Rifle easier to find than .357

[Kristie]

Okay, so here's my scenario. I just got into firearms about a year ago. I currently have a Henry Golden Boy .22 and a Ruger SA .22/.22 mag. But with the results of the recent election and rumors of ammo becoming unavailable soon, I started researching for a good SHTF rifle that would feel better than a little .22 to stand behind and defend myself and my home with. So I wanted a .357 rifle (preferably a carbine) and a .357 revolver combo. Problem is, I've contacted probably 15 places around looking for the rifle, and they only have a Henry Big Boy and a Taurus M92 available to even look at. I could order anything in, of course, but there's no way I'd want to order something without handling it first.

So I either settle for either of those, or go for something other than a .357. I would go for the Henry if it wasn't over 8 1/2 pounds, and I'm just unsure about the Rossi. I've read so much about them having to be tweaked in order to work smoothly, so I don't know. I thought .357 was a good choice because it's a step up from a .22, and the ammo would be common enough to find (and .38 would be included, too). I'm really surprised that places don't seem to stock .357 rifles!

So my question is really what's the next best option? I'd want the next best common ammo, the next option as far as shooting power, cost of ammo. I mean, I want to be able to practice with this gun a lot but hopefully not have to pay too much in ammo to do it. And if I do go for something in a bigger caliber, I probably won't be getting the matching revolver, because it's not practical if I can't handle it.

Those are my thoughts. What are yours?

[CHW2021]

http://www.berettausa.com/products/cx4-storm/

Just a suggestion, but, why don't you spend a little time at the range or local gunshop and see what is on the shelves that would fit both your abilities and needs?
If there is a cabellas or other big box store near you go there. For defense a 20 ga. shotgun would be good for -50 yds and probably be manageable; there are so many gun options it is hard to make recomendations without more info on your size,strength and shooting ability. Sorry, but proper gun fit will translate into shooting/recoil comfort.

[soundguy]

i have the taurus /rosse levergun in 38.. would have loved 38/357.. but it's a fun shooter!

[JLA]

Rugger 77/357. best and most robust of the lot IMO.. Couple that with a Ruger sp101 or a Gp100 and youre good to go.

[Kristie]

Originally Posted by CHW2021

http://www.berettausa.com/products/cx4-storm/

Just a suggestion, but, why don't you spend a little time at the range or local gunshop and see what is on the shelves that would fit both your abilities and needs?
If there is a cabellas or other big box store near you go there. For defense a 20 ga. shotgun would be good for -50 yds and probably be manageable; there are so many gun options it is hard to make recomendations without more info on your size,strength and shooting ability. Sorry, but proper gun fit will translate into shooting/recoil comfort.

I definitely wasn't looking for something like that Beretta in the link. Yeah, there's not a Cabela's close at all. Best I have is Gander Mountain (which is still 45 mins. away), and I am planning on checking them out in the next couple of days if I can, if for nothing other than to check out their lone Rossi .357. Yeah, I'm pretty slim, haven't been shooting long, and that's why it's tough to find something without putting anything but a lot of guessing into it.

[Kristie]

Originally Posted by JLA

Rugger 77/357. best and most robust of the lot IMO.. Couple that with a Ruger sp101 or a Gp100 and youre good to go.

That is exactly what I wanted to consider! But No one has at 77/357 for me to be able to look at first. I was actually considering the 77/44 since it could potentially be something more common that would be in stock.

I've been doing mostly rifle research, but what little I've seen on revolvers has definitely turned up some positive reviews on the SP101 and GP101.

I'll keep thinking about that....

[JLA]

Either ammo (.44 mag or .357 mag) can be purchased at walmart. However the .44 mag may be a tad much for a small statured person to handle when fired form a handgun. The .357 is plenty power for most hunting and defensive needs and alot less recoil than the venerable .44 mag. i absolutely love the .44 mag it is one of my all time favs. but im a rather large individual and have alot of shooting experience to control the tremendous amount of recoil it produces from a handgun.

[soundguy]

anything else you can shoot out of a 44 mag to tame it but still get the hand time on the gun? ( ie.. shooting 38s in a 357m ) ??

ie.. can 44spl be shot in 44mag?

[JLA]

Yes they can the very same. but .44 spec is harder to find and more expensive.

[soundguy]

hmm.. still something to think about.. might be alot easier ont he hand.. especially if some gun show cheap 44spl turned up.

I don't see many wheelguns chambered in it for sale very often..

thanks for the info. I suspected as much.. but wasn't 'for sure'

[JLA]

.44 spec is ballistically equivalent to .45ACP

[soundguy]

neat... havn't looked at the 44spl load data as I don't have one.. but neat.. thanks that's a very mild round IMHO.. I can shoot 45acp all day in a 'regualr' sized pistol. maybee not in a pocket gun.. but in a 1911 sized gun.. no worries...

[montezumaz]

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firear...fire/1894c.asp

[Kristie]

Originally Posted by montezumaz

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firear...fire/1894c.asp

Yes, absolutely, this one was at the top of my list. But no one has it. Which is why I'm trying to opt for something that's NOT in the .357 category. I mean, what about .30-30 because it's so widely used, or .308? .30-06? I might even go for 9 mm. I don't know. I'm trying to find quick suggestions instead of spending another week of research only to find that most palaces don't carry that caliber of gun or ammo.

