Mare's leg type guns- why?

[drobs]

The Canadians put full stocks on them.

CHIAPPA 1892 357 MAG ALASKAN TAKEDOWN 12″ – MARSTAR CANADA

marstar.ca

I'd love a Mare's leg or Shockwave with a full stock. Short, light, and handy.

MOSSBERG 590A1 CLASS III 14″ 12 GAUGE SHOTGUN 3″ PUMP BLK – 51689 – MARSTAR CANADA

marstar.ca

I also enjoyed that Fallout Series on Amazon. I never played the game though.

Another one from a Canadian used gun forum:

Chiappa mares leg · Guns in Abbotsford · Town Post Guns

guns.townpost.ca

 

[drobs]

You can get a bit a of a cheek weld on the Rossi Ranch Hand. Not so much with the more expensive Henry Mare's Leg.
Looks like Rossi no longer sells them.

Looking on Gunbroker, there is 1 357 Rossi Ranch Hand for sale.

ROSSI MARES LEG .37 MAGNUM .38 SPECIAL LEVER ACTION - Other Pistols at GunBroker.com : 1049195786

Buy ROSSI MARES LEG .37 MAGNUM .38 SPECIAL LEVER ACTION: GunBroker is the largest seller of Other Pistols Pistols Guns & Firearms All: 1049195786

www.gunbroker.com

There are 2 45 Colt Rossi's on there:

Rossi Model R92RH Ranch Hand .45 Colt 12” Mare’s Leg Lever Pistol NO CA - Other Pistols at GunBroker.com : 1044594065

Buy Rossi Model R92RH Ranch Hand .45 Colt 12” Mare’s Leg Lever Pistol NO CA: GunBroker is the largest seller of Other Pistols Pistols Guns & Firearms All: 1044594065

www.gunbroker.com

Rossi R92 Ranch Hand Lever-Action .45 Colt Pistol H16724 - Other Pistols at GunBroker.com : 1047772234

Buy Rossi R92 Ranch Hand Lever-Action .45 Colt Pistol H16724: GunBroker is the largest seller of Other Pistols Pistols Guns & Firearms All: 1047772234

www.gunbroker.com

 

[Eutycus]

Steve’s was probably made of balsa wood when it was in his holster

Lots of shows used a rubber gun in some of the scenes. Dirty Harry comes to mind, I think Lucas McCain in the "Rifleman" used a rubber version now and then.In some close ups you can actually see the gun "shake".

 

[CraigC]

I agree in today's world a Trapper/Mares leg is a novelty and something I and others may not like or have use for.

A Trapper makes perfect sense. Lots of folks like 16" leveraction carbines. It's the Mare's Leg that makes no sense.

 

[Eutycus]

Even back when I was a 10 year old boy watching that show I could see that he shortened the barrel but he shortened his magazine as well and greatly limited the capacity of rounds. I thought it kind of a foolish thing to do. And speaking of folly, how about those "Big Bullets"?

 

[trackskippy]

If you want to add "big bullets" to the folly and silliness, don't forget these......

 

[Electrod47]

Over the years I bought 2 mares legs.....Just because...neither one is in my collection today...they went to other guys who wanted one "just because"..my fever finally broke.
Went the Bond Arms derringers route also...so far 4 barrels...Just because......and the little 22 mag NAA's . I'm a sucker for the homely and unwanted. Even my dogs are something from the pound that nobody wants.

 

[entropy]

Because STEVE MCQUEEN. He made it look uber-cool. If he'd had a long-handled cooking spoon in a holster, everybody would have wanted one of those..

The funny part of his Mare's leg is, it was made from a Winchester Model 1892 chambered in .44-40. In the two shows he used it, Trackdown (the precursor show to his better known) Wanted: Dead or Alive, he had larger .45-70 cartridges in his gunbelt, because they looked more impressive.

