Gun choice

D

Darteres

Joined
Feb 4, 2008
Messages
380
I've settled on a lever action .30-30 from recommendations in the "One gun to rule them all thread". Thanks to all who posted! I have an option to buy a 10 year old Winchester 94 (in like new condition) with a scope or a new Mossberg 464. Which would you pick, and why? Both are same price.

(I hope this is in the right thread?:confused:)
 
I don't know anything about the Mossberg, but if I had the choice between the two, I'd go with the Winchester. Another option is Marlin...they make great lever guns as well.

ROCK6
 
It's really a cosmetic reason why I'm looking at the Winchester or the Mossberg. I don't care for the pistol grip that much. I believe the Mossberg is closer to a Marlin than a Winchester, internally speaking.
 
ROCK6 said:
I don't know anything about the Mossberg, but if I had the choice between the two, I'd go with the Winchester. Another option is Marlin...they make great lever guns as well.

ROCK6
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I've had more Marlins than I can count. I'm going with what this guy said. Winchester is cool, but my choice is the fish.
 
A 10 year old Winchester Model 94 is no great shakes. It USED to be, but not so much anymore.

I've not seen the new Mossberg, so cannot comment. Altho, it would seem that for the same price, a NEW gun vs. a USED 10 year old gun doesn't seem to be a hard decision.

Unless, of course, the new gun is a dog from the get-go.

And a 30-30 isn't the best choice in the "one gun to rule them all" category.

.
 
David E said:
And a 30-30 isn't the best choice in the "one gun to rule them all" category.

.
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Put that pipe down.:D

A thudy-thudy is a great all around caliber.

I'm a Marlin guy myself, can't beat the side ejection.

Put a red-dot sight on it and you have a nice "Redneck assult rifle".
 
I don't know anything about the Mossberg. I do own a Win.94 Trapper in .45 Colt. Great gun, love it! However, I had a problem with it "once". I did alot of question asking on rifle forums and I couldn't tell you how many responses started with "You should have bought a Marlin"! I don't have a Marlin yet, but when I get a 30-30 It will be a Marlin! (Because of all the positive feedback and praise). Good luck, M
 
shotgunner11 said:
Put that pipe down.:D

A thudy-thudy is a great all around caliber.

I'm a Marlin guy myself, can't beat the side ejection.

Put a red-dot sight on it and you have a nice "Redneck assult rifle".
Click to expand...

Now who is smokin the pipe?! Red dot on a Marlin? Those things come with iron sights you could shave a hair off a knats ass from 200 yards away with. What do you need a red dot for? I've had a couple of those things and EVERY time I went to the range I had to sight them in again to zero. They'd always be a hair off due to being whacked or just the repeated force of the large caliber round. Iron sights don't move. Just select your rear sight angle to adjust for distance and trust your skill and the rifle. KAPOW!
 
winchester 94 - but just because it was my first deer rifle as a kid

but personal preference aside, i'd probably go for the winchester since you get a scope for the same price
 
I'd like to try out the Mossberg, but honestly, I think the Marlin is far and away the stronger and better gun.
 
Well I'd say as far as value goes, Winchester is no longer making those rifles so I'd say get the winchester as it will be a better value down the road.

I have the Mossberg 30 30 and it's ok, but I'd trade it for a Marlin real quick. I don't like the top ejection of the Winchester at all, but I'd say either get that or find a Marlin.
 
Well, I did a bit of shopping around this afternoon. Went to see someone who had a Winchester and it turned out to be a Marlin. Thing I didn't like about Marlins (even though everyone says they are better) is the pistol grip. Well this one has a straight grip on it! The gun dealer will let me right a check, take it out this weekend with 2 boxes of ammo, and let me bring it in on Monday. If I like it, he'll cash the check. If not, I get the check back when he gets the gun back. Going to have to go with it. Thanks all for the help!
 
I'm wanting a lever gun also. However, I'm wanting it in 35 remington. Been looking and I'm seeing marlins everywhere. When I find the one with the right price for the rifle I'll be owning me one of them there lever guns! I like the look of the carbine/guide gun length but those seem to be fetching a bit of a premium right now. Oh well, when it happens, it happens but I'm looking....

The 30-30 is your choice. I haven't seen the mossberg lever gun yet. The winchester is a classic. I like the marlins. Maybe stay with the 30-30 in a marlin?

G20
 
FWIW I'm a school trained gunsmith and gun shop owner still employed in the firearms industry. I've worked with firearms professionally almost my entire life (so what!). So I have some reasons for my bias and advice other than just being a "gun goober" who likes firearms. With that being said; I'd go with the Winchester or hold out for a Marlin. Mossburg makes great shotguns but "okay" rifles. The model you're seeking in the Winchester is a solid performer, has a long track record, there are an abundance of parts, most guns cranks can fix them relatively easily, and they slick up well. Also they have a former record in law enforcement both in the old west and in recent history. I have a close friend who as a deputy responded to a bank robbery with his agency issued thurdy-thurdy Winchester! The Win 94 has been phased out of law enforcement for more rugged battle rifles in recent years but I'm confident there are a few sitting in some agency's armorery - in fact I know they are!

Please keep in mind any of these rifles you're considering are NOT drop safe which means you must not transport or carry any of them with a round in the chamber - trust me on this. The only time you chamber a round is when you are ready to engage. If the threat is over or the game runs off then you must immedately downgrade your rifle back to transport mode with NO round in the chamber. This is one reason why I would not recommend any non-milspec long gun for a wilderness-or-urban survival or self defense rifle. Battle rifles/carbines are designed to be abused by 19 year kids jumping out of helicopters in battle. They are intentionally engineered so they can be carried in combat situations, safely, with a round in the chamber.

Speaking of battle rifles...the SKS and the AKM both are chambered for the 7.62 x 39 which simulates 30-30 ballistics (actually a wee bit superior because of the bullet coefficient) and they are drop safe and survival proven. No doubt there is a stigma and mystique that goes along with owning the lever gun - you just need to decide what is most important for your selection of a personal defense and survival tool - "the CDI" factor or it's functionality relative to your mission. But what the heck do I know!?
 
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Pick one then have the chamber reamed to 30-30 Ackley improved. You get a few hundred feet per second more out of it. Close to .308 unless you shorten the barrel like I did.

Mine is hard chromed (looks brushed stainless), cut to 16.5 inches, Ashley ghost ring sights, and 30-30 AI. Short light and handy...

Cool thing is you can buy 30-30 off the shelf and shoot it through the AI. It just fireforms the brass to the chamber. Or shoot the reloaded stuff.

Badge54
 
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