IMI Timberwolf .357 pump, red dot or irons?

geologist

geologist

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Lower Mainland, BC
I just bought an IMI Timberwolf .357 magnum pump carbine off of the EE. I've wanted one for a long time :D.

I plan to use this lightweight, takedown carbine as a "grab it from the truck when you go walking in the bush" rig here in BC.

I won't know until I've carried it around a bit and shot it, whether or not I'll put a red dot on it. The angle of the stock is adjustable for either the irons or optics.

If I go with a RD I'm thinking about a Vortex Sparc.

Any opinions or thoughts would be welcomed.

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Nice score Geo! How much?
The sights are pretty decent but I like red dots....:D
A sparc, or the bushnell TRS-25 would be pretty good. I've got a millet SP1 on mine.
 
I am reading far too many reports on Sparc's failing.

I have a Bushnell TRS that has held up to about 100 slugs so far on my 930.

Personally I would stick with Irons.

Nothing to go wrong is always a good idea.

Either that or a 1-4 compact like a Leupold vx1 1-4 shotgun/muzzleloader.
 
That's one of those rifles I wished I had bought only after they quit making them. If it was me I'd try to work out a ghost ring and post sight arrangement, otherwise I'd try a Trijicon Reflex sight.
 
Boomer said:
That's one of those rifles I wished I had bought only after they quit making them. If it was me I'd try to work out a ghost ring and post sight arrangement, otherwise I'd try a Trijicon Reflex sight.
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Thanks Boomer, it has a Weaver rail on the receiver, any recommendations for a rear aperture/ghost ring?

That front post looks pretty low, it might need a higher post even for a low mounted rear peep/ghost ring.

Since it's a collectable I don't plan on drilling it.

I do want to mount a sling on it so I have some figuring to do.
 
geologist said:
Thanks Boomer, it has a Weaver rail on the receiver, any recommendations for a rear aperture/ghost ring?

That front post looks pretty low, it might need a higher post even for a low mounted rear peep/ghost ring.

Since it's a collectable I don't plan on drilling it.

I do want to mount a sling on it so I have some figuring to do.
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XS makes a Weaver compatible rear sight, but I understand that they haven't renewed their export permit. NECG also makes a Weaver compatible peep sight, and based on the quality of the CZ/BRNO sight of theirs, and the fact that you can order directly from them, thats the way I'd go. But I agree, this thing looks like it will need a higher front blade.
 
It has a semi buckhorn style rear with a stepped ladder slider underneath and a micro adjustable notch. The front blade has a white stripe running up the edge similar to some XS blades.
 
geologist said:
$750 including shipping. Ths is my "celebrate the demise of the LGR" rifle.
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Not bad. That's about what I paid for my .44. Someone mentioned a gunshop that had a .44 for sale a few weeks back in another thread and it was priced quite well! If it had been a .357 I'd have probably scooped it.....
 
geologist said:
Yes but the .44 mags are way more rare.
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Maybe the shop didn't know what they had...I can't find the thread anymore but it was a good deal.

There are less .44's for sure but the .357's don't show up to often on the EE either. It's one of those guns that if you want it you need to jump on it when you see one.
 
I have handled the "new" rifle and have decided to go with the irons.

At first I thought that I'd have to go with a red dot as I couldn't get low enough to use the irons.

The rifle was like this.

Timberwolf1.jpg


I thought that the stock was in the lowest position but decided to check. It wasn't. After lowering the stock it looks like this now.

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And those low buckhorn irons line up instantly as I shoulder it. The setup is just like an anorexic 870 so it feels very natural.

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The front sight has been painted pink, I like it.

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The wood is very nice.

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I don't like that the action has to be open and out of battery in order to reload.

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It has a serious feel to it.

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I haven't had a chance to get out with it. It cycles A Zoom .38 Sp snap caps just fine.
 
geologist said:
I don't like that the action has to be open and out of battery in order to reload.
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Very nice rifle, geologist. If I recall correctly, IMI/Action Arms were trying to market this rifle to police departments who already had familiarity with the Remington 870. The inability to reload while in battery was one of the downsides that prevented it from being widely-accepted as a patrol rifle.

If you plan to use the rifle with heavy 357 loads, keep an eye on the buttstock as some have reported cracks caused by the narrow bearing surface of the adjusting mechanism. I don't recall if it's possible to bed the trunion to prevent this.

They're nice rifles (I had one in 357, too)... and the heavy profile barrel points great. Sadlly, I ended up selling mine to fund a different purchase :(
 
Very nice rifle, I have one in 44 and love it. Make sure you keep the take down screw tight,heavy loads with a loose screw is very hard on the stock.
 
Got to the range today. I only had 125 gr FMJ SWC .357 reloads. The rifle is setup for 158 gr .357 magnum loads and it showed.

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I shot it off the bench with a front rest, no sandbags at 25 yards, slow fire, single loading rounds through the ejector port. I was disappointed by my group but this isn't a target rifle. The lighter 125 gr bullets printed high and left with a POA at 6 o'clock on the small circle.

The .22 group in the black is a warm up group from my SW 17.

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I then fired a 5 round group from my 4" Llama to compare to the carbine. I gotta practice more.

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Moving out to 50 yards the sights were still printing high. I didn't adjust the sights as I'll wait till I can shoot some 158 gr bullets.

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I then shot this 10 shot group at 25 yards, freehand, standing, no sling, rapid fire, the way the carbine was meant to be used. It cycles perfectly, the recoil is negligible and is a pleasure to shoot.

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