.44 magnum Henry mares leg. Good for SHTF?

[GunsAreEssential1975]

Ok guys I'm brand spanking new here. First let me give a little background here. First Im a 34 year old male and I've been in a wheelchair all my life. I love the outdoors, and prepping for an uncertain future. The problem is, when I'm in the woods, I have to crawl to get to remote areas. I need something small,light, powerfull enough for deer. I'm really digging the style and quality of the henry pistol/rifle. I would like some feedback on the survival aspect of this gun. I know it only holds six rounds, but I live out in the country, and have no interest in fighting my way to Chicago to get a loaf of bread. I'm figuring it's small and light enough to shove in a pack, and powerfull enough to solve most problems. I also have a small stockpile of .44 mag ammo to keep my Ruger Super Blackhawk running. I can't seem to get this thing out of my head, so any advice is greatly appreciated

 

[VA27]

While the mare's leg is a cool looking item, it's just not practical for your stated needs. It's heavy, requires both hands to manipulate, is slow to load and would be extremely hard to work while prone. I think you'd be better served with a Redhawk or another Super Blackhawk, if you're set on the 44 Mag cartridge.

Good luck with your Quest.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

We really don't do generic SHTF threads here. If you have a specific scenario that doesn't involve TEOTWAWKI for a survival situation, please feel free to be more specific.

 

[Owen Sparks]

Any good handgun should out preform it.

 

[mnrivrat]

Not a serious gun for anything. Much better choices are plentyful .

 

[DPris]

A very bad choice for your purposes.
Denis

 

[Goosey]

You'd be much better off just using your Super Blackhawk or a full-sized 44 lever.

 

[murdoc rose]

the mares leg while cool isnt really good for anything, firing it is awkward at best. Once you get one in your hands you'll understand.

 

[M2 Carbine]

The problem is, when I'm in the woods, I have to crawl to get to remote areas. I need something small,light, powerfull enough for deer. I'm really digging the style and quality of the henry pistol/rifle.

I have the Rossi .357 and Henry 22LR.







I like the guns. Like some other "unusual" guns it can be quite deadly in the hands of an experienced shooter, although there are usually better guns available for most situations, like your 44 Blackhawk.

In your case, I don't believe the Mare's Leg would serve you well.


Although the .223 is generally a little small for Deer, a small size, fairly powerful, very accurate, fairly light weight, high capacity, low cost gun that can be fired with one hand, is the Kel Tec PLR.
It can be "bare bones".


or fully dressed out.

 

[GunsAreEssential1975]

M2 Carbine, that is the first time I've seen the kel-tec, and I have to say I'm digging the style. Looks better than any AR pistol I've seen. I appreciat all the comments so far guys. I pretty much knew the answer already, its just one of those things I had to hear from somebody else I guess. I get kind of bull headed when I fall in love with something. So what else would you all recommend to take the place of the mares leg? Remember, small, light, powerful and rugged is key here. Worst case scenario, I'll be packing one rifle, one handgun and limited supplies. Thanks again everyone, even though you shot me down, I love talking guns!

 

[mortablunt]

A mare's leg isn't high practical, sorry. Also, SHTF dedicated threads are not really appreciated here, but anyway, welcome to The High Road!

You already have a handgun in 44 magnum, so that's the pistol caliber objective settled. You could get similar results by having the barrel lengthened and turning it into a 10 inch barrel SBR with hot loads. I'd honestly rather see you pick an accurate rifle for deer with more power than a pistol cartridge. a Cz 527 is a bolt action rifle in 7.62x39 and it's not too heavy either. It's also reasonably accurate. I'm not going to tell you that Mare's Leg= bad. It's not like you are counting solely upon it or saying that it is the only gun you need. You'd definitely be better served by a semiautomatic like an AK, AR, SKS, or Garand.

 

[1911fan]

It's a gimmick gun carried by a made-up TV character from the improbable early '60's.

As has been stated, you can do much, much better.

Welcome! come in, be comfortable and enjoy learning.

ed

 

[Swing]

The Henry could be pressed into service, but I think something with a stock would be much better for deer hunting. There are .44 Mag leverguns that aren't all that much bigger and pack pretty easily.

All that said, you can't deny Gee-Whiz factor of the mare's leg.

 

[razorback2003]

I'd pay 200 dollars, get a tax stamp, and put on a real buttstock on one of those guns. It would be a great short barreled rifle.

 

[ball3006]

razorback 2003 has an idea there.......That would really fit your needs.....chris3

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I don't see what it would do that a M4-style carbine or other collapsible or folding stock carbine (preferably, if legal, that can still be fired folded) would not.

 

[Manson]

Welcome to THR '75.

 

[22-rimfire]

I think the Black Hawk will work fine for your needs. The mare's leg is not a light handgun. But if you want it, get it.

Contrary to some here, I think the mare's leg has potential for your purpose and certainly is a fun gun. I question if you would or could put it in a pack when you are in a wheel chair. Hence, I think your single action 44 should be just as good. The mare's leg is a gimmick gun, no question. But I would much rather have this than a Judge or something similar. I have the Henry 22LR version.

 

[Redlg155]

I'd consider a 10.5 AR pistol with the short ACE buffer tube. I'm building my second one as someone liked my first one more than I did. If you brace the buffer tube against your cheek you can have a solid 3 point stance. I've shot some really nice groups that way.

I've found that shooting a mares leg is hard on my wrist because of the angle.

 

[GunsAreEssential1975]

Hey guys thanks for all the replies. I forgot to mention that I live in Illinois I guess, so owning a legal SBR is out if the question. Redlg155, I dont suppose you could post a pic of this AR rifle could you? I've been looking at a Colt AR for a while, but for some reason, I just can't fall in love with this rifle, and it's $1100. I really enjoy shooting the low-tech stuff. Can't really explain why. I would rather pack and shoot my ruger SBH than my Glock 22 with the 22 round mag and flashlight. I'm also considering buying a marlin 336 30-30 and cutting it down to a 16-18 inch barrel, cutting off a couple inches off of the stock, and putting a scout scope set-up on it. Just figured the henry is almost that already from the factory.

 

[Apple a Day]

I recently saw a Mossberg lever-action rifle in .30-30 with a telescoping stock. It may have been the single ugliest gun I've ever seen but with the sliding stock it might fulfill your criteria. Check out their website.

 

[Swing]

(Shudder) I've already seen it. Warning, the following plastic-fantastic may make you nauseous.

 

[Murphy4570]

Welcome to THR '75.

Ah, the bad old days!

So, are you on even or odd days for your gasoline ration? Want to swap plates so we can get gas on both days?

 

[Swing]

As long as "Disco Duck" doesn't start playing. Oh, wait, that was '76.

 

[Cosmoline]

Ordinarily I'd agree this is just a fun gun for cowboy shoots. But then I got to thinking. Clamp the ML *TO* the wheelchair on a telescoping arm and you don't need no stinkin' buttstock. Then you've got something the rest of us would really envy. A light, handy firearm with more stability than is remotely possible off a bench for most of us running around on wobbly bone legs.

The whole point of the buttstock is to make up for the fact that, while standing or squatting or kneeling, the human body and arms are constantly swaying and flexing and moving all over the place. If you are in a chair and will have to essentially fire either from the chair or prone anyway, the need for the buttstock is diminished.

Thing is, I'm not sure it's legal at that point. I don't know what the AFT's position is on wheechair handgun mounts. Anyone know?