The Allure of the Lever-Action Shotgun: From the Frontier to Terminator 2

By David LaPell

U.S.A. –-(Ammoland.com)- Ever since we saw the second Terminator, with Arnold Schwarzenegger clutching a lever-action Winchester shotgun there has been a resurgence of interest with lever-action shotguns. Despite the fact that lever-action shotguns have been surpassed long ago by their pump-action and semi-auto brethren, the interest remains.

So why do lever-action shotguns fascinate us, and why do companies keep trying to make them?

The first lever-action shotgun is still the most well-known, the Winchester Model 1887, which was designed by none other than John Browning, although Browning didn’t want to make the gun in the first place. The top brass at Winchester thought since they were known as a lever-action company, that a lever-action shotgun would fit more in line with their market, Browning thought a pump-action shotgun would do better. The top brass won out and soon Browning got to work on the new lever-action shotgun.

Winchester’s 1887 was made in both 10 and 12 gauge, but for black powder shells, which were what was loaded at the time. The gun held five rounds in a tubular magazine below the barrel which was loaded with the action open by pushing one …Read the Rest

Source:: AmmoLand