another desert day - lever guns are cool

[nostatic]

Another day in the desert. Hooked up with a couple friends who are ex-special forces. They brought a bunch of toys including a couple of lever guns. The "Alaskan Copilot" (a Marlin 45-70 mod) was a particular favorite, especially with the full magnum loads. Other highlights included a SOCOM M1A that was being broken in (brand new build) and another 308 that was astonishingly accurate at 150m.

The other plus was a tactical shotgun lesson. Learned how to save my shoulder and properly clear a room, holding the weapon low then bringing up sideways first then rotating to aim center of mass. Firing while moving will take some practice, but the revelation was his instruction on *not* holding the stock tight to the shoulder but rather pulling forward with the left hand. Worked like a charm.

Might have to get a Marlin 1894 cowboy...

[slodave]

Are you all wearing the "hat"?

[nostatic]

somebody has to...

[Jims5543]

Nostatic,

You might want to consider an investment in something like this. It folds down compact and then you can get all those nice guns off the ground and out of the dirt.

The benches, I suspect would be a welcome item if your out there for a long time. It all folds down compact too and is lightweight.



http://www.tailgatingpartysupply.com/Coleman-2794A690-CLM1079.html


I have an old Marlin lever rifle that is a .22 and I love it. I am going to try that shotgun trick, my Remington put some nice bruises in my shoulder last weekend.

[Jeff Higgins]

Ah yes, now we're talking. Lever guns. It's nice to see them making a comeback after years of playing second fiddle to bolt guns. They really are great guns in so many ways, as anyone who plays with them will tell you. I am suspect of anyone who would call themselves a "shooter", much less a "rifleman", who does not own and shoot at least a lever gun or two. The current Marlins are about the best of the lot, all things considered. Most are as accurate as any hunting bolt action, and often much more accurate.

Below is a photo of two of mine, an 1894 Cowboy in .45 Colt and an 1895 in .45-70. Both wear the same XS Sight systems "ghost ring" peep sights that I see in your photo. Probably the best sights going for these rifles (anyone who would scope a lever gun should probably be the first one shot with it...).



Are you sure that is a Co-Pilot? Jim West' signature guns are take down rifles, breaking down by releasing a special catch on the magazine tube, sliding it forward, then rotating the barrel/forearm/magazine tube assembly one quarter turn to disengage it from the receiver. I don't see the magazine tube catch, nor the plate tying in the rear of the magazine tube, the barrel, and the forearm. The rifle in your photo looks like an early Guide Gun, sporting the ported barrel. Still a fantastic rifle, but not quite a Co-Pilot.

[Bill Douglas]

Todd, your've failed to mention the Buckmark. You didn't leave it at home did you?

[nostatic]

Jeff, my buddy had a couple of lever guns. One was an Alaskan CoPilot (which he assembled then took down when we were done), the others were various Marlins. I lost track of what all we shot, but he kept coming up to me and saying, "ok, now shoot it with a real load..." Some of them looked like mortar rounds. All of his guns had ported barrels.

Bill, the Buckmark was in attendance. Not ideal though for a windy day in the desert. I'll take it to the indoor range next week a few times and keep plinking. I'm still getting used to the way the thing points - very different than the Sigs. I've also *really* got to work on my pistol technique. I actually was quite accurate at 150m with the rifles, but was abysmal at 25m with a pistol. The nut behind the trigger was loose.

I think I need a 1911 as well, one with a .22 barrel swap capability so I can shoot the snot out of it. I shot a 1911 chambered in 10mm - fun

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by Jims5543

I have an old Marlin lever rifle that is a .22 and I love it. I am going to try that shotgun trick, my Remington put some nice bruises in my shoulder last weekend.

It totally makes a difference. Not even a whimper from my shoulder. The g/f followed suit as well and happily was firing away with the 870 - and she's all of about 115lbs. Keeping a forward pull with the left while just using the right to pull the trigger and support it a tad away from the shoulder was like night and day. I tried (before the lesson) pulling it tight into the shoulder and while that was better than last time it wasn't nearly as good as this technique.

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by nostatic

The nut behind the trigger was loose.

