Author Topic: Mare's Leg ? (Read 1458 times)

dave hall · « **on:** March 15, 2006, 01:55:24 PM »

I've always wanted to have a mare's leg built.I found a guy in Texas that makes them for almost 3 grand I do'nt want one that bad.I was wondering if another custom gun maker could build one cheaper.I know about the fed. fee if you build it from a rifle that is already built.Anyone have any idea's. Thanks. :-)

Shorty · « **Reply #1 on:** March 15, 2006, 02:09:26 PM »

It's not that complicated to do. One starts with a Model '92, or clone, so that you use pistol caliber rounds. That way you wind up with a magazine capacity of six or fewer rounds. :roll: Now you have a gun that is heavier, bulkier, slower and little more powerful than a revolver. :wink:
On the TV show, "Wanted, Dead or alive", the gun portrayed had an aluminum barrel and fired only 5-in-1 blanks.

dukkillr · « **Reply #2 on:** March 15, 2006, 02:28:08 PM »

what is a mare's leg?

RugerNo3 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 15, 2006, 02:48:44 PM »

If you take a rifle(complete) and convert it, the BATF will be on you like white on rice. To build a Mare's Leg it must be from an action only and the serial number from the manufacturer must prove that so. If it left the factory as a rifle you will be in deep DOO-DOO.

dave hall · « **Reply #4 on:** March 15, 2006, 03:14:18 PM »

I not asking if it can be built,and I know the laws and fees. I want to know if anyone else besides the guy in Texas would build one.Ya it's about as useful as a 50 bmg on a whitetail hunt ,but I can say I have one. :-)

jbadams66 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 16, 2006, 05:59:34 AM »

I have seen pictures of a lever action that was based on the marlin 1895 action but it was classified as a pistol, they basicaly cut the stock off past the pistol grip and cut the barrel down to about 8 inches (cant remember for sure)

I am sure someone has a picture of it but I cant seem to be able to find one

RugerNo3 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 16, 2006, 07:46:09 AM »

You might try jbcustomdotcom. About 1500 bucks.

F-F-Fred · « **Reply #7 on:** March 23, 2006, 04:26:58 PM »

Yeah there's a guy in California that makes them out of old Winchester 92's but the guy has an attitude. You can get the rig also. It looks just like Josh Randalls rig. They sell a John Wayne copy also in 44-40. But if I had the money I wouldn't bother buying one from him. Just because of his attitude. But the thing is if you want authentic it is as close as you can get to it. http://www.eaglesquadron.net/

Now there is another who sells the Mare's Leg. They are not real authentic but they look good. They are made of Winchester 94's. I guess he picked up a whole bunch of receivers from Winchester (U.S.R.A.) and declared them as pistols. But they are pricey. You can also get them in the smaller 92 frame. I guess he got some Rossi 92's and converted them. But they do not have the traditional Mare's Leg lever. It's the Rossi big loop one. As of matter the Winchester 94 Mare's Leg sports the John Wayne lever not the Josh Randall one. http://www.jbcustom.com/mares.htm

Now another option is to make one yourself. It would probably be a whole lot cheaper. You can pick up a Rossi for about $400.00 in 357 Mag, 44 Mag, 44-40 or 45 Colt. A tax stamp for a shortened rifle will run you $200.00. Then find someone who can shorten it for you and make you a lever from scratch. All together it should run you under $1000.00.

Well, anyway good luck.

F-F-Fred · « **Reply #8 on:** March 23, 2006, 04:35:02 PM »

Quote from: dukkillr

what is a mare's leg?

It's short barreled rifle used in the series Wanted Dead or Alive. Steve McQueen played the part of bounty hunter Josh Randall.

Josh gave his Winchester "handgun" this unusual name because he said it, "kicked at both ends."

http://www.fiftiesweb.com/tv/wanted-dead.htm

sawfish · « **Reply #9 on:** March 27, 2006, 09:56:05 AM »

Somebody introduced one at the SHOT Show. It was made as a pistol from the beginning so no BATF problems. It was an announcemet in the daily paper that I have thrown away. Keep looking, it should hit the market about mid year.

Forest Walker · « **Reply #10 on:** March 28, 2006, 05:31:31 AM »

How about this http://www.wildwestguns.com/Bushwacker/bushwacker.html

Forest Walker · « **Reply #11 on:** March 28, 2006, 05:32:49 AM »

How about this http://www.wildwestguns.com/Bushwacker/bushwacker.html

F-F-Fred · « **Reply #12 on:** March 28, 2006, 02:42:37 PM »

Quote from: Forest Walker

How about this http://www.wildwestguns.com/Bushwacker/bushwacker.html

That is sweet looking. But I think Bushwacker is the wrong name for it. I'm thinking more like Bears Paw or Leg is better. Why cuz' it'll kick at both ends with either the 457 Magnum or 50 Alaskan. No price is given though but I'll bet it's over a 1000 bucks. But one will have to go through a class 3 dealer though. But you can do that work yourself or farm it out and save some money. A short barreled 357 Magnum, 44 Magnum or 45 Colt Marlin might be a neat thing to have. The regular Marlin lever has that Mare's Laig look. Wouldn't take much to modify it even more. Hmmm

F-F-Fred · « **Reply #13 on:** March 28, 2006, 03:10:35 PM »

I just realized that the Mare's Laig from http://www.eaglesquadron.net/ requires a tax stamp also.

You must register such a version with the B.A.T.F. (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms) for a one-time registration fee of $200.00 because the barrel length is under the Federal minimum of 16-inches. Currently, there are 8 States that do not allow possession of our fully functional version. They are WA, IL, CA, NY, NJ, CT, RI, & DE.

So as of right now the only place to get a Mare's Laig copy that doesn't require a tax stamp is from http://www.jbcustom.com/mares.htm because his are built from receivers that have been classified as pistols.

Keith L · « **Reply #14 on:** March 28, 2006, 08:04:57 PM »

This thread has been an interesting history lesson. I forgot the TV show this gun was created for until the discussion started, and am surprised that there is enough interest to warrant a couple of companies making them. If only they weren't so blasted expensive...

F-F-Fred · « **Reply #15 on:** March 29, 2006, 01:53:41 AM »

There is really no reason for them to be that expensive. To start with a Winchester 1892 in 44-40 back when the guy from Eagle Squadron started making them could be purchased for under a $1000.00. Cutting a barrel down would cost under $100.00 and making a lever for about $75.00. They can charge as much as want for their labor. The same thing goes for JB Custom.

Oh yeah, you are paying some letter of authenticity.

Like I said you can make one yourself for under a thousand bucks.