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Rifles

Winchester Model 1873 Short Rifle

Winchester 1873

As mentioned in a previous report of SHOT Show rumors, Winchester Repeating Arms is re-introducing the classic Model 1873 short rifle in 2013.  Considered by some as “the gun that won the west,” the new version of the classic lever action rifle will be chambered for the .357 Magnum and will also short the mild .38 Special cartridge.

The model 1873 has an oil-finished walnut stock with a straight grip.  The stock has a true-to-the-original crescent butt plate.  The metal is all blued steel. The Winchester 1873 has a 20″ round barrel and a full length tubular magazine.  The magazine will hold 11 .38 Special or 10 .357 Magnum cartridges.

Categories
Rifles

Mossberg Tactical Lever Gun

Introduced at the 2012 SHOT Show, the Mosberg 464 SPX is a tactical, lever action rifle chambered in .30-30.  This lever gun is black (of course) and comes standard with a tri-rail and AR-style, adjustable buttstock.  Yes, it can be had with a flash hider.

(Ed. Note: You can read my Mossberg 464 SPX Review for additional information on this gun.)

Mossberg is also introducing a .22 LR version of the 464 tactical lever gun.  This model can be purchased with a muzzle break to help tame the wild recoiling rimfire.

Mossberg 464 SPX

Michael Bane mentioned the tactical .30-30 on his podcast a week or two ago.  I thought it could be very cool or a train wreck.  I’ll let you decide for yourself.  MSRP starts at $497 and goes up from there.

I’m a big fan of the lever action rifle as a home defense gun.  The .30-30 cartridge is more than adequate to stop a determined home invader.  Plus, in the aftermath, it is much harder for an attorney representing the “poor victim” to show you were a bloodthirsty killer by pointing to a walnut stocked lever action your daddy gave you.  I just don’t know if the 464 SPX is quite what I am thinking for self defense, but what the heck.  Different strokes for different folks.  If you like it, buy one and don’t worry about what anyone else might think.

Mossberg 464 SPX
The muzzle brake on the .22 LR version of the Mossberg 464 SPX.

2014 Update

Mossberg continues to sell the 464 SPX rifles. It would seem that they are a better seller than some people gave it credit for.

The MSRP has increased to $552 from the original $497. I suppose that is to be expected.

One thing Mossberg did do was the company added a zombie version of the rifle. The 464 ZMB is much the same gun, but with a splash of green for good measure. I do not have a photo of it to post. However, when I get one, I will add it to this page. The zombie version of the rifle has a suggested list price of $581.

Categories
Rifles

Marlin 1894 CSS

marlin_1894_css_01aThe Marlin Model 1894 CSS was a 2009 SHOT SHOW special exhibition, but the company received such positive feedback from SHOT SHOW attendees and gun enthusiasts alike that they decided to make it a part of their standard product line. The “CSS” stands for Cowboy Stainless Steel.

The rifle comes chambered in .357 Mag./.38 Spl. caliber and has a 9-shot tubular magazine underneath the barrel. That barrel is 18.5″ long, and has Ballard-style rifling (six grooves). The shorter than standard barrel is just another feature that makes this carbine a nice brush gun or fun gun. The overall length of the rifle comes in at 36 inches. As the name implies the barrel, magazine, receiver, trigger, and lever are also stainless steel.