C96 Carbine
- Thread starter SCDL
- Start date
Lever Arms has some in .30 Mauser. They are built on original frames and slides with reproduction stocks. They don't recommend them for shooting however. I don't know if they are restricted or non-restricted - give them a shout and see.
I'm pretty sure I saw one in "Access to Firearms". I didn't make a note of the dealer, but if you contact "Access" maybe they can help. I think it was in the traditional .30 Mauser chambering. Years ago, in the US, I had one that was made by Federal Ordnance. I haven't seen them in years, and was surprised by the one in "Access". I'm also intrigued by pistol caliber carbines. Another you might consider is the Spanish Destroyer in 9mm Largo. it was made to take the same cartridge as their (Guardia Civil) issue Astra 400 pistols. It's like a miniature Mauser rifle.
Nice little gun, there.
Since it's non-repeating, it can have more than 5/10 rounds, too... Although I'm kinda iffy when it comes to bolt-action (as they are rarely ambidextrous, something I take very seriously).
I'd go nuts for a lever-action or pump-action pistol caliber carbine with a large capacity internal magazine. I don't care how long I would have to save up for it!
Thanks for the tip, btw. I'll look into it.
As Charles.Emond wrote, there really are a fair number of leverguns that shoot pistol cartridges. At one time I had a '92 Winchester in .44-40 and a Puma in .357 Mag. Used them for carry guns for walks in the Idaho woods (in the US). They were both accurate, light, powerful enough, and held ten cartridges. I know the moose and bear stopping qualities were on the light side, but the penetration factor was there, and besides, our moose were small ones. I know there are better guns for the purpose, but those were both good.
Those use revolver cartridges, though.
9x19 is the least expensive center-fire round in north america. Thus the appeal.
Also, a tube-fed can only use cartridges with a round or flag nose, a problem that would not arise with an internal magazine similar to the C96 which can, as a bonus, be reloaded with a clip.
The Puma .357 Winchester '92 copy I carried was loaded with 200 gr. flat-nosed .357s that I handloaded. It's certainly true they were revolver cartridges, but out of the longer barrel on the carbine they were more potent. I never thought of using it at ranges greater than 100 meters, and since I carried it purely for defense in the woods I thought I'd probably realistically never use it at any range greater than 50 meters, and 20 or 30 was a lot more likely. I never did have to use it, although came close a couple of times. Nice little gun.
