Marlin 1894, home defense?

[baz]

I have a Marlin 1894C in .357, and think that under certain circumstances it would make a fine weapon for HD. But only if it can be kept loaded at all times. While having 9 or 10 rounds of .357 to bring to bear on a HD threat would probably do the job in most cases, you sure are not going to want to try to load the thing under fire or duress. Of course, this is a consideration for any HD weapon: keeping it handy vs. keeping it loaded. I no longer have kids routinely under foot, just grandkids visiting once in a while. The 1894C is mounted on the wall of my study, and several other rifles are on wall mounts, or otherwise readily accessible. But none of them are kept loaded, and thus none would be the gun I go to for HD. That gun, the one I would go to, if the handgun on my person or my nightstand is not enough, is a 12 ga shotgun, loaded and ready to fire, but kept under lock and key. If I were to use a lever gun as the HD weapon, I'd do the same: keep it loaded and ready to fire, but under lock and key.

In my case, "lock and key" is a locked closet/pantry space where I keep some firearms and ammunition that I don't want laying out and about when anybody is around, like the grand kids. For others, it might be a gun safe or gun cabinet. But I wouldn't leave a loaded lever gun around except under lock and key. Just not safe.

But I do like the Marlin.

 

[beatledog7]

In post 16 I was being facetious. Sorry for not adding the right little cartoon face.

 

[Jackal]

Granted, maybe in a heavier rifle the .44mag is lighter recoiling, but in my 20" stainless Rossi, its somewhat unpleasant after about 10 rounds of Winchester 240gr SP's (and the bruise develops). I'm 6' tall, 250lb logger (never did consider myself a wuss). Feels like a full house 12ga load, surely more than a 30-30 (which feels much like the .357 heavy loads to me, not bad or even offensive). For the handloader, the .44mag is the way to go, for factory ammo buyers, .357 wins the day.

 

[ECVMatt]

I will agree with some of the others, that the .357 in a levergun is very sweet. I have a couple of Winchesters and the wife loves them. They are easy to shoot and plenty powerful. I also have a .44 and it is great as well. I will agree with the others though that it kicks a bit after a while. I really like the .357 for a house rifle.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Remember, you're not fighting off hordes of invaders. A Marlin 1894 will do fine if she does fine with it.

 

[Takem406]

Listening to Tom Gresham a lady called in saying her hubby wanted to buy "her" a 1894 in 44.

They figured out that it was really the hubby who wanted the 44 and that she would be better off with a 357.

Price, the last 1894 I looked at a couple months ago was only like $550. But I'm in Montana and things are usually cheaper and there's no tax. Online though, holy smokes! No way! Your better off buying a Winchester at that price!

I'll keep an eye out for a 357 for her, us. I'll check the pawn shops this next week.

But in reality the 357 would probably be the better choice for versatility. Thanks guys!

Oh and I'd assume the Russi's are junk?

In God and Glock we Trust

 

[JShirley]

If your bullet will reach the vitals of a 300# man it'll go through sheet rock and kill a child. Follow rule #4 always!!!

"Being sure of my target" includes hitting it. If one fires a fairly fragile bullet at fast speeds, once it hits its target (your 300 lb man) it will not continue through sheetrock and kill a child afterward. Thus my continually made point to check the penetration of any round someone plans to use for home defense. :banghead:

Most .44 rounds are designed for hunting. Special care should be taken to select a bullet, loaded at a speed, which together will penetrate the minimum likely to stop a deadly threat. 12" would be "perfect" performance, since that's deep enough to stop even your 300 lber, without being likely to have much shoot-through danger on smaller attackers.

John

 

[mavracer]

"Being sure of my target" includes hitting it.

Are you saying that you are incapable of missing your target under the stress of live fire?

Most .44 rounds are designed for hunting.

Yes but again the one you linked, the one you're suggesting be over driven to 1500fps. IS NOT.:banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead:

12" would be "perfect" performance

12" is concidered minimum by most, remember you might have to go through 300# guys arm to get to vitals.

