9mm PCC or 357 lever action

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Dusty Boots

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Hey fellas, looking for a bit of advice from those of you who have quite a bit more experience than myself. I'm looking for a rifle that would be a good all purpose short-range (inside 100yds, but not inside the house) SHTF type of gun, so my biggest requirement would be reliability. I also live on a farm with some nice river-front property and the last few months we've been having issues with trespassing and vandalism so I'd like something smallish and maneuverable that I could take with me while doing chores as a bit of a deterrent. Obviously I'd need it to be non-restricted, I like the PCC mainly because I can get 10 rounds and I have bolts in 308, 303 & 223 and a pump shotgun so I have the medium-long range aspect covered. However, it seems my options for PCC are the JR Carbine, Sub2000, and the Aero Survival Weapon, which, correct me I'm wrong aren't exactly the most tried and true designs. The Beretta CX4 storm looks really nice, but I'd really not like to spend that much, I'd like to keep it under a grand. So that got me thinking about some other options that could get me 10 rounds in a rifle with a shorter range caliber that is relatively maneuverable. First thought was a lever action like a Marlin 336 or Henry Big Boy in 357 Mag which can hold around ten rounds I believe. Just wondering what you guys would go with in my situation or if there are any other options I'm not considering. Non-restricted, 10 rounds or so, relatively maneuverable, quick to fire and cheap to shoot. I'll probably one day end up getting an SKS but I'd really like something with ten rounds or so and I've read that the aftermarket mags for the SKS can be problematic. Thanks for your help fellas.
 
I would check out a Rossi "mares leg" with a aftermarket butt stock and peep site. I have one in 357 magnum and it shoots MOA of gopher to 75ish yards. I reload cast boolits at 1100 fps from the 12" barrel. I cast the Lee 158 swc TL by the 1000's. They shoot good in all my 357/38specials. I have rolled a couple of coyotes at close to 100 yards. Lately I have been working up a load for the new Lee fn200 grain and it looks promising at 50 yards. I also shoot wadcutters single shot for a low power load. As I use it the action gets smoother. I have a scarbord/holster for it and it is really handy in the truck or walking in the pastures. I have read in a couple of places that they were of questionable quality? Maybe I got lucky? I have North of 1500 rounds through mine and almost all cast boolits.
 
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I've been rolling the same question over in my head. Even thought about the chiappa 9mm with a 158gr cast.
 
I have a sub 2000 second gen and it hasn't failed me yet. I've put over 1000 rounds through it using all different weights and brands. It fed everything without a hiccup.
 
2X on the Lever action. There are lots of options, 357 Mag/45 LC/44 Mag Mares Legs, or 16"-18" rifles in 30-30 to 45-70. I personally like the idea of a Mares Leg in 44 Mag with a proper full sized stock replacing the chopped one.
 
3300 rounds to date through my Cx4, and I love it. Big advantages to using 9mm is the diversity, availability and low cost of the ammunition. It's also ambidextrous and railed for bipod and optics.

I'm in the process of getting the Henry Big Boy Steel in .357Mag, too (you're right, it's a 10 round capacity). Going by the quality of the Henry Frontier in .22LR I own already, I expect very, very good things out of it.

The only issue I have with a Mare's leg is that's while it's a "cute" gun with great handling because of its short length and weight, it's necessarily got the defects that also come with that short length of barrel and stock. It's a great backpack and trapper gun for wilderness protection, for sure, and I think it might fit your requirements to perfection. 32bullseye's post show it can be quite effective within its limitations. It's just the kind of gun you'll never need a scope for because your targets will usually be almost close enough to throw the rifle at if you run out of ammo. :)
 
Grawfr said:
It's just the kind of gun you'll never need a scope for because your targets will usually be almost close enough to throw the rifle at if you run out of ammo. :)
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Yes that's not too much of an exaggeration at all, whichever route I decide to go optics won't be on the grocery list for that rifle. I did come across some "Mare's legs" in my initial search but it appears you're limited to 5 rounds, which if that's the case I may as well just get an SKS. If I want ten rounds it's looking like I'm going to have to go with something with a barrel length in the 18-20" range, which is still well within the good maneuverability range I'm thinking.

Thanks for the replies so far fellas
 
redshooter said:
2X on the Lever action. There are lots of options, 357 Mag/45 LC/44 Mag Mares Legs, or 16"-18" rifles in 30-30 to 45-70. I personally like the idea of a Mares Leg in 44 Mag with a proper full sized stock replacing the chopped one.
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No one will look twice at a guy with 'on old cowboy gun'. But the fellow with a stark black, sharp edged, space gun will get everyone's attention, including the cops. Remember, when the SHTF you don't need a great gun just one to fight to get a better one, and the fancy gun will be what people will go for.

The Rossi levers shoot .38Spl and .357 equally, so ammo supply is going to be less of an issue. I can't say I've seen much 9PPC on the shelf at the local gun stores. In my experience, a Rossi even with open sights will hold a pie-plate sized target at 100yds standing.

If vandalism is your concern, try a different defensive posture. Fences, signs, ditches, hedges or windrows are all passive and unobjectionable ways to discourage trespassers. You want to be the place people go past, not the one where they stop and linger (or stop and form a plan of attack).
 
maple_leaf_eh said:
No one will look twice at a guy with 'on old cowboy gun'. But the fellow with a stark black, sharp edged, space gun will get everyone's attention, including the cops. Remember, when the SHTF you don't need a great gun just one to fight to get a better one, and the fancy gun will be what people will go for.

The Rossi levers shoot .38Spl and .357 equally, so ammo supply is going to be less of an issue. I can't say I've seen much 9PPC on the shelf at the local gun stores. In my experience, a Rossi even with open sights will hold a pie-plate sized target at 100yds standing.

If vandalism is your concern, try a different defensive posture. Fences, signs, ditches, hedges or windrows are all passive and unobjectionable ways to discourage trespassers. You want to be the place people go past, not the one where they stop and linger (or stop and form a plan of attack).
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Yeah we have fences all around with chains and locks and signs. We have 3 quarter sections with one quarter edging up to a river with nice walking trails and a little kitchen area and fire pit with a locked cover, problem is its over a half mile from the house. Two weekends ago the gate chain was cut, fire pit was busted into and they took a torch to a sea can we had there but didn't end up getting into it. Police were notified but there's not much they can do. I'll be checking every nice weekend we have this summer, but I'm not going unarmed. Anyhow I don't want to derail the thread, but you do make very good points.
 
If it's all on your property, I'd be inclined to not worry about restricted or not. If you have to shoot someone, our illustrious government will treat you like a criminal anyway.

That being said, a pump shotgun is probably your best bet for grounds keeping against vandals and the like. For a SHTF gun for shots under 150 yards. I went with an AR in 9mm. :)
 
Years ago I watched how Alberta Parks and Rec closed forest roads where they didn't want vehicle traffic. The workshop welded some drill stem into T-shapes about 2' across and 6' tall. Dig a hole and plant the T upside down. The stalk was exposed to about undercarriage height. Proper road closed signs were also posted. If a vehicle was driven along, it would be stopped dead in its tracks. If the drivers tried to winch the obstacle out, the resistance of the soil would make it a very tough job.

This trick also worked in a fellow's front yard. He had problems with cars driving off a particular corner and smashing into the house. With a few piece of drill stem "planted" in the geraniums, cars were stopped far enough to let a tow truck extract it, and his house never had to be fixed (or pushed back on the foundations) again.
 
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