There’s no denying lever-action rifles have a hold on American shooters. They have a storied history with modern application, and simply put, they are just cool. On this episode of American Hunter’s Sunday Gunday, we’re taking a closer look at a lever action rifle that adds to that appeal a big-bore 500 Smith and Wesson chambering, and the ability to be taken down into two parts for easy transport: The Model 89 500 S&W Take Down from Big Horn Armory.
First, this is one solid rifle. The 18-inch barrel is made from 416 Stainless steel, the action of high-strength 17-4PH stainless. Those components are also subject to a special nitriding process that makes them even tougher.
The rifle’s takedown system is simple yet solid. Coming apart in two pieces just forward of the receiver, metal teeth run the full length of both the receiver and barrel end, and mate together without binding to resist movement in all directions.
The takedown procedure is easy, simply open the action, unscrew the magazine tube at the barrel end to back off the locking plate, and slide the two pieces apart. It takes mere seconds. Putting it back together again is just as easy. And once apart, the rifle becomes both easier to clean and easier to transport, let’s say, in a pack as you hike into camp.
As for the other features, the rifle’s curved lever is somewhat larger than a standard lever—great for gloved hands and fingers—but it’s not big-loop huge.
The rifle’s magazine tube holds seven rounds and those rounds loaded easily through the side gate.
The stock and fore-end are made from great looking American Black Walnut, with deep checkering at the grip and along the sides of the fore-end. The stock and fore-end are fitted with integral front and stud rear sling swivel mounts. A 1-inch Pachmayr Decelerator recoil pad covers the butt of the stock and takes some punch out of the 500 S&W’s recoil.
For aiming, the Model 89 Takedown wears a Skinner Ghost Ring rear sight and a white pearl bead out front, but the receiver is drilled and tapped, so you can easily add an optic on top if you prefer, and Big Horn will add a Picatinny rail to the top for an added cost.
As for accuracy, our testing proved the Model 89 takedown was on par with most lever guns, not an absolute tack driver, but certainly capable of making a killing shot inside of 100 yards, averaging 2.0- to 2.25-inch groups. And unlike some other pistol-caliber lever-guns, the .500 S&W chambering still packs a heck of a lot of big-game-dropping punch at 100 yards and beyond.
All in all, the Model 89 TD chambered in .500 S&W is a big-bore lever gun capable of going up against nearly any animal in North America. It handles great, has just enough heft to tame the beast chambering, and of course it comes apart, which is not only convenient, but just plain cool.
For more information, check out this rifle and more at bighornarmory.com, and of course, do your part to protect the activities and firearms you love by becoming a member of the NRA. Join us by clicking here.
