Lever-Action Shotguns in 2025: Where They Shine (and Where They Don’t)
December 30, 2025
Lever-action shotguns are still a niche—but a useful one. In 2025, most buyers fall into two camps: (1) modern .410 lever guns built for handy field use and range fun, and (2) 1887-style 12-gauge “cowboy” shotguns for collecting and Cowboy Action Shooting vibes. If you want the fastest follow-up shots for birds, clays, or defense, you’ll almost always be better served by a pump or semi-auto instead.
As of December 30, 2025, the best way to think about lever-action shotguns is “purpose-built novelty.” That’s not a knock—novelty is why a lot of people actually shoot more. And if a lever gun is what gets you to the range (or into the field) consistently, it’s doing its job. Just don’t expect it to replace a serious do-everything 12-gauge pump—unless your “everything” includes looking cool while running a lever. (One tasteful quip, and we’re done.)
The Trend: Why Lever-Action Shotguns Still Matter
Lever-action shotguns stick around for three practical reasons:
- Manual cycling is ammo-forgiving. With no gas system to tune and no recoil system to “like” certain loads, levers can be happy with light or oddball shells that sometimes trip up semi-autos.
- Tube-mag handling feels familiar. If you already like lever rifles, a tube-fed lever shotgun can feel more intuitive than a box-mag shotgun—and more “mechanical” (in a good way) than some semi-autos.
- .410 is having a moment. A .410 lever-action shotgun can be a low-recoil, light-carrying option for small game, pests (where legal), and casual clays—especially for folks who want something different than the usual single-shot .410.
If you want to browse what’s out there, start with the Lever Action Shotguns category and then narrow down by brand and gauge.
Spec Highlights & Standouts
- Gauge is the whole game. A .410 lever-action shotgun is usually about “light, handy, and fun.” A 12-gauge 1887-style lever gun is usually about “heritage, competition flavor, and recoil tolerance.”
- Chokes matter more than the action. If you plan to hunt or shoot clays, prioritize a model that supports interchangeable chokes. It’s the difference between “this patterns okay” and “this patterns how I need.”
- Loading method is a big deal. Some levers emphasize side-loading convenience; others lean into old-school handling. If you’re buying for actual field use, pay attention here.
- Weight and balance can surprise you. Many 1887-style 12-gauges are heavier than people expect. That can help manage recoil, but it may feel sluggish compared to a modern field semi-auto.
- Be honest about speed. Lever guns can be run fast with practice, but for most shooters, a pump is still easier to run quickly under pressure.
Comparisons
Below are four common “types” you’ll see in 2025. Think of this as a fast sorting hat—then click into brands to explore variants.
| Type | Best for | Typical setup | Brands to start with | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modern .410 lever shotgun | Small game, light recoil practice, casual clays | Tube mag, 18–20ish” barrel, interchangeable chokes on many models | Henry, Armscor/RIA | .410 ammo cost/availability varies; patterns can be picky |
| Traditional .410 lever shotgun | Classic looks, light field carry, collectors | Wood furniture, tube mag, simple sights | Henry | Capacity and chambering options vary by model |
| 1887-style 12 gauge lever shotgun | Range fun, Cowboy Action flavor, collecting | 2¾” chamber, tube mag, classic profile | Chiappa, Cimarron, Taylor’s & Co. | Often heavier; recoil can be stout; not the fastest “working” shotgun for most users |
| Budget 12 gauge lever shotgun | Novelty on a budget, occasional range use | Shorter barrel options, simple furniture | Century Arms | Fit/finish and smoothness vary; plan to inspect before committing |
If you want to go deeper inside a single ecosystem, a solid approach is: pick a gauge first, pick a brand second, then compare 2–3 models side-by-side based on barrel length, choke support, and how you plan to carry it (field vs. range).
Who Should Skip a Lever-Action Shotgun
Skip the lever if your priority is pure performance per dollar for:
- Waterfowl and high-volume clays (where follow-up speed and recoil management dominate)
- Serious defensive use (where simple manual of arms and fast reloads matter most)
- Hard-use field conditions if you’re not willing to maintain and practice (any manual-action gun rewards reps)
In those cases, a pump-action or semi-auto from the broader Shotguns category is usually the better “buy once” answer.
What to Watch Next
Over the next month or two, keep an eye on three things: (1) whether more makers push modern features into the lever space (better choke options, weatherproof finishes, and practical sight upgrades), (2) how .410 pricing and availability behaves post-holidays, and (3) whether 1887-style offerings expand with more barrel lengths and trim levels. If you’re shopping, it’s a good time to compare a few models, then wait for the exact configuration you want—because the “right” lever shotgun is usually about the details.