Opinions Needed - Farm Gun for the wife

I also would be looking at the Marlin 30/30's. I bought a 2012 model and it has been great out of the box. no feeding/extracting or cosmetic issues. With open sights, they are going to be hard to beat. They are quick and great noisemakers for the first shot. The second shot of a 150 grainer will knock down. The rifle can also be used for general hunting.

I have a 357 Marlin and while the 10 rounds are great, I would want something with a bit more punch. Shotguns are also very good, at closer ranges than I am comfortable with. A bear can cover several yards in seconds as they are surprisingly fast - so you are going to want something that can get a couple of deadly shots at further ranges if the bear is demonstrating aggressive behavior. That is why I suggested a rifle rather than pistol cartridges or shotgun.
 
75-B said:
Kel-Tec KSG one side buck shot the other side slugs
Click to expand...

This is another issue I have, whilst the CZ858 and the kel tec are good guns, she would need to carry it out on the land, and not look like a Liberian rebel when she runs into the neighbours.

Thats why I like the ranch hand, but pistol calibers lack power. Its a tall order, it needs to be discreet, carryable, non restricted, reliable , and kill a bear. 30/30 carbine fits, I would go with the CZ 858, but the visuals are bad.
 
sobo4303 said:
I also would be looking at the Marlin 30/30's. I bought a 2012 model and it has been great out of the box. no feeding/extracting or cosmetic issues. With open sights, they are going to be hard to beat. They are quick and great noisemakers for the first shot. The second shot of a 150 grainer will knock down. The rifle can also be used for general hunting.

I have a 357 Marlin and while the 10 rounds are great, I would want something with a bit more punch. Shotguns are also very good, at closer ranges than I am comfortable with. A bear can cover several yards in seconds as they are surprisingly fast - so you are going to want something that can get a couple of deadly shots at further ranges if the bear is demonstrating aggressive behavior. That is why I suggested a rifle rather than pistol cartridges or shotgun.
Click to expand...

Agreed.
 
You mentioned a Kel Tec sub 2k, have one and wouldn't dream of it as bear defense. Just waiting for a butt stock and Skinner sight for my Rossi ranch hand 44 mag. Shooting 200 gr cast and then some Hornady 300 XTP the way it came is no problem, very little recoil. With a normal stock it would fill the bill, also a lot of fun to shoot. Helps if you reload, plinking with a 44 gets a tad pricey with factory stuff.
 
metalbender said:
You mentioned a Kel Tec sub 2k, have one and wouldn't dream of it as bear defense. Just waiting for a butt stock and Skinner sight for my Rossi ranch hand 44 mag. Shooting 200 gr cast and then some Hornady 300 XTP the way it came is no problem, very little recoil. With a normal stock it would fill the bill, also a lot of fun to shoot. Helps if you reload, plinking with a 44 gets a tad pricey with factory stuff.
Click to expand...

I read a magazine article not too long ago about bear defense. Apparently the ability to lay down a lot of rounds fast is the most important thing, irrespective of caliber ( of course .22 doesnt count ). This info from one of those "studies" that you see so many of. So theoretically, in a bear attack situation the ability to lay down 10 x 9mm rounds quickly, is better than 1 round of 30/06 or bear spray. They took all bear attacks recorded in north america and crunched the numbers. Im not sure how much heed one should pay these studies, however.
 
Pop said:
A 20g would be fine bear medicine except that it's hard to find better slugs than the soft Foster types unless you move up to the pricy saboted stuff. 12g reduced-recoil loads for practice and good brenneke or Challenger slugs for carry might suit her, she probably won't notice the added recoil much if she's actually face to face with a threatening bear. A gas-operated semi would soften up the recoil some too.

Whatever you get her, make sure it's something she'll enjoy shooting a lot for fun. When the adrenaline starts flowing operating the firearm needs to be 100% second-nature to her.
Click to expand...
..................when the adrenaline starts flowing the firearm needs to be 100% second-nature to her."
Absolutely true and probably the single most important factor in the equation when it comes down to it.Couldn't agree more.
 
Lupara said:
As far as I can see the only real option is the Rossi Ranch Hand. However, not available in 9mm. I would like to stay away from 45LC as it is expensive to shoot. What would the recoil on a 357 magnum ranch hand be like ? Thanks !
Click to expand...

If it was me the Rossi 16" barrel M92 in 44 mag would be a top pick, I have a similar one in stainless steel 20" .357 and it it my camp gun and what my wife shoots. Recoil of a .357 in a carbine is nothing your wife should be afraid of. It is marginally effective for black bear/wolf sized critters, that's why I suggest the 44 as a more adequate alternative.
But why consider a ranch hand?? they are almost useless!! Fun to shoot, surely, but just watch someone actually try to hit something with one. Not something I'd want my wife relying on for self defence. A piece of marketing crap as far as I'm concerned.
 
Try taking her to a gun store and see what she is comfortable with.
Also let her try out a semi auto and lever see what she likes the feel of.
If a bear is out to get her it doesn't matter how scary the gun looks.
 
A Ranch Hand with a regular stock in 44 mag will be my camp gun, replacing a Marlin 1894 of the same caliber. SHORT and SWEET I do agree that as they come, they are rather difficult to hold on target.
 
Ruger Mini-30, small, light, very low recoil, very reliable. Get a crate of non-corrosive Norinco FMJ and you'll have lots of ammo for her to practise and get used to the gun, and still tons of ammo left over. Being left handed make's no difference.
 
Longwalker said:
If it was me the Rossi 16" barrel M92 in 44 mag would be a top pick, I have a similar one in stainless steel 20" .357 and it it my camp gun and what my wife shoots. Recoil of a .357 in a carbine is nothing your wife should be afraid of. It is marginally effective for black bear/wolf sized critters, that's why I suggest the 44 as a more adequate alternative.
But why consider a ranch hand?? they are almost useless!! Fun to shoot, surely, but just watch someone actually try to hit something with one. Not something I'd want my wife relying on for self defence. A piece of marketing crap as far as I'm concerned.
Click to expand...

I didnt think of that. Thanks to everyone, some good points made..
 
A shotgun and a good dog.

Shes going to encounter far, FAR, more grouse in Northern ON then bears and wolves. Might as well take something effective for them.

I live in Northern ON. I spent my youth wandering around the bush. I spent a lot of the last ten years working every day, all day, in the bush. I spend much of my recreational time in the bush. Never, not once, have I felt threatened by a bear or a wolf. In fact its likely been a decade since I encountered either in a bush situation besides hunting.
 
You could have offered to give someone $1000 and asked them to get a suitable rifle.

Or you could have wrote it slightly different: Opinions Needed - Wife for Farm Gun!

Pictures and descriptions would have yielded a more appropriate option as to what to buy.

With so many opinions you are probably no further ahead!
 
I got my wife a Marlin 1894 carbine in 44 Mag. Plenty for Black Bear at close range.
Click to expand...

I have an 1894SS .44Mag that my wife is learning to use. She does OK with the M700 .223 and Model Seven .243 on targets. She's even taken shots at coyotes on our farm. Hasn't connected yet, but sure scared the hell out of them, lol.
 
Having looked at all these recommendations, and owning most of them, I think the best suggestion is the Ruger Mini-30. It is a nice looking rifle, lots of cheap practice ammo available, so she can have some fun popping tin cans and switch to soft point for serious work.

The main thing is the gun should be handy enough that she will have it, when needed, and safe to carry but easy to put into play. I would have her carry it with an empty chamber.

My second choice would be a lever action in 30-30 or 44Mag. Second choice because practice ammo is expensive and recoil is heavier.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom