Lever Action Rifle Course
This is a 2-day course
Time: 830am to 5pm
See schedule for pricing.
Location: Range location to be provided
Prerequisite: Completion of Defensive Pistol 1 through 4.
Lever action rifles are very popular with outdoorsmen, equestrians, Cowboy Action Shooters and those who travel in states where semi-automatic rifles are restricted. With proper training, Lever action rifles can be efficient tools for self-defense. This class will teach you how to run a lever action rifle in a self-defense situation. We have been using lever action rifles for 50 years and competing with them for more than 20 years. We have combined this personal experience with our doctrine for the practical use of the shotgun, carbine and pistol to create our lever action rifle course.
Your training will include:
Loading and unloading
Chamber Checking and Condition Checking
High Ready and Low Ready positions
Speed reloading
Tactical reloading
Close Contact Weapon Retention shooting
Multiple target drills
Rapid fire techniques
Hostage taker targets
Body armor targets
Pivots and turns
One hand operation
Transition drills
Note: This is a change from our past lever action rifle class. We will be using only 2 types of targets for this class. Paper targets and heavy-duty steel pepper poppers. Limiting ourselves to these targets gives us wider latitude in the calibers and types of ammunition that we can allow for use in the class.
Equipment List for the Lever Action Rifle Class
A safe, reliable and reasonably accurate lever action rifle.
A lever action rifle in a handgun caliber such as .357 Magnum is strongly suggested.
Rifles In order of our preference:
1894 Marlin due to ruggedness and ability to mount a variety of sights
1873 Winchester as made by Cimarron and others-very smooth action
1892 Winchester as made by Rossi and others
1866 Winchester as made by Uberti and others
Marlin 336 in .30/30
Although excellent rifles, the Henry Big Boy lever action rifle will not be allowed due to the lack of a loading gate
Aperture sights are preferred.
Buckhorn sights will suffice.
Certain optics are appropriate. Check with us.
Rifle Slings are suggested but no longer required.
Preferred Calibers for Lever Action
.357 Magnum-low recoil, over 1,100 Ft. Lbs. of energy with magnum loads, less expensive and most common ammunition.
.44 Magnum-more power, more recoil, more expensive to shoot.
.45 Colt-more recoil with +P ammunition and more expensive ammo
.30/30-More range, more recoil lower capacity.
Note: Lever Actions chambered in rifle rather than pistol calibers are necessarily more robust and harder to operate quickly. If you understand that working a lever action in a rifle caliber will be slower and more difficult than working a lever action in a pistol caliber, you are welcome to use a rifle caliber.
Ammunition: 250 accurate, safe and reliable factory cartridges.
If you intend to shoot hand loads, please contact us for a waiver.
The number of rounds fired will vary between individual classes.
No ammo with any steel in the bullet.
You may use all lead, full metal jacket, jacketed hollow point or jacketed soft point ammunition.
All rifle ammunition should be of the same load.
Note: Any change in the load can and will usually change the zero.
Rounded lead flat nose bullets such as those popular with Cowboy Action Shooters feed well in lever action rifles. Semi wadcutters will function in some rifles but not so well in others. Truncated cone bullets usually work well. Full wadcutters are unlikely to feed at all. Pointed bullets can chain fire in the magazine during recoil.
.38 Special or .357 Magnum ammunition loaded with a properly shaped bullet with an over all cartridge length that meets the specification set by your rifle’s manufacturer should function well. Cowboy Action Loads of the correct over-all length will usually work well in a lever action rifle.
No pointed bullets allowed.
Must have flat nosed ammunition for tubular magazines with the only exception being the Hornady Leverevolution with a nylon point.
Cowboy Action Shooting ammunition works well for training.
Cartridge Loops-minimum of 12 loops in the appropriate caliber.
Butt Cuff- Nylon or leather Ammo Carrier is also suggested.
Recoil Pad- on the rifle will make shooting more comfortable and reduce slippage on the shoulder.
A field grade (thin) PAST shoulder pad worn under or over the shirt for calibers above .357 Magnum is suggested.
A shooting mat will be required for shooting from prone and kneeling
You may use a piece of carpet or a heavy moving blanket for a mat.
Elbow and knee pads are recommended.
We recommend that you use some type of leather wrap on the bottom of the rifle lever to slightly reduce the size of the opening and to provide a softer surface for the back of the fingers of the primary hand when running the lever quickly. Contact us for more information.
Baseball cap
A suitable pistol as used in Pistol 1-4.
Strong side butt to the rear holster with some form of retention which allows you to rapidly assume the prone position without losing the pistol.
At least three magazines for the pistol.
A pistol magazine pouch (Single magazine pouch is ok).
Fifty accurate, safe and reliable factory pistol cartridges.
Shooting gloves with fingers exposed are recommended.
Boots or sturdy high-top shoes to protect ankles.
A minimum of 10 A-Zoom dummy cartridges for the rifle.
Please note: Most 1873 Winchester type rifles will function better with 357 Magnum A-Zooms rather than 38 Special A-Zooms. We have seen several 1873 rifles fail to function with 38 Special A-Zooms, but function correctly with live 38 Special cartridges and of course with live .357 Magnum cartridges and .357 Magnum dummy cartridges. Please refer to your manufacturer’s documentation regarding the maximum and minimum over all cartridge length for your rifle and check that your dummy rounds as well as your live ammunition is the correct over-all length.
Ear plugs and ear muff type hearing protection.
Both clear and dark shooting glasses.
A wide heavy-duty belt that will fit your belt loops to support your pistol.
Trousers with belt loops are required.
Bug spray is recommended.
Sun block is highly recommended.
One gallon of water (minimum) for each range day per shooter is suggested.
Tools required to adjust iron sights.
Cleaning rod is suggested.
Pocket notebook to record all zeroing and range data.
Writing implements to record information in your notebook.
Binoculars will be helpful.
Cleaning kit is recommended.
Fire extinguisher is optional, please bring one if you can.
Personal first aid kit is suggested.
Larry and Stacey Mudgett
Marksmanship Matters