Mares Leg

[mtsheron]

New to the forum but not weapons and firearms. I have watched the series Wanted: Dead or Alive being a Steve McQueen fan and find the ole Mares Leg very intriguing and interesting. I see loads of comments from all over that it's not practical; it's not accurate for the most part; why would anyone want this rifle and so on.

I do not think the weapon obviously was intended as something "practical" in the common accepted sense. However, if used in the manner it was meant is a great little camping or brush gun for the purpose it was intended.

I do think to mod it with a stock you have taken away what was meant as a hip shooting rifle cut down for a small frame to deal with. All in all, a very nice conservation piece and when used properly close range can be quite a persuader for sure.

Glad to be on the site finally here.

[Mags]

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Welcome from the TV, Oregon!

New to the forum but not weapons and firearms. ...

[Vaquero]

Welcome, from Tenn. the Western part.

RP

[SGC]

I have one in .22lr and achieve a cheek anchor with the upper butt plate and mine is accurate. Might not work with the centerfire calibers. I did add the hi-vis front site.

[Iron Horse Cowboy]

New to the forum but not weapons and firearms. I have watched the series Wanted: Dead or Alive being a Steve McQueen fan and find the ole Mares Leg very intriguing and interesting. I see loads of comments from all over that it's not practical; it's not accurate for the most part; why would anyone want this rifle and so on.

I do not think the weapon obviously was intended as something "practical" in the common accepted sense. However, if used in the manner it was meant is a great little camping or brush gun for the purpose it was intended.

I do think to mod it with a stock you have taken away what was meant as a hip shooting rifle cut down for a small frame to deal with. All in all, a very nice conservation piece and when used properly close range can be quite a persuader for sure.

Glad to be on the site finally here.

Howdy,
My experience is if I use the "cheek hold" when shooting my .44 mag Mare's Leg, the weapon, not only becomes practical, but a viable defense or hunting weapon. I can't hit much of anything with my ML when slinging lead from the hip. But, with the "cheek hold" (putting the butt-stub along my cheek and aiming like a rifle), well, I can hit consistently human-size torso targets at 50 and 75 yards. In self defense ranges, I am even more confident and accurate. The ML is quick to maneuver and quick to be on target and is very accurate.

[SuperSixEvo]

Ended up with the .410 Axe mares leg. Nice little shotgun and affords me the ability to shoot birdshot as well as .41 caliber slug from it.

[North Country Gal]

I don't own an ML, but I do shoot some specialty pistols that don't have a lot of recoil up close, like a rifle, similar to what I did when shooting silhouette back in the day. Using that hold, I can get some very rifle like groups with the pistols, so I have no doubt I could do the same with an ML. I certainly don't consider my specialty pistols to be impractical, so I doubt I'd consider an ML to be impractical. I rarely see them for sale in my area, but I would like to try one, some day. Looks like a lot of fun.

[Sir Henry]

I don't own an ML, but I do shoot some specialty pistols that don't have a lot of recoil up close, like a rifle, similar to what I did when shooting silhouette back in the day. Using that hold, I can get some very rifle like groups with the pistols, so I have no doubt I could do the same with an ML. I certainly don't consider my specialty pistols to be impractical, so I doubt I'd consider an ML to be impractical. I rarely see them for sale in my area, but I would like to try one, some day. Looks like a lot of fun.

You can shoot mine when the ice age is over.

[North Country Gal]

Thanks, Gene. That could be awhile, though.

[fortyshooter]

Sure you can hit your target with a Mare's Leg just have to work it a bit. I used a push and pull method with a single point sling to get a steady hold but now I just shoot it without the sling and do about as well. Shooting from the hip is fun too!

75 yard shots on the gong https://youtu.be/KY-_F5Om1Jg?si=QJc7z_oPbD3WEI7E

Shooting from hip https://youtu.be/yU84i_N4N8A?si=5noaaBj-EAc5O3ED