Model 1887 Lever-Action Shotgun

The shotgun has been a part of our heritage since the founding of this great nation. They have been used for hunting, defense and even in times of war. Capable of being fired with birdshot, buckshot and slugs, it’s a very versatile firearm.

Reputation On The Line

The shotgun has been produced in almost every conceivable form: single shot, double-barrel, bolt-action, slide-action (pump) and semiautomatics. There is one category obvious by its very absence — the lever-action. Or is it?

In the late 1800s Winchester asked genius firearm inventor John Moses Browning to design a lever-action shotgun. Browning advised a pump-action would be a better choice for a repeating shotgun. The management at Winchester, however, remained firm and told the designer Winchester was best known for lever-actions and a lever-action shotgun should be produced.

Browning went to work and designed a rolling block lever-action feeding from a tubular magazine — the Model 1887 was born.

Working The 1887

Compared to pump-action shotguns, loading the ’87 is a time consuming, tedious task.

Work the lever forward and then hold the shotgun with the support hand. Drop a shell into the open action, push down on the elevator and insert it into the magazine. In my experience this is most easily accomplished with the thumb of the primary hand.

Closing the action will not chamber a shell. To chamber a shell and fire, work the lever. This will allow a shell in the magazine to escape the shell stop and raise the lifter and shell to the chamber.

To unload, open the action just short of ejection, invert the shotgun and allow the shell to fall out. Subsequent rounds are unloaded by activating the shell stop built into the right side of the receiver while simultaneously applying slight upward pressure on the case head to let the shell escape, invert the shotgun again and allow the round to fall out. Repeat until empty.

When cocked, the hammer only raises only about 1/8″ above the receiver. While it is possible to decock by holding the hammer back, pulling the trigger while continuing to hold the hammer, then allowing it to ease forward, becomes a very risky proposition if cold or wearing gloves. There is no half-cock position.

I have never used the half-cock “feature” on any lever gun and carry it with an empty chamber until I need to fire. With very little practice the lever can be worked as the gun is brought to bear on target as quickly and easily as disengaging a safety on a pistol after drawing.

Original Model 1887s as well as reproduction guns, most notably the Norincos like mine, have a reputation for failure to eject malfunctions. I initially experienced this problem until I began cycling the action the same way I do pump guns — working them like a rented mule. Cycling the action quickly and forcefully will eliminate most ejection problems.

Is It Still Viable?

Some competitors in cowboy action shooting employ the Model 1887, but most use either a Winchester ’97 or a double barrel “coach gun.” I still take mine to the range occasionally because I love lever-actions and shotguns. It is guaranteed to start a conversation.

A few years after the Model 1887 was introduced, Winchester relented and adopted the Browning-designed Model 1893 pump-action for smokeless powder. This was the forerunner of the now famous Model 1897.

With few exceptions, such as the Henry .410s, lever-action shotguns have become a footnote in history.
So, does the Model 1887 have any practical purpose today? Most folks would probably answer “No” as there are other, more reliable shotguns available for hunting, defense and competition.

There is much more to life than winning a competition or being “tactical.” So, if you’re like me and consider “fun” to be a practical purpose, the answer is a resounding yes, it’s very practical!

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