Best non-semi automatic defense rifle

I figure a .357 lever that's happy with .38 or a stripper-clip fed surplus carbine. If my Jungle-Carbine didn't use relatively rare .303 - it'd be a the top of the list but as it is, I have a very sweet FR-8 that takes 5 round clips of any ol' .308.

Todd.

If AR's go, everything's going. Maybe a nice bright Nerf gun? But for a real answer, I would get a Henry in 357... unless Ruger can make theirs not suck.

A ,357 lever action with a good revolver on the hip. Make sure the action is smooth and it feeds properly.

ARs usually get the nod because:

-quick (semi auto)
-plenty of shots with a standard capacity mag
-fast reloads
-relatively lightweight
-low recoil
-rifle round that will assuredly put the hurt on BG
-easy optics versatility

So if an AR is (let’s hope not) off the list of options, we’d want to retain as many of those features as we could.

SKS is a good option because it retains semi-automatic and is chambered in another cartridge that’s relatively light-recoiling and effective. It has a “friendly” 10 round internal magazine but can be reloaded with stripper clips.

If neither is an option, it’d be hard to argue with a lever. I think the exact one wouldn’t matter much. There’s not a huge amount of difference between a 44, .357 (from a rifle) and .30-30. They’d all do the job. They all give up the ability for quick reloads, unless you practice a lot, and even then they’ll be slow compared to an amateur swapping mags. But I still have to think they’d be better than a bolt gun for most civilian self defense purposes.

There’s also the venerable 12ga pump shotgun. As fast or faster than the lever. Good firepower. Could get a rifled slug barrel if you were so inclined.

Manually operated HD carbine? I'd grab an old Remington 7615. Pump action 5.56, runs on AR mags, takes 870 stocks/accessories.

Not ideal, but it checks alot of boxes. It was pretty much tailor made for such situations.

If semi-auto is off the table a decent pump 12ga with the right defensive load can stop a target fast. I do also have a 357 lever action I love and various wheelguns.

I did just miss a GP100 Wiley Clapp on a local forum

For home defense, there are multitudes of good pump shotguns or pistol caliber lever guns out there. For homestead defense and "other duties", don't forget the Lee-Enfields with a 10 round magazine, or the Ishapore production gun in 7.62mm NATO and with a 12 round magazine that uses normal stripper clips.

A Taurus Thunderbolt (copy of a Colt Lightning Rifle) in 45 colt. Pump action with a 14 shot magazine tube. It has no disconnecter so it will slam fire as long as you hold the trigger back as you work the action. Very fast. They also made it in 357. The only problem with them is finding a case and bullet shape they like.

I second the 7615 pump if you can find one reasonably priced. The one I have could've been sold for over two thousand dollars during the last banic. Glad I hung on to it.

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I think a .357mag is ideal, but ifelt pretty good about my ruger American ranch rifle on a recent trip that included a potential hog hunt. It is a compact, 20rd box, 7.62x39. It doubled as a hd gun for a week, while we were away from home.

Gosh, the Dems don't want to BAN ARs... they just want us to register them, pay an NFA tax-stamp on each one we own, and then another $200 tax stamp for each "high capacity" AR magazine we already own... Haven't y'all read the DNC platform? We'll be just fine going forward, no need to fret...

But, uh, just in case, my resolution for 2021 is to spend a lot more time with my lever-action rifles and pump-action shotguns...

I'm thinking a Marlin 1894 carbine in .38/.357 and a Marlin 336 in .30-30 are just the ticket.

I'd probably get a semi-auto shotgun. Any kind of manual action has a high risk of jamming it under pressure, so I want to stay away from them if possible.

If that doesn't work? Probably a pump shotgun.

If that doesn't work? Rossi 92 lever action in 357.

ETA: if whatever AWB Part II does come to pass, it will be interesting to see what workarounds the gun industry comes up with. The market of gunbuyers today is a lot more tactical than it was in 1994, and there's going to be a lot more demand for a suitable ban-compliant HD rifle that there was back then.

Plus they had a 2 feature test back then, so you could buy a sort-of-crappy AR or MAK 90 that skirted the ban... AFAIK, all the recent AWBs passed and proposed in the last decade have been 1 feature tests.

I have a 94 in 44 Mag and 336 in 30-30. I think I would choose the 336 over the 94. Mainly because I shoot it better. TBH though, if it was for home defense, I would definitely go with my 870 and 00 buck.

