Just getting old

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blindhari

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I am 74 this year. Heart attack and stint 2 weeks ago, pacemaker yesterday. Wrist problems have made me give away everything over 22mag. 20 gauge is just a little more than I can tote or shoot with comfort. I still like to go walking in high desert plateau, 5000'. Being realistic I would like to have a bit more than a 22mag. I think I have it narrowed down to a savage model 42 410/22 mag. As this will be a walking firearm, and probably the last one I buy, I was wondering if any one on the forum owned one and could give me a heads upon reliability, accuracy and useful range. I no longer hunt, I just want a dependable backup.

Any advice appreciated, Thank you in advance,

blindhari
 
I have not shot the savage, but have had a single shot 410. Personally, I couldn't hit much with it. I suppose it depends on what you're looking to use it for. If it's for snakes up close and a deterrent for big cats...I'd keep a couple of 410 slugs in your pocket if the cats are indeed a concern, I'm not sure what effect a 22 mag would have, but 410 shotshell for snakes would be fine I'd think. 22mag would be ok for coyote and such. In either event, the useful range would be limited just given the caliber/gauge. I'll let someone with experience with that Savage speak to reliability and accuracy, but given the design, I can't imagine there would be any issues. Just a thought, for a lightweight, handy weapon, have you considered an M1 Carbine? Hardly any recoil, pretty darn accurate and just a hair over 5lbs loaded. Of course, no shot shells for 30 carbine though
 
I live in Az high desert plateau. I have never seen a bear in 20+ years but I have been followed by mountain lion on occasion. Biggest problem is startled canines dumped by people who no longer want their pets. Most of the abandoned ferals are no problem but some are aggressive. I have kept a nice 10/22, single six convertible, a Ruger American in 22 mag but I feel a 410 slug or winchester PDX1 would have much more authority under 50 yards.

blindhari
 
I too have 'oldfartitis', and I tell the 'young' folks 'if you are lucky you will get it too'!:D I have seen several of my friends have to change 'guns' and loads becasue of various physical problems. As far as advise, that is hard to do as individual preferences play a big role in those choices. If you are steady enough there are several very accurate 22 handguns that would be easy to carry as opposed to long guns.
 
blindhari said:
I live in Az high desert plateau. I have never seen a bear in 20+ years but I have been followed by mountain lion on occasion. Biggest problem is startled canines dumped by people who no longer want their pets. Most of the abandoned ferals are no problem but some are aggressive. I have kept a nice 10/22, single six convertible, a Ruger American in 22 mag but I feel a 410 slug or winchester PDX1 would have much more authority under 50 yards.

blindhari
Click to expand...

I live in Arizona too, Hi Point carbine has no recoil.
They come on 380, 9mm, 40, 45ACP, and 10mm.

It shoots like a 22.
 
Jim Rau said:
I too have 'oldfartitis', and I tell the 'young' folks 'if you are lucky you will get it too'!:D I have seen several of my friends have to change 'guns' and loads becasue of various physical problems. As far as advise, that is hard to do as individual preferences play a big role in those choices. If you are steady enough there are several very accurate 22 handguns that would be easy to carry as opposed to long guns.
Click to expand...
My 86yo dad can no lo get shoulder a long gun comfortably, but he loves his ruger mkiv..
What am I saying....I'm sitting by my grain bins with a .410 across my lap pass shooting starlings right now,....it wouldbe at 12 ga if it weren't for my buggered shoulder. 15901878263883160339065921744357.jpg
 
i used to shoot bats(at bats) in the summer at dusk many years ago before i knew better with a rem 870 .410 with 2.5" # 9 shot. a light 410-22 o/u would be my choice. gettin old is not for sissies, don,t ask me how i know.
 
eastbank said:
i used to shoot bats(at bats) in the summer at dusk many years ago before i knew better
Click to expand...
Me too, a friend had a barn that bats were making a mess of. About 5 of us went out to shoot a bunch. I was the only one to hit any. A bit worse than hunting doves.