Google Image Result for https://i.pinimg.com/736x/a0/60/b7/a060b70f0f87ea27de3bb40e2f99cf7c.jpg

There's why. Not the most practical weapon, but looks cool, kind of like an SBS SxS in a Mad Max holster rig.

 

[Cornhusker77]

The Mare's Leg reminds me of the wild west version of a braced AR pistol.
The heart wants what the heart wants.

 

[Eutycus]

If you want to add "big bullets" to the folly and silliness, don't forget these......

One of the definitions of derringer is "Big bore". But even a derringer has some practicality.

 

[trackskippy]

One of the definitions of derringer is "Big bore". But even a derringer has some practicality.

About the same as the Mares Leg.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

The derringer is an excellent example of what Charlie Askins called the "belly gun"-you press it against your opponents belly and pull the trigger.
I had a Mare's Leg cap gun-never watched the program. But I thought it looked cool.

 

[drk1]

Once upon a time, I had a customer who was born without thumbs. He shot trap and skeet just fine... because he had two leather braces that he used to strap one wrist to the pistol grip and the other to the forearm of the shotgun. I never asked him, but I suspected that he may have been a thalidomide baby. I explained the options to him and we arranged to have a local smith make a "mare's leg" for him. His "mare's leg" was the first that I ever had a chance shoot. As other folks have said, it was "neet" but not "neet" enough for me to get one. It worked great for him. Have you ever tried holding a pistol, much less shooting one, without using your thumbs? Might give you a whole new perspective.

 

[FL-NC]

The derringer is an excellent example of what Charlie Askins called the "belly gun"-you press it against your opponents belly and pull the trigger.
I had a Mare's Leg cap gun-never watched the program. But I thought it looked cool.

The idea of a derringer belly gun sounds workable until you find yourself with one of those silly things in your hand and you are facing someone with a more practical gun at a distance of greater than bad breath. I think your cap gun is only slightly less useful than a mare leg that actually fires bullets.

 

[DMW1116]

I thought they were SBR starter kits.

 

[halfmoonclip]

The Canadians put full stocks on them.

CHIAPPA 1892 357 MAG ALASKAN TAKEDOWN 12″ – MARSTAR CANADA

marstar.ca

I'd love a Mare's leg or Shockwave with a full stock. Short, light, and handy.

MOSSBERG 590A1 CLASS III 14″ 12 GAUGE SHOTGUN 3″ PUMP BLK – 51689 – MARSTAR CANADA

marstar.ca

I also enjoyed that Fallout Series on Amazon. I never played the game though.

Another one from a Canadian used gun forum:

Chiappa mares leg · Guns in Abbotsford · Town Post Guns

guns.townpost.ca

Drobs, thanks. Your pictures remind me of the ones I saw of old, shorty Winchesters. It's amazing that Canada, where what is not specifically permitted is specifically banned, allows nifty short barreled carbines like that. My 16" '92 is a handy length, and maintains magazine capacity. But a really short one would be fun to fool with, and a tang sight could give back some sight radius.
With a sling, one would be short and handy, for someone working upcountry, but easier for hits than a magnum revolver.
Moon

 

[JTHunter]

It seems that the most practical version of the Mare's Leg would be in the .410 as you could use either shot or slugs and cover all the problems you're likely to face. While a .410 slug might not be effective against even a black bear (much less a grizzly!), it would work on anything less at handgun ranges (5 - 30 yds.).
Granted, a larger rifle cartridge such as a .30-30 or the .44-40 might be more effective on the black bears but the shot from the .410 would work on snakes, varmints that you didn't care about pelts, or other "vermin".

