Risque007

My friends, I have a dilemma..a pleasant one no doubt, but still a dilemma.

Since I just turned 18, in Missouri, I can carry a long gun (shotgun or rifle) loaded, and I thinking about getting a good lever-action rifle in a handgun caliber. Now here's the first question: What make/model/caliber/and barrel length would you guys recommend? I was thinking about a 16 1/2 in. barrel, but some guys told me that the recoil would be way too powerful for a practical camping/self defense firearm.

I drive a Taurus SE that looks more like an LX. Now, most of the time I plan on keeping the lil fella in locked up in the trunk, but if high-alert time came and I needed it close, where would you recommend keeping it in the car for quick access?

Thanks a bunch beforehand,
Risque007

RSSZ

You CAN have a loaded rifle in your vech. ??

A short bbl lever's recoil is nothing. Please don't be concerned about that.

For me it would be :::: a 16" bbl. Marlin,Winchester,OR,Rossi Puma. These in a pistol caliber for the short stroke and mag capacity. The weapon to be fitted with a ghost ring rear and a fiber optic front. Also stock(LOP) cut down to the bare minimum but still being able to maintain a good cheek weld. This usually 12.5-13 inches(or so). Even shorter if it works for you.

Also,the reason that I added the Rossi Puma in there,is that I have one, and you can too, in......454 Casull. This in SS also.Or you can choose the .480 Ruger if you want LESS power.

Take a look at these three. For a vech weapon I see no need to have a longer bbl in .444 Marlin or .45-70(far less mag cap also).

Good luck lookin'. Let us know what you decide on. -------

P95Carry

I have some levers and would suggest if you can find one a Win 94 in .357 - recoil is ever so manageable and the gun well exploits the full potential of the round IMO. My Marlin in .44 is nice too but much longer.

IIRC Savage offer some real nice levers too.

Browse GunsAmerica or Gunbroker - see what's out there and prices. May not be over cheap but a good investment I think.

__________________
Chris - P95
NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member.

"To own a gun and assume that you are armed
is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!."

If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

Redneck Repairs

In Pistol cal rifles ( non semi auto ) I would honestly suggest that you shop arround a bit and see if you can find an Israli IMI Timberwolf . Its a pump action in .38 special / .357 mag . Mine fed anything and would shoot into a half inch at 50 yards with most ammo . Sadly once an attorney friend of mine shot it he offered me more than i could resist at the time for it lol .

hsuCowboy98

Ive got a Winchester 94 ranger saddle ring carbine, in .44mag. That would make a pretty sweet and handy little rifle, and who can argue with a .44 mag.

__________________
Fear No Evil.

randytulsa2

Hard to go wrong with any of the choices. I used to use a Winchester '94 .357. I sold it, and don't know why, exactly.

Then I got a Winchester '94 in .44 Mag. Great little rifle for the purpose you've mentioned. I employed it for that until my youngest daughter started deer hunting, so I outfitted it with a scope and it stands at the ready for her.

Sweet, reliable, handy, fast-handling weapon.

Since then, I've used one or more of my many, many Mosins in the truck.

And that (because they're so friggin' cheap and tough) might be something to consider.

Blackhawk6

In lever actions I have always been partial to the Marlin Guide Gun in .45-70.

KC135

How are you at 18 going to convince a store or dealer to sell you handgun ammo?????

30 30 would serve you better, and you can legally buy your own ammo.

__________________
Keep the shotgun handy!!

Ride4TheBrand

Roger that.

__________________
"Today, we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life and who are willing to consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom."

~ John F. Kennedy

Risque007

I actually do have a Mosin-Nagant in 7.62 x 54, but I've heard that that rifle shell is no longer made. Where could I get ammo for it?

Simple, I'm gonna walk up to the guy at wal-mart, look him in the eyes, and, using my "jedi mind trick" I'm gonna tell him to give me the ammo..and at half price!! haha j/k.

I actually have bought .38 ammo before (Some people say I look a bit older than my age), and my family seems to prefer .38/.357 calibers so I have plenty of bullets. But your 30-30 does have appeal in that it makes an excellent all-around cartridge for defense and for hunting. Are there any lower-powerd rounds I could use for home defense? What is the average price on 30-30 ammo?

P95 -- Thanks for those pics, you're a great photographer and you definitely sold me on that '94. Do you recommend scoping it?