Lever or AR for ME? Need your advice.

[Ksail101]

I know this topic may be beat to death, but I want some opions cause I may have a different situation than others.

First off this is kinda a continuation for a Handgun topic which I asked about what revolver would be good for Cowbay action. I love the Ruger Vaquero, but I have never shot it. I got a couple great ideas about buying a used one and sending it to a smith and make it a 100% gun. So I would get the most bang for the buck in that respect. So now here is my problem with buying my first rifle. I have a glock and Kimber Desert Warrior and my collection is going to take a turn into a couple guns that I have wanted since I was knee high to a grasshopper. Cowboy Guns. But when it comes to Rifle\Carbine I have a few issues. So chime in. Let me know what you think.

On top of all this, I am not rich, nor do I really have any money, lol, but what I got I can make do, i have been wanting, or should I say, thinking about an AR-15, But I think I would be happier with a lever gun, for an all around good time. I dont know though  But with the Lever gun I will just feel more fullfilled I think. I can do cowboy action, like I want. Regular 3 gun would be fun with the AR, but Cowboy shooting just seems like its a lot more laid back and just more about fun. What I want rightnow. Also I am such a cowboy at heart that the old lever gun would just be sooo cool. (I sit in my cowboy boots with my Kimber on my hip and watch westerns over and over) I cant believe I just copped to doing that.) I want to own land and have family that are all cowboys. I was just stuck being born in the city. (I think that makes me more cowboy that the movie reference,) I have shot so many M-4's and 16's all that in Iraq and through my run in the Army. So I know I am really good with one, but I want to have fun and want to be able to look at my rifle and not have bad memories or what I have done with it, or one simalar should I say.

But what would you get the lever gun chambered in? I want bigger than .22. I would like to be able to have some power. I like .30-30 but  you cant shoot that in Cowboy Action can you? dont they require a rifle in a handgun Cartridge or did I just make myself show how inexpienced I am and that is consider a handgun round.

Well thank you for reading this book. Give me your experience and knowledge.

[tombogan03884]

Do not be uncomfortable about not knowing about a particular subject. I know absolutly NOTHING about competition, (except that it's better to hit THE TARGET   ) In YOUR particular situation I would get a Lever rifle chambered for the same caliber as the pistols, say for example .38/357 mag. That way you can use .38's for plinking and competition, and .357 for short range hunting. The terrain you hunt in and Cowboy action rules, may dictate some other caliber but that is the general way I would go. You want these guns for fun and nostalgia as well as practicle use, and for now your mind will connect an AR with "work" so go with the "cowboy gun" and enjoy.
From an "Old Marine" to a young Soldier, Thanks for taking care of business in Iraq.

[Lucas]

If money is tight and you are worried about the availability of an AR,  get a lower reciever for around $150.  This is the serialized part so you can build it up from there if you ever feel the need.  And go get that damn ol' lever gun already

[ericire12]

My advise is to buy both..... its the only way you will be truly happy with the decision.

[Ksail101]

Hey thats is a great idea about the .357. Earlier in the thread I posted before this about the revolver I asked that question if I would be backing myself into a cornor by getting a these firearms chamber in .45LC. Price and not having th option to use the .38 like I would with the .357 is a problem that I would foresee. But the ,45LC is all about cowboy.

Thank you so far those are good suggestions. The more input I have the easier it is for me. And the more I learn. So all the advice I can get I open to.

[Sponsor]

[Ron J]

+1 to Tom's suggestion.  Not bad if ya' had both either! 

I went out to get an AR last year but almost pulled the trigger on a Marlin 45-70 Guide Gun to compliment my Winchester Trapper and my 9422.  Ended up getting an M1A Scout instead.  Still want an AR and the Marlin! 

[RichardX]

Get both-- you can not have too many rifles!
Good Luck--remember the front sight is one in focus...

[midasnlv]

I suggest going to your local pawn shop and finding an old deer rifle. The pawn shops generally loan 10-25%. so offering 50% of the blue book should seal the deal. I recently went to Murfreesboro, TN for a friend's wedding and found a Marlin .44 and talked the guy down to $150!!! After shipping to an FFL in my home state, a new BSA scope, and sling I'm still under $250. I recommend you check out rangerguns.com for an AR. I built one 2 months ago for $560 that I used for comp. I am currently selling it on gunbroker.com for $1100 and already have a buyer. It will pay for my Marlin. In stead of looking just for what you want, sometimes it pays to shop around. Every gun in my safe has been paid for by a gun I knew I wouldn't keep.

[Dakotaranger]

Can understand the mystic of a good lever gun because I went out and got a Winchester when they closed the New Haven plant, but with  a certain element threating an AWB it may not be a bad thing to get an AR-15 first.    Because I doubt anything would happen to the lever guns.

The shops around here allow layaways.  It always helps when a person doesn't have to throw down a ton of money all at once for a firearm.

If you're thinking for SASS I'd go with the .38/.357.  Again I can understand the alure of a good .45, but ammo prices being what ammo prices are if you are trying to be cost effective it may be the way to.  But that's just my plug nickle

[Michael Bane]

I think I'm going to come down on the side of the lever gun for now...I think everybody in America needs an AR, if for no other reason than to make President Barack "God DAMN America!" Obama's job that much harder when he decides to confiscate them all. But for what you've outlined, a .38/.357 lever gun will work for self-defense, small game and cowboy action shooting. Hot shot cowboy competitors are using tricked out 1873 Winchester clones, but I really really like the classic 1892 Winchesters. I have an old Navy Arms/Puma .38/.357 that has been my go-to cowboy gun for years. An alternative is the Legacy 1892...reasonably prices...or the beautiful (and pricier) Chiappa guns imported by Cimarron. There's also the Marlin option, which I would choose if hunting were a primary consideration. The Marlins are tanks, and they excel with the heavy-bullet hot loads from people like Buffalo Bore Ammo and Cor-Bon Hunters. Used Marlin Cowboys in .38/.357 are out there at good prices; be careful you don't end up with one of their Cowboy Competitions that were .38 Special only.

I'm talking .38/.357 for lower ammo costs. My preference is the .44 Special/.44 Magnum guns — I have a Legacy carbine and a Marlin lever guns in that caliber. But you're talking about a substantial bump in ammo/component costs and a significant disadvantage in cowboy action shooting. Last big cowboy match I shot, I used .44 Special cowboy loads from Winchester — loads I routinely use in my Charter .44 snub — and several people mentioned that I was clearly shooting a CANNON! Go figure.

I've never been a big .45 Colt guy...to me, the caliber was always a less versatile .44...so I'm probably not the person to address that subject.

Michael B