Hi LAbushman,

The Ruger 96 is their little lever action carbine. It has most of the same qualities of their semi-auto .44 Magnum. Except for the lever......they are very similar! Both make fine whitetail carbines in much of the terrain they are hunted in.

The lever is much more popular in Pennsylvania because it is against the law to use a semi-auto rifle or pistol for hunting. (Pennsylvania has some strange laws?!?!) Some will try to argue that it's good that semi-autos are not legal in Pennsylvania because it would lead to "shoot and spray" (or should I say shoot and pray) volleys in the woods. And to them I'd respond........."beans!" If they think it would really make a difference they aren't hunting in the same woods I've hunted in. We still have "hunters" (I use that term very loosely) that fill the woods with volley fire every year. A pump can be fired all but as fast as an auto...and a lever ain't much behind. (And to them I'd also respond....it's not the rifle......stupid......it's the nut behind the rifle!)

Sorry about that little tirade.......I just figured I'd beat them to the punch this time. But anyhow.....that's why semi-autos aren't popular in Pennsylvania. You can't legally use them for hunting!

But the Ruger semi-auto .44 carbine is a great gun.......and it'd be hard to find a better one to start a young hunter with. Wish you and your youngster both lots of luck with your new Ruger!

Dave