TXGunNut said:
was hoping to see more Marlins and Winchesters on this thread, maybe later. I've only owned and H&K 94 and a 94 Trapper in .45 Colt.
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I won't get into the Win 94 or Win/Rossi 92 vs Marlin debate as there are distinct camps both with good points, but between the Win 94 and the Win 92-based Rossi (and other 92s), the 92's a better action for the pistol length cartridges as it was designed from the get-go for such. On a budget? Get an Interarms-era or even more recent Rossi 92 in .357, .44M or .45 Colt (LC). Budget not (as much) an issue, look for one of the stellar Browning 92s (B92) from the '80s in .44 Mag or .357 (the latter getting particularly precious due to greater rarity).
Not mentioned yet in this thread, the M-1 Carbine, original GI preferable vs civilian models--though that caveat does drive the price up on a nice one. It's also a fact it is not a true "pistol" round (such applications occuring *after* the carbine's introduction)...But, it matches--almost identically--the .357 and .44 Mag cartridges in OAL, and ballistically is very similar to a .357 lever--for practical SD/HD purposes. Also true is that cheap surplus ammo is a thing of the past, and the last two years' shortages (of virtually all calibers) did nothing for .30 Carbine ammo prices either, but at least it's finally available again and prices (from some vendors) not "too bad"--as they had been just a few months ago. Back to the gun's merits: depsite being bashed for lack of long(er)-range stopping power (versus "true rifles") it is vastly superior to all pistol-carbines' performance mentioned here--including the venerable Tommy Gun--in that regard. With modern soft point ammo, it also is an excellent stopper in just about any HD scenario you can think of. Combined this with its legendary "firepower" (esp in non 10 rd states) and handiness and it's hard to beat.
Otherwise, my vote is for the Beretta in 9 or .40. In true Ruger fashion, the discontinued Ruger PCs are nice but heavier than warranted for either of these same cartridges--to the tune of at least half a pound--and the Ruger .44 severely limited by its 4 round rotary mag.
was hoping to see more Marlins and Winchesters on this thread, maybe later. I've only owned and H&K 94 and a 94 Trapper in .45 Colt.
----
I won't get into the Win 94 or Win/Rossi 92 vs Marlin debate as there are distinct camps both with good points, but between the Win 94 and the Win 92-based Rossi (and other 92s), the 92's a better action for the pistol length cartridges as it was designed from the get-go for such. On a budget? Get an Interarms-era or even more recent Rossi 92 in .357, .44M or .45 Colt (LC). Budget not (as much) an issue, look for one of the stellar Browning 92s (B92) from the '80s in .44 Mag or .357 (the latter getting particularly precious due to greater rarity).
Not mentioned yet in this thread, the M-1 Carbine, original GI preferable vs civilian models--though that caveat does drive the price up on a nice one. It's also a fact it is not a true "pistol" round (such applications occuring *after* the carbine's introduction)...But, it matches--almost identically--the .357 and .44 Mag cartridges in OAL, and ballistically is very similar to a .357 lever--for practical SD/HD purposes. Also true is that cheap surplus ammo is a thing of the past, and the last two years' shortages (of virtually all calibers) did nothing for .30 Carbine ammo prices either, but at least it's finally available again and prices (from some vendors) not "too bad"--as they had been just a few months ago. Back to the gun's merits: depsite being bashed for lack of long(er)-range stopping power (versus "true rifles") it is vastly superior to all pistol-carbines' performance mentioned here--including the venerable Tommy Gun--in that regard. With modern soft point ammo, it also is an excellent stopper in just about any HD scenario you can think of. Combined this with its legendary "firepower" (esp in non 10 rd states) and handiness and it's hard to beat.
Otherwise, my vote is for the Beretta in 9 or .40. In true Ruger fashion, the discontinued Ruger PCs are nice but heavier than warranted for either of these same cartridges--to the tune of at least half a pound--and the Ruger .44 severely limited by its 4 round rotary mag.
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