Now for some facts the Speer bullet you linked only penatrates ~13.5" when fired at 44 Special velocity and looses a bit of penatreation when driven ~200fps faster in Speer'd SBGD 44 magnum load. Driving THIS bullet 400fps above the velocity that it's designed to work is going to leave you with less that 12" of penatration.

 

[JShirley]

Which part of "test what you plan to use", exactly, are you struggling to comprehend?

Further, it sounds as though you are suggesting that
(1) someone with an enormous hole in their arm is likely to still be a threat and you are incapable of firing again should that somehow be necessary, and
(2) home invasions are high stress events, so home owners should contribute to that stress by using rounds that are guaranteed to shoot all the way through any normal-sized human who is not presenting a cross-body shot (of course, if he is, that means he is not advancing or facing you, and therefore not presenting a lethal threat).

mavracer, it sounds as though- among other things- that you are confusing law enforcement needs and ordinary armed citizens requirements. Go do some research, and then we can have an intelligent conversation.

To everyone else: choose your ammunition carefully, and practice.

John

 

[mavracer]

Which part of "test what you plan to use", exactly, are you struggling to comprehend?

I'm not, but apparently you are.

I would think the Gold Dot 200 grain .429- made to expand at .44 Special velocities- would be a dynamite defensive bullet loaded to about 1500 fps.

Have you tested this theory, I think not otherwise you would know that this bullet won't consistantly penatrate 12" at 1500fps.

someone with an enormous hole in their arm is likely to still be a threat and you are incapable of firing again should that somehow be necessary

Are you saying that's not a possibility.

home invasions are high stress events, so home owners should contribute to that stress by using rounds that are guaranteed to shoot all the way through any normal-sized human who is not presenting a cross-body shot

No just ones that guarentee adequate penatration.

(of course, if he is, that means he is not advancing or facing you, and therefore not presenting a lethal threat).

Not sure if you're aware but humans can extend their arms in front of their body.

and then we can have an intelligent conversation.

I would have liked to think an administrator on The High Road would be above personal attacks.

 

[JShirley]

Pointing out that you need more facts to intelligently discuss the issue is not a personal attack, it is a plea for you to educate yourself for your own edification, and the good of the board. Now, I would love to give you a bunch of data points to research, but I need to be at Fort Story before 1400.

(However- if you'll PM and remind me, I'll be happy to find some good links for you to read next week.)

John

 

[mavracer]

Pointing out that you need more facts to intelligently discuss the issue is not a personal attack, it is a plea for you to educate yourself for your own edification, and the good of the board.

Look there are facts here that really can not be disputed. You are the one that threw out a idea with no research. That bullet that you linked is not designed to run 1500FPS Speer who has designed and tested the bullet loads it to 1075fps.

If you follow rule 4 there can not be anyone hit with a pass through.

Just for the record I've seen the argument made about the difference between law enforcement's needs and civilian needs and respectfully dissagree that there is much difference, you still need adequate penatration to stop the bad guy.

 

[blarby]

Most .44 rounds are designed for hunting. Special care should be taken to select a bullet, loaded at a speed, which together will penetrate the minimum likely to stop a deadly threat. 12" would be "perfect" performance, since that's deep enough to stop even your 300 lber, without being likely to have much shoot-through danger on smaller attackers.

Hear hear.
I could not concur more.

 

[RedBowTies88]

Why not the Mossberg spx if a lever gun is a must?

http://www.mossberg.com/products/rifles/centerfire/mossberg-464

30-30 with a light and fast bullet will be much less likely to over penetrate then a .44

Another though in order to get more capacity would be .357 with 110gr or lighter bullets. They could achieve 2k+ fps from a rifle!

 

[VVelox]

I've had 3 different gun dealers tell me the new Marlins made by Remington "have issues" and they all recommended to find an older model manufactured by Marlin in Connecticut I think....nowadays with the gun panic, lots of firearms are lacking quality. a buddy just paid close to a grand for a Henry big boy .44 mag and it would chamber, but not eject. he took it back to Cabelas, the salesman said his was the 3rd Henry rifle returned in less than a week.

The Marlin 1894s in current production are good. I would be wary of any made prior to them resuming production to ones made five or so years before the sale.