 

[drobs]

Drobs, thanks. Your pictures remind me of the ones I saw of old, shorty Winchesters. It's amazing that Canada, where what is not specifically permitted is specifically banned, allows nifty short barreled carbines like that. My 16" '92 is a handy length, and maintains magazine capacity. But a really short one would be fun to fool with, and a tang sight could give back some sight radius.
With a sling, one would be short and handy, for someone working upcountry, but easier for hits than a magnum revolver.
Moon

Over the years, I've read articles where another Winchester Baby Carbine or Special Short Carbine "Trapper" is found in a barn somewhere.
It seems they have a specific exemption from the ATF and are not deemed a SBR. "You" all can dig into the legality.

Doing a quick google search just now, I found 2 examples:
15 inch barrel Winchester 92 in 44-40

An Official Journal Of The NRA | This Old Gun: Winchester Model 1892 'Trapper'

The Winchester 1873 may have been “The Gun That Won The West,” but it was the Winchester Model 1892, with its smoother, stronger action, that soon began outselling the earlier toggle-link lever-action and eventually caused the ‘73’s demise in 1921.

www.americanrifleman.org

According to this NRA article, Winchester never advertised these rifles as "Trappers." That's a modern invention.


14 inch barrel Winchester 1892 in 44-40

Lot Detail - (C) HIGH CONDITION WINCHESTER 1892 14" .44-40 TRAPPER - ATF CLEARED.

Good looking handy rifles.

I could see submitting a Rossi Ranch Hand for a stamp to SBR it. Along with a stamp to SBS a Shockwave and add stocks to both.

 

[buck460XVR]

Back in the 60s and early 70s, most everyone I knew had a .410 or 20 ga. shotgun with the barrel and stock sawed off, stashed either under or behind the seat of their truck. Folks called them their "truck guns" or "Cat guns" or even gave them names like "Shorty". Yep, illegal as 'ell, yet we all had them. They were not used that often but you were cool if you had one. It was definitely the poor man's version of a Mare's leg.

My first experience with a Mossberg "Shockwave" was while shooting handguns at my local Sportsman's club range. Guy came up and asked if he could try his new shotgun at the bench next to me. I told him sure, I was almost done anyway. He came back with a box too short for a shotgun and a box of 3" magnum shells. As I was packing up I heard him shoot and immediately start to scream. Turned around to see blood pouring out of his nose. Apparently he tried to look down the sights of the gun and it came back under recoil and appeared to have broken his nose. I gave him some rags from my shooting bag and we got the blood slowed down. I asked if he wanted me to drive him to the hospital, but he said he was could drive himself if I would just help him pick up his stuff. As I was putting the bloodied gun back in it's box, I noticed the name on the side, and thought to myself....."Yep, that sure was some shockwave."

Practical or not....some folks like 'em and buy them. Their desire is no different than the desire many of us have for a unique firearm. Nobody is forcing us to buy one.

 

[unspellable]

My understanding is that Wyatt Earp's Buntline lived out its life as a mantle piece display.

 

[halfmoonclip]

I could see submitting a Rossi Ranch Hand for a stamp to SBR it. Along with a stamp to SBS a Shockwave and add stocks to both.

Great idea; such would really increase the utility of either one. Sillier things have happened; I got a stamp for a wire stock, to go on the first generation Scorpion. Sometimes, I'm too law abiding.
There is a sawn 18" Topper stashed at our camp, with a full buttstock.
A late buddy picked up an aftermarket stock for a vintage HiPower; he claimed the BATF made allowance for that as well.
Thanks for the links.

My first experience with a Mossberg "Shockwave" was while shooting handguns at my local Sportsman's club range.

Buck, the same guy mentioned above also had a Shockwave. He also had some "low recoil" ammunition, which we tried...after one shot, my response was "low recoil, my ass!"
We found the thing cool, but pretty impractical.
Moon

 

[Miami_JBT]

Its marketing. TV and gun games sell stuff, and the makers accommodate a market.

More a toy than anything else. Not saying you couldn't make it work, if you took the time to actually figure it out, but to what end?

The pump and semi auto Shockwave type shotguns are in the same basic category, and they do have a narrow, niche type use, but you can make them work, and effectively with some practice.

