The lever action rifle has a long and storied history. Having its origins in the Volcanic pistol of 1854, the action type has become as much a part of Americana – especially the “Old West” – as has apple pie. Who doesn’t remember John Wayne, atop his horse, twirl-cocking his Winchester as he scowls at the bad guys? Or, how about Chuck Connor’s popular late-’50s TV show “The Rifleman”? That opening footage under the credits, with him firing and emptying his magazine tube as fast as he could work the lever got me (and several thousand other youngsters) hooked on the gun.

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