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Gun-Day Sunday: Magazines and "Wifles"
By Lt Col P
First, I am pleased to report that I did my National Ammo Day duty (better late than never) with a sizable purchase of 7.62x39 off Gunbroker.com.
Second, I went to the Nation's Gunshow today with the K-31 shooting MDL (see previous post). A fine day was had by all, and I scored the thing I was looking for most, a pair of M1 Carbine 15-rd magazines, USGI/WW2, still in the waxy paper.
HANG ON-- Julie Banderas and Jenna Lee are on Fox News right now... wait just a second... OK, that was good. Where was I? Oh yeah, guns and whatnot.
The big topic today is the "wifle"-- a rifle you should get specifically for the wife.
New shooters, and females in particular, can be recoil shy, but there's no reason why we gentlemen can't outfit the ladies with the right long guns. We'll not be talking .22s here, although they're certainly must-haves for every well equipped home; no, we're talking rifles that the ladies can take to the field or the range, or use at home if need be. Here are my wifle choices:
The .223, in its magazine-fed manifestation, like the AR, the Robinson XCR, the Mini-14 or other such quality gun. Recoil is negligible. Or, since this is for the ladies, can we say recoil is negligee-ible?
The classic Winchester 94 in 30-30. The big advantage of the lever action is that it can be used with equal ease by lefties and righties. Also it can be kept stoked with ammo but with an empty chamber, and brought into battery as it's brought up into the shoulder. And we know it works.
The Marlin 336, also in 30-30. For advantages, see above. Additionally, these two icons lack the features that seem to draw unwanted attention.
Honorable mention should go also to the Remington 870 pump shotgun in 20 gauge. (If a rifle for the wife is a "wifle," is a shotgun for the ladies a "twotgun?") Some folks find the 12-ga model's recoil and report off-putting. The 20-ga, with the right loads, will perform at home or in the field.
Any other nominations?
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Comments
My vote is for this little rifle. My wife saw it and decided she wanted one.
I would say that it all depends on what you're buying the rifle for.
Mrs. Drang has three long guns, a 20 gauge side -by-side coach gun, an SKS, and a Kel Tec Sub 2000 carbine in 9mm. Any will do quite nicely for home defense, although the SKS is a bit long. The KelTec is a hoot to shoot, folds up quite compactly, and takes Glock 9mm magazines--and the Glock 18 32 rounders have enough capacity to handle all but the most determined and huge gangs of zombie biker lawyer drug dealers. (And give the Obamanation Sarah Brady nightmares, to boot!)
I would say that it all depends on what you are using it for.
I would have to vote for the M1 Garand, the Mossberg 12 gauge with a poly-choke, the Smith & Corona O3A3 with a 42mm 6-24x scope, and for the top of my list wouuld be a Springfield Armory 1911 45ACP.
If I may...
My husband bought me the Remington 870 pump-action (12 gauge) and I love it. Does it have recoil? Sure, but isn't that what your shoulder is for? My issue with recoil has to do with pistols. That's why I like the long guns. I like the shotgun for the pump action too, I can't refute that.
We were at the gun show on Saturday (which had long lines off both sides of the building) and the husband pointed out a few rifles for my consideration. My only rifle/wifle requirement: I want one of the military style ones, like I shot on Vet's Day. Why? Because I already have one in the other shape (the Remington). It's all about variety.
I'll add another vote for the M1 Carbine. Nice size for smaller frames and arms, recoil not too bad but still delivers a bit of a punch to the target. Not too heavy. Simple operation for those that don't want to become technical gun experts.
I thought a wifle was what Elmer Fudd hunted with?
FYI, "Garden and Gun" magazine covers female/gun issues as well as fashion and horticulture, with a Southern twist.
I discovered by accident that my wife is a natural when it comes to ghost ring sites when she took some shots with my custom .45-70 Brockman's Super Guide Rifle and started "channeling" Annie Oakley. Now I've got to put some ghost rings on her .44 Marlin 1894.
Mike
+1 on the fun to shoot Keltec Sub carbines. Another good Keltec is the SU-16 series. Its alot cheaper then an AR, but feeds off the same magazines. It folds down short for storage too. A nice little casual shooter with SHTF capability. Good for families who can't throw the cash for another AR.
The Subs and SU-16s allow for ammo commonality. Your pistol(s) and your CIW carbine share the same mags and ammo, your main rifle and LR carbine share the same mags and ammo.
Funny, we were just looking for a new "wiffle" right now. M1 Carbine and Ruger Mini 14 are on top right now. The Mini 14 being less expensive (all the M1 varriants and myriad of manufacturers are a bit of a pain to go thru) used or new, the .223 ammunition being easily found and also economical and the all weather stainless version being perfect for a boat gun. 99% chance the Mini 14 wins although the historian in me leans M1!
It's who it's for and what it's for - and that fact that I can use it, too, is a big plus. SWWBO's Bushmaster ORC.
ORC 3, coyotes, zero. Well, except for the slaughter amongst the avians.
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Those are all good suggestions. I'd suggest the M1 Carbine, with hollowpoint loads. Thompson/Kahr is making new M1's now that could fit the bill. If money isn't an object and a semi-auto isn't legal, consider the CZ-652 in 7.62x39 or .223 (I might have the model wrong). They are a little pricey, but come with 10 round detachable magazines. The Marlin 1894 in .357 magnum might be worth a look, they are a little handier than the 336 and the .357 is awsome in a rifle.
Concur on the Remington 20 Guage. My 18 year old daughter handles one quite well. we found a nice express with 21" barrel and interchangeable chokes. It will do for doves and desparados.