I am a novice shooter and gun owner. My current HD firearm is a Mossberg 590A1 but I am looking to add a rifle as well. I have researched for hours and have come up with a Winchester 1894 Short 30-30. I am leaning towards level actions but I need advice in deciding. My research indicates the 94 new is seriously expensive and it is also not made locally. Any advice or criticism is welcomed.
Need advice on a HD rifle...
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Willie Lowman
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There will be many who will tell you that nothing less than a AR 15 or AK 47 type rifle will do for HD.
I don't think this to be true myself. Lever guns are great guns. If it was me, I would look at the Henry .44 mag carbine.
I don't think this to be true myself. Lever guns are great guns. If it was me, I would look at the Henry .44 mag carbine.
jhgreasemonkey
New member
I keep my Winchester 94 .30-30 handy. In my opinion they make a fine HD rifle. Light, quick, handy, and aim naturally. You're right the new Winchesters are pretty expensive but you can find nice used model 94 .30-30's all day for $400ish. The post 1964 era top eject models are pretty affordable. Mine was made in 1970 and came with a black chrome finished reciever and steel buttplate (they came this way for 3 years, after this they had an alloy reciever which sometimes develops a purplish tint and is hard to refinish. Not a big deal, they work fine but something to keep in mind if you care about this and are looking used. I personaly have only seen this on some very well used models made throughout the 70's). Since the half cock safety is kind of odd to use, I keep the chamber unloaded and if I need the rifle I can cycle a round into the chamber in no time. If a safety is important to you, in the 1980's they started coming with crossbolt safeties and were angle eject as opposed to the earlier top eject. Angle eject made for easier scope use. (top eject meaning the shell ejects out the top of the reciever and back over your head, angle eject the shell ejects off to the right. And just a side note, snooty collectors don't like the models with the crossbolt safety but like others who like to use their guns I think they're fine and better than the half cock.) Check out www.gunbroker.com Also I wouldn't rule out the idea of a Marlin 336 .30-30 either because you can get the base model with the birch stock for about $400 new, they're a little more bulky but tend to cycle really smooth. Either way is a good choice and I usually see used .30-30's in the local gunshops for a reasonable price. Good luck to you.
Drummer101
New member
M1 Carbine sounds nice.
trg42wraglefragle
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M1A, with a decent scope, just for the off chance you need to take out your attackers while they're still 400yards away.
You've got to be prepared for everything.
You've got to be prepared for everything.
Sparks1957
New member
My standby is my Ruger PC9 carbine.
A bit heavy, but solid and reliable beyond question. 30-round magazine as well.
A bit heavy, but solid and reliable beyond question. 30-round magazine as well.
mrawesome22
New member
Pretty hard to beat a shotgun for HD.
Zhillsauditor
New member
No doubt. I don't think of my rifles as home defense weapons, but, ifn' I felt I had to, I would go with my AR.
However, if price is an issue, I'd suggest a Mosin Nagant carbine. Only holds four rounds, but the 7.62x54r is a powerful round, and it has a nice long bayonet for sticking people with. Out the door with ammo for less than $200.
L_Killkenny
New member
If you want to get a rifle "just because" I'm all for that but thinkin you need 2 guns for HD is backwards. You'll never have the opportunity let alone the need to use them both. After all, how many hands do you have?
Pick a platform and the shotgun is one of the best.
LK
Pick a platform and the shotgun is one of the best.
LK
MrDontPlay
New member
Kel Tec sub2000 might be my choice. Already have a shotgun and an AK though.
AirForceShooter
New member
I am not a fan of rifles for home defense.
The problem is penetration.
You could easily wind up shooting to the next house not to mention the next room or 2.
Stick with the shottie
AFS
The problem is penetration.
You could easily wind up shooting to the next house not to mention the next room or 2.
Stick with the shottie
AFS
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
If penetration is an issue, tactics and probable scenarios are a part of the package. But, not everybody has to worry about neighbors or others in the house.
Seems to me that (assuming skill) in a defense situation, rapid fire would be a possible need. That's the main reason for semi-autos. Lever actions would be a distinct second in that situation.
