Mares leg information request

[Coach]

I went to a new, to me LGS and for the first time I saw a couple of Mares legs.

They had a.22 and a.357.

My question is: What is the purpose of the Mares leg?

Are they accurate?

Are they more for fun if you’re not a horse rider?

Would you get a.22 or.357?

As you can tell they got my attention…

[BrokenolMarine]

I don't own one at this time, but I offer the following.

I think they would be fun to shoot, but they could serve a purpose. They would fit much better in confined spaces, such as a UTV. If I didn't already have a couple carbines, I might get the 357 to carry in the Ranger around the farm. It would fit nicely in the front seat in a rack or just tucked down by your leg. They make holsters for them and they can be easily mounted.

If you are recoil sensitive, then perhaps the 22 is a better option, or cost wise, go with the 22 due to the cost of ammo, though the 357, of course, can shoot the 38 special. The Mare's Leg is not a target rifle by any means but I have seen them shot accurately in many of the online videos. If I didn't have a bunch of lever actions already, I would certainly consider adding one to the collection just for the fun factor.

[RetiredSeabee]

I have the .22 and it is my favorite gun to shoot. Can’t help but smile with every shot. My accuracy is better with it than a handgun. Just more stable to hold with the fore end and hand grip. And for me at short range 25 yards or less it is as accurate as my Ruger American. I need more support for the rifle and take more time for each round. The little Mare’s leg is much quicker to cycle and return to sight picture.

[BrokenolMarine]

C'mon Coach, you know you want to. Let us know how your's shoots and which caliber you settled on.

Pictures, gotta have pictures.

[Sir Henry]

In a lot of hunting areas you can not have a loaded rifle in a vehicle yet you can have a loaded pistol. Since the Mare’s Leg is a pistol it can be loaded. Choose the caliber you need. The 22 plinks for less than 38 yet it doesn’t have the stopping power. It’s accurate enough out to 25 yards and marginally out to 50. The fun factor can’t be beat.

IMG_5065.jpeg (6.25 MiB) Viewed 113 times

Left to right: Rossi Ranch Hand 38/357, Henry Mare’sLeg .22LR, Ruger Charger .22LR, Henry AX 410.

[BrokenolMarine]

Thanks for the pics. Cool Factor adds value ... to ownership.

[Coach]

So I did a little more research.

The .357 goes for about $1235. With CA 21% gun tax it would put the Mares leg at about $1,495 Ouch!!!

.357 costs about a buck per round out here.

The .22 costs $550. With the 21% tax puts it at about $665.

I haven’t bought .22 in years and I have probably 1,000 rounds in the safe.

My heart says get the.357 but my practical side says go with the .22 since it’s going to be used as a fun plinking tool.

Save the.357 supply for my.357 big boy.

[fortyshooter]

Well I like them cause they are handy to carry and with practice quick to get on target. Have had the Rossi version in 45 Colt for years and even shortened up the barrel from 12 to 9 inch which looks better on that one and it shoots really well with different loads. I hold it with a push/pull type of grip to steady it when firing or with practice shoot from the hip. Maybe go with the 357 and you can shoot 38 Specials in it. If they could make one in 9mm that would a great caliber to shoot too!

[BigAl52]

Well I’ve followed the practical side before and wish I would have listened to my heart. You need some friends in low places coach and to h__ with that excise tax. Just bought a bunch of shotgun ammo shipped it to Texas and to H__ with Colorados excise tax

[Coach]

Well I’ve followed the practical side before and wish I would have listened to my heart. You need some friends in low places coach and to h__ with that excise tax. Just bought a bunch of shotgun ammo shipped it to Texas and to H__ with Colorados excise tax

You make some good points.