Choosing a Bug out Rifle Keltec 2000 or Marlin .357

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Sharpdogs

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I have narrowed my choices down to two rifles for part of my bug out gear. One is the Keltec Sub 2000 the other is a Marlin 1894 in .357. I am choosing one of these two rifles because they are legal in my state, use the same ammo as my bug out handguns Glock 19 and Ruger Security Six and I can practice with them at my local range.

Keltec Sub 2000
Pros
- use same magazines as my G19
- ease of transport (gun case does not scream gun)
- price at under $300 easily affordable

Cons
- ergos may take some time to get used to

Marlin 1894 .357
- same ammo as m Security Six and S&W 686
- I love the quality and workmanship of the Marlin rifles, I have one in .44 cal
- does not scream tactical
- ease of loading and topping off the magazine

Cons
- price $450
- may take a little packing ingenuity so I do not draw attention to it being a gun

Last note this gun may or may not be taken on a vacation/road trip in the next couple of months. Leaning towards the Keltec because of this.

Help me decide. Thanks.
 
Having experience with carbines designed for pistol ammo in semi-auto calibers and carbines in revolver calibers, my answer depends on what you foresee as your uses of this rifle. If you are more worried about killing game and getting out of sticky situations, go for the Marlin. The ballistic profile on 357 magnum cartridges from a rifle are better at taking small to medium game at short rifle ranges (100-150 yards) than the semi-auto pistol rounds. However, reload speed is much slower that a carbine with magazines.
If you are going to be in protracted gun battles where you need to reload frequently as you shoot down the zombie/commie/mutant/terrorist hordes, go for the KelTec.

I personally own both a Marlin 1894 in 357 and a MechTech 1911 carbine conversion unit. They both have their uses. However, I trust my Marlin for deer hunting more than my MechTech.
 
I own one of the 2000s and bought it because of it's rather unique compactness and conceal ability. Is this feature of utmost importance to you? If not than either will do.
 
I have a Sub2000 with the G19 mag well, the carbine and 4x 33 round magazines fit easily into a standard briefcae with a light attached to the lower rail. For an SD gun I really like it.

If it was going to be primarily a hunting weapon I would pick the Marlin in .357, I'd feel much better with that for deer size game. The 9mm with +P ammo is ok, but a good .357 round is just a little better.
 
If you already have a .44 marlin, consider looking for a side arm if caliber-commonality is a priority. The .44 is much more suitable for hunting and provides a much more decisive blow for defensive purposes, IMHO.
 
Just my $0.02.

Worry about concealing the handgun. Worry about shooting the rifle.

.357 Magnum is a more versatile caliber than 9x19, and your revolver and lever action will also fire .38 Special.

jm

ps. Alternately, see PAC 762's suggestion.
 
For long term SHTF game getting I agree with the .357, but he specifically asked for a bug-out gun, and considering how the authorities like to confiscate any weapons they see in the hands of lowly civilians I would go with the much more easily concealed Sub2000. You can keep it loaded, folded and 2 seconds away from ready to fire on a sling under a jacket, but nobody knows you have it. I have the extra mag holder on mine with two 17rd G17 mags on board.
 
Makes me wonder why Marlin doesn't make a takedown version of it's .357 mag lever actions. Same goes for the .45LC and .44 Mags as well. I'd bet that would be a pricey undertaking with a gunsmith! Still it'd be the best of both worlds.
 
rockstar.esq said:
Makes me wonder why Marlin doesn't make a takedown version of it's .357 mag lever actions. Same goes for the .45LC and .44 Mags as well. I'd bet that would be a pricey undertaking with a gunsmith! Still it'd be the best of both worlds.
Click to expand...

If only Marlin would offer a take-down 1894c, I'd be first in line to buy one. And it would be a long line, based on the number of people who have expressed similar feelings.

And take-down lever actions are pricey. Wild West co-pilot, for example.
 
Marlin without a doubt for me. Simply more versatile IMHO and a better made tool. I also have much more respect for .357 magnum then I do for 9mm especially coming out of a 16+ inch barrel.

When was the last time you heard of somebody getting into an extended gunfight, reloads etc. even during Katrina. Even if you did, chances are unless you are either highly trained or have some backup you are probably going to end up dead in an extended exchange of gunfire with multiple BGs anyway.

I really think the Marlin has the edge here.
More powerful
Argueably more accurate
More versatile
Can shoot a variety of ammo
I would argue more durable but I have a bias against Kel-Tec
Can be scout scoped easily
Can carry lots of loose ammo or in boxes or on speed strips etc.
No box magazines to loose or fail
Very flat, easy to sling or put on a bike/motorcycle

Just my two cents. Either get the .357 Marlin or a nice .44 revolver. Either way that would be my choice.

Chris
 
ROAD TRIP

I for one consider this for 'Road Trip Packing': :cool:

a). CLOCK 21 in 45 ACP, W/ 4 - 13 ROUND MAG'S topped off.
b). S&W 686-1 in .357 magnum loaded w/ JHP.
c). AK 47 7.62 X 39 w/ 5 - 30 round mags loaded w/ 28 rds each JHP.
d). Charter Arms 38 spl, is my wife's carry. (She knows how to shot it !!)
e). DBL Barrel .25 cal Davis Derringer (Always in my poctet, never show it)
f). GLOCK 17378 Straight Edge Fighting/Field Knife, (EXTRA sharp edge)
g). Kershaw 1550 Ken Onion Blackout Folding Knife, (EXTRA sharp edge)

Last but not least, FOCUS on SA. :scrutiny:

Situational Awareness is everything. Your best defense is keeping a constant suspicous alertness to your surroundings. NEVER LET YOUR GUARD DOWN. Always be alert to what is going on around you. :what:

If you are travling as a family, one of the parents are always watching the childern while the other parent is taking care of any situation. Have a plan ready.
 
