Pistol Caliber Long Guns

[Incitatus]

Not sure where a general topic like this should go. 


I see a bunch of pistol caliber long guns out there and more to come (Taurus announced a .45).  These things have always appealed to me.  I was wondering what you folks think the best characteristics should be.



I think that using an existing mag system is crucial.  Personally, I'd opt for Beretta since the 16rd mags are easily available and not back breakingly expensive.  I also believe that they come with a 30 round capacity and the hi-cap is crucial, IMO.


I am sick of the AR wannabees, I'd like something that looks a bit different.  I am not sure that you need to have the thing cover with rails like some sort of death star.  Top on for sights, bottom one for whatever.


No sights. I have a closet full of scopes and iron sights, I would rather the $ I spend go toward the firearm.


What else?

[Conan The Librarian]

One of the coolest guns I've ever used was a replica of an old Winchester carbine, chambered for 38 special. Really handy and made a good walkin in the woods small game gun. It would reliably chamber wadcutter reloads and was fun for plinking too.
 
I like the concept and the reality of guns like that. 44-40, 45LC, 44 mag, 357 mag. Etc. And having the longer barrels with no barrel-cylinder gap can give them a different character in terms of power. A gun chambered for 45LC-Ruger strength is quite a formidable deer gun in a package so light and handy that it practically invites itself along.
 
In 45ACP there's not much difference between a carbine and a pistol in terms of bullet velocity. So it depends on what you want it to do.
 
Today, I'd rather use a compact dot sight. They're just better than iron sights for most things.

[Sourdough]

I bought the wife a Marlin 1895 back in the late 70s.  It shoots .44 Mag, but we usually shoot .44 special loadings for practice.  She carried that little gun for years while riding horseback, here in Alaska and New Mexico.  She has taken lots of Mule Deer and Whitetail, with it.  Plus one Black Bear.  I carried it for three years while Cowboying in New Mexico.  Then she upgraded to a 30-06, she wanted something bigger since we were moving back to Alaska.  As our sons grew, they picked it up and carried it in the woods for several years.  Plus a host of other kids of close friends.  My Granddaughter will be coming to visit next month and she will be carrying that little .44 Mag Carbine.  It's seen a lot of use and abuse.  Still functions great, and the .44 Mag load is good for Deer and Black Bear at reasonable ranges.   

[powderman]

I've always wanted a lever in 357 and 45 LC. They would be great deer getters for the areas I hunt. The 45 LC would be my 1st choice. POWDERMAN. 

[Conan The Librarian]

I agree, and make it 300 grain hard lead flat nose bullets please. You get the big leaky hole and deep penetration. Good combination.
 
I drew the line at 44 mag as the most powerful handgun cartridge for me. Gun size is still reasonable. Admire the 454 when paired with the FA guns, but never was interested in it. Likewise with the 500 S&W, which just seemed a bit ridiculous because I've had rifles that weighed less than those revolvers, and were handier to carry.
 
Exception is some of the wildcats made for single-shots like Contender. 7-30 Waters, .223, etc. Very practical sometimes.

[kynardsj]

I have always thought a longgun that shoots the same round as your handgun is way cool. That's why I had MGM build me a 20" 45 LC barrel for my Encore. Very accurate and with the correct slow burning magnum powder the added fps and accuracy is outstanding. I can touch three shots at 100 yards if I do my job. As far as deer and hogs, if it's in my crosshairs inside of 150 yards I own it. The magnums 44, 41 and 357 shine in a longgun. For me it's a Ruger/TC load in my 45 LC.

[Sourdough]

Forgot to mention I bought a Taurus Pump action 357/38spl two weeks ago.  Have not shot it enough to decide how well I like it yet.  Looks good, but the pump is not as smooth as I like.  But it would still make a great deer gun.  A person used to pumps can shoot one as fast as a person shooting a semi-auto. 

[Old Fart]

Way back when Rossi came out with thier sr92 lever gun in 38/357 I bought one the second it hit the rack.
It's been a great gun with zero problems and considering I shoot a lot of 38/357 it get's lots of use.
For years it went in the field almost everyday with me to dispatch felon varmits marading my farm.

[Ranger99]

used several.
marlins 1894's .44 mag & .357 mag
and handi's.
they work great hunting and carry well.
i have read several articles deriding
pistol-caliber rifles as a useless stunt,
specifically straight-sided chamberings.
one article from a well known author
stated that a straight-sided pistol chambered
rifle would jam in a tight situation and
leave whoever unarmed. his words were that
if one just had to have a pistol chambered
rifle, that it would be best to use one chambered
for a tapered round such as 38-40 or 44-40 etc.
all i can conclude from that is that he did
his "research" in front of the keyboard instead
of at the range or in the field.
military organizations use pistol cals extensively
(h&k mp-5, etc.) and i don't see them going
away from that anytime soon.