Cool New Lever-Action Rifles for 2026

Doug Howlett

Before detachable mags and the squeeze-repeat triggers of AR-style rifles ruled the battlefield, then the range and, more and more today, the woods, America’s first true repeating rifle was a lever-action rifle. Benjamin Tyler Henry’s 1860 design changed warfare and frontier life alike, and the Winchester 1873 cemented the platform’s legend as “The Gun That Won the West.” Fast-forward 160 years and to SHOT Show 2026 and one thing remained clear: the lever action isn’t a relic. It’s cool. And it’s now.

Manufacturers are blending Old West ergonomics and classic styling with modern precision, chamberings, optics compatibility and suppressor-ready barrels. Or in some cases, they’re tossing the classic look right out the window! The result either way is modern lever guns that feel as at home punching your meal ticket from a deer stand as they do preparing to play Chuck Connors on a relentless home intruder and whether tucked in the crook of your arm or slid neatly in the scabbard on a horse they look as good as they shoot.

Here are some of the most talked-about new lever actions to roll out in late 2025 and early 2026.

Henry SPD Predator

Henry SPD Predator

Henry’s Special Products Division built this rifle to erase the old tradeoff between speed and precision. The SPD Predator pairs lever-action follow-up shots with bolt-gun accuracy, thanks to a match-grade 416R stainless barrel tension-wrapped in carbon fiber and a factory-tuned 4-pound trigger. The rifle chambered in .223 Rem/5.56 NATO feeds from MSR-pattern magazines, wears a forged carbon-fiber Picatinny rail and ships with an adjustable stock—all signals this rifle was designed for optics, suppressors and serious predator work. Henry guarantees sub-MOA accuracy, putting coyotes and groundhogs on notice. ($2,510)

Smith & Wesson Model 1854

Smith & Wesson Model 1854

S&W’s modern Model 1854 continues to target hunters in straight-wall cartridge states, and the .360 Buckhammer chambering, introduced late in 2025, makes it a legitimate deer rifle across the Midwest and East. The stainless receiver and 20-inch barrel resist weather, while M-LOK slots, a Picatinny rail and threaded muzzle bring modern versatility. A large loop lever, flat trigger and XS ghost ring sights round out a platform built for fast handling in thick timber and legal compliance where bottleneck cartridges aren’t an option. ($1,399)

Marlin 1894 Trapper

Marlin 1894 Trapper Series

Marlin’s Trapper line leans into the compact, hard-use ethos lever guns are known for. Built on the proven 1894 action and now under Ruger stewardship, the Marlin Trapper Series emphasizes durability, shorter barrels and maneuverability in tight cover or from a vehicle. Chambered in 10 mm, the result is a fast-handling pistol-caliber carbine ideal for home-level defensive use or for hog hunters and ranch work inside 100 yards—exactly where lever guns have always shined. ($1,599)

Taylor’s & Company TC73

Taylor’s & Company TC73

Taylor’s & Company turned heads with the TC73, a 9mm lever gun built entirely in the USA with USA-made parts—a first for the company. While the rifle nods to tradition with true case coloring and classic lines, the internals are thoroughly modern: improved carrier block design, lightened trigger pull and fully machined components. A threaded 5/8×24 threaded barrel, rubber butt pad and refined sights make it equally suited for suppressed range work, PCC competition crossover or just pure range fun. ($1,799)

Henry SPD CRUSR

Henry SPD CRUSR

If the Henry SPD Predator is a precision tool, the SPD CRUSR is a backcountry survival rifle that comes Field Ethos-approved. Developed in collaboration with the Field Ethos team for guides and hunters operating in harsh environments, the ultralight .45-70 lever gun features a carbon-fiber tension-wrapped barrel, DLC-coated internals and Cerakote finishes for weather resistance and durability. Weighing roughly 6.7 pounds and built for suppressor use, the CRUSR emphasizes portability without sacrificing the global availability and terminal performance of the .45-70 cartridge. ($2,475)

Chiappa 92 Wildlands Field

Chiappa 92 Wildlands Field

Chiappa’s Wildlands Field brings modern utility to the classic 1892 pattern. Built around a compact 16.5-inch barrel and big-loop lever, the rifle is designed for portability and fast handling in dense terrain. Chambered in .44 Magnum with a five-round capacity, it blends traditional laminate stock aesthetics with modern durability and threaded-barrel capability in some variants. For shooters wanting a more traditional 1892 profile, Chiappa also introduced the 92 Core — but the Wildlands Field is the one built for hard use off the pavement with more modern functionality. ($1,255)