There is a nice 9422 Magnum at my local FFL that I am thinking of picking up. I dont think it looks bad and I could see some real use as a coyote gun. Is it a sin to scope a levergun? Post pics if you got them.
No pictures, but i have a compact fixed 4x scope on a Marlin 1985 in 45-70. I had a receiver sight for a while, but I just can't shoot it as well that way.
It isn't purely traditional, but I just can't see well enough any more. But the gun has a pistol grip, too, so it doesn't look crazy out of place.
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Posts: 11950 | Location: Texas | Registered: February 10, 2004
Originally posted by jhe888: No pictures, but i have a compact fixed 4x scope on a Marlin 1985 in 45-70. I had a receiver sight for a while, but I just can't shoot it as well that way.
It isn't purely traditional, but I just can't see well enough any more. But the gun has a pistol grip, too, so it doesn't look crazy out of place.
Ditto - we have two scoped levers. My Marlin 1895 45/70 with the same little fixed Burris jhe888 has and my wifes 336XLR 30/30 with a 3x9 Leupold. Both are tack drivers.
Straight shootin! dusty
Posts: 1215 | Location: Arkansas! | Registered: August 13, 2005
I have a lever action for the "cowboy" aspect, so mine doesn't have a scope. But if you plan to use yours for a variety of shooting, especially possibly at some distance (and/or if your vision isn't A-1), there's nothing wrong with a scope. Do what it takes to hit your target properly.
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Posts: 3793 | Location: Mid-Coast Maine | Registered: December 13, 2005
I'm on the fence on scoping a lever gun. one of my Marlins wears a Scout Scope setup. the second I'm no touching, its staying stock. The third 1895G I'm stuck. Keep the buckhorn sights. Go Ghost ring/peep sights. Or scope it.
I'm thinking about putting the XS lever rail on the guide gun and their Ghost Ring sights. I can add the scope later with no additional fuss and still have the ghost rings.
But like Fowler said. It depends on what you want to use the rifle for. You said coyote gun. Keep a fast sight setup on it. Ghost rings work great for that. If you need to stretch it out longer than 150yds throw a scope on it.
Posts: 68 | Location: Yukon, OK | Registered: February 11, 2005
To retain an "original" Western carbine look a Marbles tang peep sight setup works nice but not everyone's eyes are good at longer distances.
In my opinion a Wm. Malcolm style scope looks great on lever guns and preserves a traditional appearance but they are a bit pricey: Leatherwood Wm. Malcolm scopes. A compact, slimmer fixed power scope doesn't look too bad on a lever gun. The overly long, huge objective 50mm scopes tend to look ridiculous on Western style rifles.
I've got a Henry octagon barrel lever gun (H001T) with a Nikon Prostaff 4x32 that doesn't look too bad. It's not my first choice but I didn't want to spend $400 to scope an inexpensive rifle. I almost put a tang sight on it but the scope makes more sense for my eyesight.
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Posts: 411 | Location: Virginia | Registered: February 07, 2009
One reason is that you often have to aim high due to bullet drop at certain distances (depending on the cartridge it is chambered for), and the scope raises your sight picture to still see the target. Even if your eyesight is good, it helps if you can actually see the target.
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Posts: 568 | Location: between locations at the moment | Registered: October 31, 2004
Originally posted by rekstrom: Why scope a lever gun?
One reason is that you often have to aim high due to bullet drop at certain distances (depending on the cartridge it is chambered for), and the scope raises your sight picture to still see the target. Even if your eyesight is good, it helps if you can actually see the target.
Pretty much what I was thinking. Iron sights are not that great at 150 yards when aiming at a shoulder.
The gunsmith at my FFL's place, installed an EOTECH and 3X magnifier[flip-mount] on a lever gun today[Winny 94 30-30]. We all got a laugh out of it, but thought it was pretty cool at the same time. It will work well in Michigan.
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Aesthetically speaking I'm a bit of a traditionalist and I prefer the look of a scopeless lever gun, but as someone who tends towards the "function over form" side of things, and considering my aging eyes, I've opted for a scope on my hunting rifle.
quote:
Originally posted by Audioholic: A compact, slimmer fixed power scope doesn't look too bad on a lever gun. The overly long, huge objective 50mm scopes tend to look ridiculous on Western style rifles.
Yup, this is what I've come to believe as well. I've seen enough lever guns with smaller scopes that the look has grown on me...but tacking on some ginormous Marvin Martian scope to one looks about as silly as putting a tutu on a chihauhau.
One of the guns on my "I-dont-have-any-real-use-for-this-other-than-it-just-looks-cool" list would be a short-barrelled levergun with either a Scout-style scope setup or maybe even a red-dot. I was thinking I'd seen a pic of somebody with a red-dotted lever out here on SF...will have to look again.