- Moderator
- #1
I know many people on here are enamored of the AR rifles. But in many places there is so much regulation and/or bans that looking for an alternative long gun makes since.
Positives:
1) Come in variety of calibers, including some hard hitting thumpers.
2) Specialty ammo, such as ratshot loads, work just fine in a lever gun.
3) Magazine capacity beats most rifles that don't have a detachable magazine.
4) Can be reloaded without taking the rifles out of readiness.
5) Accurate enough out to 100 yards (more with the newer ammo available).
6) Durable in all conditions. They usually have very strong actions.
7) Misfire or jams are easily cleared.
8) Less likely to cause legal problems or interference from law enforcement.
Negatives:
1) Reloading is slower
2) Firing accurately is slightly slower
3) Lower magazine capacity than modern semi-autos.
4) Not as accurate at greater distances (although I'm not sure this is a big deal for home defense).
I owned an AR some years ago. I built it as a coyote gun. It did the trick wonderfully. And it was fun to shoot. But, being raised watching westerns, I have always loved shooting a lever gun. I only own 2 semi auto rifles. I have a Springfield M1A and a Ruger 10/22. The M1A is a great gun and as accurate as I can take advantage of, for sure. But it is 3.5 inches shy of being 4 feet long (44.33") and weighs over 9 lbs empty. My Marlin 1894 is only 38.5 inches long and weighs 6.5 lbs. It holds 10 rounds of .44 Rem Magnum. Now, if I were on a battlefield, the M1A would be my first choice. But in the house, the Marlin wins for the rifles. I own 3 lever guns. And I would trade any of them.
Positives:
1) Come in variety of calibers, including some hard hitting thumpers.
2) Specialty ammo, such as ratshot loads, work just fine in a lever gun.
3) Magazine capacity beats most rifles that don't have a detachable magazine.
4) Can be reloaded without taking the rifles out of readiness.
5) Accurate enough out to 100 yards (more with the newer ammo available).
6) Durable in all conditions. They usually have very strong actions.
7) Misfire or jams are easily cleared.
8) Less likely to cause legal problems or interference from law enforcement.
Negatives:
1) Reloading is slower
2) Firing accurately is slightly slower
3) Lower magazine capacity than modern semi-autos.
4) Not as accurate at greater distances (although I'm not sure this is a big deal for home defense).
I owned an AR some years ago. I built it as a coyote gun. It did the trick wonderfully. And it was fun to shoot. But, being raised watching westerns, I have always loved shooting a lever gun. I only own 2 semi auto rifles. I have a Springfield M1A and a Ruger 10/22. The M1A is a great gun and as accurate as I can take advantage of, for sure. But it is 3.5 inches shy of being 4 feet long (44.33") and weighs over 9 lbs empty. My Marlin 1894 is only 38.5 inches long and weighs 6.5 lbs. It holds 10 rounds of .44 Rem Magnum. Now, if I were on a battlefield, the M1A would be my first choice. But in the house, the Marlin wins for the rifles. I own 3 lever guns. And I would trade any of them.
