Winchester, Rossi and Henry Lever Action Rifles

While we're here, since I did a review of the Viking motorcycle bags I thought I'd also comment on three popular brands of lever action rifles on the market. After all, I support local business. When Justin Trudeau tried to ban the SKS and basically every other semiautomatic hunting rifle on the market I was somewhat concerned. The dictators wish list included all bottom feed semi automatic rifles. Then I said but the SKS is top feed. It only holds five rounds. Then they said the SKS was specifically named on the proposed ban list as well.

Then I said how about the M1 Garand? That's top feed. They said that was also specifically named and added to the ban list. So I said hold on, they're trying to ban all bottom feed semi automatic rifles and they also named the only two top feeding semi automatic rifles. Yup. So basically they are trying to ban every single semi automatic hunting rifle. Yup. That was shady.

That's when the assembly of Chiefs said hunting is a treaty right. You can't ban hunting. They wanted to because they don't want us to be able to hunt when they try and starve us out with their food shortages. Several rural NDP MPs said are you crazy? We live with predators in our back yard. We need to be able to defend ourselves. In the Yukon one NDP MP said Justin Trudeau was out of touch with reality. Here in the Yukon we live with polar bears. Thankfully the extended wish list was withdrawn. Hunting is a treaty right. So is self defense against predators.

During that time I picked up a couple of lever action rifles. Those are relatively safe from bans since they don't have high capacity bottom feed magazines. Yet they are incredibly fun to shoot. A lot of Americans are starting to get back into lever action rifles because they comply with the rules in the more strict gun control states. Three brands on the market are Winchester, Rossi and Henry. All three were original American companies dating back to the 1800s.

Right now Henry is the only brand that is still made in America. Rossi is made in Brasil and Winchester is made in Japan. I picked up a .357 Roso and a .44 Winchester. I love the Brazilian hardwood and I love the classic look and feel of the Winchester. I prefer the 20 inch barrel. It's more accurate and has a higher capacity magazine.

Henry is dripping with authentic history. I just don't like their traditional tube feed loading. I much prefer the old school side loading. Henry does make some side loading models now but that feature is standard on the Winchester and the Rossi. Marlin is another popular high end brand.

The feel of the Brazilian hardwood of the Rossi is awesome but the side loading port is very sharp and tight. It takes a while to break it in. That feature is more comfortable on the Winchester. The nice thing about these lever action rifles is that they use pistol cartridges. That means they're not cop killers and won't go through a bullet proof vest so that concern isn't even on the table. It also means that ammo is more readily available.

Obviously .44 is more expensive than .357. That's why I'm getting into reloading my own .44s. .357 is getting pricey but the .357 will also shoot a .38 special which has slightly less kick and is much cheaper by the case. Those you can shoot all day.

You can hunt a deer with a .357 but not a .22. .22s are just good for gophers. However, I did see a show where they were hunting alligators in Florida. They would snag them with ropes and pull them to the surface. Then they would pull out a .22 rifle and shoot it in the head. I was amazed to see a .22 was able to take out an alligator at point blank range.

A shotgun is probably safest at close range against an attacking bear. Shooting a bear in the head at point blank range with a .22 would be pretty dangerous. That close and the bear could easily knock you down or knock the rifle out of your hands and then you'd be f*cked. I'd say the .44 would be better against a bear than the .357. On the polar bear tours in Churchill they all carry shotguns. Yes I like semi automatics but the lever action rifles are really fun.