Defensive Rifle

[Sulaco]

I own a Marlin 336 in 30-30 and it is my only rifle. I use it for hunting Whitetail deer and it would serve as a defensive rifle if I ever needed it. It wears a set of AO ghost ring sights and is deadly to well within defensive ranges.

I plan to eventually add a second rifle but will probably only be able to buy one and therein lies the problem. What I want is a CZ 550 American in 30-06. But, I also feel the need for another rifle better suited to defensive purposes. Something like an M1 Garand.

As I said before, I seriously doubt I will ever get both so I am wondering what others would do in my case? Would you go with the CZ and not worry about the Garand (or another comparable rifle)? Or go with the Garand and leave the hunting duties to the Marlin?

I wish I could afford both but I cant and by the time I can, it probably won't matter!

Thanks!

 

[LJ-MosinFreak-Buck]

I'd just leave the hunting duties to the Marlin.

 

[Chipperman]

Or go with the Garand and leave the hunting duties to the Marlin?

DING! We have a Winner!

 

[Nolo]

I'd go with a shorter weapon for defensive purposes, maybe something like an SKS or AK or AR.
Or you could just get a shotgun.

 

[rdoggsilva]

You can also use the M1 as a hunting rifle if you have to. Yes it is heavy but in a pinch will work.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

I love the Garand and my M1A, but in their full rifle configurations, both are quite a bit larger than what I would prefer to use in the house. I've kept my M1A for that purpose, but that was only when I allowed myself to run out of ammo for my AK, and even then, I still had the Glock loaded by the bedstand as well.

The M1 Garand and the M1A are both best for medium to long range engagements.

You could get an M1A Scout or Springfield's SOCOM, and that should do the trick. Make sure to select your ammo carefully.

For a defensive carbine, I think it is hard to beat an AK with the right ammo, esp if you put a red dot or reflex sight on it. A 122 gr JHP or JSP, or even an M67 pattern ball round is devastating in tissue. Wolf's 122 gr FMJ has an air pocket in the forward 1/3 of the nose which helps it tumble in tissue. I've seen it tumble on a broadside shot though a small doe at about 50 yards. The exit wound was oblong and absolutely nasty.

 

[guntotinguy]

I'd just leave the hunting duties to the Marlin.

+ 1,love that 30-30 lever action!

 

[goon]

I'd get the Garand but keep the Marlin as your primary defense/hunting rifle.

 

[Cosmoline]

I also feel the need for another rifle better suited to defensive purposes. Something like an M1 Garand.

For home defense? The Marlin is MUCH more suitable than a Garand. The Garand has very limited ammo choices, mostly M2 ball which is FMJ and a horrible choice for defense. Most any .30-30 hunting ammo will work great for home defense. It's designed for medium thin-skinned game which, to put it bluntly, is what humans are. .30 cal ball is NOT repeat NOT repeat again NOT a good choice for shooting anywhere but a battlefield or the range. For the love of Pete it's not even soft point. Commercial SP .30'06 is not suitable for a Garand unless you modify the gas system. And even then there's no guarantee it will feed and cycle properly.

 

[sm]

Cosmoline,
Brings to light a great point.

I would suggest getting a duplicate of the 336 you have now.
Redundancy of a proven firearm, and one you are quite familiar with.

Not to mention, who knows what the future may bring in regard to any firearms that repeat, take magazines and other factors...

 

[BrianB]

Defensive rifle? I'd be thinking about weight, ease of rapid aim and movement, capacity, and speed of follow up.

Garand isn't that.

 

[Pilot]

Nothing wrong with the Marlin 30-30 for home defense. Its carbine length is handier to maneuver and as others have stated the round is better suited for HD use.

 

[oneshooter]

How about a High Point carbine for home defence. Cheap, reliable as all gitout, accurate enough out to 50-75yds, will take +p ammo.








Oh yea, it's also ugly as warmed over sin!!!!


Oneshooter
Livin in Texas

 

[MP-44]

Marlin for hunting and an AR for defense & range fun.

 

[mainmech48]

MO is that you're going to have to decide where to assign your priorities in both tasks, and try to cover as many of your most important bases in both categories with one choice each.

Tough to do, and I'm afaid that only you can do it.

