General use Rifle

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I wouldn't get a pistol caliber carbine for the role you're talking about. It would fulfill the "plinker" role just fine, but would be sub-optimal for hunting. Pistol rounds just don't have anywhere near the velocity, penetration, ft./lbs. of energy, or flat trajectory of a rifle round. Sure you can kill deer with a .357 or a .44, but why handicap yourself?

I also don't think the .223 is that great for hunting. Plus it is illegal in a lot of states. I would prefer something with a little more "oomph." I think 6.8 SPC or 6.5 Grendel are great calibers for hunting. You can get them in the AR-15, which you can get in a nice lightweight setup, which is easily manipulated by lefties, and which is a very accurate platform (much more so than the Ruger Mini series).

I am also opposed to your criteria of limiting your rifle selection based on the opinions of anti-gunners, but if that is how you feel, or if modern firearm technology is too "mall ninja-ish" for your tastes, you can always buy a wooden stock, grip, and forearm for the AR-15. :rolleyes:
 
I love Marlins but have to agree that you should stay away from the newer ones. That being said I wouldn't hesitate to take a dear within about 125yds. Picked one up the other day for 300otd, so deals are out there if you wait. The Marlin with 38s shots one hole groups at 50yds. Good luck with your choices, have the little lady check them out.
 
Sorry to everyone suggesting an AR, I'm just not a fan of the complexity of the mechanism and multiple ways to failure. I prefer lever/AK/Garand type actions. Simple engineering and easy maintenance is my preference. And I don't want to fork out a grand for a rifle.

I don't know anything about reloading yet, so I am hesitant to buy a rifle in a pistol caliber or 30-30 since the ammo costs can be WAAAAAAAAY higher than .223 and 7.62x39.

Maybe for my GF I should just get a Mini-14 since a 30 would be a little recoil heavy and intimidating (if I hear correctly). Later I'll get myself a larger caliber bolt action or something... was I just asking for a single platform to fill to many niches?

Again thanks for all the comments!
 
You were the one to suggest the pistol caliber rifles, yes? Good luck with your searching, bring your girl along to help if your thinking of what she will enjoy shooting
 
I wasn't a fan of AR rifles either but that changed last year. Now I wish i'd done it sooner. :banghead:

I've found that the only failure comes from either steel case ammo, reloads, or the mags and Pmags have eliminated that too. It's always been a very simple platform to work on and everyone has parts plus .223 ammo is relatively cheap with light recoil. Sporticals run under $600 now and the SW Sport is usually just over $600.

My daughter and I are both lefty and we've found that most semi autos for righties work fine for us.
 
An SKS would be good.
They tend to eject high and right and wouldn't be a problem for a lefty.
put on one of those scope mounts that replaces the rear sight, and add a red dot sight and your good to go.

I forgot about the Rossi's. They have come a long way, and make a great product.
 
NifoOtiBoy said:
Sorry to everyone suggesting an AR, I'm just not a fan of the complexity of the mechanism and multiple ways to failure.
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You're asking advice from people with multiple platform experience yet discounting their advice because it conflicts with your pre/conceived notions which aren't based on experience.

Mini-14s break parts more than a decent AR.

A good AR can be had for a price within throwing distance of the minis.

While an AR might be somewhat complex, literally every single part is user replaceable and available from almost every vendor on the planet.

Everything else is either a compromise in accuracy, serviceability, capacity or weight compared to an AR.

Good luck.
 
You're asking advice from people with multiple platform experience yet discounting their advice because it conflicts with your pre/conceived notions which aren't based on experience.
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Don't feel too personally offended. Others, with PLENTY of multiple-platform experience aren't suggesting that an AR-15 is the perfect rifle for him and his girlfriend, based on their criteria, so it isn't like he's refusing the "One True" answer.

NifoOtiBoy, if you are concerned about the ammo costs (which makes sense), you can buy 50 rounds boxes of .38 Special for that Rossi 92 for less than $13 a box. That's about $0.26 a shot, which is pretty darned cheap for factory ammo.

