hd lever guns
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OurSafeHome.net
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The SaxonPig squealed
Excellent turn of a phrase, sir! I would also ask "Do you think that a woman with a revolver [in the same caliber] is NOT capable of sending those same hoodlums on to their reward, too?"
Now that I think about it, wasn't The Duke's "large ring lever" action rifle what started this whole tacticool trend anyway? (Or was it Chuck Conners'? )
;-)
Excellent turn of a phrase, sir! I would also ask "Do you think that a woman with a revolver [in the same caliber] is NOT capable of sending those same hoodlums on to their reward, too?"
Now that I think about it, wasn't The Duke's "large ring lever" action rifle what started this whole tacticool trend anyway? (Or was it Chuck Conners'? )
;-)
I think a lever gun is an excellent home defense weapon, 44 mag or 45 long colt are VERY hard hitting cartridges, and 357 is no slouch either.
The advantages of these cartridges indoors, at close range, and the handiness of a levergun is... in a word excellent.
And they are great for hunting too.
Its just a good choice all around. It will take some practice for your wife to learn to use proficiently, which for me is always a concern. Its possible my home will get invaded while I am at work.
It takes a little knack to get fast with it.
The advantages of these cartridges indoors, at close range, and the handiness of a levergun is... in a word excellent.
And they are great for hunting too.
Its just a good choice all around. It will take some practice for your wife to learn to use proficiently, which for me is always a concern. Its possible my home will get invaded while I am at work.
It takes a little knack to get fast with it.
OregonJohnny
Member
Schucks, I jumped in a little late. Let's just say in the future, there's a complete ban on semi-automatic rifles/carbines/SBRs, etc. Wouldn't you want to be ahead of the game and be an expert with your trusty, non-threatening, slicked-up lever gun?
I like to think of my Winchester 94 .30-30 as my "Cowboy Assault Rifle". With it's old iron sights, I can be standing unsupported and hit a melon-sized target at 75 yards over and over again. That's good enough for me.
There's a Marlin 1894 .44 stainless on my to-buy list, as well. I see no reason not to use that 10-shot Marlin loaded with 240-grain hollow points as a home defense rifle. Sure, I also want an AR, but it will always take a back seat to my pistols and shotgun for home defense duties. Frankly, if I was a bad guy who broke into someone's house and found myself staring down the barrel of a .30-30 lever-action rifle, I probably wouldn't say, "Ha! Don't you know you can't defend yourself and your home with any rifle other than an AR with a 30-round mag? Sheesh, you old lever-gun Geezer!"
I like to think of my Winchester 94 .30-30 as my "Cowboy Assault Rifle". With it's old iron sights, I can be standing unsupported and hit a melon-sized target at 75 yards over and over again. That's good enough for me.
There's a Marlin 1894 .44 stainless on my to-buy list, as well. I see no reason not to use that 10-shot Marlin loaded with 240-grain hollow points as a home defense rifle. Sure, I also want an AR, but it will always take a back seat to my pistols and shotgun for home defense duties. Frankly, if I was a bad guy who broke into someone's house and found myself staring down the barrel of a .30-30 lever-action rifle, I probably wouldn't say, "Ha! Don't you know you can't defend yourself and your home with any rifle other than an AR with a 30-round mag? Sheesh, you old lever-gun Geezer!"
gunsandreligion
Member
if you want to see some lever shooting go to myoutdoor tv.com then go to watch video then go to cowboy action shooter and watch the end of trail silver anniversary the lever shooting in there is impressive especialy that of lead dispencer.
If you watch the clips on YouTube and elsewhere, it's pretty clear that the guys who are good with lever guns or pump guns can get just about as many shots on target as the average guy with a semi-automatic. But how good are you?
I think the real advantage is the short reload time of magazine-fed weapons.
I think the real advantage is the short reload time of magazine-fed weapons.
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benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
Gold spinners don't make sense on a new car, either.
A light and a red dot, though, would be more like putting HID headlamps and a GPS in that '49 Mercury, which would be practical improvements.
I don't know of any "spray and pray" NFA Title 1 guns. Civilian semiauto carbines are neither intended nor well suited for "spray and pray" use. I agree that lever actions in suitable calibers can be good HD carbines, though.
HardShell
Member
The LER scope has long-since been replaced with a red-dot, but you get the idea...
