What do you think of large loop levers?

[curtism1234]

Obviously John Wayne gives the image that a large loop lever is actually usefull.

From a practical point though, does the large loop serve any positive purpose at all? And does it serve any negative purpose?

I know it is likely to slow you down if you're a cowboy shooters, but does it actually make it harder or more awkward to cycle?


I just bought a Puma for hunting and plinking and thinking about adding the loop for "the look" --- but not if it's actually going to be a pain to shoot.

[Lloyd Smale]

the advantage is that with heavy recoiling rounds they give your hand a little more room and prevent it from getting beat up. I dont like the looks of them myself and find they make for slower and more awkward cocking.

[Castaway]

I don't feel a need for one, although they sure do look good, ala the Duke.  The argument that they allow a gloved hand to fit in the loop doens't fly with me.  I'm more comfortable placing my hand outside of the loop when shooting.  I find it gives me a better feel for depressing the hammer drop safety.

[Oldtimer]

As I recall, the large loop was a Hollywood development to give a distinctive look to the Duke's weapon.  If it were for use with gloved hands, you'd think the Canadians would have modified the Model 76's the Mounties carried, but they did not have any trouble with using the lever.  They did make some accommodations for winter use.  Winchester made a thumb trigger single shot .22 that was really popular in Canada.  I have only shot one and seen another in the States.  I once passed on a Model 94 in .32 Special because it had a large lever.  Sorry I did that, but if I had to do it over again, I would have bought it and  put a regular lever on it.

[Echo4Lima]

You guys forgot The Rifleman, Lucas McCain...

[Cheesehead]

I remember hunting with my 1895 at -17 degrees, wishing I had a large loop lever to better fit my large gloved hand that was going numb from being slightly compressed by the standard lever. But, at 150 bucks for this large lever, I am unsure.

Cheese

[Horsefeathers]

I have a Rossi/Puma Trapper model with the large loop.  It gets in the way on the bench. I was thinking of swapping it for a standard one but I developed Arthritus in my fingers and have trouble with the small  loop. I wear a glove with the lg. loop it 's not great but it works better for me. Horsefeathers.

[Dixie Dude]

The Rifleman seemed to always have a glove on with his, and he levered it with one hand swinging it completely around.  I think John Wayne did the same thing.  For a short carbine, in say a .44 mag, it might be useful.  Longer barrels probably not.  I have however heard of guys with very large hands preferring a Winchester since their loops and trigger guards were a little larger. 

[Blackhawk44]

Dixie, the Rifleman's (Chuck Connors') rig worked fine for him because he was the only one around with arms long enough to twirl a 20" barrel.  He was 6 ft 5 in tall.  He also had a special plunger above the chamber which kept his next round from falling out on the ground.  The Duke's carbines were cut and Federally registered with 15 inch barrels (and forearms shortened) since he was only 6' 2".  You will also notice that the Duke never triggered a round immediately after a twirl since his guns had no plunger to retain the next round.  His scenes were cut away to a new angle between the twirl and the shot. 

If you still want to twirl, first measure the distance from your head or shoulder to your curled fingers, then go measure your gun.  This exercise could save you from an expensive reblue job since splattered blood causes almost instant rust and...never mind, just take my word.  BOL.

[rkcohen]

is this an ergonomic consideration or a style statement?

some "large levers" aren't.  large in loop some are, longer in length some are, large in loop and longer (both) some are - while others just "ain't!"

my wife has a Marlin Cowboy in 38-55, the lever is perfect for her hand with a thin glove, I have put a replacement lever on my 1895.

My wife is 5'5" and I am 6'4" so you can see where differences need to be accommodated, length of pull, lever size and so on.

my mitts were always cramped until I got a replacement, now life is better, the gun cycles easier and is much more comfortable in regards to recoil management.

my observations...

[S.B.]

And with really big mitts, like mine, they give room for the shooting hand fingers(read comfort).

[Foggy]

the large levers are a cold weather thing  like northern Canada, Alaska thing. I know movies are great for making it up as they go for the look but, in the Lee Marvin Charles Bronson  Death Hunt. I t was a real incident . Hollywood did play  fast and loose with the facts. But if you watch and notice some of the lever guns (there and Winchesters, Marlins and a Savage) there are several obviously homemade large loops lever guns. one would think to accommodate mittens and thick gloves.
Just my 2 cents
Foggy

[S.B.]

And sporterized Krags(Marvin's rifle) and No1Mk3s(Wuther's rifle).

[Old Grizz]

I have a number of Marlin levers and have considered a large loop, but don't like the looks of them. Where I hunt, it's cold, but even with the thickest of gloves I can still get 3 fingers the the loop.

[dstegjas]

I did install one on my 1895GS and like it. Mine was only a slightly modified loop. It was at the time called the Model 6 from Dave's Custom Guns. Brownell use to sell several different size loops from Dave's for the lever guns. I just looked and it appears that they have dropped several of them and only carry 2 or 3 models now. The Model 6 is no longer available through them. If you can locate the right "Dave's Custom Guns" you may be able to buy directly from him. Here is a picture of my 1985GS Marlin next to a few others. Hopefully that will help you see the difference. 



Jim

[S.B.]

Can't see your picture but, is Dave's Dave Clements?

[dstegjas]

S.B.,
I pulled out the packaging that the loop came in. Here is the name and address of the owner of Dave's Custom Guns.

David R. Clay
809 Harris
Arlington, Texas  76001
drccgs@aol.com

Hopefully you can see the picture now. If not let me know and I will re-post it.

Jim

[jneilson]

I never have cared for them, even when I was 5 and my dad and brother thought the Rifleman's was the greatest thing ever.