.45-70

Whether you’re hunting big game in deep woods or looking for a more modern lever-action platform, the Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Series provides the perfect blend of heritage and innovation.

I heard a guy at SHOT say, “I don’t know why everyone’s making ‘tactical’ lever actions: A lever action is a cowboy gun.”

Henry Rifles’ reputation precedes them. Known for producing some of the highest quality and most attractive lever action rifles on the market, Henry offers one of my now favorite .45-70 rifles in an All-Weather offering. This rifle was designed with the hunter, farmer, rancher and working man (or woman) in general, as it is designed to take the abuse that everyday life can throw at it.

The Wild West Guns Co-Pilot is a short, fast handling, accurate hammer of a rifle that disassembles down to a compact travel size package.

Hollywood legend has it that the gun that “Won the West” was the Winchester Model 1873 Jimmy Stewart struggled to keep in the movie Winchester ’73. In fact, it was the U.S. Model 1873 .45-70 Springfield, better known to modern day collectors and shooters as the “.45-70 Trapdoor” for its top-opening breech block, that truly “Won the West.”

A big chunk of the Henry portfolio is in rimfire and pistol caliber rifles and carbines. It was only within the last handful of years that Henry started to make some full powered rifles, which they call the “Large Caliber Rifles”. These rifles, like pretty much all of the Henry offerings, are down right handsome. We are talking classic styled rifles with Walnut stocks, deep rich bluing on the steel and of course the traditional Henry brass frame. They are sexy looking long guns that make it hard not to treat as safe queens. But these are rifles that can be a great field, truck or saddle guns. Henry now has the perfect compromise with the All-Weather Lever Actions that are available in 30-30 and 45-70.

While Hollywood gave screen stars Winchester rifles, many real-life heroes carried Marlin rifles. According to the company’s website, Annie Oakley, Captain Hardy, and William “Buffalo Bill” Cody all used Marlin rifles. And, today’s 1895GBL carries on the tradition of providing great lever-actions to consumers.

I don’t generally believe in love at first sight, so I’ll call this “lust with potential.” Gun folks are always on the hunt for that perfect gun, the one that has all the features and advantages without making any compromises. This is one of those guns.

The Henry Repeating Arms Company has listened to customer suggestions and issues and has now addressed a few problem areas on their .45-70 and .30-30 rifles. We’re back on the range with the new guns to update our original review. So what’s new?