Anyone use a lever gun as a primary home defense gun?

[Starslinger]

Does anyone rely on a lever action rifle as their primary home defense gun? It seems to me that a lever action rifle like the Henry Big Boy Carbine in .357 magnum would be roughly similar in power and speed to a pump action shotgun, but would be shorter in length and have less recoil.

Or I could get a Ruger Mini 14. I'm reading that the newer versions of the Mini 14 are plenty accurate for shorter ranges and are reliable. Currently I have only 9mm pistols but I want to buy a long gun soon.

Thanks for any advice.

[Mayor McRifle]

Does anyone rely on a lever action rifle as their primary home defense gun?

Walt Longmire does.

[jwfire25]

Walt Longmire does.

[emoji1]

I like the thought of it as a "cool" factor but I'd much rather have a shotgun with an 18.5 inch barrel.

The 580 series Mini 14s are really accurate. I was hitting a 24 inch plate at 500 meters with mine. I would be better with it if it had a better trigger.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[Bert Gamble]

Walt Longmire does.

So does Lucas McCain

[71MUSTY]

I do, well not as primary but there is never a bad time to have a 30-30 carbine handy.

[elSquid]

Thanks for any advice.

[rm1911]

[Starslinger]

I was thinking mostly of using the long gun in a situation where I could hear someone breaking in and could have the long gun pointed at the door while calling the police on speakerphone. The gun would also be for target shooting fun (hopefully the only thing it would ever be used for really).

[golfish]

Its hard to beat a 12 gauge loaded with buck shot, #1 buck or maybe some slugs. That #1 buck Federal flight control is pretty good stuff.

[elSquid]

I was thinking mostly of using the long gun in a situation where I could hear someone breaking in and could have the long gun pointed at the door while calling the police on speakerphone. The gun would also be for target shooting fun (hopefully the only thing it would ever be used for really).

Something to consider wrt pistol vs longarm for HD:



I tend to be on the pro-longun side of the argument, because longarms have more power and are generally easier to shoot under stress.

The interesting thing about 357 out of a rifle is that there usually is quite a large velocity bump, compared to the same load out of a handgun. More velocity, more energy.

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/357mag.html

[Guns and guitars]

Ive got a Marlin 45-70 that is in a rifle mount on my wall above the fireplace in my cabin here in Ca, that was just packed for my cabin in Northern Idaho.

For home protection Ive found a 12 gauge has been my go to for many years but the only rifle I keep out for game is the 45-70.

But granted I live on acreage and most likely would not keep a rifle locked and loaded if I lived in town.

[S.A.]

Check out IMI Timberwolf pump action carbines. They come in 357 and 44 mag.
You can find them on Gunbroker. They are pricey.

[200Apples]

I recall Walt using his 1911 as more of a home defense weapon... his lever carbine is a 20" Winchester chambered in .30-30...

A 16" 1892 is shorter and lighter than an 18" barreled pump shotgun, but .357 or .44 may overpenetrate, resulting in collateral damage. A 12 ga or a 20 ga loaded with buckshot is always a good choice.

That said, four firearms make the HD rotation here at Apples Acres: a 3" Kimber .45 auto, a 16" Rossi 92 in .357, or a vintage 1980 Wingmaster wearing an 18" cyl. bore, bead sight barrel, or another vintage 1980 Wingmaster wearing an 18" MOD-choked, Tritium-rifle-sights barrel; both 870s are updated with Flex-tab conversions (a bolt and carrier that allows clearing the rare double feed - these became standard factory bits in the late-'80s or early-'90s).

I tend to be on the pro-longun side of the argument, because longarms have more power and are generally easier to shoot under stress.

Always enjoy watching and learning from Clint Smith.

I cannot argue with your reasoning. However, if laying in bed and a violent attacker is coming at me, I can easier bring a large-bore handgun into action.

There's a place for all of these weapons.

[plumbum]

No, but I would call it a tertiary defense firearm, after my daily carry handgun and designated pump action. A .357 or .30-30 lever action is not a bad choice after a good handgun and a good shotgun.

This:
Just about any handgun should be first.
A simple shotgun is ideal if authorities have been called and you are fortified.
I’d feel quite comfortable with my 1894 should the need for more distance be appropriate.


Edit:
Or if I lived on 40 acres, then a rifle would be far more useful of a tool.

[Kokopelli]

Many Americans have used lever action rifles as primary home defense since 1866.