76shuvlinoff
Member
I keep a Marlin 1894c in .357 stoked next to my 870. The intent is for my wife to use it backing me up in a home invasion situation or as primary if I am not home. She is familiar with the operation since I started her on my 39A. She is comfortable shooting it even with hotter loads. She is really uncomfortable handling my sidearms and the 12ga pump is outta the question.
In this scenario I'd say the levergun as a HD weapon is a very viable solution.
In this scenario I'd say the levergun as a HD weapon is a very viable solution.
OurSafeHome.net- I have no doubt that a woman with a handgun can and should effectively defend herself. I would note that some women may have trouble with the heavy DA trigger weight on a revolver (due to lesser grip strength) and for that reason prefer a semi-auto (as my wife does).
If you are intending a comment on my use of the masculine in my description that is merely the use proper grammar which dictates that the masculine be used to reference an unknown individual. I, personally, would never leave the women out of any self-defense discussion.
If you are intending a comment on my use of the masculine in my description that is merely the use proper grammar which dictates that the masculine be used to reference an unknown individual. I, personally, would never leave the women out of any self-defense discussion.
mljdeckard
Member
You should use what you shoot best, and the truth is, a lot of people really like lever guns. I'm not in much of a position to comment, the only lever I have used extensively is a Daisy Red Ryder, but if someone has a good solid lever gun in a beefy caliber, and they are very good with it, I would not tell them to drop it for something more modern. I know guys who are better with their saddle guns than I will ever be with my AR.
LibShooter
Member
My first gun was a "Lever Action" Daisy BB Gun. Shooting, cocking and sighting became such a natural muscle memory that I could put quite a few little steel balls downrange pretty quickly.
I've never had a real gunpowder powered lever action, but I bet those same skills could be revived and serve me well in an HD situation. I'm still coveting a .357 lever.
I've never had a real gunpowder powered lever action, but I bet those same skills could be revived and serve me well in an HD situation. I'm still coveting a .357 lever.
Cosmoline
Member
Up here, leverguns are not part of history or the distant nostalgic past. They're actively used by hikers, hunters, guides, etc. They are used because they work. Mounting a light or scope on one to make it work more effectively is entirely appropriate.
lobo9er
Member
i think its great 30-30 has a little more umpf than 5.56
TomADC
Member
Sorry I was refering to the semi auto AR's & AK's as spray and pray..
VA27
Member
Several years ago, I attended a 'law enforcement lever-action rifle instructor' school.
The idea behind the course was to show trainers and officers that just because they or their agency couldn't afford M4's for every officer or vehicle, they did have other options.
Small rural agencies have limited budgets, but very often they have access to a vault of confiscated weapons that have been abandoned by their previous owner or siezed by the court. In the mix of cheap handguns and sawn off single-shot shotguns and 22 rifles there are usually several lever-action rifles.
Given proper instruction and practice, the lever-action rifle is a viable alternative to a high dollar patrol rifle.
It was a 3-day, 350 round course and rifles ran the gamut from .357 Model 92 Pumas to a Marlin 45/70 Cowboy Rifle. I took my Marlin Guide Gun with a 'Scout' scope on it.
We did everything from 5yd snap shooting and the 'mad minute' to 300yd aimed fire. And believe me when I tell you this, a man who knows his rifle and load is a serious threat out to 300yds and beyond!
One guy brought the '94 Winchester 30/30 that he'd had since he was 12. He brought 350 rounds of 125gr Federal hollowpoints. I was really impressed at what that little gun/ammo combo did to the hardened steel targets, even out at 300yds.
Sure, capacity is somewhat limited and reloads are slower than box magazine guns, but those are problems that pale in comparison to NOT having a rifle when you need one.
On a budget? The lowly levergun will see you through.
The idea behind the course was to show trainers and officers that just because they or their agency couldn't afford M4's for every officer or vehicle, they did have other options.
Small rural agencies have limited budgets, but very often they have access to a vault of confiscated weapons that have been abandoned by their previous owner or siezed by the court. In the mix of cheap handguns and sawn off single-shot shotguns and 22 rifles there are usually several lever-action rifles.
Given proper instruction and practice, the lever-action rifle is a viable alternative to a high dollar patrol rifle.
