Utility Question - Which Rifle?

[pinetree64]

I have an itch for a new rifle. The ones I am considering are on opposite ends of the spectrum.

AR15 - M4 configuration vs. Marlin 1894C 38/357

I have a snubby 38 and a 4" 38/357, the lever gun would fit well making a three gun battery in one caliber. The lever action is good for everything from varmint up to small whitetail.

The AR, is just cool and I have an opportunity to pick one up at a good price.

I have several rifles, hunting and C&R. My M1 carbine that fits the home/truck defense roll.

I just don't see where the AR fits in. I go to the range and all, but I don't compete.

Maybe I should hold off like the wife suggests and get a DSA FAL.

tjg

 

[Shawnee]

From a "utility" standpoint there is no question the Marlin is the best choice.
Ditto from a "Fun" standpoint.
Ditto from an "Expense" standpoint.
Ditto from a "Cool" standpoint.

 

[H2O MAN]

Get the AR or maybe and M14 type... or both

 

[Firepower!]

M4.
Unless you are going to use it extremely dirty conditions.

 

[Seafarer12]

Personally I think the Marlin would be more useful, but thats just my opinion. I have owned both. I sold the AR but still have the lever.

 

[stubbicatt]

I like to ask myself if I were standing trial for homocide, and the prosecution brought out the instrument of death, would I prefer a jury to see a lever rifle or an AR15?

I loved my Marlin 94. Shot cast bullets like a dream. A wonderful rifle, really. Somehow in all my messing about I sold that rifle. It was a mistake to sell it. Had a little 4x Leupold scope on it with QD rings. Perhaps I should purchase another some day.

 

[Eightball]

Maybe I should hold off like the wife suggests and get a DSA FAL.

Make the wife happy. If the wife's happy, everybody's happy.

But, ARs could get hard to get after this November.

 

[bhk]

For a utility rifle, I really like one with a detachable magazine. They can be carried in the truck or kept in the house unloaded, but load and unload in a flash. I like lever actions, but they are a pain in the butt to unload (and load). Pumps, autos, and bolt actions are all available with detachable mags.

 

[41magsnub]

I seriously want a lever .38/.357. What for? I have no idea where I would use it since my average deer hunting shot would be pushing it for a pistol caliber but the whole concept is just cool to me having never owned a lever gun. Good HD/truck gun I suppose.

 

[ArmedBear]

I love my 1894C. It can be loaded with hot rounds that make it transcend its caliber.

Montana, though, well, that's not exactly pistol caliber country one way or another. Or .30-30, either.

I did meet guys up there who used .38-40 black powder in original 92's for hunting, though. Elk, they claimed. I ate some of their elk meat, but I didn't ask which rifle had shot the elk I ate.

.38-40 is not a hot round, compared to even middling .357 Magnum from a carbine. Fun, though, to shoot those originals!

 

[mustanger98]

Here's another vote for the levergun... like it's any surprise from me on here. And loaded with Hornady's 180gr HP/XTP, it's good for bigger deer than you figure on within a reasonalbe range of 100yds or so. If you can still put a Williams 5D rear sight on it, it works great that way.

 

[diesel83]

I have a Winchester 94 paired up with my .357 SAA for the same reason above. The Marlin is a nice little gun. I like have a solid pistol caliber shared between a carbine and a revolver. However, I do have a Mini-14 for serious duty and really wish I had a FAL. The reason I don't have a FAL is because my wife respectfully said that the kids need to go to college, so we can't go all out with the budget, ergo the Mini-14. If your wife is game for the FAL...DO IT.

 

[Gunther]

Buy the AR15 while you can you will be able to pick up the lever gun later.

 

[MCgunner]

I have a .357 lever gun. It's very versatile. I don't care for ARs, just not into 'em.

 

[H2O MAN]

I have a .357 mag Winchester 94 teamed up with a Colt Python and I still say get the AR