That would get you your rifle and your first 350 rounds of ammo for under $500!

Then, if hunting deer does come up, you can buy heavy .357 Mag ammo like Buffalo Bore offers (180 gr. Hard Cast LFN-GC (1,400fps/M.E. 783 ft. lbs.)) that will handle the job JUST fine at the < 100 yd. distances you're likely to shoot one with a light iron-sighted carbine.

If you do find one of those trim, sweet little R92s, make sure you like it before you hand it to the missus, or you might find it coming home with you anyway... ;)
 
A good AR can be had for a price within throwing distance of the minis.

While an AR might be somewhat complex, literally every single part is user replaceable and available from almost every vendor on the planet.

Everything else is either a compromise in accuracy, serviceability, capacity or weight compared to an AR.

Good luck.
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Some people just plain don't like AR's. A VEPR isn't really much of a trade down from an AR for real world performance that most shooters could get out of it. I still think that he ought to get a Tantal AK.
 
It sounds like you need two guns.

Get a Ruger 10/22 for trigger time and then a used Savage 110 with a wood stock in .308 for hunting. Used Savages are easy to find at any decent sized gun show and most shops tend to have a few on the racks most of the time.
 
I can assure you that of those three choices you can get a great deal on any of them if you are will to shop hard and do some of your gunsmithing work yourself.
I have picked up used Marlins that were only damaged by closet dust for as little as $150.00.
If ammo cost is important to you, I would definatly go with the 38/357 as 30-30 although a better performer is more expensive. Another advantage is that you can pick up a Ruger Blackhawk in 38/.357 later and have a great combination that uses like ammo.
AK's, Mini's and AR's have hidden costs because of magazines, optic's etc. These guns are the modern Leggo set and they are great guns, but the cost is going to run you much more than your lever action.
Whatever choice you make good luck.
 
Sam1911 said:
Don't feel too personally offended. Others, with PLENTY of multiple-platform experience aren't suggesting that an AR-15 is the perfect rifle for him and his girlfriend, based on their criteria, so it isn't like he's refusing the "One True" answer.

)
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One of my weaknesses. I'm worried his lack of experience and pre conceived notions are leading him to rule out better options than lever guns and mini 30s which will all kick hard enough to potentially scare off petite shooters and suffer an accuracy deficit compared to an AR.
 
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I somehow doubt a .38/.357 lever action is going to kick any harder than an AR-15, though a .30-30 does, a little.

I'm certainly a big enough fan of ARs (and AKs, for that matter) to appreciate the benefits of them, especially to newer and smaller shooters, but the fact remains he doesn't want one. I can appreciate that, too.
 
The lefty thing shouldn't be an issue. I'm a lefty, and have a Marlin 1894 in .357 and it is a wonderful little rifle. Can shoot .38 or .357, neither of which is uncomfortable to shoot. I've also shot and am considering buying a Mini 14, and the lefty thing isn't a big deal with that one either.
 
You almost certainly should get more than one rifle. For basic cheap plinking and cheap training time something like a Henry lever in .22 would fill the bill nicely as a totally ambidextrous solution. But I can tell you for sure that you'll soon want a second .22 so you can both shoot at the same time. A really sweet couple of options which you can find used from time to time for not much money are pump action .22's from Rossi or an older Remington 12 or 121. In nice shape these can be superb .22 plinking guns. Of course no one can forget the Ruger 10/22. But in my case I sort of like having to do something to chamber each round. So out of my own collection of about a dozen various .22 rifles I still do not have a semi auto or feel I need one. As always YMMV on this count. But it IS something to consider in how you like to play out your cheap rimfire plinking time.

A pistol caliber gun is fine for smaller to medium game and even smaller deer if you keep the range of the shots down. After all a lot of handgun hunting on deer is done with a .357 revolver. And the rifle will have that much higher a muzzle velocity. But really at that point I'd look at moving up to a more typical but lighter rifle round.

