I have six grandaughters. In a few years they will be old enough to begin shooting. Once they master the 22 rimfire, I would like them to migrate to centerfire but slowly, so a 30 carbine seems like a reasonable caliber. I wouldn't consider a 30 carbine, except that I have a few thousand rounds of ammo for that caliber.
Any thoughts on whether a lever rifle or a bolt rifle would be most reasonable to have made.
If someone is interested in the work, PM me. I might be interested in one of each.

Thanks,
Bob Nisbet, Sr Technology Protection Engineer
Army Research and Technology Protection Center
Redstone Arsenal, Alabama
Office: 256-876-1939
Robert.Nisbet1@US.Army.Mil

A bolt action 7.62x39 would make more sense to me, since they could get ammo cheap pretty much forever. Depends on how many thousand rounds you have in .30, six kids will blast through it.

If I had a few K's of ammo for a 30 carbine, I would just buy a(or more) carbine(s).

A 7.62x39 bolt gun a easily be bought of the rack. I would wait to see which of your grand daughters REALLY likes to shoot, before doing a custom build. Then do a build to suit their interest.

Keith

I don't think I've ever seen a 30-M1 in either a lever or bolt action rifle?

All comments are appreciated.
And:
I already have a military 30 carbine rifle.
Asn:
I just thought that using the ammo I already have would be less expensive than buying something else.
Also:
I've even considered buying a Ruger or other handgun chambered in 30 carbine.

I was thinking that a short action bolt rifle would be an easy one to make. Thought also that with the current variety of lever rifles that are bing chambered for pistol cartridges, that convrsion may be a reasonable thing too.

quote:

I was thinking that a short action bolt rifle would be an easy one to make.

Action size makes LITTLE difference, in a rifle build. Just have to remove a bit more wood. Otherwise, same work.

For me. I would buy the first gun(s) off the self, and small enough to start them on. Then do a custom for the kid(s) that love shooting and are big enough to not out grow the custom rifle. Then they will have a lifetime to enjoy the rifle Grandpa had built for them.

Keith

I think Marlin made a 30M1 lever = Levermatic ? might have been in 256Cal as well in the 60's / 70's , very short stroke .

quote:

Originally posted by Sarg:
I think Marlin made a 30M1 lever = Levermatic ? might have been in 256Cal as well in the 60's / 70's , very short stroke .

Found one.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/993...matic_30_Carbine.htm

Bob one on the best little lever guns going was the Marlin in 30carbine had one and its brother in 256, the carbine seemed to like the 110 soft point

Why not a Marlin Levergun in .38 special/.357 mag?

I would prefer the 7.62x39 or the .357mag carbine over the .30 carbine also.

Light kick, available ammo (cheap), and still worthy hunting rounds with the 7.62x39 and .357.

get a 308 -- and a chamber adaptor for 30carb ..
problem solved..

OR, sell the 30 carb ammo, and get a ruger 7.62x39 bolt?

I have personal experience with a Black Hawk in .30 Carbine. don't want to repeat it; that thing actually caused ear pain and hearing loss with one shot.

I would strongly second the choice of a .357 for both the handgun and lever rifle user.

I am in process on two 300 BLK's. A shorty pistol for an AR, and a heavy barrel for my Savage 223.

If you cast, this is the way to go. It will be a way to introduce them to casting and reloading as well.

Rich

Posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:

I am in process on two 300 BLK's. A shorty pistol for an AR, and a heavy barrel for my Savage 223. Think of a 223 case shortened to 1.36" and necked up for a 30 caliber bullet. Jacketed or cast. Or the Laser-
Cast bulk box bullets for the carbine...

It is a barrel and chamber job for either, and uses the military surplus brass. I bought 1265 once-fired from a guy for $40 shipped Priority Medium Box, and Brad Luber formed the brass for 8-cents apiece returned in the same box.

If you cast, this is the way to go. It will be a way to introduce them to casting and reloading as well.

Rich

You could go with one (or more) of these.



It's a CZ 527 carbine. A great little bolt action carbine available in the cheap and plentiful 7.62x39mm caliber.

I killed deer and pigs as a kid with the carbine--

keep shots at 50 to 75 yds and place the bullet well

and the little Marlin lever is a great gun.

where is all this cheap and available x39 ammo at?

I would see about blocking off the gasport on your carbine. that would turn it into a manuel repeater ( that sounds like a mexican parrot!)
Anyway.... that would let you use a rifle you have, the ammo youve got, and not the worry of the chamber always loaded.

I have a Marlin 62 chambered in .30 carbine. It is extremely accurate and pleasant to shoot - though I treat it more of a curio in my safe. Inherited it from my dad. Will never part with it.

If you can find one, I recommend it.

I have 3 Marlin 62s in 218 Bee, 256 Win Mag, and 30 USC. I think that the triggers suck and that the 30 USC is about worthless for anything. The 218 and 256 are useful for shooting varmints, but I think that they would be a little long and a little heavy for a kid to use, not to mention that the triggers suck. I think that your daughter would be better off with a Mini-Mauser in 223. No meaningful recoil, a better trigger, better factory ammo, and a more useful all around cartridge.

JEff

7.62x39 isn't as cheap as in the past, but is still $199 for 1000 rounds. Pretty cheap shooting for a couple of kids to blast around with. You can save your reloading time for your other rifles!

Probably the cheapest way into a 30 carbine long gun would be a TC Contender. Being a single shot there is a certain safety factor good for young children and it can be adapted with "short-longer-longest" butt stocks as different aged grandchildren come into the picture (not to mention more capable calibers).

