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Outdoor Life published a 2026 guide to notable lever-action rifles, favoring models currently produced or expected to be made in significant numbers. Its list includes Marlin, Smith & Wesson, Henry, Winchester, Browning, Savage and Rossi models; the supplied report details several picks but does not establish a single independently verified winner.
Outdoor Life published its 2026 guide to lever-action rifles on Oct. 27, highlighting models that are currently produced, or expected to be produced, in significant numbers. The editors said they favored rifles available new over historic classics, a useful distinction for buyers weighing current availability against the used market.
The guide lists rifles from Marlin, Smith & Wesson, Henry, Winchester, Browning, Savage and Rossi. Outdoor Life says staff writers Tyler Freel and the report’s author had shot, handled or owned all listed models except rifles that had just been announced. The article also draws on what it describes as the models’ documented history and legacy.
Among the models detailed in the supplied report are the Marlin 1895, chambered in .45-70 Government, and the Smith & Wesson Model 1854, initially introduced in .44 Magnum. The report gives the 1895 SBL a 6+1 capacity and a listed price of $2,110; it lists the Model 1854 .44 Magnum at $1,299 with an 8+1 capacity. Prices and specifications refer to the versions described and may differ across configurations.
Outdoor Life characterizes the Ruger-made Marlin 1895 as a strong modern iteration and says the Model 1854 impressed its writers with its fit, finish and operation. Those are the publication’s evaluations, not an independent industry ranking. The report also describes further 1895 variants and Model 1854 chamberings, including .45-70, .30-30 Winchester and .45 Colt.
New Models Shape the 2026 Picks
The guide reflects a market in which new-production lever actions are again available from several manufacturers, according to Outdoor Life. That matters to readers because a list centered on rifles that can be ordered new answers a different question from a ranking of historically important models or used-market bargains.
Cost is a practical consideration: the prices cited for the Marlin and Smith & Wesson examples are substantially above the inexpensive lever guns recalled by the writer from childhood. Outdoor Life says quality examples often command a premium, though actual retail prices and local stock can change. The guide can help readers identify candidates, but it does not establish that every model suits every use, budget or jurisdiction.
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A Revival in Lever-Action Production
The report places the current selection against a recent industry shift. It describes a period when quality lever-action rifles were harder to find in meaningful production numbers, then points to Ruger’s ownership of Marlin and ongoing releases from Henry as signs of increased activity. Smith & Wesson entered the category with its Model 1854 in 2024, according to the article; additional chamberings and versions followed.
Rather than focus on discontinued classics, Outdoor Life says it tilted its list toward rifles that buyers can obtain new. It notes that used versions of older models remain available, but warns that buyers should not assume they will be bargains. This framing is central to understanding the list: it is a consumer-oriented selection, not a complete history of the platform.
“The lever action is one of America’s most cherished designs, and it’s not going anywhere.”
— Outdoor Life report
Prices and Rankings Have Limits
The supplied report excerpt does not provide full descriptions, prices or testing details for every rifle named in its list. It also does not present a scoring system that would let readers compare the models on a single standardized measure. The available details do not establish current stock, street prices or delivery times at retailers.
Outdoor Life says some rifles had just been announced and were not among the models its writers had shot, handled or owned. The excerpt does not identify every such model or state when each will be widely available. Its judgments about quality and value remain editorial evaluations, while the precise fit for a particular buyer depends on intended use, configuration and applicable laws.
Check Models and Availability
Readers considering a rifle can use the guide to narrow the field, then check manufacturers’ current specifications and retailers for price, configuration and availability. The report does not announce a forthcoming event or a new release date beyond noting that certain models were recently announced. Availability and product details may change after publication.
For the article’s next update, the key questions are whether newly announced models reach significant production and how their retail prices compare with the versions already described. Until then, the 2026 guide is best read as Outdoor Life’s selection of notable current or anticipated offerings, rather than a guarantee of availability or a universal ranking.
Key Questions
What is the 2026 lever-action rifle report?
It is Outdoor Life’s guide to notable lever-action rifles, published Oct. 27, 2026. The publication says it favored models available new or expected to be made in significant numbers.
Which rifles are named in the report?
The list includes models from Marlin, Smith & Wesson, Henry, Winchester, Browning, Savage and Rossi. The supplied excerpt gives detailed specifications for the Marlin 1895 and Smith & Wesson Model 1854, among others.
Does the report identify one objectively best rifle?
No. It presents editorial picks and evaluations, but the supplied material does not show a standardized scoring method or establish a single winner for all buyers.
Are the listed prices guaranteed?
No. The figures are prices cited for specific versions in the report. Retail prices and stock can vary by configuration, seller and time.
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