I have the .17 in a rugar lever action. I love this little gun. I especially like the rotary magazine it uses. I cant remember ever seeing another clip fed lever action gun by anyone. Magazine is interchangable with the 10-17 auto rifle. Great gun.
I have the .17 in a rugar lever action. I love this little gun. I especially like the rotary magazine it uses. I cant remember ever seeing another clip fed lever action gun by anyone. Magazine is interchangable with the 10-17 auto rifle. Great gun.
Gunplummer
New member
I agree with the people that say it is a "Niche market" guided by outside influence. Over the years I have seen the influence of magazine articles and movies on gun buyers. You can't beat the effect of rumors either. The main line of thought is that levers are not all that accurate. Somebody may buy a lever to play with, but few people would put out the bucks for a rifle that is always going to be second string on their rack.
458winshooter
New member
lEVERS ON THE DECLINE
I read in a gun rag recently that the demand for lever actions in general is falling off.Some calibers are still doing well but look around the nearest gun store and you will see one or two new rifles and a dozen used ones for half the price.It also says that buyers are looking to more powerful flatter shooting rounds than traditional lever calibers more commonly found in bolt guns.Magnum-itis!The prevailing thinking is they kill better,faster,deader and what not.The truth is they want something that will make up for their lack of skill or ability so a flatter faster more accurate rifle is an easy sell.
I live and hunt in deep woods in East Tennessee where you can't see more than 50-75 yards let alone shoot several hundred yard shots at anything.But I see a lot of guys with something like the newest ubermag to shoot at field artillery ranges.A cranky old 30-30 is somehow an insult to their manhood or just to puny for their ego.
I have recounted on this forum of the guy that gut shot and lost a buck with a 30-06 so he went out and got a 340 Weatherby to make sure he never loses another one.He is a small statured fellow so I don't think the 340 will last much longer,it has some kick to it.
I read in a gun rag recently that the demand for lever actions in general is falling off.Some calibers are still doing well but look around the nearest gun store and you will see one or two new rifles and a dozen used ones for half the price.It also says that buyers are looking to more powerful flatter shooting rounds than traditional lever calibers more commonly found in bolt guns.Magnum-itis!The prevailing thinking is they kill better,faster,deader and what not.The truth is they want something that will make up for their lack of skill or ability so a flatter faster more accurate rifle is an easy sell.
I live and hunt in deep woods in East Tennessee where you can't see more than 50-75 yards let alone shoot several hundred yard shots at anything.But I see a lot of guys with something like the newest ubermag to shoot at field artillery ranges.A cranky old 30-30 is somehow an insult to their manhood or just to puny for their ego.
I have recounted on this forum of the guy that gut shot and lost a buck with a 30-06 so he went out and got a 340 Weatherby to make sure he never loses another one.He is a small statured fellow so I don't think the 340 will last much longer,it has some kick to it.
I got my first level action rifle ( Henry .22) early this year and this week added a Henry .44 mag. I have several rifles and pistols from Ruger and they have been well made and dependable guns. I think Ruger sees the level action as a small market and prefers to continue producing quality products for their existing markets.
Driftwood Johnson
New member
Howdy
Regarding the CAS market, for a rifle to be legal for Cowboy Shooting it has to be:
"Rifles or carbines used in the main and team matches must be original or replicas of lever or slide action rifles manufactured during the period from approximately 1860 until 1899, incorporating a tubular magazine and exposed hammer. Rifles with box magazines may not be used. Certain shooting categories require a specific type of rifle and ammunition to be used."
The rules go on to further state some requirements about calibers.
So for Ruger to build a lever gun for the CAS market, it would have to have a tubular magazine, an exposed hammer, and be a replica of something made between 1860 and 1899. When Henry Repeating Arms attempted to get the Big Boy legalized for CAS it failed the first time around because the Big Boy clearly is not a replica of anything built between 1860 and 1899. It was only legalized a year later after a huge fight among the members. For Ruger to get something legalized, it would have to be a close enough replica of something made between 1860 and 1899 to pass muster, and I doubt if Ruger is interested in making such a rifle.
The Ruger Blackhawk and Vaquero are legal, but there were special circumstances behind the legalities of these models.
Regarding the CAS market, for a rifle to be legal for Cowboy Shooting it has to be:
"Rifles or carbines used in the main and team matches must be original or replicas of lever or slide action rifles manufactured during the period from approximately 1860 until 1899, incorporating a tubular magazine and exposed hammer. Rifles with box magazines may not be used. Certain shooting categories require a specific type of rifle and ammunition to be used."
The rules go on to further state some requirements about calibers.
So for Ruger to build a lever gun for the CAS market, it would have to have a tubular magazine, an exposed hammer, and be a replica of something made between 1860 and 1899. When Henry Repeating Arms attempted to get the Big Boy legalized for CAS it failed the first time around because the Big Boy clearly is not a replica of anything built between 1860 and 1899. It was only legalized a year later after a huge fight among the members. For Ruger to get something legalized, it would have to be a close enough replica of something made between 1860 and 1899 to pass muster, and I doubt if Ruger is interested in making such a rifle.
The Ruger Blackhawk and Vaquero are legal, but there were special circumstances behind the legalities of these models.
I get it, levers are the most popular, but neither are single shots. By comparison to other firearms, there is little competition. Seems ruger has entries in every other market, surprised this one they remain out of. It's not like we need another ar manufacturer or 1911 manufacturer, yet they entered those spaces. Pretty crowded in there. I'd give them a look if they made one, especially since marlin ain't what it used to.
mxsailor803
New member
A lot of people on here love the 96 series. I like them as well as the 99 series. I really do wish I could find me a 96/44 though. It pretty good next to my Deerfield.
It's not like we need another ar manufacturer or 1911 manufacturer, yet they entered those spaces.
You are missing one important point. People who buy new 1911 type guns, and ARs are open to "new" things. They look at the 1911 or AR design, and look for what each maker adds to the original, what features are "new and improved", and buy what interests them (and within their price ranges). While the market is crowded, there is still room.
Lever gun buyers as noted are looking for more traditional guns. There is very little "room" in this market. Lever guns are either utility arms, or bought for the nostalgia factor. Often both, with the nostalgia factor being dominant.
The only "modern" looking lever gun that ever held a respectable market share was the Savage 99. All the others while made and sold for some time, have all failed. And the Savage is gone now, too.
Simply put, you can make a single shot, bolt gun, or semi auto and someone will be interested. Make a lever gun that isn't in the "traditional" style, and virtually no one will be.