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Huzar · 07-03-2006, 07:18 AM

I'm thinking about buying a rifle but I am having trouble combining the practical with a toy factor

What I really want is something that's not too expensive (my price range is somewhat flexible depending on what I end up getting, but I would like to keep it under $500 new or used but if I find something I like I might be tempted to go over that).
Anyways here's rest of my "requirements":
1. Something that has some sort of a historical note on it (whether it's older style or made to look like it, makes no difference to me). I have been always attracted to lever action rifles (yes, I have watched a lot of westerns since I was a kid) and to WWII Semi Auto rifles (M1 Garand has a lot of appeal too).
2. Semi auto would be nice (not really big on bolt action)
3. I'm not looking for being able to break a match in half at a mile, but some distance for playing around in the desert would be nice
4. It would be nice if it could double as a good starting weapon to get into hunting: something that could take down a deer.

I know that I will probably end up with two rifles sooner rather then later (cause I think I will want both a lever action and a decent semi) but after looking at what's available @ the gun stores I am more then confused. Too many choices and by the time I leave I can't remember half of what I have seen, so I figure I should do my research before I go look again so that at the very least my choices would be narrowed down by then.

So what do you guys all recommend? Any particular guns come to mind? When it comes to rifles I'm extremely "green". The little that I know for the most part comes from the movies and we all know that most of what's seen on the silver screen is exagarated.

Thanks

CajunBass · 07-03-2006, 07:52 AM

Given what you've said here, I'd be looking for a Marlin 336, in 30/30. The best lever gun ever made in my humble opinion.

Krackels · 07-03-2006, 08:03 AM

Marlin 336 or a CMP garand would be good picks.

Huzar · 07-03-2006, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krackels

Marlin 336 or a CMP garand would be good picks.

Yup, I looked at the CMP garand program and I just paid my dues to a local club that is on the list of approved clubs so that my options would be open

EME · 07-03-2006, 10:12 AM

Try looking for a lever action type in 45 Colt. I just picked up a Rossi lever type, used at my local store, OTD under $280.00. Shot it on Saturday. What a great shooting rifle. Using 230 grain RNFP moly coated bullets reloaded to get about 1160FPS. At 50 yds. using elbows as a rest, on a bench, 3 shots in less than 1.5", at 100 meters hit a 9" paper plate four out of four and at 200 meters ( w/o adjusting the sights) put 2 out of three into a piece of cardboard. It was shooting about 2 foot low at 200 meters, but just wanted to try it. The loads were Cowboy Action so I guess you could load or find a more powerful round for hunting. Oh, by the way the above shooting was with iron sights. Good luck in your quest.

Huzar · 07-03-2006, 07:58 PM

OK, I swung by Turners and I think I will be sticking with a semi auto rifle. Only thing is that the garand is one big ...

Is there anything with similar characteristics that's slightly smaller?

The Knight Of Light · 07-03-2006, 09:14 PM

Only thing that would be similar and cheaper would be a mini 14/30. I don't mind those guns but you know a M1 carbine from Auto-Ordnace would be a lot of fun. The long distance thing would be a problem with the 30 carbine though as well as taking deer. The Mini14/30's have something to be desired for the long distance accuracy department as well. It would be nice to know what kind of distance we were dealing with. I have found in the lever gun area the 30-30 is brand new cartridge now with the advent of Leverevolution from Hornady. Might be woth looking into a 336 like Cajun and krackles said. Look into the Leverevolution, a pointed bullet without the pointed bullet problems in a tubular magazine. Soft polymer tip that maintains its shape under fire but won't cause detonation in the tube. Gives new life to the 30-30 lever gun.

sa1126 · 07-03-2006, 09:35 PM

If I were to buy another toy rifle, it would be a hi point carbine, hands down. I already have two other play rifles (sks and 10/22) and the hipoint would be a really fun thing to shoot paper at 50 yards.

The Knight Of Light · 07-03-2006, 09:38 PM

Not the best deer gun though... unless it was in 10mm HMMMM.... A 10mm carbine...
Mectec Glock 20 carbine....

Interesting...

sa1126 · 07-03-2006, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Knight Of Light

Not the best deer gun though... unless it was in 10mm HMMMM.... A 10mm carbine...
Mectec Glock 20 carbine....

Interesting...

