Lever-action rifles, particularly those with real hardwood stocks, attract attention at the gun counter. They’re hard to miss in today’s sea of polymer-wearing bolt actions and semi-automatics, and the resurgence in the design’s popularity continues to defy industry trends.
The rimfire Savage Revel Classic introduced late last year arrived with lever-action magnetism. We’ll reserve discussion about the mystique for last and dive right into why this rimfire is a standout hunting retailers can offer customers with confidence.
Take Down
There are a few other .22 LR-chambered rifles capable of disassembly. It’s an ideal feature for backpacking into remote camps, storage, transportation and more. The system used by Savage in the Revel, however, is modern sporting rifle convenient and clever.
The steps for doing so are straightforward and simple. First, work the lever several times to ensure the gun is empty. Leave the chamber open, inspect to double-check no cartridge remains and engage the crossbolt safety. Push the two takedown pins on the bottom left side of the receiver until they can move no further. Then, grasp the barrel in one hand, the stock in the other, and separate.
It comes apart in two pieces, no tools required. The bullet end of a cartridge was sufficient to start the takedown pins moving during testing. The rest of their travel is easily done by hand on the other side. The pins are held captive after the process, eliminating concern they’ll mysteriously vanish. All parts are secure in one or the other piece after disassembly.
It’s fast and refreshingly simple. Practice a few times and you’ll amaze customers with the rifle’s feature.
Reassembly is lightning quick, too. Make sure the lever is in the open position, with the hammer cocked and safety engaged. Align the two parts while ensuring the bolt is out of the upper assembly with its hammer cutout aligned with the hammer. Now carefully slip the rifle back together. Use one hand to hold the receivers in position while the other pushes the takedown pins back into their flush-fitting position and you’re done.
You might have to work the lever a few times to convince skeptical customers it’s that easy. That glossy-smooth operation should be highlighted in a demonstration, anyway.
Maintenance
Ease of disassembly is a decided asset when it comes to maintenance, too. Cleaning and lubricating the lever and trigger assembly is a breeze when apart.
The bolt, as mentioned before, remains captive when apart. To get to it and nearly all critical contact points, simply remove the four, flush-fitting Allen-headed bolts — two on each side — on the sides of the receiver covering. Gently lift it off and you have unimpeded access to ensure the rifle keeps working like new, even after thousands of rounds.
It’s a clever design that doesn’t require a degree in mechanical engineering to understand. I did it, proof positive anyone can.
Optics?
Savage took a more modern approach to its takedown/maintenance asset, but wisely shunned the pre-installed Picatinny rail trend in its Revel Classic. It is drilled and tapped for scope mounting, but the flush-mounting bolts are hard to detect without handling the gun. Their finish on the test gun was identical to the rest of the rifle’s metalwork, so they don’t stand out.
The approach maintains the cosmetic appeal of a traditional, wood-stocked lever action, yet allows customers to mount an optic if they choose to do so. Compatible scope mounts are already available from EGS, Leupold, Warne and Weaver.
Trigger
The Revel Classic doesn’t come with the company’s famed AccuTrigger. It doesn’t need it.
The trigger on the rifle was crisp throughout testing. It was a pleasure to get behind, with no grit, grind, sponginess, mysterious travel or the unpredictability that plagues many rimfires.
It was such a pleasure that it demanded time with a Lyman Electronic Digital Trigger Pull Gauge. Average let-off weight, for 10 tries, came in at an enviable 2 pounds, 5.3 ounces.
Repeatability is key, however, especially when pursuing small game or attempting to print tiny groups at distance. Nearly all of the results were within 0.2 ounce of each other. Let-off weight standard deviation was 0.85 ounce. That’s about what a small paperclip weighs.
Barrel
The medium-contour barrel is 18 inches long, is not threaded and has a slight crown at the muzzle. Rifling rate is one full twist in 16 inches.
It wears traditional iron sights. Dovetailed up front is a black post and at the back is a U-notch adjustable for elevation. Point of aim matched point of impact on the test rifle, right out of the box.
Accuracy
It was refreshing to spend a few hours behind the familiar, old-school sights many of us learned to shoot behind. The rifle’s performance didn’t disappoint, either.
