What are lever-action firearms?
Q: What are lever-action firearms?
A: Lever-action firearms are guns that hold multiple bullets and are loaded by pulling and pushing a lever at the bottom of the gun.
Q: When did lever-action rifles become important weapons?
A: Lever-action rifles first became important weapons during the American Civil War.
Q: Why were their use limited during the Civil War?
A: Their use was limited because many generals felt that the ability to shoot many bullets without reloading would cause soldiers to shoot with less accuracy.
Q: What made them popular after the Civil War?
A: After the Civil War, lever-action guns became much more popular due to their popularity with not just soldiers, but also hunters and civilians. The most famous lever-action rifle, the Winchester Model 1873, was even called "the gun that won the West".
Q: How long were they used by militaries until?
A: Both the militaries of the United States and Russian Empire used lever-action guns often until beginning of 20th century.
Q: How do bolt action rifles compare to lever action ones in terms of firing speed?
A: Lever action guns can fire much faster than bolt-action rifles (lever actions can fire 2 rounds a second in skilled hands).
Q: Are there any other types of lever action firearms besides rifles?
A: Yes, there are also lever-action shotguns as well. The most famous of these is Winchester Model 1887.
