Some backup choices for defensive rifles

I've been thinking since the election that, although I'm optimistic about our 2A rights in the long run, and have no plans to give up my AR's, I still want to have one or two alternative long guns on the outside possibility that--due to bans, ammo, restricted mags, or whatever--AR's could become completely illegal, or hard to get, hard to fix or replace parts, or impossible to get ammo or mags for.

So, if you HAD to replace your AR's or get by without them for awhile, what would be some of the best alternate or backup long gun configurations to keep on hand?

Would any of the following configurations be useful? Other ideas?

* A lightweight bolt gun chambered in 5.56 if possible (not just .223), with a shorter barrel, and 1:9, 1:8, or 1:7 twist, so that you can use it to shoot ALL your stash of AR ammo. Detachable mag preferred. Downsides? Bolt action is slow. Light barrel heats up quickly. Cheap mag systems (example: Savage) aren't reliable. Hard to fire from awkward positions. Upsides? Lightweight, some affordable options out there (Tikka, Savage, Remington).

* Similarly, some kind of lightweight bolt gun in 7.62, shorter barreled. Detachable mag preferred. Similar pro/cons to the 5.56 bolt gun, except it's a larger caliber and penetration.

* A pump-action rifle, say a Remington 7600, chambered in .308 and using a detachable mag. Never tried one, but have heard these can be reliable and fast to shoot. And there are a few places that will customize them quite a bit.

* A lever action rifle in a common magnum pistol caliber (so that it's easy to get ammo, and so it can be shared with a pistol). Examples: .357, .44. Get one with a 9 or 10-shot tube, like a Marlin Cowboy or a Puma. Advantages are: higher cap than most bolt actions, faster than bolt actions, can be fired from awkward positions. Disadvantages are: pistol calibers are weaker, slow on the reloads, ammo is expensive to get the high-powered stuff.


Is the lever action probably the BEST of these backup options, given that it is probably fastest and you can get one that will hold 9 or 10 rounds?

An original Scout Rifle platform in .308 Win. and a 12 gauge with 18" and a field length barell.

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Originally Posted by maximus83

So, if you HAD to replace your AR's or get by without them for awhile, what would be some of the best alternate or backup long gun configurations to keep on hand?

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If semi-autos are no more, the Brooklyn Special should draw your attention... :cool:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m..._13800079/pg_2

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Originally Posted by toddackerman

An original Scout Rifle platform in .308 Win. and a 12 gauge with 18" and a field length barell.

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Do you feel that the Savage Scout fits that description?


BlueForce wrote:

If semi-autos are no more, the Brooklyn Special should draw your attention... (recommending a lever action)

Yeah that article you linked to was interesting, especially Cooper's notion of a lever action being as useful as (or more) than an AK. What do you think of the pistol calibers, as opposed to the 30/30?

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Originally Posted by maximus83

What do you think of the pistol calibers, as opposed to the 30/30?

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I myself am all for them. You give up some range, but gain many rounds of ammo. A very compact 16 inch carbine in .44 magnum can hold 9 rounds in the tube. And NO ONE will complain about stopping power with a .44 mag coming out of a 16 inch barrel. :D With hard cast bullets you could smack down a pretty large bear with this little six pound gun.

By the way, the LEVERevolution ammo would allow you to pick up some range in .44 mag.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by maximus83

Do you feel that the Savage Scout fits that description?


BlueForce wrote:

If semi-autos are no more, the Brooklyn Special should draw your attention... (recommending a lever action)

Yeah that article you linked to was interesting, especially Cooper's notion of a lever action being as useful as (or more) than an AK. What do you think of the pistol calibers, as opposed to the 30/30?

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If it resembles the Steyr Scout...yes. 18" barrel. .308 WIN, forward mounted Low Eye Relief 2.5X Leupold Scout Scope, and Ching Sling. Minw is built on a Renington 700.

You can very easily put a Picatinney rail scout mount on Brooklyn Special, too:

http://www.xssights.com/store/scope.html

You could even mount an Aimpoint, EOTech, etc.

Also worth considering if you can find one in proper condition -- or paid someone to put one in proper condition -- especially if you have a thing for bolt actions -- is a cut down, carbine length Enfield No.4 Mk 1/2. Ten round detachable magazine and the fastest bolt action made. Powerful. Accurate. Good sights. Good trigger. You'd probably have to find a smith willing to cut one down, rebarrel, and refinish. The No. 5 Jungle Carbine was the right idea, but not well executed. A cut down No. 4 Mk 1/2 would be just right. Would like to have one myself.