The sunny testing day was 72 degrees with a breeze that gusted intermittently to 8 mph — almost ideal for a 50-yard review. One of the first five-shot groups came in at .87-inch. Federal’s American Eagle 38-grain HP load set that mark.
It’s tempting to chalk that up to skill, but the five, five-shot group average proves otherwise. That number calculated to 1.31 inch. Better shooters should be able to reduce that figure.
Returning to the sandbagged prone position for testing, Norma’s Match soft-point load turned in a best group that measured .92-inch. Its average for the session was 1.43. CCI’s 40-grain Velocitor copper-plated HPs came in at 1.04 and 1.67, respectively.
There were no stoppages or malfunctions. The lever operation is smooth and flawless, ejecting spent cartridges with authority and smoothly picking up fresh ones from the magazine.
Magazine
The Revel Classic tube magazine has a 12-round capacity. Loading was familiar and fast, with some features even novice lever-action owners will quickly appreciate.
The magazine tube knob is knurled, a wise touch for those days gloves are required on small-game hunts or during sweaty plinking sessions. A bright red follower provides unmistakable indication in the loading port when it’s time to add ammo. Little things add up, and Savage didn’t miss much, if anything, in this rifle.
Safety
A crossbolt safety is located just behind the trigger. It’s in a recessed area to avoid unwanted deactivation when afield. It also has a red ring to show when the gun is ready to fire.
Although not typically considered a safety feature, the external hammer provides visual indication of the gun’s condition. It’s a nice asset for mentors accompanying novice hunters afield. The hammer wears deep serrations on the spur to ensure positive grip regardless of conditions.
The features make the rifle an ideal choice for passing on the tradition. The fact it’s lots of fun for experienced hands is a nice bonus, too.
What’s Missing?
As the gun ships from the factory, there are no sling studs. Opinions are divided whether they should be there, although owners can easily add them if desired. Cosmetically, they might clash with the “classic” label, although there’s no denying their functionality.
There is no recoil pad. Instead, a polymer buttplate with Savage logo is installed. Even young shooters won’t find that a drawback in a 6.1-pound gun chambered in .22 LR.
Cosmetics Magnetism?
The Revel hits a grand slam in the rimfire game. The satin-finished Turkish walnut has a timeless look. All metalwork wears an identical black finish. There’s no doubt this rifle will stand out at from the gaggles of camouflage and black-anodized guns so common today.
Don’t be shy about pulling it down and asking customers to handle it, too. It’s nimble and comfortable to shoulder and has a confidence-building feeling of substance.
It checks all the right boxes to be a good seller. There’s more to the magic, though. Lever actions, for a variety of reasons, appeal to multiple generations of sportsmen — old, new and everyone between. There’s also an under-reported asset to weigh.
Trend-Defying Lever Actions
It’s no secret firearm sales declined after COVID-19’s record-setting year. The trend continues, although there are signals a “new norm” is on the horizon.
In the meantime, it’s a challenge for hunting retailers. Hidden in some of the figures released by the industry, however, are indications that stocking lever-actions, or cautiously increasing their inventory, is a strategic move.
According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, total purchases declined 3.5% in 2024 when compared to 2023’s total. Those figures include rifles, shotguns and handguns.
The latest RetailBI report goes further in its comparison of sales during the first quarter of 2025 to 2024. It separates rifle designs into separate categories. The study found the drop in bolt-action and semi-automatic rifle purchases were both significantly worse than that experienced by lever-actions.
Lever-actions aren’t outselling their counterparts, but the math clearly indicates their overall market share is on the increase. The trend isn’t new, either.
The Revel Custom has the looks to turn heads and, more importantly, delivers the quality and performance customers deserve. It’s yet another winner from a legendary firm that’s been creating some of history’s best since 1894.
Specifications
Savage Revel Classic
Chambering: .22 LR (tested), .17 HMR and .22 WMR
Method of Operation: Lever Action
Overall Length: 36 1/2 inches
Weight: 6.1 pounds
Receiver: Aluminum
Trigger Let-Off Weight: 2 pounds, 5.3 ounces
Barrel: 18-inch, medium contour carbon steel
Rifling: 1:16 inches
Stock: Turkish walnut, satin finish
Magazine: 12-round capacity, tube
Accessories: Empty chamber flag, cable lock, owner’s manual
MSRP: $439
Website: SavageArms.com