You're the best and only judge when it comes to knowing your actual situation is now, what exactly you fear it may become and make the assessment of what the number and severity of possible treats you're likely to face in the gravest extreme might be.

You're also the only one who can decide what your responses to those treats would/should be and plan accordingly.

You're the only one who knows exactly what resources you have and decide what portion of the total you're prepared to commit for each purpose.

It's almost certainly going to involve compromises no matter how you slice it. And when it comes to those, again, there isn't any better arbiter than you.

All any of us can do for you is suggest options, and we could do that a lot more effectively given some specific criteria from you.

 

[DSAPT9]

I have to agree with most of the comments I have read. I guess it comes down to the purpose of the firearm. You say you want something more suited for defense. Then the question is what type of defense. Are you going into front line battle or defending a home.

Most people seem to prepare for a front like battle so they want something that throws a lot of lead down range fast. I will admit I do have these type of firearms only because I like them and hunt with them but I am a firm believer in choosing the weapon for what you will use it for 95 % of the time not the 5 %. So if you want a good bolt 30-06 for hunting get it. Stock pile extra ammo for the 30-30 and the 06 just incase the SHTF they will still make good defense firearms against the average foe.

I have always believed that even with a 25 auto and some planning you can acquire bigger and better toys if the SHTF. As an individual it tough to defend a home against an army of tanks. Your better off taking your 30-30 or 06 and high tailing it out of there and do some planning for your next move to survive.

If you still want a combo of both here are some choices.
.30-06 = M1 Garand, Browning BAR, Remington semi auto
.308 = M1A/M14, FAL, AR10, Remington semi auto, Browning BAR

Then the usual AR, AK and the many variants out there in the battle rifle category.

I know not much help so go with your gut and get the one you really want not the one you may need someday.

 

[Malodorousroadkill]

An m1-garand would work as a defensive or offensive rifle. But in close quarters its been proven to be a bit lack luster. My grandfather liked its power, but preferred the light, quick handling, and fast shooting m1-carbine during ww2. A 30-30 would work for HD, but have you considered .44 mag or .357 mag lever actions? They can hold considerably more than a 30-30 marlin, have lighter recoil, but have some real punch to them. Fun to shoot too.

 

[W.E.G.]

The Duke would tell you to trust the carbine.

 

[Goblin]

If you like lever guns,get one in.357!!! It would make a great loe key SD gun. Later you could get a good used revolver as companion!!

 

[revjen45]

You already have a good general purpose carbine. It works for SD and hunting. What do you want the other rifle to do? Is it for extended accuracy at long range or short to medium range firepower? Make your decision based on what you envision as it's purpose. For 100-200m, a cheapie AK is an economical choice. AIM Surplus has/had WASRs for $350 with 3 30rd mags. If you want long range accuracy the Remington Model 798 (current version ot the MkX Mauser) should be a good choice. There is no more proven rifle design in the world than the M98 Mauser. You have a good rifle. Why not consider a Mossberg 500 ombo-Pack with the 26" and 20" barrels?

 

[_N4Z_]

I have a 336 30-30, and would be quite OK with it if I needed it for a home defence situation.

That said my long gun of choice that is "on duty" for the past 20 years is a 12ga. Rem870. In the event the shotgun cannot fill the bill, I have an AK as backup. It is minute of man anywhere from in your face, to 300 yards. It is also quite short, super reliable, and easy to use. Could not say the same for a Garand.

Reliability, ease of use, ease of maintenence, in that order, are my criteria for HD weapons.

.357/38 revolvers, pump shotguns, Marlin leverguns, and AK pattern weapons.

 

[Houston Tom]

I agree with most of what is posted. I have a lever 30-30. It was my granddads go to gun for hd etc. IT can get the job done.

If you are sure it will be a while before you get another gun then you might want to get a shotgun. Very versatile both hunting and HD

i have both an AK and AR but your lever action will get the job done,

 

[give]

i believe any rifle will work as a hd gun,in my opinion a shot gun works best for me,doesent have to be an expensive one,as long as it is reliable it will work,i have read about different loads working best and all that,but i have shot mine at the range with bird shot and it tore a big hole in it,as far as i could see any load will work,

 

[FMJMIKE]

Get a M1 Carbine for defense and use the 30/30 for hunting. My house gun......Inland M1 Carbine