Yeah a 9mm probably wouldn't take a deer, but it would take out plenty of javelinas. 10mm carbine? Hmm......(can't stop thinking of the ammo prices)

07-03-2006, 07:18 AM	#1
Huzar XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 160	looking for ideas I'm thinking about buying a rifle but I am having trouble combining the practical with a toy factor What I really want is something that's not too expensive (my price range is somewhat flexible depending on what I end up getting, but I would like to keep it under $500 new or used but if I find something I like I might be tempted to go over that). Anyways here's rest of my "requirements": 1. Something that has some sort of a historical note on it (whether it's older style or made to look like it, makes no difference to me). I have been always attracted to lever action rifles (yes, I have watched a lot of westerns since I was a kid) and to WWII Semi Auto rifles (M1 Garand has a lot of appeal too). 2. Semi auto would be nice (not really big on bolt action) 3. I'm not looking for being able to break a match in half at a mile, but some distance for playing around in the desert would be nice 4. It would be nice if it could double as a good starting weapon to get into hunting: something that could take down a deer. I know that I will probably end up with two rifles sooner rather then later (cause I think I will want both a lever action and a decent semi) but after looking at what's available @ the gun stores I am more then confused. Too many choices and by the time I leave I can't remember half of what I have seen, so I figure I should do my research before I go look again so that at the very least my choices would be narrowed down by then. So what do you guys all recommend? Any particular guns come to mind? When it comes to rifles I'm extremely "green". The little that I know for the most part comes from the movies and we all know that most of what's seen on the silver screen is exagarated. Thanks __________________

07-03-2006, 07:52 AM	#2
CajunBass XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Chancelorsville, Virginia Posts: 255	Given what you've said here, I'd be looking for a Marlin 336, in 30/30. The best lever gun ever made in my humble opinion. __________________ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

07-03-2006, 08:03 AM	#3
Krackels XDTalk 10K Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Southeastern PA Posts: 18,714 Blog Entries: 5	Marlin 336 or a CMP garand would be good picks. __________________ "Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." --Benjamin Franklin America's Third Parties --- Duping the Foolish and Idealistic since 1832. PA Roll Call .................... My Blog

07-03-2006, 07:58 PM	#6
Huzar XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 160	OK, I swung by Turners and I think I will be sticking with a semi auto rifle. Only thing is that the garand is one big ... Is there anything with similar characteristics that's slightly smaller? __________________

07-03-2006, 09:14 PM	#7
The Knight Of Light XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Posts: 8,660 Blog Entries: 12	Only thing that would be similar and cheaper would be a mini 14/30. I don't mind those guns but you know a M1 carbine from Auto-Ordnace would be a lot of fun. The long distance thing would be a problem with the 30 carbine though as well as taking deer. The Mini14/30's have something to be desired for the long distance accuracy department as well. It would be nice to know what kind of distance we were dealing with. I have found in the lever gun area the 30-30 is brand new cartridge now with the advent of Leverevolution from Hornady. Might be woth looking into a 336 like Cajun and krackles said. Look into the Leverevolution, a pointed bullet without the pointed bullet problems in a tubular magazine. Soft polymer tip that maintains its shape under fire but won't cause detonation in the tube. Gives new life to the 30-30 lever gun. __________________ No Matter Where You Go, There You Are. USPSA #L3077 What a great number!!! http://theknightoflight.blogspot.com/ Creator of TOP 'O' THE PAGE!!! Moose Fight

07-03-2006, 10:12 AM	#5
EME XDTalk Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 97	Try looking for a lever action type in 45 Colt. I just picked up a Rossi lever type, used at my local store, OTD under $280.00. Shot it on Saturday. What a great shooting rifle. Using 230 grain RNFP moly coated bullets reloaded to get about 1160FPS. At 50 yds. using elbows as a rest, on a bench, 3 shots in less than 1.5", at 100 meters hit a 9" paper plate four out of four and at 200 meters ( w/o adjusting the sights) put 2 out of three into a piece of cardboard. It was shooting about 2 foot low at 200 meters, but just wanted to try it. The loads were Cowboy Action so I guess you could load or find a more powerful round for hunting. Oh, by the way the above shooting was with iron sights. Good luck in your quest.

07-03-2006, 09:35 PM	#8
sa1126 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: south texas Posts: 243	If I were to buy another toy rifle, it would be a hi point carbine, hands down. I already have two other play rifles (sks and 10/22) and the hipoint would be a really fun thing to shoot paper at 50 yards.

07-03-2006, 09:38 PM	#9
The Knight Of Light XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Posts: 8,660 Blog Entries: 12	Not the best deer gun though... unless it was in 10mm HMMMM.... A 10mm carbine... Mectec Glock 20 carbine.... Interesting... __________________ No Matter Where You Go, There You Are. USPSA #L3077 What a great number!!! http://theknightoflight.blogspot.com/ Creator of TOP 'O' THE PAGE!!! Moose Fight

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