LOL

Originally Posted by nostatic

I think I need a 1911 as well, one with a .22 barrel swap capability so I can shoot the snot out of it. I shot a 1911 chambered in 10mm - fun

Sounds fun. Can you guys buy Norinco? They are Chinnese made (don't let that put you off), OK quality, very accurate, and REALLY cheap. Plus the 1911 parts are interchangable. A guy at the range on Sunday had a Norinco .22 pistol. He paid about $250 New Zealand dollars for it. Converted into $USD that makes it almost free.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by nostatic

Jeff, my buddy had a couple of lever guns.

Your buddy sounds like a fine man; I like him already.

One of Jim West's Co-Pilots is near the top of my "someday" list. Not that I need a take-down (unless I'm going to pack it on the Harley), it's just that they are such damn fine guns.

Take a look at the Marlin 39A, as fine a .22 lever gun as can be had. It comes standard from Marlin as a take-down. Some folks think they are a little pricey for "just" a .22 at around $500-$600, but I don't look at it that way. I see it as a rifle that costs about the same as any other Marlin lever gun, but one that can be shot far more for far less. I'm currently on the hunt for one myself, to replace "the one that got away"...

[Jims5543]

I have a Marlin 39A and love it. I paid too much for it but never intend on selling it. Its great for plinking.

[nostatic]

arrghh...just what I need. More guns to add to the list.

The 39A looks sweet. Would be a good compliment to the 10/22. I'm thinking the 1894C in .357/.38 would be a good partner for the Mini14, though online it is easier to find .223 than .38/.357. The Mini14 is still the favorite of the house, but I did like firing the .308 as well.

[slakjaw]

lever guns are way cool!!!

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by nostatic

I'm thinking the 1894C in .357/.38 would be a good partner for the Mini14, though online it is easier to find .223 than .38/.357.

That would be a great gun for you guys. Shooting .38's through it, it will have both minimal recoil and report. Take the plug out of the magazine tube (you didn't hear that here...) and it will hold 13. It will be more accurate, and have a better trigger than, the Mini-14. It's also a lot of fun just to cycle the lever between shots - you will find yourself working on that technique, trying to improve speed and accuracy. Don't be surprised if, at some point, you are faster at hitting things with the lever gun than with the Mini 14. It will also knock the bigger, heavier targets around with more authority than the .223. Like bowling pins and stuff. IMHO, lever guns are the most fun to be had in "plinking" rifles.

[slakjaw]

My grandfather gave my dad an old Winchester 30-30 lever gun. Someday it will be mine

I dont know what year it is but I know its pretty old.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

That would be a great gun for you guys. Shooting .38's through it, it will have both minimal recoil and report. Take the plug out of the magazine tube (you didn't hear that here...) and it will hold 13. It will be more accurate, and have a better trigger than, the Mini-14. It's also a lot of fun just to cycle the lever between shots - you will find yourself working on that technique, trying to improve speed and accuracy. Don't be surprised if, at some point, you are faster at hitting things with the lever gun than with the Mini 14. It will also knock the bigger, heavier targets around with more authority than the .223. Like bowling pins and stuff. IMHO, lever guns are the most fun to be had in "plinking" rifles.

Yeah, the lever is definitely fun to work and I could see how one could get fast with it. I have to admit shooting the 45/70 was a hoot, especially with the "elephant" loads. 150m is like 15'. Quite fun to shoot something that far away with iron sights. I do like ghost rings...

[Rick Lee]

Jeff's countless posts on lever guns have gotten me looking at them when I'm in stores or at a gun show. I just can't decide what I want to get. A lever gun is on my list now, but not so much a priority, as I don't think they'll ever be banned. I just need to pick a caliber and start stockpiling ammo.

[tabs]

Forget the rest this is WHAT YOU WANT....ouuuuu Daddy the ultimate 9MM auto pistol ever made...P-210-6

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by tabs

Forget the rest this is WHAT YOU WANT....ouuuuu Daddy the ultimate 9MM auto pistol ever made...P-210-6

I believe JYL has one of these. I would love one. Last one I saw was $2500.

[Jim Bremner]

what did you think of the socom?