Gun Question

S

SilentJohn

Joined
Feb 11, 2008
Messages
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is it ok to ask about guns on here? im going out for my first fire arm and would like to ask a few questions
 
soitanly!!! What the deally yo?!

Seriously though, yeah we talk about guns here a good bit. What's your question?
 
i am VERY interested in the henry mare's leg 45. long colt and would know if it would be a good first gun and a good gun in general also if it comes with a holster

i dont really plan to go hunting with it but i would like to know if it could fill the role if need be. another is how do you think it would fare in home defense

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i live in new jersey and the process of buying a gun is slow going so i will be on here talking and asking many questions
 
No experience with the Mare's Leg, but I've got a Henry Golden Boy and the quality is top-notch. I imagine it could function as a hunting rifle, the .45LC is capable but obviously you're going to be much more restricted in terms of maximum range. Would certainly not be my first choice.

As for home defense, well... it'd be better than nothing, but I wouldn't consider it if I had a choice. I'd look for something with a higher capacity and ability to mount a light.

Overall, you can bet on it being beautiful, hardy, and with a perfectly smooth action. But also bet on it being pretty darn expensive and not too relatively practical for just about anything, really.
 
I'm old enough to remember Steve McQueen carrying one of those in the old TV series "Wanted Dead or Alive." I thought it was cool then. Still do. But I am not about to plunk down the kind of money those things cost for the dubious utility. It is too large to be as convenient as a pistol. It is too short to be as accurate as a rifle or carbine. It has too little a capacity to have as much firepower as -- well, almost any other firearm except a 5-shot J frame S&W snubby. The large loop lever, while it looks cool and made it easy for Steve McQueen to cock it with one hand by flipping it around, is not actually practical. For working the action on a lever-action firearm, the standard slim loop gives a crisper and more reliable action.

Decide what you really want a firearm for, first and foremost. Hunting? Home defense? Concealed carry? Casual plinking? Target shooting? Then go to a local range, talk to the guys behind the counter, rent some firearms if they have rentals (many ranges do), and find one that both suits your personal need and feels right to you.

Someday, you may get and enjoy the mare's leg as well. But for a first firearm, it just doesn't make a lot of sense.
 
For home defense, but a shotgun. There is nothing quite like the sound of racking a 12GA to make someone think twice about their next decision.
 
RevDevil said:
For home defense, but a shotgun. There is nothing quite like the sound of racking a 12GA to make someone think twice about their next decision.
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I'd rather neutralize the threat than scare them. Chances are if the person is dumb enough to break into your house, they've surely heard a shotgun rack before. Not that I'm disagreeing that a shotgun is a good choice, but mine is already chambered and ready to fire. No warning shots for me.
 
Unfortunately, the Mare's leg is not practical in any sense. Expensive ammo for target shooting, not suited for hunting, and there are literally hundreds of firearms that are more dependable as a home defense firearm. It looks cool, but it just isn't practical. If you're from Jersey and you need to go through all the hassle anyway, you may as well look into a pistol. If a pistol isn't what you want then perhaps look into the trusty Mossberg 500. If you're dead set on a rifle then maybe another Henry lever action utilizing a different caliber.
 
it's sad I really do want the mares leg but I trust you guys and your knowledge

what would best fit my needs range shooting - home defense
 
SilentJohn said:
it's sad I really do want the mares leg but I trust you guys and your knowledge

what would best fit my needs range shooting - home defense
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I've got two recommendations.

1. A shotgun (Remington 870 or Mossberg 500) and a Ruger 10/22 for range shooting/cheap fun.
2. An AR15 or AK variant. They would be fun to shoot at the range, and are excellent home defense weapons with the right ammunition.
 
Tony8179 said:
Unfortunately, the Mare's leg is not practical in any sense.
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Agreed. It does not lend itself to ease of use one handed and accuracy with such a weapon is going to be lacking.

Expensive ammo for target shooting, not suited for hunting, and there are literally hundreds of firearms that are more dependable as a home defense firearm. It looks cool, but it just isn't practical.
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Agreed again.

If you're from Jersey and you need to go through all the hassle anyway, you may as well look into a pistol. If a pistol isn't what you want then perhaps look into the trusty Mossberg 500. If you're dead set on a rifle then maybe another Henry lever action utilizing a different caliber.
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While the Mares leg is essentially a cut down rifle, it is sold as a pistol. It is too short to be sold as a rifle. That is why the stock is cut down to a useless length.

For a defense, target and hunting pistol for use in NJ, where a carry permit is probably not on the horizon for the OP, I'd go with a .357 Magnum revolver with a 6" to 8" barrel. There are some nice .357 hunting rounds out there from makers like Buffalo Bore that would work on deer and NJ black bear. There is always .38 for plinking and target shooting and for SD/HD there are rounds in both .38 and .357 Mag that are designed with this in mind.

At 6" to 8" it is gong to be heavy, making it more than manageable. Especially with .38's. 6" would be plenty but for hunting and possible use with a scope, I'd consider 8".

Of course there is always the Dan Wesson Pistol Pack but those aren't easy to come by.
 
the pistol pack isn't bad. i can have a nice long barrel and then switch it out and have a nice little roscoe for SD

what about the S&W model 29 dirty harry gun. or a schofield model 3 if i still want a cowboy gun

i also kind of like the moss 500 with pistol grip
 
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A kindred spirit! I too have always wanted a mare's leg! It's Steve Mcqueen's fault! But, as a shootin' fool, I've never owned one. I've got plenty of handguns that do everything a mare's leg will do a whole lot better! I haven't priced the Henry version, but Most other's around my neck of the woods are runnin' between $300-$450ish. Depending on new, used, caliber, & maker. For that price, you might as well get an auto in 9mm, 45acp, .40, or a wheelgun in .357mag or good ol' .44mag! As I said before, the mare's leg has a certain je ne sais quoi, but my hard earned money goes toward more practical guns. One of these days, when I'm independantly wealthy & smoikn' monte christo's lit with $5 bills, I'll pick up the mare's leg myself & tell ya all about it!:thumbup:
 
I hear the phrase mall ninja a lot on here so maybe I'm thinking like a mall cowboy

the ML is the gun I want but maybe not the gun I need or should own at this time
 
If nostalgia is a driving force get yourself a double barrel shotgun for home defense. If you like pistols a Ruger Blackhawk or Super Blackhawk or Redhawk will work.
 
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