I guess the OP needs to define what he really wants to do with the gun. Just plinking about, or hunting. A two barrel set up is a bit heavier to tote than a gun with one caliber or gauge. I have the old Savage 24V, it is a .357mag over 20 gauge. It is a hefty gun. Although a .22 over .410 would be about a pound or more lighter.
 
Hopefully as a new user but longtime rifle shooter, might I suggest a .357 mag? Personally I feel that the .357 has a less recoil than most other rifle calibers. If not all in a handgun. Martini makes good lever actions but I'm speaking from a 27 year old. The Ruger .22 takedown is a nice gun as well. I use it as my plinker but an easy carry, a Browning MKII pistol is also reliable and accurate. Little heavy but won't let you down.
 
I don't doubt the capability of a .410 for up close and personal, especially with a slug. I guess I'd be more concerned with the speed at which follow-up shots could be sent. The 42 or 24 with .22 mag on top and your single six with the .22 mag cylinder on your hip would be a decent set-up I'd think.
 
Well here I go again.
I have given away a couple of Savage model 24, one in 308/12 and the other in 223/20. I have given away 8 revolvers, 4 bolt action rifles half a dozen H&R single shots. Since I got out of the Army in 1969 I have been hunting almost every year with a brother in law. In all that time I have never killed a living thing with the exception of dumped in the country ferals. I go hunting with my brother in law as an excuse to be out in woods with one of the best men I have ever met. I am looking at the Savage 42 because;
1 It is under 5 pounds in the youth version
2 low recoil
3 I do not really go hunting or plinking
4 I can see well without a scope out to 100yds
5 22 mag out to 100 yds/ 410 from the end of the gun to 30yds
6 I can get a third and fourth shot off faster with a break open than a bolt
7 Scopes make me ill and give me bad dreams
8 I am admitably warped, after military service I have difficulty being unarmed
9 I am getting old
!0 Moderators if I have Offended please accept my apology and lock down this thread.

blindhari
 
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You didn't offend me. Your old enough to know what you want and have earned the right to own it. I'm just a little younger than you an have one more left in the bucket before they throw dirt in my face. Never owned a semi-auto shotgun. Might have to do something about that this fall.
Get your gun and go enjoy it. We ain't getting no younger Son. :)
 
The 42 should be what you need per your description. I know the M24 is not conducive to quickly changing the barrel switch very fast from top to bottom and back, not sure if the 42 is easier of a different configuration.
 
Here is my model 24 20ga/22wmr. Using one like it might be a solution. You might find some light 20ga loads that would not be much more recoil than a .410. I didn't like the model 42 I bought at one point. It was too light and the trigger was terrible. I sold it and kept my Model 24 you see here. If it heavy for you try a sling on it. Might help a little.

model24.jpg
 
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Armored farmer said:
My 86yo dad can no lo get shoulder a long gun comfortably, but he loves his ruger mkiv..
What am I saying....I'm sitting by my grain bins with a .410 across my lap pass shooting starlings right now,....it wouldbe at 12 ga if it weren't for my buggered shoulder.View attachment 918370
Click to expand...

Looks like you did a good job of rounding the many sharp edges along the front of that small frame 870 Express receiver!
 
If walking for a long time, I would first consider "Weight" as the starting point. I Personally would not carry a weapon just for snakes, as I have ran across so many over the years and just not a threat for me. I could not tell you about Mountain lions, just do not have any where I live. Run across Black Bears frequently but they all bolt quick at my presence. I carry a small 9mm when I spend long days in the woods. Mostly for two legged predators.

Less weight, less strain. especially for the long haul.
 
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Check out Chiappa. They have stuff along those lines. I've been looking at them lately. And in reading independent reviews, don't sound bad. And the price is falling into a fixed income area if that's your situation.
 
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