The Basics Of How A Lever Action Works

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The Basics Of How A Lever Action Works

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03-14-2010, 09:29 PM

Eli Chaps

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The Basics Of How A Lever Action Works

NOTE: 3/20 - Original post updated to include a third
picture and better describe the lever/carrier function.
Aside from the finger and trigger slots and overall shape, the
lever has six key points:
This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 800x437.

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1. While not critical to action function, the plunger and

plunger spring are what lock the lever to the gun and keep it
from just popping open.
2. This hook engages the locking lug and moves it up and

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The Basics Of How A Lever Action Works

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down.
3. This ramp rides on the carrier (aka lifter) and just
initiates enough movement of the carrier to block the next
round from entering the receiver after a new one is
delivered.
4. This "nub" sits inside the groove in the bolt and forces the
bolt backward. The bolt rides along the face (right side as
pictured) of this curve.
5. This "point" pushes the bolt forward and locks it into
battery.
6. This "cut-out" both allows the carrier to slide alongside
the lever and holds the next round as it moves from the
magazine to the chamber. The left as pictured end of this
cutout engages the carrier and this is what moves the carrier
up and down during cycling.

Here is a picture of the parts more or less as they sit when

in battery:
This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 800x539.

The lever is closed and up against the rifle. The bolt is

forward and the locking lug is engaged in the bolt, this is
what keeps the bolt from flying out the back of the rifle. The
carrier is down and ready to pick up a new round.

Here is a picture of the parts more or less being cycled:

This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 800x698.

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And here is a picture attempting to show the key points in

the function of the lever and the carrier. This obviously is not
how they sit in the rifle. Read below for description.
This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 800x400.

The lever throws open. The locking lug drops, allowing the
bolt to move rearward and the lever disengages it. The bolt
via the extractor pulls the empty casing out of the chamber
and when it reaches the ejector spring it is tossed out the
ejection port. The lever slides along the hook on the carrier

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depressing it (it's sprung) until the lever is fully forward and

the bevel section slips just passed the hook on the carrier,
allowing it to pop out and the lever to engage it. As the lever
is moved back (to the rifle) the carrier raises and delivers a
new round for the bolt to pick up and deliver to the chamber.
The lever/carrier function is tough to explain and show in a
picture. If you cycle your lever with a good light and watch
inside the ejection port you can see the lever slip over the
hook on the carrier and engage it. You can also feel and hear
it click just at the very end of the cycle when the lever is
fully extended. And as soon as you pull back on the lever,
the carrier will lift.
It might seem complicated to read about but it is amazingly
simple in design.
Hopes this helps folks in understanding what is going on
inside the receiver. It is really an extremely simple system
but it does require the right angles, radii, and timing.

Last edited by Eli Chaps; 12-28-2012 at 07:36 AM.

drjim, Jimhargrave, dhansen and 6 others like this.

Erik

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