heymatthew

Hey guys,
I was out at the range yesterday for a little plinking and "guy time" and was talking about picking up a Henry Lever Action .22LR. A guy I shoot with regularly has a Browning Lever Action .22LR and shoots it with a Leupold Rimfire scope (2-7x28, I believe). Anyway, I mentioned that I thought it was a great little setup and that the Leupold complimented the classic styling of the lever action really well. A younger guy chimed in, "Are you crazy!? You can't scope a lever action! Come on! That's just wrong!"

So... What are your thoughts? Do you scope your lever-action guns or run iron sights? If you use a scope, what's your preference to compliment the lever action? If you run iron sights, do you use aftermarket sights from makers like Williams or do you use the plain Jane sights that come bolted onto the barrel and receiver? And, most importantly, why do you do what you do?

jbstratman

Since I was the 1st to vote, do I win a prize?

Anyway, about 40 years ago I got a Winchester 94 and had a 2.5x Bushnell Banner mounted on it. The scope is mounted slightly to the left of the receiver so the shells can eject out and you can still use the iron sights. Took a lot of deer with it and it is a secondary home defense rifle now . . .

Rivers2k

You should add a depends on caliber to the poll. Yes on a 30/30 deer gun. No on a 357, or. .22lr. for iron sights I want to change out to a peep sight. I don't like the rear sights on marlins.

Spike12

There comes a time in every shooter's life when you just can see as well as you used to. It's going to happen, like it or not. If it's a question of looks vs. hitting what you're aiming at...

All my long guns (minus those smooth bore things I haven't figured out yet and minus my M1A) have scopes or red-dot devices on them.

No prima-donna guns in my house (well, except my M1A).

heymatthew

Good suggestion. Do you know if I can edit the poll?

Chinto

I voted to scope but that is qualified. I use a 3-9x40 scope on my 22LR Henry if I am 50 -100 yds but at 25 yards or less then I use Henry's Hi Viz barrel band front sight. That is way better than the stock post. It really depends on how good your eyes are and not a fashion statement. I like to see what I am shooting.

pakettle

My 78 year old eye balls said get a scope on my H001 Henry, also on my ruger 10-22 !

TMB

No scopes on any of my levers actions but agree with Rivers2k if I had a Savage 99 or a BLR it would have a scope.

IRONHEAD61

I have three lever action rifles. A Henry H001, 1895 GG (45-70) and a 1894 LTD (.44 mag). The only rifle that has after market sights is the 1895. The 1895 has Williams Peep Sights.

I was the only one who voted after market sights.

North country gal

Really depends on the gun and how it is stocked. Traditional lever guns like a Model 94 or 336 are stocked for use with iron sights. Putting a scope on one of these forces you to raise your cheek off the stock to see through the scope. I hate doing that; much prefer using peep sights on these. Staying with iron sights let's you enjoy the great handling of these lever guns. Just not the same guns in the handling department when you add a scope, base and rings. Iron sights on these old guns looks more traditional, too. That said, I have no argument with folks that like scopes on their 94s or 336s. Scopes work and work well, even on these old lever guns. Each to their own. My 94 and my 336 wear peep sights and I'm happy with that.

Modern lever guns like the Browning BLR are better stocked for scope use and are chambered for longer range cartridges that make using a scope a good idea. if I was to stay with a lever gun for open country use, a BLR would be my choice.

Geoff

When I was younger (40 years ago or so) I hunted rabbits, quil, dove and ground squirrel with my Winchester 92 25-35, with the iron sights that came with it. Now I want a scope when I need to see what I'm shooting.

rclark

The time I have to scope my Lever Actions is the time I hang up my guns. I do have scopes on my bolt action '06 and 77/22..... But never my lever guns ... or Single Actions.

shootist

All my Winchester's came with great sights no need to ever change them, and why de-value the gun by changing them?

Dale53

I learned to use scopes on moving targets many years ago. Since the object is to hit something, I have no problem with adding a scope. If I had younger eyes I might consider a peep sight (i have extensive experience with peep sights) but now I even have Red Dot sights on my revolvers. I hit what I aim at, also (a deer at 100 yards, standing is no big deal).

FWIW
Dale53

gwnorth

My 1892s would be hard to scope, and it would ruin their looks. So far I just use the buckhorn's that came with them. But, I'm looking at maybe doing one of them up with something different - do not really want a tang sight though, so may either go with receiver mounted peeps or replace the semi-buckhorn with something albeit still an iron sight.

Both my 1892s are .357mag btw, so I'm only looking to reach out to a max of 100yds (my progressive lenses still let me do okay with irons, but my groups fall into the "paper plate" accuracy kind of shooting).