The lever action of the Mares leg makes that a bit more difficult. Its bad enough with a stocked gun working the lever actions. There is enough of a nub of a stock there that I can see getting a consistent cheek weld with the Mares leg, but working that lever is going to make it tough.

The shockwave is a legal version of the US Marshals Service Witness Protection 870. A weapon that can stop threats in extreme close range while transporting witnesses and suspects from a vehicle to the interior of a court.



One of the US Marshals Service’s requirements of the Witness Protection 870 was that it can be concealed under a jacket. The shotgun used an M1 Carbine sling with a quick-release snap that was mounted to the hand stop. The shotgun would be slung under a jacket upside-down. To present the shotgun, the user would grasp the handguard with their weak-side hand, reach across their body and unsnap the sling. This freed the shotgun, and the weak-side hand pulled the shotgun gun from under the jacket for a reasonably efficient presentation.

 

[Miami_JBT]

Lots of shows used a rubber gun in some of the scenes. Dirty Harry comes to mind, I think Lucas McCain in the "Rifleman" used a rubber version now and then.In some close ups you can actually see the gun "shake".

Dirty Harry had a number of stand-ins for wardrobing purposes. Same with Lethal Weapon and Die Hard. In fact, it is common in Hollywood for there to be a pile of 'em. Fakes for costuming, certain deactivated guns for close-ups, blank adapted guns for firing, etc....

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

The Mossberg Shockwave ? Supposedly Doc Holliday had a sawed off under his duster with a lanyard around his shoulder. It was attached at a balance point on the gun
so when he opened his duster it came up in the shooting position.
I read one of the Buntline Specials disappeared on an Alaskan expedition. The recipient loaned it to a friend who lost it when his canoe overturned.

 

[trackskippy]

The shockwave is a legal version of the US Marshals Service Witness Protection 870. A weapon that can stop threats in extreme close range while transporting witnesses and suspects from a vehicle to the interior of a court.

View attachment 1208585

One of the US Marshals Service’s requirements of the Witness Protection 870 was that it can be concealed under a jacket. The shotgun used an M1 Carbine sling with a quick-release snap that was mounted to the hand stop. The shotgun would be slung under a jacket upside-down. To present the shotgun, the user would grasp the handguard with their weak-side hand, reach across their body and unsnap the sling. This freed the shotgun, and the weak-side hand pulled the shotgun gun from under the jacket for a reasonably efficient presentation.

They look cool and threatening and all, but if you want to go beyond that, and be proficient with them, you do need to spend some quality time with them and get them figured out. They certainly are not something to just hand to someone and say "Here ya go".

They may be a "closer" range gun, but they arent just point-blank range guns either, but you do need to know how to shoot them properly to make use of that.

I got one when they first released them and spent a good bit of time with it, and still shoot it pretty regularly. They can be intimidating with full power loads, especially if youre recoil sensitive, and there is a knack, and a couple of techniques to shooting them, but they arent all that difficult once you get them figured out.

And if its smacking you in the face when you shoot it, you're doing it wrong.

They may take 3" shells, but I don't/won't use them. I don't use them in my stocked shotguns either. Standard 2 3/4" #1 Buck is my choice for any of them, and they work well in the Shockwaves.

You can also use the "mini" 1 3/4" shells in them too. The early Mossbergs need the adapter to cycle, but they are a good solution for those who are recoil sensitive, and they do give you more rounds in the gun.

At least with the Shockwaves, I can see a realistic use for them, although they would be pretty much at the bottom of my "choice" list. I don't see the Mares Leg being anywhere on the paper either.

The simplest way to figure any of this kind of stuff out, or anything and everything for that matter, is to take it out and shoot it like you intend to use it, and that will sort things pretty quickly, if you're the least bit serious about things. Anyone with a brain knows that what you see in the movies, TV, etc, is just that, "movie magic", and rarely anything close to reality.