[shotgun9728]

I shot Cowboy Action for 15 years. I used a Marlin .357 for hunting for maybe 5 or 6 years. You don't get much more velocity from a .45 rifle than you do a revolver. Yep, we tested. The .357 will kill deer size game with ease. If you worry about over penetration in the rifle, load a real light bullet, maybe a 110 gr HP.

 

[94win32spec]

I've owned a Ruger 1894C, a Rossi 1892 and a converted Winchester 1892, all in .357 Mag/38 Sp. That said, I just love my Uberti 1873 the most. It just looks best IMHO, especially with its case-hardened receiver.

I'm not sure what a Ruger 1894c is. Are you sure of that?

 

[94win32spec]

Thanks, good to know. You are right, that is not possible.

I will try to find out if it is rated for +p. But many say +p is not necessary for home defense, regular 38 special ammo, the kind previously used for nearly 100 years by police and military, still works well, so guess it still works well today for that purpose.

I would use +P in a rifle. The standard .38 special will work fine in a 4 or 6 inch length barrel in a revolver. I can't verify with my own experience, but I've read that you may actually lose velocity in a rifle length barrel using standard velocity 38 special ammo.

 

[WinMike]

I'm not sure what a Ruger 1894c is. Are you sure of that?

I apologize. I meant to say Marlin. Brain fart. My weak defense is that now that Ruger owns Marlin, I must have mixed up the two.
My Marlin was an '80s model, with Microgroove rifling and was deadly with cast bullets. Another that got away, to my now dismay.

 

[94win32spec]

De

I apologize. I meant to say Marlin. Brain fart. My weak defense is that now that Ruger owns Marlin, I must have mixed up the two.
My Marlin was an '80s model, with Microgroove rifling and was deadly with cast bullets. Another that got away, to my now dismay.

Maybe that's the one I own! Bought it on consignment from an lgs. 5 years ago about $450. That one will be passed on to a son, or buryed with me if one of them doesn't want it.

 

[WinMike]

$450? You got a really good buy.

 

[94win32spec]

$450? You got a really good buy.

Yes I did. One of those deals when you walk into the store within minutes of something being put on the shelf. Happened to me last week also. A mint 1975 vintage Marlin 336 for $700. I picked it up, looked at the price tag, and handed it to the clerk with the word "Sold".

 

[Brandi]

I'll agree the 1866 is probably better looking than the also beautiful 1873 but...if I'm going to use a traditional style lever gun for home defense (which I did for years with a Winchester 94 .44 magnum) then it's performance as an HD gun is THE most important aspect. That said, a Winchester 92 is a better choice. If home defense wasn't a part of the equation I'd get a 1966 but not otherwise. The 92 is still a beautiful gun but it's significantly stronger and the short throw action is far better designed for defensive use.

As far as over penetration goes, any caliber is going through your walls. Unless they are brick, concrete or rock, those bullets are going through regardless of being thicker than US standards so you might as well load up with .357 magnum. That's just my opinion. If you really want the 1866, get it and then start saving for a good home defense gun because it's not really going to be both.

 

[94win32spec]

I'll agree the 1866 is probably better looking than the also beautiful 1873 but...if I'm going to use a traditional style lever gun for home defense (which I did for years with a Winchester 94 .44 magnum) then it's performance as an HD gun is THE most important aspect. That said, a Winchester 92 is a better choice. If home defense wasn't a part of the equation I'd get a 1966 but not otherwise. The 92 is still a beautiful gun but it's significantly stronger and the short throw action is far better designed for defensive use.

As far as over penetration goes, any caliber is going through your walls. Unless they are brick, concrete or rock, those bullets are going through regardless of being thicker than US standards so you might as well load up with .357 magnum. That's just my opinion. If you really want the 1866, get it and then start saving for a good home defense gun because it's not really going to be both.