Now due to the nose shape of the bullets in a tube magazine you'd be limited if you want a lever gun. But there are a couple of box magazine levers from Browning and even the older Savage 99's. If you really MUST get a lever gun for hunting you'll need to stick with the round nose .30-30 or look at one of these box mag lever options. Or simply go with some other style of rifle.

Right now you seem fixated on the 7.62x39. But consider that milsurp ammo isn't all that consistent. And that there are not all THAT many options for this ammo. But if you really want to stick with it for now then consider one of the NEF/H&R Handi Rifles single shot break open models chambered in this round. They are inexpensive to buy and are totally ambidextrous. And from all accounts are pretty decently accurate... or at least as accurate as the cheap milsurp ammo.

As for right vs left bolt action rifles I'm at the beginning of trying to learn to shoot plain iron sights left handed because of sharper vision out of my left eye. But I've got all right hand guns. Well... I'm finding that if I simply roll the rifle a little to the left with my forestock support hand that my left hand can let go of the trigger and reach up and over to cycle the bolt with very little issue. And in fact it works BETTER this way with my Mosin Nagant then it does using my right hand from a rightie stance. So don't sweat the rightie/leftie bolt issue too much.
 
Im not sure why everyone on the planet has to try and steer folks to the AR platform, he stated he didnt want one..end of story

they are good rifles, I love mine.. but jeesh, not everyone likes there cucumbers pickled either.

Ok, the mini platform is also very good for what you want, the magazines are spendy but will last a very long time (FACTORY), just like an AR/semi pistol etc cheap magazines are generally the biggest culprit when it dont wanna go bang.

the mini 30 tac, which I have is great, plenty accurate and cheap to shoot, its plastic, which saves weight, few other models as well.

CDNN has the mini 14 with fancy cicassian walnut, spelling* very nice price, but on that model id check on the optic mounts-ranch rifle is the way to go for easy scoping

Love the lever guns, whats not to like, the .357/38 will serve you well-just remember your limits and the guns while hunting.
the 30-30 also good, but more recoil and mo money

I love my handi rifles as well, but to be honest, what they cost nowadays is getting just too steep for what they really are...its a shame, cause they are addicting little buggers once you start to tinker with them.

I think though you are better served getting yourself a rifle, and saving up for her, or vise versa. trust me, if she is really interested in shooting, itll be worth it. that and SHE can proudly say SHE is a gun owner.
Oh, and one other thing, the little ladies are often WAAAAAY tougher than you give them credit for!

Good luck..hope she says yes...hope you are happy!
 
Marlin 357 lever is a great choice out of your options. Cheap ammo compared to rifle ammo, good ammo choices, fairly accurate, and you can reload for it. It is a light well balanced carbine. You can use it for deer hunting or maybe black bears. Also can use 38 special ammo in it.
 
I'm enjoying the discussion and appreciate all the input!

Maybe I should have said that I do have a tube fed Marlin xt-22 for plinking, and my GF has a Model 60. So I do have something for uber heap plinking, but I want to get a centerfire that I can practice with at longer ranges than a .22 and become proficient with using cheap ammo.

I understand that an AR fits that criteria fairly well, but I just have a thing for more traditional rifles. I'm sure there are plenty of guys here that understand obsessing over Mausers, Garands, and lever actions. The history and nostalgia gives those kinds of firearms a lot of 2nd type of cool in my book. My GF doesn't really care either way. I totally respect anyone who likes an AR, but I'd take an AK over one and definitely a more traditional rifle like those mentioned above. I'm sure I'm not the only one that just likes a beautiful looking traditional rifle...

This is a general use rifle question, so there I am open to advice on caliber preference between .223 and x39... Yeah I know I just asked for WWIII to start. From what I've heard and studied in ballistics tables is that the x39 is far more versatile even with less types of loads available. I absolutely have no need to be shooting beyond 200 yards, so the ballistic advantages in that range seem to firmly give the x39 an advantage. I know this isn't really an AR vs AK debate since I could get an AR in x39, but as I said they just don't do it for me, AKs don't really do it either.

