Which is the best "1 rifle" for nonexpert homeowner?

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

Seattleimport

Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2008
Messages
181
Location
Washington
It's often said that every american should own a pistol, shotgun, and rifle. I've got the pistol covered (single action Schofield in 38 special, Glock 19 in 9mm, soon to add the new Ruger Bisley in .45), and I'm going with the Remington 870 for the shotty. For rifles, I've got a Ruger 10/22 and a GSG-5--neither of which I consider meeting the requirements for the "1 rifle".

So, here are my parameters:

1. I'm not ex-military or ex-LEO, but grew up shooting rifles and camping
2. I'm likely to get to the rifle range every 3 months or so
3. I'm a fan of history (the romance of the Garand appeals to me)
4. I currently live in the suburbs
5. I don't expect to fight armored opponents with my rifle; the rifle is for pleasure/target shooting but is also my one SHTF rifle (SHTF = for whatever reason, must head out into woods for extended period of time, or use this rifle against intruders for self-defense)
6. Rifle must be easy to use and maintain, and be able to be operated by my girlfriend if need be (she's 5'6", 125lbs).

I've had my eye on the M1A and the Garand, since they are classic guns and I've played with them in various video games over the years. I think I'd get a kick out of handling the actual weapon and hearing the "ping" in real life. I'm leaning toward the M1A since the Garand seems like a bit of a beast.

But I'm also thinking of getting into Cowboy Action Shooting, and one of the requirements is a rifle chambered in a pistol cartridge. Likely .45, so I could use the same ammunition as in the Bisley. A classic lever gun has a certain appeal, and certainly seems like it'd be fun to shoot.

Any ideas/recommendations?
 
Last edited:
You've answered the question.. a cowboy action rifle. The Marlin 1894c in .357 is sweet, not really cowboy action. I don't know, if you have no rifle and plan to have one, maybe it should be a .22 say, a Henry.
 
If you can only afford one rifle, the lever action rifle or carbine, even in a revolver cartridge, will fill more roles. A twentieth century military rifle is obviously not suitable for the cowboy shooting.
 
One update: I do have a pair of .22 rifles. My grandfather's Ruger 10/22, and a GSG-5.

I'll add that information to the original post above.

To clarify on the cowboy rifle: I'm considering getting into CAS, but it's not yet a sure thing. I'm open to buying a CAS-specific lever gun if I do commit to CAS, but for this first purchase/question, I'd like to know which rifle would best serve the role of "1 rifle".
 
Rifle shooting is a whole different game.

If you get a M1, be aware that you can't just shoot any 30-06 load.

I would recommend shooting one of your .22's often to prevent flinch.
 
Marlin 336 or SKS.

They will both take care of anything under 200 yards, both are very easy to maintain, chambered in very common cartridges (30-30 & 7.62x39mm), and you find find both for under $350.
 
Let's look at what you didn't include:

target matches
long range
high level of participation

Just my bias, but that tends to eliminate modern bolt action rifles. I think it weighs against semi-auto as well. You don't seem like the kind of guy who wants to figure out the cause of FTF and FTE problems.

Chances are for cowboy action you will want some very specific rifle. Trying to figure that out in advance may not work, and would tend to weigh against your desire for an all-purpose gun.

Where are you going to shoot? Who are you going to shoot with? That may make a big difference. 50 yards is different from 100 years is different from 200 yards.
 
If I had only one "rifle" for woods survival, if would be a .357 magnum lever action. Preferably a compact, quick handling, lightweight 18 1/2 inch barrelled Marlin 1894C, which is actually more akin to carbine than rifle. Second choice is a Puma 92 in stainless.

Perfect match for a S&W L frame or Ruger GP100. For ammo, 158 JHP and 180 grain Noslers should do ya.
 
M1 Carbine. They have that classic WWII military look, they are light and handy, and they shoot a cartridge that is powerful enough for a great home defense rifle/SHTF rifle yet is light-recoiling and easy for a woman (your GF) to use. Chances are good that, if your GF is a gunny and takes to it, you'll have to buy a second one for yourself. ;)
 
Marlin 336 or SKS.

They will both take care of anything under 200 yards, both are very easy to maintain, chambered in very common cartridges (30-30 & 7.62x39mm), and you find find both for under $350.
Click to expand...
+1 on this.
The pistol caliber lever actions seem to be a bit more expensive than a Marlin 336, but thinking ahead is always a good idea. You can find either an SKS or 336 for a good price used. Well, now might not be a buyers market for an SKS but they are still a good choice.
Good luck and let us know what you choose.
 
I've got to go with the lever action crowd on this one. A .45 lever would be outstanding in all the roles you mentioned, and they are a lot of fun to plink with. And ammo commonality with your pistol is a big plus.
 
get a saiga .. in 7.62x39 or 223 ... easy to use.. semi auto ... extremly modifiable and fairly cheap ammo...
 