The OP lives in Europe ( Norway ), and I'm sure his options are very limited because of that. I think they are very limited on firearm choices that are not strictly bolt action hunting rifles. My interpretation is that antique design, historical firearms ( and replicas thereof) that are mostly considered as collectible wall hangers are permitted for ownership by that government. Maybe the model 1892 is considered too modern because it is manufactured primarily as a shooting firearm ( By Rossi ) and not as an exotic firearm, like Uberti and Taylor's 1866 & 1873 carbines that were around during the Indian and Calvary war days. A little speculation on my part, but I'm trying to read between the lines of what the OP is saying.

 

[Darkker]

The OP lives in Europe ( Norway )

The OP's flag is not Norway....

 

[Cheezywan]

The OP's flag is not Norway....

Perhaps looking at #41 rather than #1?

 

[Darkker]

Perhaps looking at #41 rather than #1?

???
#41 isn't the OP, and he isn't from Norway either.

 

[Cheezywan]

#41 isn't the OP, and he isn't from Norway either.
[/QUOTE]

Wee wee. We agree. I show the OP (post #1) as from Norway with a flag that looks Norwegian to me.
I show post # 41 as from the United States of America with with appropriate colors (R,W,+B).

Likely my internet connection or something related.

Off Topic anyway.

Sorry

 

[94win32spec]

#41 isn't the OP, and he isn't from Norway either.

Wee wee. We agree. I show the OP (post #1) as from Norway with a flag that looks Norwegian to me.
I show post # 41 as from the United States of America with with appropriate colors (R,W,+B).

Likely my internet connection or something related.

Off Topic anyway.

Sorry
[/QUOTE]

Your Both right. He is from Sweden. My bad. But they do share a border.

And yes, it does matter. The OP has to abide by the firearm possession laws of the Country he lives in.
If he can only own an antique firearm, or replica thereof, then his choices are limited.
I'm not expert on Swedish gun laws, but I'm sure if the OP was able to own MSR's, he'd be asking us about M4 variants, rather than asking about pre-1880 Winchester variants.

 

[Ihavequestions]

I'll agree the 1866 is probably better looking than the also beautiful 1873 but...if I'm going to use a traditional style lever gun for home defense (which I did for years with a Winchester 94 .44 magnum) then it's performance as an HD gun is THE most important aspect. That said, a Winchester 92 is a better choice. If home defense wasn't a part of the equation I'd get a 1966 but not otherwise. The 92 is still a beautiful gun but it's significantly stronger and the short throw action is far better designed for defensive use.

As far as over penetration goes, any caliber is going through your walls. Unless they are brick, concrete or rock, those bullets are going through regardless of being thicker than US standards so you might as well load up with .357 magnum. That's just my opinion. If you really want the 1866, get it and then start saving for a good home defense gun because it's not really going to be both.

Thanks for your reply Brandi.

I'm sure you're right that the 1892 is a better gun for home defense, but now feel free to correct me if you think I'm wrong, but just because one is better, doesn't mean the other is bad.

The action on 1866 seems to work just fine and fast, and can shoot quickly, check here

and here

for example.

And if the uberti 1866 can stop a 250- pound bear in a home defence situation (please read this: An Official Journal Of The NRA | Armed Man Uses Uberti 1866 Rifle to Stop Black Bear), surely it will stop a human in a home defence situation, right?

So just because there are better firearm options for home defense, doesn't necessarily mean an 1866 is a bad option or that it can't work well for home defense. It seems to work well, right?

 

[94win32spec]

Looks like the man's mind is made up.1866 or bust!!

 

[Ihavequestions]

Looks like the man's mind is made up.1866 or bust!!

No, I'm actually still unsure and hard to decide.

 

[veeman]

Of the 2, I'd pick the 73 src or short rifle in 44-40.

 

[94win32spec]

Of the 2, I'd pick the 73 src or short rifle in 44-40.

Yes but the OP specified .357/.38 special cal.

 

[Shiloh1944]

66, 73, 92 they are all good. Just buy a rifle and get to shooting.