I considered an SKS, but the weight is too much for my GF. Otherwise that is a great suggestion ;)

Rossi 92 or Marlin 1894c prior 2005 both sound good to me. A good point was made that you do save some $$$ not having to mess with magazines. Both of our .22s are tube fed for simplicity and cost, so I am already thinking along those lines. Is there a dramatic quality difference between the two? If I found a used Marlin for not much more than the price of a new Rossi I would assume that's the best choice.

That Taurus/Rossi circuit judge is a sweet looking gun! I know that kinda deviates from my "traditional" criteria, but the simplicity of the design is what I find appealing, kinda like the simplicity of my other preferred action types. I just wish they had a .38/.357 model, that would be perfect! At 4lbs that would make one handy little plinker/HD/hunting rifle no? And my GF wants a semiauto more than a lever (me too by a small margin). I can't think of a simpler way to have make a semiauto rifle, I totally dig that whole concept. But what are your opinions of the calibers offered? I don't know much about them.
 
Rossi 92 or Marlin 1894c prior 2005 both sound good to me....Is there a dramatic quality difference between the two? If I found a used Marlin for not much more than the price of a new Rossi I would assume that's the best choice.
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The Rossi I handled seemed just as nice as my Marlins (which are older).

The Rossi R92 is exactly one lb. ligher than the Marlin 1894, in the same barrel length, and a slightly slimmer, trimmer profile. For the money, right now I'd take the Rossi. (Hard to believe, but there it is.)

That Taurus/Rossi circuit judge is a sweet looking gun! I know that kinda deviates from my "traditional" criteria, but the simplicity of the design is what I find appealing...
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Wow, to each their own. That woudn't be on my list. Capacity is less than half the '92, and the revolving rifle concept was tired and discarded in the 19th century.
 
OP, it's fine if you don't want an AR, but it's not fine to discount them for the reasons you mentioned, which are incorrect and demonstrate a lack of experience with any of the firearm types mentioned. No offense -- we were all there once too. In fact, I would be willing to say that when we were in your shoes, most of us didn't listen to those with more experience either, and had to learn all this stuff on our own! I know I sure fit that description.

There were a couple other misconceptions in your posts... for one, .30-30 is not very expensive. Around here, you can get it from Academy for less than $0.50/round, for good reloadable brass-cased stuff (Monarch brand). Even if you don't have Academy stores near you, Monarch brand stuff is just re-packaged Prvi Partizan, which you can get online for about that same price if you look. It's not as cheap as .223 and 7.62x39, but it is every bit as cheap as .308.

Now I will say that if ammo price is that much of a concern, you probably wouldn't want to go with anything in 6.8 SPC or 6.5 Grendel, as I suggested above. They are more like $0.75/round at the cheapest. So if that is the case, maybe the AR isn't your best option, since .223 isn't really ideal for hunting.

If you've narrowed it down to 7.62x39, I would go with an AK or SKS. They are more reliable than a Mini 30, no less accurate, and tend to be cheaper. One great option is a Saiga, which is an AK that comes in a "sporting" configuration for about $350, but can be converted back to AK configuration with a little work.

Also, 7.62x39s are not very hard recoiling. It is a little more so than a .223, but that isn't saying much. Besides, small women can easily handle much more powerful rifles like M1As and Garands with a little instruction in proper shooting position. As a marksmanship instructor, I teach them to do it all the time. Hell, a couple weekends ago we had a pretty little thing who couldn't have been much more than 120 lbs. come to one of our rifle clinics who had never fired a gun before in her life. By the end of the day she was getting solid hits with my M1A, and loving every minute of it! Take your girl to an Appleseed... you will both benefit greatly from it. www.appleseedinfo.org
 
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Look at a short action BLR chambered in 308 or less. If you let her handle it be ready to write the check.
 
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