Marlin's 1895 SBL Leads a Lever Gun Revival at $1,479
Marlin's 1895 SBL still sits at the top of the new-production lever action list, and it costs $1,479 with six rounds of .45-70 Government in the magazine. Outdoor Life's 2026 ranking focuses on lever rifles buyers can order new, with a nod to older guns on the used market. Its top picks come from three makers: Ruger's Marlin line, Smith & Wesson's Model 1854, and Henry's Lever Action Supreme. The writers say they have shot, handled, or owned nearly every model on the list. The message is simple: lever guns are back in real numbers, and buyers have more choices than they did a decade ago.
Key Details
The list breaks down into current production and specialty or used-market guns. Several specifics stand out:
- Marlin 1895 SBL: Ruger's first Marlin revival, reintroduced in late 2021. It features gray laminate furniture, stainless steel metal, a threaded barrel, an oversized lever loop, and a picatinny rail. Capacity is 6+1 in .45-70.
- Marlin 1895 Trapper: Overall length of 34 1/4 inches, compared with 37 1/4 inches for the SBL. It has a Skinner peep sight, no rail, and a 5+1 magazine in .45-70.
- Marlin 1895 Guide Gun (GBL): Priced at $1,239, which is $240 less than the SBL. It has traditional semi-buckhorn sights, blued steel, and a 6+1 capacity in .45-70.
- Smith & Wesson Model 1854: Launched in .44 Magnum in 2024. The .45-70 followed in 2025, along with .30-30 Winchester and .45 Colt options. Blued/wood and stainless/synthetic versions both use side-gate and magazine-tube loading.
- Model 1854 Stealth Hunter: Black-on-black finish, a longer optic rail, a tactical handguard with multiple M-Lok slots, and a threaded muzzle for optics, lights, and suppressors.
- Henry Lever Action Supreme: Chambered in 5.56/.223 and .300 Blackout, with .450 Bushmaster added later. It feeds standard AR-15 magazines and uses an AR-style rotating bolt head. Henry built it from scratch rather than adapting an existing action.
Background
Marlin spent its early history in New Haven, Connecticut, the same town that produced Winchester rifles. Production left Connecticut long ago, and the magazine notes that it will not return. Remington owned Marlin for a stretch that the writers describe as a low point for the brand. During those years, Henry was the main maker of quality lever guns in meaningful volume. Ruger bought Marlin and began bringing back its classic models, starting with the 1895 SBL. Henry has kept expanding its line, including the 360 Buckhammer chambering. Smith & Wesson entered the lever market in 2024 with the Model 1854, a move that signals a major manufacturer betting on the category. Used lever guns from the Winchester and Marlin golden eras still command premium prices, so the new-production options now carry real weight for buyers who want a rifle that runs today.
Why It Matters for Gun Owners
Anyone shopping for a brush gun, a bear rifle, or a cheap truck gun now has three distinct paths. The 1895 line gives you a heavy-hitting .45-70 with factory sights or a rail, depending on the model. The Trapper's shorter length suits blinds, saddles, and tight cover. The Model 1854 offers multiple calibers and a Stealth Hunter variant for buyers who want a suppressor-ready setup. The Henry Supreme is different. Its AR-15 magazine compatibility means you can share magazines with an existing rifle. That matters for ammunition planning, and it matters for state law. Several states restrict magazine capacity or limit rifle magazines to fixed configurations, and an AR-pattern magazine in a lever gun can run into those rules. Check your state's magazine limits before you buy. If you plan to add a suppressor to a threaded-muzzle model, the federal NFA process still applies, including ATF Form 4 and the $200 tax, and your state may have its own rules. Compare dealer prices against the listed figures, because the Guide Gun's $240 gap below the SBL is the easiest way to save money on a Marlin.
DownRange Analysis
Lever action rifles are the textbook case of arms in common use. Under Bruen's text-and-history test, nobody will seriously argue that a 1895 Marlin or a Henry Supreme falls outside the Second Amendment's protection. The regulatory fight shifts to magazine capacity, accessories, and ownership rules, not to the lever gun itself. The market tells a clear story too. Used lever actions command a premium, which suggests demand outpaces supply. Manufacturers are responding with new production. If you want a Marlin SBL, buy it at a fair price now, because lever guns do not get cheaper. If you want a Henry Supreme and live in a restrictive state, read your magazine law twice before you order. Either way, handle the rifle before you buy it. Confirm the action cycles smoothly and the sights are aligned, and check the warranty terms. A solid lever gun should serve you for decades, so buy the one that fits your use case, not the one with the flashiest finish.
