Lever vs bolt
This article is written by John Diana
We often hear that the rate of fire in a lever-action is faster than a bolt action, I decided to do some timed shooting and re-loading to test the theory. Winchester 1894 Trapper in .357 Mag vs a Mossberg MVP in .223/5.56.
Given 5 rounds in the tube magazine of the Trapper + 5 rounds in a speed strip vs 5 rounds in a 5 round box magazine + a second box magazine of 5 rounds, how many rounds can be fired in 10 seconds?
Answer: In the 10 seconds provided both rifles shot the 5 rounds, neither one could be re-loaded quickly enough to get back into action in the allotted 10 seconds.
Second Test: How fast can the 8 rds in the magazine tube of the Winchester 1894 be fired vs the 10 rds magazine of the MVP?
'94: 8 rounds in 10 seconds = .8 sec/rnd
MVP: 10 rounds in 13 seconds = 1.3sec/rnd.
The Winchester 1894 AE in 357mag with a full tube magazine
Mossberg MVP in .223/5.56
Conclusions:
A) The lever-action is 0.5 seconds, per shot, faster than the bolt action, per shot, given one full tube magazine of ammo (in my hands, in this casual timing study).
B) In a 10-second encounter both guns can place 5 rounds downrange.
Extrapolations:
A) The bolt gun, if it uses a detachable magazine or stripper clip, can reload faster than the lever and get back into the fight faster given the parameters of this experiment and the two rifles used.
Individual rounds can be avoided by the use of a speed strip. These can be placed into a cargo pocket, a belt dump pouch or into a holder on a tactical vest.
B). If one "tops off" the tube magazine of the Winchester, then the '94 is never "out of the fight"
C). If the bolt gun is a magazine feed, then the dropping of the empty mag and insertion of another mag is certainly faster than reloading a loading gate, even with a speed strip.
D). Certainly, if a bolt gun only holds 4 rounds in a fixed, non-detachable mag, then the time for reloading of both the '94 and bolt would be about the same. Therefore, as far as firepower, the advantage goes to the lever gun.
E). The advantage of the '94 is there are no magazines to lose or carry. It is a self-contained weapon. If you also happen to have it chambered in a handgun caliber, your side-arm could also be in the same caliber, which is certainly a tactical and supply advantage especially if you need to be on the move.
Advantages of the MVP if using a 20 rd mag, would greatly extend the fight capabilities of the weapon despite its slower rate of fire.
D). A disadvantage of any lever gun is loading in freezing or sub-freezing temperatures. Attempting to insert a round with cold hands and fingers is not only difficult but painful to your fingers. Gloves may hinder more than help, especially if your loading smaller handgun caliber cartridges like the 357. This is something that I learned shooting my '94 in the harsh Vermont Winters. Let's face it, we may not have ideal weather conditions in an encounter, and reloading under stress is certainly a consideration.
I have not touched upon effective range because so much depends upon the skill of the shooter. But, having experience with both, I can group sub-MOA with my MVP at 200 yards which for me would be impossible with my '94. That being said, probably the majority of shots fired in defense would likely be under 50 yards, a distance that both rifles can easily handle.
Psychology of each:
Lever actions appear less threatening than an AR/AK's
A bolt gun with a wood stock also appears less threatening.
A black gun: AR, AK, with a block magazine is more threatening to John Q. Public than a lever gun.
Want to "fly under the radar" use either a bolt gun with a wooden stock or a lever gun.
On the other hand...
In a WROL/SHTF situation - intimidation may be better than firepower in scaring the bad guys away. A black rifle with an extended magazine excels in that category.
If you were to answer the door and there were five or six potential bad guys on your doorstep, which do you think would be more intimidating, the lever gun or the AR with a 30 round mag?
Which one would I grab in a God-Forbid scenario?
An additional piece of information; having spent the last winter shooting in the mountains of New England, all firearm operations become difficult to painful when the temperature is below freezing, the wind is blowing and the skies are dark and cloudy. Gloves thick enough to protect you from the elements are just thick enough to prevent you from quickly using a loading gate or operating a magazine release button.
Certainly, if you are simply changing an empty mag for a fresh one, the manipulations are simpler - until your magazines are empty and you need to reload your mags in order to keep your gun-running.
Both firearms are excellent but you must train with them in all weather conditions. Only then, will you truly understand your firearm, its capabilities, and shortcomings.
It is all food for thought...