Garand. Every American should own a Garand. It has as much if not more history for Americans as any other rifle. It is certainly one of those rifles that once you hold one you know you have to have it. The lever guns are fun but personally you can't beat the .30-06 for blasting, for any animal in the 48, or the garand for its history with America. Maybe I have become biased of late but damn is the Garand a master piece. It certainly is the grand daddy of them all.
 
5. I don't expect to fight armored opponents with my rifle; the rifle is for pleasure/target shooting but is also my one SHTF rifle (SHTF = for whatever reason, must head out into woods for extended period of time, or use this rifle against intruders for self-defense)
6. Rifle must be easy to use and maintain, and be able to be operated by my girlfriend if need be (she's 5'6", 125lbs).
Click to expand...

If you don't expect something, it just won't happen? Anyway, getting ready for when (not "if") the SHTF is a great idea.

For self-defense it should be a low-powered semi-auto, like an M-1 Carbine.

Semi-autos let you concentrate on hitting the target, not on loading them. More than 6 shots is nice too, when the target is shooting back.

For the GF, its a light weight, low recoil, and easy to manouver small rifle.

Its easy to use, maintain and repair; readily available spares, used rifles available, and plenty of magazines, reloading stuff, etc.

What it can't do is hit targets at 800 yards, kill elephants, or make you look like Rambo. So what type of environment are you in? East US has plenty of trees, and therefore, few 800 yard opportunities. Western states, maybe an AR would be better. In Seattle? Trees. And Stainless Steel!

Hunting? An AR in 6.5mm or 6.8mm. Just defense? 5.56mm. Lever: 30-30 or 357/41/44 mag for both.

For Lever Action Cowboy shooting in pistol calibers, the big defensive/GF friendly item is a revolver that uses that cartridge as well. i.e., .38/.357 or 44 special/magnum.

Garand, or a .308? Let the GF try shooting it before you buy.

Good luck!
 
Last edited:
SHTF/home defense is my Colt 1911 but rifle would be my Thompson with the 100 round drum for me and my M1 carbine for my wife. In the woods my M1 Garand or the Mossberg 30-30 lever action and the M1 carbine for my wife.
 
If you don't expect something, it just won't happen? Anyway, geting ready for when (not "if") the SHTF is a great idea.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry but really? When the SHTF, not if? How many of us here have ever had a SHTF situation where a rifle was needed? I am all for preparing for the worst but its like saying lets prepare for WHEN we hit the lottery, not if. It just doesn't happen for the bulk of people. I don't mean to say don't be ready for SHTF, but to be waiting on it is a little over the top.
 
Lever action all the way. Especially since you will want to target shoot, cowboy shoot, hunt, and possible home defense with it.
 
Garand. Every American should own a Garand. It has as much if not more history for Americans as any other rifle. It is certainly one of those rifles that once you hold one you know you have to have it. The lever guns are fun but personally you can't beat the .30-06 for blasting, for any animal in the 48, or the garand for its history with America. Maybe I have become biased of late but damn is the Garand a master piece. It certainly is the grand daddy of them all.
Click to expand...

Can’t argue with that – may not be the right answer for the OP but it is one brilliantly designed, efficient, and fun to use rifle - I fell in love with mine the day I got it.
 
In my opinion, a huge determining factor in buying a rifle is where you live and where you intend on using it. Judging by your screen name, you either live in or came from Seattle. Western Washington has very, very thick foliage. For most practical purposes you don't need to be able to shoot over 200 yards there. The only places that you can do it are across some of the more recent clearcuts and there's only one range I know of in WW that goes farther than 200 yards. In fact, I find that when I shoot out in the woods that it can be difficult to find even a 100 yard stretch to shoot in. For that kind of shooting, a lever gun, SKS or AK would work admirably for you. I find they're all a bit disappointing at the range though. None of them are going even come close to producing one hole groups at 100 yards.

If on the other hand you live out in the plains or the desert, you're going to feel a bit limited by a rifle whose trajectory starts to get loopy after 200 yards. In that situation I would think more about an M1A or an AR.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

U
  • Locked
Best CA rifle?
Replies
21
Views
1K
Kevlarman
K
J
  • Locked
Which to buy...
Replies
10
Views
583
Cuda
C
A
  • Locked
A Question About Sniper Rifles
2
Replies
25
Views
1K
bruzer
B
A
  • Locked
Scoping a Garand??
Replies
15
Views
2K
ArchAngelCD
ArchAngelCD
R
  • Locked
Questions on my next rifle (Garand/M1A related)
2
Replies
27
Views
1K
Steve Smith
S
Back
Top