Winchester 94 30-30 for Home defense?

[NuBer92]

What do you think about my old lever action as a viable option for HD? I have it loaded with Winchester 170 grain. i know it sounds like over kill but in the area in which i live,(in an apartment complex by 1960 and 45) i think that that is necessary in addition to my beretta 92fs. But do you think that the lever action is realistic in todays semi auto world? I have had this rifle since my dad gave it to me when i was 8 years old, so i have a bias towards this as it is my first, she is as shiny as the day he gave it to me.

And yes im a great shot, I dropped, yes dropped where it stood, a 10 point buck on my 18th bday with the same rifle and ammo combination with open sites from an elevated position at about 100 yards.

[flintknapper]

What do you think about my old lever action as a viable option for HD? I have it loaded with Winchester 170 grain. i know it sounds like over kill but in the area in which i live,(in an apartment complex by 1960 and 45) i think that that is necessary in addition to my beretta 92fs. But do you think that the lever action is realistic in todays semi auto world? I have had this rifle since my dad gave it to me when i was 8 years old, so i have a bias towards this as it is my first, she is as shiny as the day he gave it to me.

Welcome to the forum...and good question.
I would be greatly concerned with over penetration and where that bullet might end up if you happen to miss.

And yes im a great shot, I dropped, yes dropped where it stood, a 10 point buck on my 18th bday with the same rifle and ammo combination with open sites from an elevated position at about 100 yards.

Yes, but have you ever shot anything while under great stress (Adrenalin dump), shot at a moving target or at a target possibly shooting back at you? Very different than sniping a deer.

In another setting (perhaps rural where I live), where distances are greater and the population less....it might be a viable weapon for perimeter defense/response.

Just my opinion.

[NuBer92]

Well as far as adrenaline pumping i can definitely say it was, but no i have never fired under stress or distress. I agree with you on that point. thanks for your input. My father is a Army vet, and he always taught me proper shooting since i was young.

[WarHawk-AVG]

Cowboy action shooting

I guarantee a .30-30 is going to be a viable solution.

Heck any firearm in hand for defense is worth 1000 of them stuck in a gunsafe or at a gunstore!

They are short, pack a whollop up close, use the large motor skills to cycle the action (like a pump shotgun it doesn't require fine motor skills that go kapooey in a gunfight to cycle/reload)

And its not a newpaper demonizing scary eeeeeeeeevil black rifle if you have to ventilate a badguy (plus you get bonus points for being "old school" [just kiddin])

[stroo]

The 30-30 has about the same ballistics as an AK-47. If you are going to use a long gun in an apartment, it probably is as good/bad as a shotgun or AK. The problem with all of these is that if you miss, the bullet/slug will probably go into your neighbor's apartment, maybe several of your neighbors' apartments. So if you are going to use this, you need to be real careful about what is behind the BG. To do this, you may want to use it only in your bedroom/safe room for static defence where you can preplan where you are going to shoot.

[WarHawk-AVG]

The 30-30 has about the same ballistics as an AK-47. If you are going to use a long gun in an apartment, it probably is as good/bad as a shotgun or AK. The problem with all of these is that if you miss, the bullet/slug will probably go into your neighbor's apartment, maybe several of your neighbors' apartments. So if you are going to use this, you need to be real careful about what is behind the BG. To do this, you may want to use it only in your bedroom/safe room for static defence where you can preplan where you are going to shoot.

+1

You are responsible for ALL projectiles fired from any firearm you discharge!

I believe the Box O Truth might have a section on the .30-30...it penetrates just like a rifle...thru many many walls, and many many inches of "body"

[GrayHawk]

Bit too much for an apartment situation, I think. Might be great for you, effective on BG, but remember your responsibility toward innocents in that environment. I would whole heartedly agree with any rifle in a semi-rural or rural environment where there is no concern for a building full of people.

[NuBer92]

Thanks guys, i appreciate your input. Maybe that will be my last line and stick to my beretta 92fs.

[KRM45]

I love my .30-.30 levergun. I have thought of getting a leveraction in .357/.38 for a truck gun.

I agree though it might be too much for an apartment.

[Kawabuggy]

First off, why in the heck do you live at such a dangerous location?

2nd, the 170 grain bullets are far too much for self defense. They will definitely over-penetrate and keep traveling possibly injuring someone else in the apartment next to you, or above, or below you depending on where your apartment is located.

I have some 110 grain flat nose Speer hollow points that I will gladly load for you. You can put them in the tubular magazine without problem, and they should stop shortly after, or hopefully inside, of any threat.

Bring me the brass, I'll load them for you for FREE!

Next, please, please, find a way to get away from that area of town. I am a strong advocate of "avoidance" and living where you live is basically begging for trouble (opposite of avoidance).

If it takes a job change to get away from over there-do it! Whatever you need to do to get away from over there IS worth your life.

In regards to whether or not the 30-30 is a good choice for self defense, I can only answer by saying it would not be my first choice, but if it is your only choice, it is better than nothing.

[NuBer92]

belive me i am out of this neighborhood as soon as possible. the only reason why i moved to this side was for work, but now the cost of gas is no longer relevant, i will be moving back into the city limits in the River oaks area.


But that will not be my first round of defense. I have a RELIABLE Beretta 92FS, loaded with JHP Hydrashocks,

[Kawabuggy]

Now you're talking! The Beretta is the answer.

[NuBer92]

Yup, I went to Carters Country in Spring last night and i put 2 boxes of AE 115 fmj and WWB 100 pack from wally world and a 50 rounder wwb that i needed to use, and every round every time, went bang. Not a single FTF in all those rounds or in any previous range visits. Although to be honest when i first got the beretta, i would pull the trigger and nothing, but then i looked down and the safety was on.
But now that i have had some range time and nice groups, I am confident in my small arms proficiency.

Also there i picked up a gently used beretta mag from the barrel full of used mags for 10 bucks they have over there. I took it home and cleaned it up and until i try it out, it will be used for range use only,

[AggieC05]

First off, why in the heck do you live at such a dangerous location?

2nd, the 170 grain bullets are far too much for self defense. They will definitely over-penetrate and keep traveling possibly injuring someone else in the apartment next to you, or above, or below you depending on where your apartment is located.

I have some 110 grain flat nose Speer hollow points that I will gladly load for you. You can put them in the tubular magazine without problem, and they should stop shortly after, or hopefully inside, of any threat.

Bring me the brass, I'll load them for you for FREE!

Next, please, please, find a way to get away from that area of town. I am a strong advocate of "avoidance" and living where you live is basically begging for trouble (opposite of avoidance).

If it takes a job change to get away from over there-do it! Whatever you need to do to get away from over there IS worth your life.

In regards to whether or not the 30-30 is a good choice for self defense, I can only answer by saying it would not be my first choice, but if it is your only choice, it is better than nothing.

If he doesnt take you up on this I will, I always wanted to learn a bit more about reloading anyways.

[texasag93]

The Rifleman NEVER had a problem defending himself.........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX2oZ6Kv_qo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



texasag