lever actions for a defensive rifle

[jdb]

what the general thoughts on a lever gun for defensive purposes?

[Shootmoore]

I assume your talking about defense in the home.  While the length of a lever action carbine is appropriate and practice and training with a lever gun it would be suitable for self defense use in the home I do have an issue with the calibers available.  I would argue for concerns of over penetration of rounds that if a long gun is used for self defense that my two suggestions would be the .223 or a shotgun with #4 birdshot.  Both of which will provide you with stopping power and reduction in over penetration with over penetration less than handgun or rifle rounds.

If you are looking at a lever gun in handgun caliber you will have issues with over penetration as well.  "Most" handgun rounds fired from a short barrel (handgun) have greater hard target penetration than both the .223 and shotgun with birdshot.  You will have a higher velocity from a longer barrel and while I have not seen the data I would assume you will have an increased issue with penetration.

Where the handgun (handgun calibers) become a better choice is in the firearm itself for portability, concealability and maneuverability.

My 

Shootmoore

[shoot-em-dead]

While any firearm can be used for self defense- I would prefer a semi auto or a pump. The lever action is a great design however they do jamb pretty often compared to the other actions out there. They are just not dependable enough for me as a choice defense gun. I would ask where you are talking about. I assume it is for at home. That being the case I would prefer a pump shotgun, just racking a round in should be enough to scare off an intruder. If it doesn't scare them off then you already have a gun that will cut them in half vs poking holes in them.

[BPturkeys]

When you say "defensive" are you talking about when the Tally-Ban come trucking down your street in their Toyota pickup, or when four glassy eyed drug addicts kick in your back door? I guess it don't make much difference, takes about as long to dig up 30-30 ammo from your back yard stash as it does .223 AR ammo. 

(sorry, just couldn't resist)

[ICEMAN]

Better than nothing. A bit slow to load, but you would will look nostaligic and cool using it...  

I also think that the concern of over penetration is valid, but over worried. Line up two bad guys...

[ADAMS]

I always thought that a Winchester 94 "Trapper" in .44 mag with 16" barrel would have been a great home defense gun. If your household situation would make it appropriate, you can keep one in the chamber with the hammer down.

Too bad they don't make them anymore.  

[rasbo]

IMO not a good choice unless your chuck Connors..shotgun would be better,most home invasions are close combat scenarios..I prefer a handgun for close battles..I do have a riot gun 12gauge 00buck for the wife,she is trained not to go to the fight though{Lay and dispose}..The .357s and 44 lever actions are pretty short but still require a lot of movement to chamber another round..I know,So does the shotgun!!! But one shot with that and its game over..

[jdb]

I am actually pretty well set. 2 shortty shotguns and 3 .357 magnum handguns. I really just wanted to start a discussion I personally think one of the marlins in a pistol caliber with an optical site like the burris fastfireII would be decent alternative. especially in like a camping scenerio. or just as a constant companion while in the woods.

[jdb]

Better than nothing. A bit slow to load, but you would will look nostaligic and cool using it...  

I also think that the concern of over penetration is valid, but over worried. Line up two bad guys...

why does it always have to be about race with you

[ICEMAN]

doh!

[BigGoonTuna]

i think a marlin 1894(in .357 or .44 mag, take your pick) would make a better choice for a "home defense" gun than an AR15 variant...

[boneaddict]

I would hate to be on the receiving end if I had one in my hands.   If you hear me running that action, you BETTER run fast, and I can see for a LONG ways.

[whacker1]

I was kind of thinking the lever action cycling is a very remarkable sound, but probably not as noticeable to tweekers like the pump action on a 12 gauge

[sisu]

I was kind of thinking the lever action cycling is a very remarkable sound, but probably not as noticeable to tweekers like the pump action on a 12 gauge

And just for the record BB or BBB is much better than #4 or 00 buck. Why? More of them and they will end the problem so that there will be no one to testify in court. With the 00 buck there is the slight chance you will hit the POS with only a few with the BB or BBB a lot is going home if you are on target. Again this is all personal use what you believe is best. Hell, as whacker said, just the sound of the slide or the clang of a semi auto's bolt in a shotgun should deter a smart POS.

[FALFire]

Actually a lever gun is a fine little defensive weapon. The carbines are even better yet, they are light, accurate, fast handling and can easily be reloaded on the run. Over the 40 years I've used my Marlin lever guns, never have I had one fail to work. Would I take it over my AR? No, but if it's all I had for the moment, then I would certainly use it.

[boneaddict]

and if you run out of bullets for the 7th intruder, that steel buttplate would go good right between the eyes.

[hillbilli]

as to the penetration problems and concerns, you can find ammo that wont over penetrate in about any of the lever gun calibers. If you live out of town a bit then standard loads are fine. they had a shooting in arkansas when i was there- the farmer defended his place with the .30-30 marlin,-hit the first guy in the hand- the second guy decided he didnt want to play. main thing is -shoot it, make sure its reliable, shoot it enough the action is second nature to you, be able to shove rounds in the loading gate without taking your eyes off target.. come to think of it, if you get that familiar with it, it wont matter as much which rifle action type you brought..

[44 Flattop]

I've relied on a levergun for defense for over 30 years.  In a pistol caliber of course.  My 24" Marlin Cowboy in .44 holds 12+1 and with a 255gr cast bullet at 1100fps is the cats meow.  It can be reloaded quickly and easily while still in battery and in shooting leverguns for nearly 40 years I can't remember a single jam out of the many dozens I've owned.  My 20" Marlin CB version is even slicker'n the 24" model (which is mightily slick) and never have even the slightest hangup in cycling the action even with SWC's, while alternating 44 specials with 44 mags 

I live in a little cabin way out in the woods past the powerlines, no neighbors to speak of outside of deer and elk, so an AK47 or AR15 isnt' really needed and too much penetration is a good thing if any bad guys figure out there is an inhabited cabin here. 

44

[Straight Shooter]

I was watching American Guardian or Best Defense a while back and they featured a 16" levergun for home defense.  It rated high marks because of its compactness, reliability and power.  Personally, I prefer a short-barrelled, 12 gauge pump with #4 buck or BB.

[hookr88]

If I were to pick a rifle for home defense I kind of like my Taurus Thunderbolt in 45 Long Colt. Pump action with 13 + 1. Quick to cycle, large caliber, slim chance of over penetration, and not lilkely to run out of ammo.

[carpsniperg2]

the levers are good for most of us but for a child or a wife in the heat of the moment to much of a chance of short stroking and such i will stick to a shotgun and a handgun or a carbine rifle.

[spikehunter]

 Got a s/w 629 in .44 only need 1 shot