Literally, these are what my choices are for in stock in .357:
- Rossi Ranch Hand (seems impractical, but may eliminate the need for a pistol)
- Rossi R92 (I like this one but am leery of how it will perform as far as not liking .38s or jamming. I wanted to go top quality, and I think Rossi might not cut it. Seems to be hit or miss with getting a good vs. bad one)
- Henry Big Boy

[carver]

Why not go with the SKS? 7.62X39 is about the same, ballistically, as a 30/30. And the ammo is just about as cheap as it gets. Thousands of people use them fro deer hunting rifles.

[CHW2021]

30-30 is most assuredly a common caliber for rifle and is one of the most popular for hunting; it is also a milder rifle round to shoot than most and ammo is available at all stores. The 7.62x39 (sks/ak) round is quite similar and is also very common. The .357 is available and (I believe) most guns chambered for it will also feed/function with the .38 spl which is milder.

You state you are a slim build, ok; if you are comfortable with a lever gun you can get the ones you are eyeing. Ammo interchangibility is a good idea, but you are actually limiting yourself in gun choices and giving yourself a very limited type of ammo. My opinion is that having differing ammo types allows me to make choices; not a "only this" limitation.

[Kristie]

I was ruling out the SKS because I wanted whatever is functionally more simple and less likely to need to be fixed. I definitely like a lever gun, yes. I like the idea of a bolt, but I haven't used one, and they don't hold as many rounds as a lever.

Definitely a good point about the ammo choice limiting availability of guns. That's what I'm running into!

So much to figure out, here. Definitely have a headache.

[45nut]

Originally Posted by Kristie

I definitely wasn't looking for something like that Beretta in the link. Yeah, there's not a Cabela's close at all. Best I have is Gander Mountain (which is still 45 mins. away), and I am planning on checking them out in the next couple of days if I can, if for nothing other than to check out their lone Rossi .357. Yeah, I'm pretty slim, haven't been shooting long, and that's why it's tough to find something without putting anything but a lot of guessing into it.

Dude,

The Rossi is a very good carbine. To start, I had an earlier model that was pretty stiff with not so good wood. I sold it and I bought a newer version about 5 years ago, with case hardened frame and good wood. Fit & finish is very good too. I have the slightly older blued model and my buddy just bought the stainless steel version and his is much smoother than my new one was when I bought it.

They are making good quality carbines and I highly recommend them. The ruger is a bolt action with 5 or 6 rounds whereas the carbine holds 11 rounds and mine and my buddy's are very accurate. Kill a deer or man at 150 yards. What else do you need?

BTW, they are sighted in for 158 gr .357 and 125 gr will shoot high as well as .38 specials

[Kristie]

Originally Posted by 45nut

Dude,

The Rossi is a very good carbine. To start, I had an earlier model that was pretty stiff with not so good wood. I sold it and I bought a newer version about 5 years ago, with case hardened frame and good wood. Fit & finish is very good too. I have the slightly older blued model and my buddy just bought the stainless steel version and his is much smoother than my new one was when I bought it.

They are making good quality carbines and I highly recommend them. The ruger is a bolt action with 5 or 6 rounds whereas the carbine holds 11 rounds and mine and my buddy's are very accurate. Kill a deer or man at 150 yards. What else do you need?

BTW, they are sighted in for 158 gr .357 and 125 gr will shoot high as well as .38 specials

I don't know, I've heard both good and bad reactions to it. I'm really considering it, though. I've heard that the newer ones, since they're made in Brazil, the quality control just isn't there. But it's like anything. I know I could get one that's just fine. I'm so on the fence about it. I'm glad to hear one more good review, though, so thanks for that.

[CHW2021]

Just a "fyi" the sks is very durable and was/is used by illiterate conscripts and peasants with virtually no training or experience (I shoot mine....proving my point) and they are light, accurate enough and they always go bang.

However, stay in your comfort zone as you are the one shooting.If you were in South Louisiana I would be glad to meet you at the range and let you try a few different weapons; post the area you live in and maybe another member is close to you and could help advise you.

[45nut]

Originally Posted by Kristie

I don't know, I've heard both good and bad reactions to it. I'm really considering it, though. I've heard that the newer ones, since they're made in Brazil, the quality control just isn't there. But it's like anything. I know I could get one that's just fine. I'm so on the fence about it. I'm glad to hear one more good review, though, so thanks for that.

Sorry, Dudette!!

Go to the gun store and work the action on a stainless and a blued version. The newer ones are smoother. If it isn't smooth enough off the shelf, then don't buy it. Taurus also makes the pump .357, but I don't know anything about them at all.

reviews at bottom of page

[Kristie]

Originally Posted by 45nut

Sorry, Dudette!!

Go to the gun store and work the action on a stainless and a blued version. The newer ones are smoother. If it isn't smooth enough off the shelf, then don't buy it. Taurus also makes the pump .357, but I don't know anything about them at all.

reviews at bottom of page

I call everyone "dude", so no worries there!
Well, there's only one at one store in an hour radius, so if it's good, I may get it. If it's not good, won't it get smoother with more use? I forgot to ask if it was blued or not. I didn't know they made a pump .357.

[45nut]

It will smooth out as you use it. Mine took a little use to smooth out while Bodreaux's was smooth right out of the box.

The way things are going I wouldn't wait.

[Kristie]

Originally Posted by 45nut

The way things are going I wouldn't wait.

Exactly. I'm not one to make snap decisions, especially on important purchases like this one, but I do want to move fast on this. I will definitely feel more secure once I have it, have practiced with it, and have a lot of rounds stashed somewhere. I never thought I'd be one to think along these lines, but I've always been a believer in being prepared however possible.

[savage170]

Something a little different but I have a M-1 Carbine and Ruger Blackhawk chambered for 30 carbine that does that duty for me