How would a mare's leg shoot?

[mr_goodbomb]

I know that the Mare's Leg was essentially created for Steve McQueen's character. I also know that it probably didn't really exist historically, and no actual bounty hunters or other odd Westerny characters probably used them. I also know that a dozen or so very, very cool film and television characters have used them, and to me, they feel like a sawed off shotgun, cool for whatever unknown reason, and in the same legal arena (tax stamp).

However, I have no idea how it would function. I get that a snub nose pistol is used for concealment, and a sawed-off shotgun the same, as well as making the shot placement bigger. But a mare's leg is just a rifle, firing one shot. So, what would the practical use be for a functioning, firing one?

 

[Abel]

But a mare's leg is just a rifle, firing one shot.

I could have sworn it was a repeater.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtPiAF0vx44

 

[mr_goodbomb]

It is, I didn't mean one shot as a break action or anything, I just meant it's not a shotgun, it's not firing a number of pieces of lead at once. So the shorter barrel won't do anything except make it less accurate.

 

[Abel]

So the shorter barrel won't do anything except make it less accurate.

It has a longer barrel than a Beretta 92F, and we all know what Martin Riggs can do with one of those.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUlfNMTc6Xc

 

[courtgreene]

I think it shoots by the expansion of gases, which push the bullet toward the only direction not blocked by steel. I could be wrong though. (sorry, I'm in a sarcastic mood today)

 

[timbertoes]

It shoots Minute of Horse!



sorry could not resist!

 

[DammitBoy]

a) the mare's leg requires no tax stamp

b) the mare's leg is a pistol, not a rifle

c) if you like it, buy it

ps - the Rossi version sells for $550 - which is about half the price of the other three versions currently available.

 

[bigfatdave]

I have a .22 from henry on order, and I've been wondering how to run it as well.

Beyond the obvious "shoot from the hip" method I'll have to try (yes, I have a very large & tall backstop) ... how do I run it when I want to hit something smaller than a hill? Hold it as if it had a stock, in front of the shoulder? Bring it in close?

Could a small child shoot it from the shoulder? (yes, I know it "lacks a shoulder stock" per the ATF, imagine I live somewhere more libertarian before quoting NFA laws)

 

[mdauben]

But a mare's leg is just a rifle, firing one shot. So, what would the practical use be for a functioning, firing one?

Actually, AFAIK, a Mare's Leg is legally considered a pistol (barrel too short for a legal rifle). THe "original" was a cut down rifle, which requires special BATF licencing. The current crop where manufactured from the ground up with short barrels and no shoulder stocks, which makes them pistols.

As far as a functional use, there is none, its just a cool toy.

 

[DPris]

The current 12-inch barreled models can actually be quite accurate.
No shoulder fire, don't even try it with a child, works best at distance with a two-hand hold on the stock wrist, NOT trying to hold it with both hands separated like a rifle.

My Chiappa will easily hit a small steel buffalo target at 75 yards hand-held.

Denis

 

[mr_goodbomb]

Yes mdauben, legally a pistol, functionally a cut-down rifle, functioning... well, like a rifle. And I don't consider anything that fires bullets a toy.

 

[ball3006]

Accuracy of the gun depends on how good the shooter is. A 12 inch barrel should provide decient accuracy. I have a Thompson contender pistol with a 10 inch barrel that will keep them all on a paper plate at 200 yards. I was being cheap and would not spring for the 14 inch barrel......chris3

 

[3006mv]

Although I have not fired either, I would guess a pump action would be more accurate and easier to use.

 

[Ron James]

The original Mares leg as used by Steve McQueen was a cut down rifle. The producers had a hell of a time with the ATF suits. IIFRC it was modified that it could only shoot blanks, and was no longer a firearm. As far as being practical, come on folks, it was a TV show that had to have a gimmick to beat out all the other cowboys shows, heck there were over 30 westerns on the airways at that time.

 

[Ian]

They don't have any use I can figure out...seems that most of the owners have them because of old cowboy show nostalgia.

 

[DM~]

Personally, i think a mares leg in 22LR, would make a good 22 to have on a trap line. In fact, i've been thinking of buying one for that very reason.

