abomination or good idea: lever gun folding stock

[roscoe]

I had the thought during some of the bear rifle threads about how handy it would be to have a folding stock on a rifle that you carry backpacking/hiking, etc. Since so many people like the short lever guns while tramping about in the woods, it seemed like it would be a great idea to have a folding stock on one.

I am aware that Wild West makes a take-down Marlin, but it seems like that would be slow to deploy. I had in mind something that would flip out easily and quickly.

Now, I am the first to admit that this sounds like heresy, and would probably ruin the looks of the rifle (although you could always reattach the old wood stock when you get back from the trip). But, it might make a handy short rifle all the handier. Anyone ever heard of a stock that might be appropriate for such an application?

 

[SpookyPistolero]

Functional is pretty (unless I see another picture of someone hacking a Garand). It is kind of a neat idea. I think you should try and put something together. Maybe you could make a standard synthetic stock fold just past or just before the grip, but I guess making a mechanism to lock when folded would be tricky.

I'm all for anything that gets smaller for activities like backpacking. I'm going to make an underfolder AK soon to have something I can drag around the woods with me. Man, I really hate that ancient NFA short barrelled rifle law.... :banghead:

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I have never thought about it and don't think I've ever seen one.

However, I think it's a good idea and has use/potential!

Would you get into legal issues with it being too short? I'm not up on that BS.

If it's legal I think it's a great idea.

 

[jobu07]

So long as the barrel is over 16" and the overal length of the gun is above 20 some inches (I don't remember how long... ) it would be fine. Measurement for overall length is with the stock.... extended I think. Again, could be wrong.

 

[TarpleyG]

I don't see how one of those short barrel youth models would be much of a stretch to strap onto the side of a pack. Hell, get one with a synthetic stock and they weigh almost nothing and OAL is short by rifle standards. Just my 2 cents.

34" OAL and just over 6 lbs.

Greg

 

[Sunray]

"...overal length of the gun is above 20 some inches..." 26" with the stock folded if it can be fired that way in most places. It does depend on where you are though. NY has a barrel length rule, but not an OAL rule. Arizona has neither. Illinois has both.
A folding stock on a lever action wouldn't shorten it much. Note, in Greg's picture, how far the lever comes back. Any hinge would have to be just aft of the lever.

 

[mbs357]

I'd rather have a folding stock on a muzzle loader. And a pistol grip, barrel shroud, bayonet lug...etc.
Just out of spite.

 

[buzz meeks]

abomination

 

[mtnbkr]

MBS, it needs to have inline ignition and be designed for smokeless powder (ala Savage) as well.

Chris

 

[Bobarino]

i don't think its an abomination but i don't see it selling very well either. personally i'd rather just have a sling.

lever actions are a conundrum for me. i love them to death. i love the old school cowboy nature of them, but at the same time, i'm tempted to put a red-dot on mine. i'm thinking i might have to get two. one to keep with open sights and a saddle ring and the other to dye the wood stocks grey and put the red-dot on it.

nothing wrong with modernizing a classic in my opinion. the folding stock doesn't seem to practical to me though. just an opinion.

Bobby

 

[dakotasin]

abomination.

 

[Erich]

Shíqqûç!

(Had to go back to Hebrew for that one! )

 

[rockstar.esq]

Have you heard of the .44 Mag. The revolver doesn't need a folding stock, just a man behind the trigger!

 

[SpookyPistolero]

After giving it more thought, I don't see enough advantage to a folding stock to make it really worthwhile. Not that you shouldn't try making one if you think it would float your boat. It just seems, like a previous poster mentioned, that the room you'd save would be so small that all you would do is having a bulky, unpackable item after it was folded that isn't much shorter than before.

A youth model might be a good solution. I would also consider other options all together. The SU-16 seems like a very good option, if you think you can stomach the .223. Actually, short of that I can't think of anything that would fit the bill. Other items like a folder AK or shotgun might be too heavy for you. A scout rifle would work well but it's meant to be carried.

My two more cents.