Lever action

[geoint]

I was at my local FFL/gunsmith the other day having him install some night sights on handguns and while we were chatting I mentioned I was planning on buying a lever action in 30-30 and just keeping it as a cheap truck gun. It led to a long discussion and I eventually decided that a shotgun would be a better truck gun because he convinced me that shotguns are cheaper (mav 88), ammo is cheaper, they are much shorter (I can get one with a folding stock which is totally legal according to the flowchart), it doesnt really matter if a smooth bore barrel gets a little rusty and shotguns are easy to work on. He said he hated having to work on lever guns.

However Im curious about what calgunners think about truck guns and lever action rifles? Do you guys agree or disagree with my smith? Do you think a mav 88 is a better gun than say a Marlin 336?

[44fred]

Apples and oranges. Decide what you would most likely need it for and go from there. Lever actions have been used as truck guns for a very long time. Not a lot to go wrong on them, pretty bullet proof.
Personally, if I had a bunch of property and was able to have a gun rack in my truck, I'd have both options you mentioned.
If I had to choose just one, it would be a shotgun.

[-hanko]

If you can't or don't want...

...both a rifle or shotgun, I would select the rifle...

It really depends on what you want to shoot.

Not how cheap the shotgun is nor how cheap it feels.

Not whether or not your ffl likes to work on lever guns.

Pick whichever you like, but your ffl is throwing BS out when asked a simple question.

[Bastard]

"he said he hated to work on lever guns" I'm thinking that is opinion & reasoning might be a bit biased
I am going to assume that he didn't happen to not have any lever actions in stock either.


I can see the logic in using a shotgun for a truck gun, but like 44 said you need to decide what it will be used for & at what distance... however keep in mind, that levers are just friggin cool.

OR

you could just get a 1887 lever action shotgun

[golfish]

"he said he hated to work on lever guns" I'm thinking that is opinion & reasoning might be a bit biased
I am going to assume that he didn't happen to not have any lever actions in stock either.


I

^^^^ this is what I was thinking

[geoint]

"he said he hated to work on lever guns" I'm thinking that is opinion & reasoning might be a bit biased
I am going to assume that he didn't happen to not have any lever actions in stock either.


I can see the logic in using a shotgun for a truck gun, but like 44 said you need to decide what it will be used for & at what distance... however keep in mind, that levers are just friggin cool.

OR

you could just get a 1887 lever action shotgun

Lol good points. He DID only have bolt action guns in stock. He just works out of his garage so hes not a big business and he mostly works on ARs but still, I feel a little betrayed now after seeing his comments in this light.

[farmerjoe]

[echoThreeOneSix]

I have a fascination with level guns. I feel at home working / firing a nice lever gun. Not sure why, we just get a long...

[geoint]

So follow up question: If I already have a shotgun as my 'primary' truck gun, would you recommend a lever action or bolt action as a second? I really like the Mossberg MVP as I can use AR mags but Id like to see what guys with more experience think

[Oceanbob]

Levers are kinda rare right now. Levers are more expensive than a shotgun.

I vote shotgun.

[echoThreeOneSix]

So follow up question: If I already have a shotgun as my 'primary' truck gun, would you recommend a lever action or bolt action as a second? I really like the Mossberg MVP as I can use AR mags but Id like to see what guys with more experience think

depends, what are you expecting to shoot at? how quickly will you need a follow up shot?

[Oceanbob]

So follow up question: If I already have a shotgun as my 'primary' truck gun, would you recommend a lever action or bolt action as a second? I really like the Mossberg MVP as I can use AR mags but Id like to see what guys with more experience think

Good question. A secondary long gun? Hmmmm.

I guess it boils down to caliber, money and magazines?

I really like that Mossberg MVP......223

Personally I like the MVP Patrol a bit better.

http://www.riflegear.com/p-2096-mossberg-mvp-patrol-223rem-1625-bull-threaded.aspx

No matter, the cost after tax and DROS over $600

In my mind if I'am going to run AR mags then I'am going to run a real AR.

We can build an AR for the cost of a Mossberg and is much more efficient as a defensive weapon.

[geoint]

Coyotes or hogs. Not sure about follow up shot.

[echoThreeOneSix]

Coyotes or hogs. Not sure about follow up shot.

hogs you'll probably need a follow up shot/side arm. i'm not familiar with coyotes but I would assume the same. if you're good with a bolt gun go for it, I would choose level or semi...

[golfish]

So follow up question: If I already have a shotgun as my 'primary' truck gun, would you recommend a lever action or bolt action as a second? I really like the Mossberg MVP as I can use AR mags but Id like to see what guys with more experience think

Brother, at this point I'd just get what you want. A good lever action is going to be much faster then a bolt gun but we're kind of comparing apples to oranges. The bolt gun is going to be more accurate.

I really like lever guns, they are the original assault weapon

A good 44 mag lever gun matched up to a DA 44 mag revolver is going to throw down a lot of lead and be very reliable at doing it.