Why do you own guns? For most of us, there are multiple reasons, but our go-to answers tend to be pretty serious; self-defense, hunting, self-sufficiency, etc. Even though we may get a great deal of enjoyment out of shooting, we don’t usually think of “fun” as being the main reason we own guns. But I think every shooting enthusiast should own at least one gun that’s universally fun — the kind of gun that puts smiles on people’s faces at the range. It doesn’t have to be expensive or novel, but it should be something you can get excited about and get others excited about.
My “fun gun” is the Marlin 1894 .357 magnum lever action. Sure, I have other guns that are enjoyable to shoot, but that’s more of a side benefit than a primary reason for owning them. The sole reason I have the 1894 is for its entertainment value. To be perfectly honest, I originally bought the 1894 for my own entertainment, but I quickly found that my guests at the range were just as enamored with it. I made a quick video this week with some details on this rifle…
Video: Suppressed Marlin 1894 .357 Magnum Lever Action
Years ago, somewhere online I saw a picture of a lever action rifle with a suppressor and decided I needed to have one. That may sound like a novel idea, but Teddy Roosevelt was hunting with a suppressed Winchester 1894 over 100 years ago, so the concept is not as anachronistic as it may seem. My Marlin 1894 has been worked over by Grizzly Custom Guns with, among other things, a threaded barrel so I can mount my AAC Tirant 9 suppressor. The report of .38 special subsonic ammo with this setup is quieter than the sound of cycling the action. I can’t put my finger on why, exactly, but shooting this Marlin is about as much fun as I’ve ever had pulling a trigger.
What’s Your Fun Gun?
Most people who are nervous or apprehensive about firearms just haven’t had a good experience shooting before — they are often completely unaware of the recreational and social value of an afternoon at the range. Having that experience is sometimes that’s all it takes to catalyze a transformation of their attitude toward guns and gun owners. If you — the responsible and safe gun owner — invite someone to the range and make sure that them having a good time is your number one priority, that’s progress. They don’t have to catch the shooting bug, but if they enjoy the experience, we’re one step closer to winning over an ally.
So even if you primarily shoot for competition or for self-defense or whatever else, it’s wise to have a gun in your collection that can be easy and fun to shoot, even for a complete novice. Whether you mean for it to happen or not, there’s a good chance you’re going to end up being an “ambassador of shooting” for someone in your life, and it never hurts to be prepared.
What’s your fun gun? Let us know in the comments!
I had a Rossi M92 in .357 with a large loop lever and a smoothed action. I sold it because the loading gate never loosened up and cut my fingers every time I muscled a round in there. But it was superbly accurate at 50 yards with iron sights. So now my fun gun is my M1 Carbine. Right now it’s a modern PDW, but I’m in the process of restoring it to its WW2 appearance.
smith and Wesson model 19-3 made in 74, can throw in .38 specials which have light recoil with the 6 inch barrel and can reload light or heavy magnums for when the new shooter wants a taste of power, with a nice set of Hogue rubber grips they have a great purchase on the grip and its a great starter weapon for the beginner
My M1 Garand is undoubtedly my fun gun. Whenever I take a new shooter to the range I always make sure to take it. It’s easy to shoot fairly accurately the first time you pick it up and anybody who knows anything at all about WWII history knows about the Garand. It also never fails to draw people over when they hear the “ping” of the clip being ejected. Every serious gun owner should have at least one.
My AR-15 and 1911 are pretty much purely fun guns for me. Love them but for anyting practical I’d do, eh. .223 isn’t something I feel good taking deer or hog with, I’d be more inclined to grab my CZ 75 for housework, etc. But damn they’re fun to shoot
M-1 Carbine from gov’t overstock in the Korean War era. My granddad got one from the gov’t for $30 when they had a huge surplus sale right after the war and we inherited it a few decades ago. It’s a super fun gun to shoot, and a lot more accurate than I would have thought. It was also my first introduction to a semi-auto rifle.
Mine are a 5.45 tantal, rra ar 15, marlin m7000 22lr and a gp 100 .357mag 6″ ss hogue grips. These are the ones I always put first in their hands. If they want more I’ll grab my yugo m70 ab2 and Mosin m91/30. I’ve got plenty of other choices (some they think they want more), but I’ve found those to be the easiest to shoot well, which builds their confidence.
Another important thing is targets. I only have them shoot paper to learn a platforms sights and where its poi is at that range. After that all other shooting is at reactive targets (cheap cola, bottled water, steel dingers, etc). It’s easy to get down on yourself with bad groups, but with an explosion or clank a hit is a hit. People like being good at something, reactive targets increase confidence and excitement, and thus fun.
I whole heartedly agree with your article. Bringing more people to our side means that liberty can stand in government and not need to be rewon. All so our toys can stay recreational and not needed as with our founders. Plus it’s fun. As they say “Si vis pacem, para bellum”.
Almost the same as yours, Chris; Marlin 1894c in .357 minus the can.
I’ve got is set up with a forward optic on QD mounts and Skinner backup sights.
Running that lever is fun all day long.