Pistol Caliber Carbine

JJ_Colt45 said:
I wish Ruger still made the Deerfield Carbines in 44 Mag ... those are a blast to shoot and super nice brush guns for deer and hogs. As it is I have several Marlin, Henry, and Winchester lever guns that I love to shoot that work just was well.
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How do the Henrys compare to the Winchesters? With Marlin being sold off in bankruptcy, I'm not sure where they will fit in the mix.

Also interested in pistol caliber lever action reviews out there. I'm looking at Winchester 1892's but, >$1500 is a bit too spendy for me right now.
 
Sid Post said:
How do the Henrys compare to the Winchesters? With Marlin being sold off in bankruptcy, I'm not sure where they will fit in the mix.

Also interested in pistol caliber lever action reviews out there. I'm looking at Winchester 1892's but, >$1500 is a bit too spendy for me right now.
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I was actually surprised by the Henry rifles. They have very smooth operating actions, that's one thing I dislike about Winchesters many are stiff to cycle. Some break in nicely and some stay fairly tight.

The Henry rifles I have are all octagon barrels and a bit heavier. The pistol caliber rifles aren't bad in terms of weight but it is noticeable compared to the super light Marlins. They handle well and the weight isn't an really issue. They Henry 30-30 I own is almost too heavy. I imagine the round barrel carbine rifles would be a bit lighter weight.

The one thing I miss on the Henry rifles are side loading gates. The tube load isn't bad I just got used to side load from shooting cowboy action years ago. They are quite accurate and nice looking guns. It took me awhile to warm up to them after getting used to Marlin and Winchester rifles, but I do enjoy them now.

I haven't bought a Winchester since they shut down the New Haven plant around 2006 but I hear the new rifles are pretty good although expensive I have never handled one. Marlin I expect will be better off with Ruger having bought the rights and hopefully will get back to good working rifles.

All in all if I were buying a new lever gun today Henry might be my first choice. They are nicely made and quite smooth out of the box. Accuracy is equal to any Marlin or older Winchester I have shot. I think they beat Winchester in the smooth cycling and again are about equal to Marlins. The weight and absence of a side loading gate on most models might give the edge to JM Marlin rifles. But overall I am happy with the Henry rifles I have. Older "JM" stamped Marlin are still great rifles but getting harder to find and the price tags are high usually.
 
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Thanks!

Yes, the pre-64 Winchesters are running $1200~$1450 for a working grade 'rack' rifle. Older Marlins seem to be similar money.

Unfortunately, Henry seems to only sell side-loading rifles with brass receivers. Their new 'tactical' pistol caliber rifles don't appeal to me at all. The threaded barrel is a nice feature but, the rest of it really seems to ruin an overwise classic rifle; I'm really wondering who wants a plastic stocked 30-30, granted construction grade lumber stocks aren't very nice either.
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Modern Bullpups may not stow as compactly as a modern PCC SBR/Pistol but, when shouldered certainly have similar overall lengths for doorways, entry/exits from cars, etc.

Congrats on the new Tavor during this challenging acquisition season!
 
K.O.D. said:
A few reasons.

1. I could get a left handed one without paying $500+over MSRP. I like the mag release better, and the position of the charging handle because I have long arms. Plus, this one had a lot of mods. Trigger job, folding charging handle, a few other things including a handguard rail. I put the Sightmark Red dot on it though.
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Sounds like it was set up perfect for you!

Aesthetically I've always liked the looks of the SAR over the X95. I never got around to getting one though. The x95 fits me a bit better. I've got short arms so the charging handle is in a perfect spot for me. I like the trigger on it too. I would have liked to try out that mag release though, looks really handy. But I'm used to an AR mag release already.

That kyptek camo looks great on it too. Really good buy man.
 
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K.O.D. said:
A few reasons.

1. I could get a left handed one without paying $500+over MSRP. I like the mag release better, and the position of the charging handle because I have long arms. Plus, this one had a lot of mods. Trigger job, folding charging handle, a few other things including a handguard rail. I put the Sightmark Red dot on it though.
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Sounds like it was set up perfect for you!

Aesthetically I've always liked the looks of the SAR over the X95. I never got around to getting one though. The x95 fits me a bit better. I've got short arms so the charging handle is in a perfect spot for me. I like the trigger on it too. I would have liked to try out that mag release though, looks really handy. But I'm used to an AR mag release already.

That kyptek came look
 
jkwithawave said:
Sounds like it was set up perfect for you!

Aesthetically I've always liked the looks of the SAR over the X95. I never got around to getting one though. The x95 fits me a bit better. I've got short arms so the charging handle is in a perfect spot for me. I like the trigger on it too. I would have liked to try out that mag release though, looks really handy. But I'm used to an AR mag release already.

That kyptek came look
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Took it to the range today. Holy mother of pearl I love this thing! My cousin was in town and the range we went to had Battleship (like the game) targets and we had a "blast.". Not a single. The upgraded trigger is really nice, as is the upgraded butt pad. It is definitely a one of a kind gun with that hydrodip on it. People at the range kept looking over at us like what the hell is that.

I lost count of how many have said it looks like something out of Halo.
 
jkwithawave said:
Sounds like it was set up perfect for you!

Aesthetically I've always liked the looks of the SAR over the X95. I never got around to getting one though. The x95 fits me a bit better. I've got short arms so the charging handle is in a perfect spot for me. I like the trigger on it too. I would have liked to try out that mag release though, looks really handy. But I'm used to an AR mag release already.

That kyptek came look
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Took it to the range today. Holy mother of pearl I love this thing! My cousin was in town and the range we went to had Battleship (like the game) targets and we had a "blast.". Not a single. The upgraded trigger is really nice, as is the upgraded butt pad. It is definitely a one of a kind gun with that hydrodip on it. People at the range kept looking over at us like what the hell is that.

I lost count of how many have said it looks like something out of Halo.
 
Velitrius said:
Well, I had to ask my son to take a look and let me know if this was such.

He says that you are correct... it looks like it is.

Me, I don't care what video game might have inspired it, this is one badass weapon. Now I must get me one.
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Some people say they are overpriced. I disagree. As a lefty, I really appreciate the easy ability to make it truly left-handed by just replacing the charging handle and moving some things around on it.

Yes, Stag and Rock River make lefty Car's, but it's not easy to get one. At least not right now.

The bullpup design lends itself to being a good home defense gun, especially in a trilevel house like mine on 2/3 of an acre.

I got lucky with mine in that it has many of the planned mods I had in mind. I've now handle the new X95 variant, and don't care for the changes. At nearly 6'4", my goon like arms are in an awkward position to cock it.

I highly recommend either, though I've heard the stock trigger isn't the greatest. Mine has the 18.5" barrel. There is also a 16.5" should you desire. But the ladies like those few extra inches.
 
For a home defense or car/SUV rifle, bullpups have their merits. Having ~16" barrel ballistics in a compact package has its own merits as well.

Even a Styer AUG with a 24" barrel has an overall length comparable to a 16" AR-15. With 5.56, barrel length matters as does NATO spec pressure ammunition with modern bullets. No "I don't want to get hit with a 55gr FMJ" WWB (Winchester White Box, AKA Walmart) but, modern bullets are significantly more effective. And, no you don't have to get the most modern and expensive bullets to get a significant improvement in effectiveness.
 
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WWB. Foul stuff. Dirtier than a $5 whore.

I'm not sure what defensive ammo I'll use. Hard to get lately.
 
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