some advice on picking up a set

uncoolperson · Post by **uncoolperson** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 10:58 pm

so for our wedding present (or delayed reception present, as we got married 12/01/06) I talked the girl into getting a matching set of lever guns.

me, biggest burliest cartridge i can fine (stop a grizzly)
her, something slightly more girly (a 44 mag is a bit much for her)

the plan is for our one year to get matching wheel guns (taking the same cartridge as our levers).

these have to have some after market support... she'll want some gold trim and a pink stock (bleh).

any ideas?

$$ is an issue of course.

C. Cash · Post by **C. Cash** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 11:17 pm

Congratulations to you! Do you have a style preference? Some ideas:

1892 clones: she in 357 Mag. and yours in 454 Casul. You could buy a 357 Mag. pistol to share ammo with her rifle/pistol combo.

1894 Marlin: you in 44 Mag. and her in 357 Mag, each with a Ruger Blackhawk in your respective calibers to compliment?

Help me out fellas!

505stevec · Post by **505stevec** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 11:36 pm

Wow! that she is a willing participant shows great potential for the future missus

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 12:08 am

C. Cash wrote:Congratulations to you! Do you have a style preference? Some ideas:

1892 clones: she in 357 Mag. and yours in 454 Casul. You could buy a 357 Mag. pistol to share ammo with her rifle/pistol combo.

1894 Marlin: you in 44 Mag. and her in 357 Mag, each with a Ruger Blackhawk in your respective calibers to compliment?

Help me out fellas!

+1 - hit the nail on the head!!!

uncoolperson · Post by **uncoolperson** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 12:52 am

505stevec wrote:Wow! that she is a willing participant shows great potential for the future missus

she likes playin with guns almost as much as i do

lever-4-life · Post by **lever-4-life** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 1:44 am

If you want the biggest and baddest, get a 95 or an 86 in 45-70 as a rifle and get one of the magnum research 45-70 bfr revolvers

Or... do what the others said

Tycer · Post by **Tycer** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 8:21 am

C. Cash wrote:Congratulations to you! Do you have a style preference? Some ideas:

1892 clones: she in 357 Mag. and yours in 454 Casul. You could buy a 357 Mag. pistol to share ammo with her rifle/pistol combo.

1894 Marlin: you in 44 Mag. and her in 357 Mag, each with a Ruger Blackhawk in your respective calibers to compliment?

Help me out fellas!

+2

Cherokee · Post by **Cherokee** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 9:06 am

C Cash has the idea Marlin 357 & 44 Mag, but the 45 Colt can be a real stomper. Matching Rugers.

Idahoser · Post by **Idahoser** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 10:04 am

uncoolperson · Post by **uncoolperson** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 8:08 pm

thanks all for your replies...

the stopping a bear thing was serious... going to move back to alaska some day.

got all googgly eyed at the magnum research .30/30 revolver.... BANG! muhaha... that'd be way too cool.

and something about a revolver with a choke tube is kinda neat.

after all the advice i think i might go with 1894 marlin in 44 and 357.

uncoolperson · Post by **uncoolperson** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 1:45 am

well i guess sometime between when i last brought this up and today she decided she wanted a .44, does that change the suggestions?

since I've only ever handled at 44 mag, how does a 45 long colt handle in comparison?

again for me the bigger then better, not to compensate for thing. but because i am looking at moving back to alaska, and i'd like something to stand behind the NEXT TIME a bear decides to charge me (other than a single barrel break 12 gauge with pigeon shot).

jdad · Post by **jdad** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 8:42 am

A 44 wheel gun that you can shoot 3 different calibers in and since you're going to Alaska..........

http://www.czusa.com/product_detail.php?id=78

C. Cash · Post by **C. Cash** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 9:04 am

There should be no problems with a 44 Mag. for you or your wife. If you reload then you can shoot really mild cast loads for practice, bumming and defense here in the lower 48. Then you can load up stomper 300+ Gr. bullet loads for bear stoppage. You can also shoot factory 44 specials in the 44 Mag. I use Federal 200 Gr. Lead Semi Wad Cutter Hollow Points and they are a mild accurate load which is still a good defensive load for two legged critters and pooches that want to ventilate your rear end. As with everything, expect that you will run into problems at some point, but with a little persistance you'll get to where you'd like to be in regards to your gun/loads. I think it's better to shoot something like a 44 well and instinctively than it is to miss with a 454 Casul. Better yet consider your Big Bear Medicine gun as a totally different project(gives you another reason to "have" to buy a gun). "The bears will eat us honey unless I get a..."

Edit: Dr. Walker's suggestion below makes alot of sense too, if your not hung up on both of your rifles looking the same.

FWiedner · Post by **FWiedner** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 9:08 am

uncoolperson wrote:she likes playin with guns almost as much as i do

Yeah, they are all mighty cooperative before they start to nest.

