Lever-Action? Really?

Frank Borelli
Editor-in-Chief
Officer.com

I'd like to solicit the opinion of our readership on this topic. Awhile back I had written an article (or a blog - I can't remember which) about necessary upgrades for today's active shooter response tactics. Part of the discussion was about rifles and part of that sub-discussion was how many agencies are avoiding AR/M16 style weapons because they look too aggressive or they look too militaristic. Along the way I got an email (or a comment) from an officer down in Florida who said he had a solution: lever action rifles. I laughed to myself at first and then thought about it some more. Sure, it seems a silly idea on the surface but let's consider it a little deeper - from a pros-vs-cons perspective. Cons:

• It only holds 5-10 rounds of ammo depending on caliber.
• You have to lever-action every spent shell out and every new cartridge in
• Recoil is usually greater than semi-auto rifles because there is no recoil absorption system

Pros:

• It doesn't look "militaristic" or "aggressive" at all
• The general public has a favorable attitude about these weapons thanks to Hollywood
• Some of the available calibers pack a LOT more punch than the .223
• They take a lot of abuse and keep functioning
• They aren't fickle about cleanliness
• They cost less (in general) than an AR style rifle or a true M4/M16 (unless you get one surplus).

So... after looking at the list I realized that there's a lot more PRO than there is CON. I furthered considered it and realized that many a shotgun holds the same or fewer rounds as most lever-action rifles and at least one major gun manufacturer came out with pump-action rifles in an attempt to avoid "those evil looking battle rifles". Is there a speed-of-delivery difference between levering or pumping ammo into a chamber? I think we'd have to do side by side testing to determine that. My conclusion - all for me and only me and one that I now ask your opinion about - is this: depending on the location and its local politics, the lever action rifle may well be the best answer to the long-gun need. Now... can I carry my 5.5" single action .45long revolver to go with that?