Not exactly what you had in mind when you first posted but I've seen children shoot them very well.

Over here in the UK armalon convert the Lee Enfield No 4 to 30 Carbine and a whole host of pistol calibres for target shooting. http://www.armalon.com/public/products/item/8/

Why buy more rifles when the M1 Carbine is the perfect thing for a youngster? It is short, has a short LOP, and weighs just over 5 lbs. If you want them to start off shooting single shot then there is a very simple, inexpensive way to do it without modifying your carbine. Get a 5-round magazine (~$10), remove the bottom cover, and insert a block of wood that is just tall enough to prevent a second round of ammo being inserted. The result is a single-shot magazine. When you decide the girls are ready for it, or if they go on to other things, you can remove the block of wood and use the magazine for 5 rounds.

To see how easily a youngster can handle one of these look at this video. Note: I am sure you will teach a better technique.

http://youtu.be/iR7t-UACJMs

Wouldn't be cheap but that would be some kind of cute on a 43 win.Mind you the old 32-20 would probably out do it.

quote:

Why buy more rifles when the M1 Carbine is the perfect thing for a youngster? It is short, has a short LOP, and weighs just over 5 lbs. If you want them to start off shooting single shot then there is a very simple, inexpensive way to do it without modifying your carbine. Get a 5-round magazine (~$10), remove the bottom cover, and insert a block of wood that is just tall enough to prevent a second round of ammo being inserted. The result is a single-shot magazine. When you decide the girls are ready for it, or if they go on to other things, you can remove the block of wood and use the magazine for 5 rounds.

Thank You, some one gave an actual response about a way to use the ammo and gun the OP already has.

Never ceases to amaze me as to how many folks read posts like this and immediately start telling the person asking the question how much better off they would be by completely scrapping their idea and going with something completely different.

We need an emoticon that says, "Trash It All, Your Idea Sucks And You Need To Buy This Instead"!

Yup, I'm for the 30 carbine you already own. 30 carbine brass is good for lots and lots of reloads too. It's damn near indestructible. I'd also look into shooting cast bullets in it as that would make it very economical and they do shoot them well.

It is true the Ruger Blackhawk in 30 carbine is loud to say the least. If you got one I would suggest wearing earplugs and earmuffs both.

If you're just deciding on just fun shooting, such as targets, ignore the post promoting the 7.62x39 power over the 30 carbine and the 30 carbine inability as a deer round. Now if you are going to hunt deer then the 7.62x39 is the route to go.

Consider a NEF or H&R single shot Handi-Rifle. Cheap, dependable, aleady drilled for scope bases. You can cut the stock for shorter LOP and replacing it when they grow will not break the bank. Additional barrels in other calibers and guages make it versatile as well.

Bob

Since you already have a Carbine, then I think a Contender rifle, as suggested in an above post is a good way to go.
They can shoot the Carbine with iron sights, and I would scope the Contender.

Then later you can barrels to the Contender, say a 30/30 for their deer hunting.

Can inexpensive 30 carbine ammo be readily found? I know the OP has ammo but all this talk has be thinking I might need one, too.

The ODCMP (Office of the Directorate of the Civilian Marksmanship Program), or CMP for short, released thousands of ex-GI M1 Carbines over the past few years. Sadly, they have finally sold out with the exception of a small number that have come back from civilian prison, border guard, and police service in Bavaria.

However, because so many carbines are in the hands of shooters, ammunition, parts, and accessories are readily available. You can even buy Remington and Aguila .30 carbine ammo by the case directly from CMP. Price is $225 and $200 per 500 round case respectively at:

http://www.thecmp.org/ammosales.htm

Tuesday I was offered a Marlin model 62 lever rifle in 30 Carbine. Nice clean rifle at a reasonable price, plus a scope and rings are included.
SHOOK HANDS ON THAT DEAL LATE YESTERDAY.
FFL and payment went out in today's mail. Seller is a well known and respected FFL dealer.
Rifle should show up in 8 to 10 days.
Thanks to all for the ideas and guidance.

I think you will like this gun. I have the 57M which is a 22 magnum. If yours is accurate it is a very good rifle for kids with small hands to shoot.

I too have a 57. Honed my hunting skills on rabbits and squirrels when I was a kid with that rifle. It still sports the same circa 1968 3/4 weaver 4X scope.

Found IT
Marlin model 62
30 Carbine caliber

The one I found is already sold, gotta find another.

Cheers, John

That really does sound like a fun gun for sure

quote:

Originally posted by Bob Nisbet:
Tuesday I was offered a Marlin model 62 lever rifle in 30 Carbine. Nice clean rifle at a reasonable price, plus a scope and rings are included.
SHOOK HANDS ON THAT DEAL LATE YESTERDAY.
FFL and payment went out in today's mail. Seller is a well known and respected FFL dealer.
Rifle should show up in 8 to 10 days.
Thanks to all for the ideas and guidance.

Well done Bob. If you can, please post a photo of it when it comes in. I'm not familiar with the model and would enjoy seeing your example.

When the rifle arrived, my first view was that it had excellent bluing, next view unfortunately was of a 4 inch crack in the side of the stock allong the barrel channel at the front of the stock.
I got a couple of quotes for repair, one of which was for more than I paid for the rifle.
The post office had mishandled the package and I submitted a claim. I just got a note that the claim was approved. I am waiting for a check from the post office. They didn't say what amount they would pay. If its for the larger quote that I was advised to use, it will pay for repair, shipping and depreciated value.
The rifle is intended to be a shooter, so collector value was only a fleeting entity anyway.