Get what you need while she's acting like it's OK with her.

dr walker · Post by **dr walker** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 9:37 am

A matching set for you and your bride.
I'd go with a Marlin 45-70 Guide Gun stainless steel for you and a Marlin 1894 44magnum in stainless steel for her.
Sounds like you made a great choice in mates.

uncoolperson · Post by **uncoolperson** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 1:28 am

C. Cash wrote:..."The bears will eat us honey unless I get a..."
....

i'm still trying to work in getting an m4 so i can get an m203.... i'd give it the nickname of "bear be gone (as well as anything else)"

jdad wrote:A 44 wheel gun that you can shoot 3 different calibers in and since you're going to Alaska..........

http://www.czusa.com/product_detail.php?id=78

as cool as that is (it really is)... still wouldn't look right with a lever, and an alaskan with anything that says alaska but a birth cert and/or a license plate is called a tourist (i'm going to have to toss the belt buckle when i move back)... might have to consider what i could do with a file

thanks again all for you advice, i've got some pondering to do

uncoolperson · Post by **uncoolperson** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 11:53 am

well it's getting about time to order

and i found this...
http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,6191.html
big lever gun.

one last chance to throw me some recommendations...

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 12:06 pm

uncoolperson wrote:well it's getting about time to order
and i found this...
http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,6191.html
big lever gun.
one last chance to throw me some recommendations...

I've heard of some reliability problems with the import 1887s. And I haven't heard of anyone using slugs outta them. While they have a high COOL factor, THAT should NOT be a consideration when in BEAR country!

I'd go with a Winchester 1886 in 45-70 for yourself and a Marlin 1894 in .44Mag for the wife. Distinctive enough that you won't be picking up the wrong one at the critical moment.

Although the .45Colt is no slouch when reloading as you wish; it can and will equal .44mag loads, yet with factory .45Colt loads it's as meek and mild as you'd like. If you choose that route, I'd get a Rossi '92 clone. (Talk to Steve @ Steve's Gunz) for one of his pre-slicked up versions. You won't be sorry; but, it may lead to some squabbles with the Missus as to who gets to shoot it. They're THAT much fun!

uncoolperson · Post by **uncoolperson** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 1:24 pm

thanks, that definitely would be a bad thing.

as for the 45 long colt, I've been reading the only way to really get them up to par with a 44 mag is reloading (which i haven't started yet)...

Pete44ru · Post by **Pete44ru** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 7:43 pm

she likes playin with guns almost as much as i do

Yeah, they are all mighty cooperative before they start to nest.

Get what you need while she's acting like it's OK with her.

Er...........That would be the ole "bait and switch", eh ?

gundownunder · Post by **gundownunder** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 8:48 pm

You could go with his and hers 45lc. Hers with those sweet little cowgirl loads and yours with bear stomper loads.
You can cack yourself laughing when you "accidentally " drop a bearstomper into her ammo box now and then

Gryphon Black · Post by **Gryphon Black** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 3:38 pm

Here's what I got..
I have a Ruger super Redhawk in 454 casull, which a friend who used to guide up there endorses for bear defense. What he said was "I wouldn't try it with less in a pistol". And it will shoot the 45colt as well. As for the lever, a Marlin 1894CB in 45colt. To make bear loads for that, You cut a casull case down to colt length and load it to near-casull pressure under the heaviest bullet you can find, alternating hollow points and solids. With ten or more of those at your disposal in the rifle, and getting the extra speed from the rifle length barrel, your gonna damage that bruin. And you get to have the matching pair, lever and wheel.
I can't say enough good things about the way a Ruger is built, and they are SO EASY to work on. And the Super Redhawk is built in stainless.
My lever is a 24", but you may want the 20" for more handyness.
As for her, if she already wants the .44, good news! the Super Redhawk is made in .44 as well! They come in 9.5 or 7.5 inch barrels, and the grip is molded rubber for recoil damping.

That's the best advice I can give, but you don't lack for good advice here.

Gryphon

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 4:47 pm

C. Cash wrote:Congratulations to you! Do you have a style preference? Some ideas:

1892 clones: she in 357 Mag. and yours in 454 Casul. You could buy a 357 Mag. pistol to share ammo with her rifle/pistol combo.

1894 Marlin: you in 44 Mag. and her in 357 Mag, each with a Ruger Blackhawk in your respective calibers to compliment?

Help me out fellas!

+3 - And get yerself a .45 colt or .454 pistol too. (all I carried for bears on the Kenai was my 6" FA .454...)

...unless you are intent on needing more whompum than .454 then get a .45-70.

uncoolperson · Post by **uncoolperson** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 1:59 am

So while gun hunting for myself today i saw 3 things, a 20 gauge with a pink with black splatter stock, a pink mossberg plinkster, and a model 94 for $250

i bought the wife the plinkster... it was pink (it'll match her taurus), and it's .22.... she still thinks it's too much of a toy.

but after some more thought that 94 with the sloppy action and loose stock was a good deal (it's a 30-30), and would make a good match for her to my 32 special. I was being selfish and only thinking of myself at the moment. so as soon as i can I'm gonna run and grab that for her, look into getting a stock that's kinda styled like mine (that one's newer, mine's older.... gotta make em match). So if it's still for sale (cheap because it's loose and the blueing is warn bad... but we don't mind that right?), she'll have a 94 in 30-30 and i'll have my family 94 in 32 special.

perfect pair right? well after I get some his and her leather for it right?