Seems to me that (assuming skill) in a defense situation, rapid fire would be a possible need. That's the main reason for semi-autos. Lever actions would be a distinct second in that situation.
You have had a number of good responses..
One I would throw out would be a shorter Lever Action carbine.. In .357
Easy to maneuver. Not super powerful, but there is enough! The lever action's sound is like the pump shot gun's, everybody knows the sound...
Most hold 8~10 rounds....One can also load .38 Specials
Here's mine:
Lateck,
One I would throw out would be a shorter Lever Action carbine.. In .357
Easy to maneuver. Not super powerful, but there is enough! The lever action's sound is like the pump shot gun's, everybody knows the sound...
Most hold 8~10 rounds....One can also load .38 Specials
Here's mine:
Lateck,
Mrgunsngear
New member
I keep this one bedside. It's absolutely reliable, more than accurate enough at any HD distance to take head shots should that be needed, and can utilize any accessory you want. An AR would work as well but I just have more confidence with AKs. I keep Hornady Vmax rounds in it for dependable 13-15'' penetration.
For home defense, most Americans in general, and LEO/Mil in particular prefer handguns. Rifles are not generally as well suited to interior defense. They serve a better role defending the home from intruders at a distance from the house, and penetration of outbuildings, vehicles, and other cover would be preferred. That's exactly why the issue milspec ammo for the M16/M4 uses a steel core.
Handguns do a better job when the intruder is within the room or adjacent room, shotgun for interior defense, rifle for exterior defense. In a rural or suburban scenario, it's much more likely if mayhem is spreading in the neighborhood.
You can wear a handgun in a holster around the house and property, even doing things like operating a chain saw, where a long gun is inconvenient.
Which rifle is best is an endless game of situations and favorites. The best to get is one you bought to go shooting with, especially if it's a live game rifle, like for deer. You'll use it more, shoot it more, and be more familiar with it, which makes you better with it. There's less guessing about range, it's familiar. Being good with it is much more important that what it is - an unfamiliar gun little used probably won't cooperate as well and get hits.
20 million prior servicemen could suggest the AR15, we've carried one and shot it for weeks and even months. The rural shooter might like the Win 94 for exactly the same reasons. The defender has a three to one advantage as battle historians have researched extensively, but I don't know of any one rifle available in hunting use that has it over other guns three to one.
Most personal confrontations end in less than four shots, usually from handguns. Rifle confrontations might last up to 35 - at which point a hit or common sense intrudes, and the risk is too much. At that point, you'd have to ask if sheltering the Cartel hitmans girlfriend was really that good a decision. Point being, most home invasions by armed individuals are continued conflicts brought to the home. Defend against that, and the risk is substantially reduced.
Handguns do a better job when the intruder is within the room or adjacent room, shotgun for interior defense, rifle for exterior defense. In a rural or suburban scenario, it's much more likely if mayhem is spreading in the neighborhood.
You can wear a handgun in a holster around the house and property, even doing things like operating a chain saw, where a long gun is inconvenient.
Which rifle is best is an endless game of situations and favorites. The best to get is one you bought to go shooting with, especially if it's a live game rifle, like for deer. You'll use it more, shoot it more, and be more familiar with it, which makes you better with it. There's less guessing about range, it's familiar. Being good with it is much more important that what it is - an unfamiliar gun little used probably won't cooperate as well and get hits.
20 million prior servicemen could suggest the AR15, we've carried one and shot it for weeks and even months. The rural shooter might like the Win 94 for exactly the same reasons. The defender has a three to one advantage as battle historians have researched extensively, but I don't know of any one rifle available in hunting use that has it over other guns three to one.
Most personal confrontations end in less than four shots, usually from handguns. Rifle confrontations might last up to 35 - at which point a hit or common sense intrudes, and the risk is too much. At that point, you'd have to ask if sheltering the Cartel hitmans girlfriend was really that good a decision. Point being, most home invasions by armed individuals are continued conflicts brought to the home. Defend against that, and the risk is substantially reduced.
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