If I go pistol caliber rifle, I would choose 44 over 357.

When semi's are off the table, I then go to the shotgun. In the absence of that, the lever gun in 45 Colt takes its place. Size, quick handling, capacity, ability to reload on the fly, and weight all work well. A bolt rifle can't match its handling.

Many antigunners admire Australia gun laws. In Australia pump action rifles and shotguns are just as illegal as semiauto rifles. I would expect the same here if the new occupiers get their way. Notice that lever action rifles are legal for private citizens:

All self-loading centrefire rifles, pump-action or self-loading or lever-action shotguns that have a magazine capacity of more than 5 rounds, semi-automatic rimfire rifles over 10 rounds, are restricted to government agencies, occupational shooters and primary producers.

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Balrog said:

The AR seems to be the go-to rifle right now if one chooses a rifle for self defense, such as in a home defense situation.

With the shift to the left we have taken with the loss of the House, Senate, and Presidency, it would seem possible and likely probable that we will see gun restrictions passed. These are likely to target semiautomatic rifles like the AR, Mini-14, AK, and many others.

If magazine fed semiauto rifles were to become available, what would be the best rifles to serve in the role of home defense?

I am thinking the answer is probably a 357 or 44 magnum lever action carbine, but wonder what others would choose in this situation.

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As in protecting your property from the bad guys coming over the fence or in your house, an 'invader', burgler, etc..shorter distances with people in other rooms with walls that won't stop a 223/556?

I don't have a crystal ball, a new AWB 'might' happen...not sure the 'new' congress has the political will to do that. There are more than a few Dems would would not sign onto that.

BUT, I have a shotgun and magazine fed, bolt action 223/556 and a 17R handgun..for HD(for the zombies at the gate)...Lots of higher capacity and fairly quick to use, rifles out there. Like maybe a 9mm carbine.

BUT for instance number 2, I don't think any 'AR' type rifle would be the best choice. Bigger, lots of over penetration, VERY loud, particularly in a small room.

Old Dog said:

Gosh, the Dems don't want to BAN ARs... they just want us to register them, pay an NFA tax-stamp on each one we own, and then another $200 tax stamp for each "high capacity" AR magazine we already own... Haven't y'all read the DNC platform? We'll be just fine going forward, no need to fret...

But, uh, just in case, my resolution for 2021 is to spend a lot more time with my lever-action rifles and pump-action shotguns...

I'm thinking a Marlin 1894 carbine in .38/.357 and a Marlin 336 in .30-30 are just the ticket.

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How do the feds do that..on guns already owned, since nobody knows who has what now? 17million or so "ARs" owned and like 45-50 million magazines?

Speculation, but a possibility. I think a lot depends on where you live. Rural, city, apartment, house. My 1894’s in 357 and 44 would be pretty tough to beat where I live. 10+1 running light hollow points really fast would do some serious damage.

A Marlin 1895 in 410 wouldn’t be a bad idea. Neither would any pump shotgun.

My first line of defense is my dogs. They can hear my keys being quietly slid in the lock from 40 feet away in the bedroom. I know. I’ve tested it. My Catahoula will give you your first warning. The second warning will cost you dearly.

Balrog said:

The AR seems to be the go-to rifle right now if one chooses a rifle for self defense, such as in a home defense situation.

With the shift to the left we have taken with the loss of the House, Senate, and Presidency, it would seem possible and likely probable that we will see gun restrictions passed. These are likely to target semiautomatic rifles like the AR, Mini-14, AK, and many others.

If magazine fed semiauto rifles were to become available, what would be the best rifles to serve in the role of home defense?

I am thinking the answer is probably a 357 or 44 magnum lever action carbine, but wonder what others would choose in this situation.

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You meant to say "unavailable" right?

There are not that many choices. I think they have been mentioned.

If autoloaders are banned, and manually operated firearms are not, I'd expect practical/tactical designed pump action PCCs to be made. Essentially, updated versions of the Timber Wolf Carbine from decades ago.

Maybe an 8-shot revolver carbine (with cylinder gap blast shields) would make sense too. Not an 8-shooter in the vid below, but it sure can shoot fast compared to a lever or pump gun. I imagine you could use speed loaders.

C'mon S&W, you can do it.

Never used them for such but I imagine my already “restricted” full auto stuff would work.

I agree with the OP's premise about a lever carbine and have already acted upon it by getting a Henry Long Ranger in .223/5.56, but I'm not happy with the box magazine limit of five rounds.