I'm thinking http://www.levergunleather.com, anyone have good things to say or someone they recommend that could make future orders kinda match past orders (that whole getting more things in the future, just cool slings for now).

Thanks for reading all my rambling... i'm happy, she like's her .22, and she's hip to a 30-30.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 6:27 am

Wife's happy = everyone's happy!

Doc Hudson · Post by **Doc Hudson** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 8:26 am

With bear on the menu and pistol compatability in mind, I'd say y'all need a pair of Rossi leverguns. A .454 Casull Puma for you and a .357 Magnum M-92 SRC for her. Then next year, a nice .357 Blackhawk or GP-100 for her and an Alaskan Model REdhawk for you.

Let me suggest that for the third year, you need a matching pair of double-barreled shotguns, a 10 or 12 for you and a 20 or 28 gauge for her.

For the fourth, let me suggest a Marlin Model 39 for each of you followed by a matched pair of Ruger Single-Sixes.

uncoolperson · Post by **uncoolperson** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 12:51 am

well this just got dramatic.... coolant line in my truck broke tonight, so I've gotta hope i can find a way out to this pawn shop before she gets sold. (guns always more important than spending 3 hours under the hood righ?)

everyone cross your fingers for me.

AndyM · Post by **AndyM** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 6:45 am

FWiedner wrote:
uncoolperson wrote:she likes playin with guns almost as much as i do
Yeah, they are all mighty cooperative before they start to nest.

Get what you need while she's acting like it's OK with her.

from a happily married man like myself - that is funny - good luck

GoatGuy · Post by **GoatGuy** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 11:45 am

Ponder this; a pair of stainless Ruger 44 magnum sixshooters. A 5/2" Super Blackhawk for her and a 5 1/2" Redhawk for you. And if necessary, replace grips on each to individualize the poppers for suitable handling. A perfect his and hers pair for the lower 48 and quite appropriate for AK.

uncoolperson · Post by **uncoolperson** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 7:42 pm

Well, went and picked up the rifle today... i get home look up the serial V105###, and I'm think "whoa that can't be right!"

sure enough it wasn't, I didn't look over the barrel close enough (I trusted the price tag description on the rifle)

ted williams model 100 in 30-30

The price was rightish or atleast enough we'll keep it. Unlike my 32 special, i won't feel bad about fixing the bluing on this rifle.

uncoolperson · Post by **uncoolperson** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 10:46 pm

well, I did a nice break down of her to clean the rifle out. way too much copper shavings everywhere, some powder chunks that i didn't get rid of completely, and a nice coat of dark matter down the barrel.... now she's shiny inside, well lubed up, and no copper.

I'm not sure if it's the ted williams and sears or the (I'm assuming post 64), but who thought all those shortcuts was a good idea deserves a good talking to.

Took me forever (well 2 minutes) to get the pivoting lower tang right (why cant it just be beat in like my .32), and too long to realize that the firing pin wasn't rotated correctly to get the lever linkage in(maybe i got lucky with my .32 and it's the same on my .32).

but all in all, aside from the lever being a little loose (the pin between the lever linkage and the bolt is undersized, unlike the way too tight fitting one in my .32 [tapping the side of the receiver accidently compared to hammering on a small screw driver down the hole]), and the trigger being a little looser than my .32... the rifle seems to function nicely, gonna take her out this weekend and let the wife get a go at it (and the pink mossberg .22 i picked up last weekend for her)

I'll post some pics when i get to it... and in a few months when i get the fancy leather.

cubrock · Post by **cubrock** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 2:15 pm

You guys need matching pre-safety Marlin Mounties. You can't have too many .22s or Marlins.

uncoolperson · Post by **uncoolperson** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 9:04 pm

here's our lever guns at the moment (gonna skip a picture of her new pink .22 rifle, cause it ain't a lever gun)

gun leather from http://www.levergunleather.com/, i got some water on it and am trying to remove the stains right now... as arrived was much prettier.

http://flickr.com/photos/uncoolperson/3001516930/

dr walker · Post by **dr walker** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 9:11 pm

There you go. That is a nice set. I like the leather, great stuff.

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 9:47 pm

C. Cash wrote:Congratulations to you! Do you have a style preference? Some ideas:

1892 clones: she in 357 Mag. and yours in 454 Casul. You could buy a 357 Mag. pistol to share ammo with her rifle/pistol combo.

1894 Marlin: you in 44 Mag. and her in 357 Mag, each with a Ruger Blackhawk in your respective calibers to compliment?

Help me out fellas!

That's what I was about to say...!

The only other 'variant' I could think of might be if you prefer "long" actions, get a .444 Marlin and a Blackhawk or Redhawk in 44 Magnum (same bullet diameter at least, though not case). You could even get her the .44 Magnum Marlin and just load to .44 Special level in it; shoots like a pop-gun on steroids, and not even too noisy with those loads. Then everything would be one bullet size if that is important.

Still, I think the above two suggestions pretty much say it all;

just depends on whether you prefer Marlin 'hard-tops' or Winchester/Puma 'convertibles'...

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 11:03 pm

Those are a VERY nice pair!

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