It was a 3-day, 350 round course and rifles ran the gamut from .357 Model 92 Pumas to a Marlin 45/70 Cowboy Rifle. I took my Marlin Guide Gun with a 'Scout' scope on it.
We did everything from 5yd snap shooting and the 'mad minute' to 300yd aimed fire. And believe me when I tell you this, a man who knows his rifle and load is a serious threat out to 300yds and beyond!
One guy brought the '94 Winchester 30/30 that he'd had since he was 12. He brought 350 rounds of 125gr Federal hollowpoints. I was really impressed at what that little gun/ammo combo did to the hardened steel targets, even out at 300yds.
Sure, capacity is somewhat limited and reloads are slower than box magazine guns, but those are problems that pale in comparison to NOT having a rifle when you need one.
On a budget? The lowly levergun will see you through.
OregonJohnny
Member
Keep in mind also, that a lever gun can be "topped-off" while it is chambered, cocked, and shouldered, without having to manipulate a magazine release, then fumbling with inserting another loaded mag.
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
When speaking of NFA Title 1 civilian carbines at least, "spray and pray" is a shooter behavior, not a class of firearm. One can spray and pray with a lever-action, too (Chuck Connors in the opening credits of the old Western The Rifleman comes to mind).
I shoot a non-automatic civilian AK with a light and a 1x optic; one shot, one hit, not spray and pray. Think of it as a .30-30 with easier reloading, a 20-round magazine, and no need to work the lever, with accuracy comparable to a Winchester 94.
Having said that, lever guns are fine HD guns, and I'm not knocking them at all, just pointing out that semiautos in the same role are used no differently.
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
I keep a Marlin 1894C in 357 handy. It works and is fairly fast.
kwelz
Member
Were the people in this match being shot at? A match is not high pressure or stress. I have no doubt that many people are fast and accurate with a lever action rifle. I do however not think that they are well suited to a HD situation. They fall into the same category as a SxS Shotgun. Usable but less than Ideal.
What if your weak hand is somehow injured? I can fire a Semi Auto fairly easily one handed or brace it on something. I can even reload fairly well with one hand and have 30 more rounds ready to go. With a Lever action you are limiting yourself to a less than ideal weapon system to defend yourself and your family with. I just don't see why you would want to do this.
Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow
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I think you can make a pretty decent case that a 16" levergun chambered in .45 colt (or .44 mag but my preference would be the .45 colt, which has less recoil/blast and therefore faster follow up shots), without ANY so-called "tactical accessories" is still about the PERFECT home defense carbine for most people (at least where overpenetration is not a great concern).
Light,
quick,
handy,
naturally pointing,
powerful,
big hole,
pretty fast,
low recoil,
low report/blast,
fairly good capacity,
politically correct,
fairly cheap to leave out of the safe in case it gets stolen,
and most of all, simple - the KISS principle at work, with respect to sights/gadgets.
Extremely reliable, too - more reliable than a semi, albeit by a tiny margin; then again you could show the corollary that a semi is only FASTER by the tiniest of margins, compared to a quick cycle of the lever.
About the only thing better than a 16" levergun in .45 colt (short of tacticool) in a home defense carbine, would be an SBR'ed 12" levergun in .45 colt, like the Mare's Leg with a stock.
YMMV. And I STILL prefer a shotgun or handgun for home defense, but this is IF you were designating a CARBINE as your go-to or your backup HD gun......
H20Man, Hardshell, and Gelgoog - sweetness!!
Light,
quick,
handy,
naturally pointing,
powerful,
big hole,
pretty fast,
low recoil,
low report/blast,
fairly good capacity,
politically correct,
fairly cheap to leave out of the safe in case it gets stolen,
and most of all, simple - the KISS principle at work, with respect to sights/gadgets.
Extremely reliable, too - more reliable than a semi, albeit by a tiny margin; then again you could show the corollary that a semi is only FASTER by the tiniest of margins, compared to a quick cycle of the lever.
About the only thing better than a 16" levergun in .45 colt (short of tacticool) in a home defense carbine, would be an SBR'ed 12" levergun in .45 colt, like the Mare's Leg with a stock.
YMMV. And I STILL prefer a shotgun or handgun for home defense, but this is IF you were designating a CARBINE as your go-to or your backup HD gun......
H20Man, Hardshell, and Gelgoog - sweetness!!
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