"redneck assault rifle" for California

[Tamlin]

Moving to San Diego in 6 months from AZ - can't bring any kind of assault rifle with me (CA won't even allow my little Hi-Point 995!) Went to my local gun shop today and looked at a few different lever guns. The ones I liked were all Marlin 1894's - one was a 44 mag/44 spcl; one was a 357/38; and one was a 45 Colt. The 45 Colt was sweet - stainless steel, 16.25" bbl, with a red dot sight, for $549. The other two had 20" bbls, and were about $75 - $100 more. They were stainless, too. I have revolvers in 357 and 44 mag, and it would be convenient to share ammo, but I really liked the feel of the 45 Colt. As a reluctant alternative to any kind of assault rifle, what are your opinions on these three? I've never shot 45 Colt, and don't know how it compares to the other two. Btw, I also have a 6.5x55 Swede carbine which is my current camp/hunting gun, but it only holds 5 rounds. I was planning on just using this, but it's heavy and I think all the lever guns have a 10 round capacity.

Thanks -

 

[1 old 0311]

With the .38/.357 the ammo will be cheaper, and easier to find. Also you MAY soon be limited to a wheel gun.

 

[ECVMatt]

Here's a couple of mine...

This one is a .30-30:

View attachment 393113

View attachment 393114


and this one is a .44





The .44 is ready for a red dot. I am just trying to decide on which one.

You might want to go to calguns.net and check out the section on Off List Lowers. You might just be able to bring one of your ARs in state.

I really love my levers though...I like the .44 the best. It is very versatile. The .357 is going to be cheaper to shoot and the .357 really kicks it up when fired from a carbine barrel.

Here is another good site for more info on the 1894.

www.marlinowners.com

Hope this helps.

Matt

Matt

 

[ken22250]

if the gun can handel them, with a hot load .45 long colt i shoot in a ruger blackhawk, they are somewhere in between the .44 and .454,(closer to 44 than 454), and in a handgun can be real abusive to your knuckles, but if a rifle can handle them it should be entirley adequite to 100 yards.
ken

 

[bukijin]

Why not an "aussie assault rifle" ie remington 7615 in .223 http://www.remingtonle.com/rifles/7615.htm
especially since you can use ar15 mags.

 

[fireflyfather]

Or you could just get a bullet button to put on your AR/AK/HK, etc... As long as it isn't a named assault weapon, you're pretty much good to go. Take a look at calguns.net. That place will have ALL the info you need to stay within the law and still exercise your 2nd amendment rights in CA.

 

[doc540]

"Why not an "aussie assault rifle" ie remington 7615 in .223 http://www.remingtonle.com/rifles/7615.htm
especially since you can use ar15 mags."

For some unknown reason that really appeals to me.

and sells new for $570....hmmmm

 

[ants]

Appeals to me, too. Especially since the Remington web site says:

Also, transition from the Model 870 Pump shotgun into this patrol rifle is easily accomplished.

So you can convert the 223 rifle to a 12 gauge shotgun!

I wonder if there is a kit to convert a standard 870 12 gauge into a 223 rifle?

 

[glockman19]

What gun shop?
Does the 1894 in .357 have the checkered walnut stock?

I have the .44 mag in Stainless and have been looking for the .38/.357.

You can bring your black rifle with you if you just install a Bullet Button or Prince50 kit so a tool is required to drop your 10 round mags.
Check out www.calguns.net
http://www.calguns.net/caawid/flowchart.pdf

 

[Evenflo76]

I've seen the Remington pump for as little as $450 on Gunbroker

 

[zerosignal]

Regarding post #8:

The 7615 can NOT be converted to a shotgun.

What Remington is talking about when they say "transition" is the similarity in manual of arms.

 

[JImbothefiveth]

Would a marlin .45 A.C.P. camp carbine be legal? How about something classified as C&R, like a Russian SKS?

Or maybe an m1 Garand. (Okay, not even anywhere close to an assault rifle, but still.)

 

[Frog48]

Regarding post #8:

The 7615 can NOT be converted to a shotgun.

What Remington is talking about when they say "transition" is the similarity in manual of arms.

Agreed. They are saying that due to similarity in function, you could set one down and pick up the other, and know how to operate it. They are NOT saying that the same weapon can easily be converted to fire both rifle cartridges and shotshells.

 

[lipadj46]

Get an M1A SOCOM 16 or SOCOM II, they are legal in CA.

 

[TexAg]

Might want to jump on the 16.5" .45! If it's a stainless Marlin there were only a few hundred made and it should be selling for more like $700

 

[Fil]

I own a Marlin 1894 in .357/.38. I have recently put the XS sights and Weaver rail on it and couldn't be happier. It is fast becoming my favorite all around rifle. It does well for deer hunting inside 100 yards; in a home defense role the .357 is perceived as a stopper in a pistol, it is that much better in a rifle. Put cheap .357s or .38s in it and it is an awesome plinker. All said a pistol caliber lever gun can do allot of things well.

 

[PRKarms]

There are a LOT of options for tactical rifles that are legal in california....

you don't have to cut corners...

Get a lever gun if you want a lever gun... but there is plenty of CA legal hardware that you can choose from.

 

[chevyforlife21]

what kind of marlin 3030 is that matt?

 

[ArmedBear]

When I was in San Diego, I had the same ARs I have now. Just a couple of little parts to swap out.

What do you want to do with the rifle?

 

[ECVMatt]

I made that 30-30 up. It is basically an old pre-safety 336. I had the bbl cut back to 16.5 inches. I then used Aluma-hyde to paint it OD Green over Matte Black. I also installed a ram-line stock...it is a rifle that shoots great.

I am a Marlin guy, so it was a fun project.

 

[Quiet]

Would a marlin .45 A.C.P. camp carbine be legal? How about something classified as C&R, like a Russian SKS?

Or maybe an m1 Garand. (Okay, not even anywhere close to an assault rifle, but still.)

The Marlin camp carbines, Russian SKS and M1 Garands = CA legal.

 

[bondmid003]

I've got an M4 style AR and I live in San Diego. Just use the bullet button method and you'll be fine.

 

[armoredman]

Czechpoint makes a VERY nice SA vZ-58 clone for Cali, and will have it available in .223 soon, as well.

 

[Shear_stress]

The Mini-14 is good to go as well.

 

[GRIZ22]

With the .38/.357 the ammo will be cheaper, and easier to find. Also you MAY soon be limited to a wheel gun.

This would get my vote. Add a 4" revolver and you can handle most situations with these two.