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Hoping, praying, arguing, working AGAINST any gun bans, but in keeping with the "be-prepared" motto, been thinking what would be the best self-defense and home-defense firearms in a post semi-auto ban world?

Found this article, which gives a good overview:
http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2012/1 ... look-like/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Already have quality pump shotgun - might grab another. But what about rifle/carbine?

Reading elsewhere, seems pistol-caliber lever-action rifles are as easy to find as AR-15 items (Marlin stopped production a few years ago, so only Rossi currently produces lever rifles in .357, .44 etc.)

So good ol' .30-30 seems the most easily obtainable non-semi-auto "rapid fire" option. But new Winchesters are now high priced collector items. Used Winchesters still out there, of course. Marlin has apparently gone way down hill since Freedom Group merged production with Remington. So - while you can pick up a new Marlin 336 in 30-30 at Academy for under $400, quality and reliability are question marks. Mossberg and Rossi also make lever rifles.

Looking strictly at what's available today in a personal defense lever rifle in common 30-30 chambering (not hunting gun like Browning BLR etc) give me your informed opinions on these options for someone who has no background with lever rifles and will need to learn from scratch how to shoot, clean, disassemble, replace parts as needed etc.

Seems factory iron sights are universally despised on these guns, so likely either upgrade with peep sight system (Williams, XS, Tech Sights, etc) or mount an optic (traditional scope, scout-mount scope, or red dot type)

1. Used Winchester - Model 94 most common and sub-$500 used price if a user grade and not a pre-1964 version

2. Used Marlin - Model 336 most common also sub $500, probably 10% or so cheaper than comparable Winchester

3. New Marlin ... as low as $350 + tax at Academy, Wal Mart etc

4. New Rossi ... "Rio Grande" or "94" ... $350-$450 depending on options (seems these are near reproductions of Winchesters?)

5. Mossberg 464 ... $350 + tax ... unique design taking ideas from both Marlin and Winchester designs

if Marlin (remlin) stopped making the 1894, etc., it's just been very recently. One of my shooting buddies bought a new .44 mag carbine in June, and sent it back to remlin for warranty work in July (it's working perfectly now). A few months ago a new Marlin "pcc" would cost between $575 and 675 off the shelf around here....if you could even find one. Now it's gonna be msrp.

Although I would love to have both .357 and .44 mag carbines since I reload both rounds, I have neither. But, there is a nice 1973 model 336 nearby. Just got a set of rcbs dies to take care of that one too. Several years ago I came to the conclusion that I would rather have the old 336 any day.

The Rossi Rio Grande is closely modeled on the Marlin 336 pattern (not Winchester as indicated) and is available in 30-30, 45-70, or 410. The ones I've handles have all been decent shooting firearms. The Rossi 92 is modeled after the Winchester design and available in 357, 45 Colt, 44 mag & 454 Casull... I have both 357 & 454 in stainless and love them. A good lever is never a bad option.

Ban or no ban, someone needs to make a compact 44 Magnum pump rifle again that doesn't cost $2k, like an IMI Timber Wolf does.
Maybe something like this.


The Taurus Thunderbolt in 45LC is nice but has a 26" barrel.

History in other countries suggests lever action rifles and shotguns that hold more than 3 rounds are next to be banned. Better get used to having a rack of double barrel shotguns and practice tactical reloads.

Not sure I want my contingency plan in the public's eye just yet.

In a confiscation type ban, I will be flying the Gonzales flag outside of my house, so I don't care who knows.

As far as weapons, I am a collector with numerous weapons. For the sake of this argument, I have what I consider assault weapons beyond the semi-auto realm. Among my favorites are a Winchester 30-30 trapper with a Williams peep sight that is very handy. I own a few WWII era Enfields. For bolt action rifles with ten round magazines, they can sustain a very fast rate of accurate fire. And not a lot of people are taking 303 British off the shelves.

I had the same idea - started thinking a month ago that I'd like a lever action .357. I hadn't heard about Martin or "Remlin" quality problems. Is Remington having these issues also? I was thinking to order the Marlin from Walmart. Thanks for posting your info on the alternates and sights.

Chris wrote:In a confiscation type ban, I will be flying the Gonzales flag outside of my house, so I don't care who knows.

As far as weapons, I am a collector with numerous weapons. For the sake of this argument, I have what I consider assault weapons beyond the semi-auto realm. Among my favorites are a Winchester 30-30 trapper with a Williams peep sight that is very handy. I own a few WWII era Enfields. For bolt action rifles with ten round magazines, they can sustain a very fast rate of accurate fire. And not a lot of people are taking 303 British off the shelves.

The Box O' Truth #37 - The Deadly .303 British and The Box O' Truth

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot37.htm

VMI77 wrote:

Chris wrote:In a confiscation type ban, I will be flying the Gonzales flag outside of my house, so I don't care who knows.

As far as weapons, I am a collector with numerous weapons. For the sake of this argument, I have what I consider assault weapons beyond the semi-auto realm. Among my favorites are a Winchester 30-30 trapper with a Williams peep sight that is very handy. I own a few WWII era Enfields. For bolt action rifles with ten round magazines, they can sustain a very fast rate of accurate fire. And not a lot of people are taking 303 British off the shelves.

See them in use in one of my favorite war movies: A Bridge Too Far.

The Box O' Truth #37 - The Deadly .303 British and The Box O' Truth

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot37.htm

gigag04 wrote:Not sure I want my contingency plan in the public's eye just yet.

There's a lot of chest pounding on gun forums recently but I can't take most of them seriously.

Regarding the comment on the factory iron sights, IMO, the only real negative to me is that the rear sight can easily be bumped out of alignment. Other than that, they are good sights and are plenty effective out past 100 yards. The rub is making sure you practice and learn a good point of aim for different distances. The drop especially for 357 can be a lot out at 100 yards.

I put one of the wide open peep sights on one gun. It is a REALLY big peep sight at the rear to the point that precision is not going to be there. It might work well for home defense especially if there are glow in the dark options. I tried the Williams sight on my 30/30. It is pretty good. Doing it over, I might instead see if someone makes a rear mounted notch sight instead. I think the notch sight is fine for the ranges you are likely to use if you can have one that is more immune to bumps.

Any thoughts on which to buy now?

Used Win or Marlin?

vs

new Marlin

vs

new Mossberg

vs

new Rossi

I've read the Marlin 336 design is easier to disassemble for cleaning and parts replacement

personally, I would take a good, functional, pre-1990 Marlin over any of the new offerings, regardless of manufacture. I look for carry wear on the receiver on a .30/30 as an indication that someone felt confident enough to actually use it. If the bore is good, and the action cycles smoothly and the gun hasn't been neglected or abused, everything else can be fixed to your hearts delight.

Maybe I am a pollyanna, but I just don't think it's gonna happen, new AWB ban on the federal level. In fact, I don't even think Reid would let it through the Senate, even if he does, I can't see the House passing any kind of AWB ban. We'll see if i'm right, but i'm making no contingency plans, but then again, i have all the AR's I want. On a side note, when I lived in Cali., I remember someone making a .556 pump that took AR mags, not sure who it was, but sounded like a decent non-semiauto option at the time.