By bugging out I assume that you want to get away from a social meltdown of hollywood preportions. If that be the case, I would consider being invisible as much as possible. Blazing shootouts would be avoided as they would draw others like a magnet. Not being a big kel-tec fan I would go for quality. The marlin or a winchester 92 clone. The 357 with modern handloads will do anything my 3030 will do out to about 100yds. There is no substitute for power. I have a Winchester Model 92 clone sold by Navy Arms and love it.
As for travel, I have for years carried a Model 94 Winchester 3030, in a common but not flashy soft gun case when I travel. Going in and out of motels and hotels I am careful not to use main entrances and no one seems to notice. When in the car, it lays in the back floor board. When in my truck, I have a gun rack mounted on the back of the cab behind the seat. If I am in my car and am going to leave it in the car, I will stop before I get to my destination and put it in the trunk, avoiding theives seeing me putting it there when I leave my car. Sustained gunbattles would seem unlikely. As a retired police officer I found that when dealing with thugs, if you get the bull out of the pasture, the rest of the cows go back to eating grass, if you know what I mean. If things really get crappy I will go to my M4A2. To hell with local goverment. They will have to take it. I will not be left defensless without a fight. jmho
 
You guys are letting your love for steel and wood blur your common sense. :D The Kel-Tec shines in a Katrina like scenario. Assuming you are on foot (which is when you most need protection) either you carry your Marlin out in the open and most likely get it confiscated by the first LEO and he'll probably have you searched and take your pistols too, or you can carry it hidden in something and not have it readily available when you need it. The Kel-Tec gives you carbine accuracy in a completely concealable practically ready to fire package, and it is the only firearm that can make that claim. You can stay low profile but well armed. Something tells me the people here who have the least respect for the Kel-Tec have never owned or fired one.
 
Of the two, I'd go with the Marlin. Big-5 recently had them on sale for $340 near me.

However, for the price and stated purpose, I'd consider a Saiga Sporter in .223 or 7.62x39 too.

Advantages:
Under $300, reliable, battle accurate, semi auto, cheap ammo, longer effective range, can take game up to deer size.

Just my $.02 though, I understand if you want to keep with the calibers you already have. Best of luck.
 
I'm in the Marlin crowd.

I don't have my Marlin yet, but will soon.

I'm opting for .30/30 (I own neither .357 nor .44, and am not likely to for at least a long while), probably a 336W that I intend to modify a bit for such a situation (that's mostly a different thread, though). One of the modifications I'm likely to do is shorten the barrel to 18" or so, mas o menos.

In terms of concealment when on foot, if I'm ever forced to take to foot, out of a vehicle, I'll be wearing a full mountaineering backpack with survival gear suitable for a week or more (sleeping bag, light tent or bivy, food, raingear, etc, as light as it needs to be or as heavy).

A Marlin with an 18" barrel will be around 36.5" long. Most of that will fit into the pack (stuffed through the main compartment from the top and down into the sleeping bag compartment), and the part that sticks up can be covered by a stuff sack to be made to look enough like tent poles so as to reduce the probability of attracting attention.

The tactic may or may not work, but with reasonable attention to surroundings and a little Jedi mind control ("nothing to see here, move along") :rolleyes: , it has at least a chance, and it beats a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.

Nem
 
My common sense would say the Marlin lever, but I have a Marlin camp .45 and it is very accurate and just plain fun to shoot :) and it takes 1911 mags. :D
My guess would be that the Marlin lever action would be more accurate than the Keltec, this would weigh heavy in my choice.
 
I have a keltec functionally its fine. I'm 6'3" and its a bit small but easy enough to adapt to. My biggest complaints are that the bolt doesn't lock open and it fires pistol caliber rounds. It is easier to hit with than a pistol of course. You can't keep it chambered and folded but you can keep the bolt back and a mag in so you can snap it down and let the bolt close easily. Overall I'd just much much rather have a real rifle than either, but for what it is I have no complaints.
 
Opflash, is right. He described the exact scenario I am thinking of. I do believe the Marlin is a better rifle but the Keltec can be transported in a case does not scream gun. I will most likely get both rifles, but I think the Keltec will be the first choice. I will do some more research on the rifle and then hopefully pick one. Thank you for all the replies.
 
Only two of the guns you mentioned would come along with me in case of Katrina-like conditions.

The Marlin, and the Marlin.

Available at Big 5 Sporting Goods for $340. Their version has an uncheckered hardwood stock, not the nicer checkered walnut, but this is a Bug Out Rifle, not a collectible, so I'd just as soon have the harder, cheaper wood anyway. $110 off makes a big difference. You still get the all-steel, reliable little Marlin 1894.

Also, the Kel-Tec is banned in California as well as in a few other places (e.g. Columbus and Denver AFAIK) because it has a folding stock, detachable magazine and pistol grip. So if you want maximum flexibility for where you can travel without breaking the law, the Marlin also gets points for that, too. Katrina, for example, didn't involve a total breakdown of Western society, just a localized disaster. You want to be able to travel freely to other states and cities, where things are still fine and you can stay cheaply and safely.
 
Thank you for this thread!
I have been looking for a long gun myself. I am only a .357 mag revolver shooter now. So, seeing this thread I went to Marlin's website. The 1894C would be the perfect bugout gun for me. Easy choice for me as a .357 mag only shooter.

After I get the 1894C I will only need the Remington 870 12ga and I am all set.
 
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