Anyone own a Co-Pilot?

I love mine, they do not do a lot in .357 as that is usually too small a caliber for what they are intended for (large, dangerous critters think bears and moose). Mine is in .44 mag. The folks at Wild West Guns are great to deal with and have several varations of them made up at any time so you might not have to wait for one.

I've wanted one (or more) for years. Having a carbine that is almost as handy and mobile as a handgun is very appealing. I'm leaning toward 45-70 but a pistol caliber would be practical for most circumstances I can imagine.

45/70 on a 1895 XLR here...

Workmanship is good and the action job is slickety smooth. Mine is in matte stainless steel with a 16" barrel and a black Kevlar stock. Started reloading again recently and there is a huge range of loads from mild plinkers to oh my shoulder hurts.

I like 357 lever guns but don't think I'd personally spend the extra on a copilotized one. While they are handy and good enough for short range deer, they lack the SERIOUS punch needed for protection from things with long claws and big teeth.

Perhaps you may be satisfied with a 1894ss LTD in 357. They are n't takedown but they are tiny and jewel like. They show up from time to time on the gun trading sites. I have one in 357 and also in 44 and compared to a "regular" 1894ss they are really handy and you can get one for way less than 1/2 the price of the takedown gun. There are a few other places that do takedown leverguns also.

Another thing to consider is resale, I know you prolly think you will keep it forever but things happen and the market for these jewels is very small comparatively. You will likely take a very big hit if you try to sell it unless you find a enthusiast like you or I.

Look on Gunsamerica, gunbroker and the others regularly and you probably find one in a couple months. Remember, the waiting time is measured in many months (my wait was nearly 8 months!) as they are busy with a lot of projects and seem to do them in lots to save production costs...

Also look at there 500 S&W lever gun they are manufacturing. I think thatrifle is really slick, compact and powerful in a big way...

my $.38

Patty

Hopefully I will be ordering one up in the next 4-5 months. Got to save up. Ok, maybe 2-3 months.

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Well despite a couple of comments about them having some in stock, that may or may not be the case. I have called them off and on for several years about getting one, or having one built on my Marlin and I've had little success.

So far the quickest I've been quoted was 18 months.

If you want a takedown lever action rifle in a pistol caliber, you might consider one of the takedown Winchester 92 copies sold in such on-line catalogs as www.buffaloarms.com (FFL transfer required.)

I believe Taylor sells a take-down 1892 available in the usual pistol calibers. It is WAY cheaper than a Guide Gun, although I have no doubt the Guide Gun is a better product.