DM

 

[Moose458]

Why does it have to have a use? Why not just for fun. By the way, Steve McQueens was in 44-40, but his ammo belt used 45-70s, Hollywood....

 

[Justin]

However, I have no idea how it would function.

You shoot them from the hip.

Like pistol grip only shotguns and derringers, they're more of a range toy than a gun meant to fill a serious niche.

They don't have any use I can figure out...

They're primarily used to open wallets.

 

[DPris]

I can't see anything that'd make a .22 mare's leg any better to have along on a trap line than a .22 revolver.
Much more weight & bulk.
Denis

 

[DammitBoy]

I fall into the catagory of just wanting one cuz it looks like fun to mess with at the range, and I liked the tv show back then and the re-incarnations like 'zombieland' and 'serenity'.




Plus - Gina Torres is hawt.

 

[DM~]

I can't see anything that'd make a .22 mare's leg any better to have along on a trap line than a .22 revolver.
Much more weight & bulk.

I guess it all depends on how you run your trap line... I use my 4 wheeler on mine, and use a Colt Woodsman (revolvers are even more noisy) most times now. BUT, with a longer bbl, it would kill big coon better with low noise/powered ammo, and still be better for taking a fox or ?, while i check my traps. I know this from experience, of carrying the rifle i "use to carry."

DM

 

[tkopp]

I shoot an AK47 pistol. It's accurate enough. 4" group at 25 yards. The main worry is not gripping hard enough and accidentally bump firing, which the mare's leg would alleviate. The trouble is that you have rifle sights, so you're stuck using it like a pistol and having the sights work poorly, or using it like a rifle and bopping yourself in the nose. I use a sling and forward pressure and a rifle-like alignment with my nose dangerously close to the receiver.

 

[PandaBearBG]

Rossi was suppose to come out with it a few months back to the tune of around $400. They called it the Rossi "Ranch Hand" Came in a variety of calibers such as Colt 45 LC, 357/39 sp, 44 mag. Since Rossi made it as a pistol not cut down from an original rifle it is legally like a 12" pistol with shortened stock. I remember seeing it with standard lever and the big ole loop lever too. Wanted one because it looked reallly fun and well cool. (you'd be lying if you said you that thought had never crossed your mind!

 

[mdauben]

Yes mdauben, legally a pistol, functionally a cut-down rifle, functioning... well, like a rifle. And I don't consider anything that fires bullets a toy.

I don't see how it is "functionally" a rifle when it does not have a shoulder stock and is intended to be shot with one or two hands like a... handgun! Just becuase the lever action is most commonly seen on rifles does not make the mares leg a rifle, any more than the old Colt revolving rifle should be considered a hand gun, just because the revolver mechanism is more commonly seen on a pistol.

I do agree that nothing that shoots bullets is a "toy", I was just referring to the fact that a mares leg really fills no "functional" role as a hunting, target or self defence fire arm. Anything it can do a real rifle or standard handgun can do better so the only reason to own one is to "play" (safely and responsibly) with it.

 

[DPris]

It almost looks like people are trying to find a "use" to justify buying one of these.
Having spent quality time with two centerfires, I can't see them providing any advantage but an increase in velocity over what other handguns that were originally built to be handguns have to offer.
Slight increase in sight radius, too, but neither that or the added velocity offset the slow operation & awkward handling of the things, for me at least.

A rimfire version wouldn't be as easy to aim, hold, or shoot one-handed as a much handier rimfire autopistol or rimfire revolver.
The velocity gain wouldn't be all that substantial in 12 inches versus any 6-inch barreled revolver. It won't shoot a bullet twice as fast. (Had to say it. )

I'm genuinely not knocking the things, just saying they're not going to be particularly handy at anything.
With lots of practice, you can shoot from the hip & hit relatively large targets at close ranges.
But, trying to make one do what either a rifle or a regular handgun does will meet with limited success since it's neither.
That's not saying nobody should buy one (see above comments re two mare's legs here), just advising if you plan to put one to serious use there are better choices.

You start messing with a hard-hitting round like a full-bore .44 Mag or a hot .45 Colt, it rapidly becomes un-fun if you're trying to aim at anything.

For finishing trapped animals, I doubt it'd work any better than a regular .22 rimfire pistol.
But, if you like the idea, it's your line.

Denis