help me pick a new gun :)

[gaseousclay]

now that I finally have a gunsafe in the house I think a new gun is in order. It doesn't necessarily have to be a gun strictly for hunting - target shooting/plinking are also options.

I've already made a few firearm selections that i'm leaning heavily towards but I'd welcome other choices.

1) Winchester 94AE 30-30. I chose this particular model for the angle-eject feature and because these guns are supposed to be of better build quality than post 64's from 1965-1982. I’ll more than likely try to find one that doesn’t have the dreaded lawyer button on it. A deluxe model with a checkered stock & forearm would be ideal
2) Winchester 9422. Continuing my love for Winchesters I thought a .22 with nice wood would be in order for general plinking/target practice. Plus, it would be nice to have something my wife could handle without bruising her shoulder.
3) Winchester Model 70 (.270 win). I’d prefer to have the newer CRF models made by FN. I know nothing of the older post 64 models so if anyone has an opinion on build quality I’d like to hear it.
4) Browning BPS 12 gauge. I’d like a general purpose shotgun that I can use for trap shooting, bird hunting and/or home defense.
5) Marlin 39A. I’d like an older production model but I’m not clear which years are considered good. Anyone have any ideas?
6) Marlin 336. Same as above
7) Henry .22 lever gun. I like that these are US made, but weight might be an issue. Aren’t these pretty heavy for .22’s?
8) Weatherby Vanguard or Mark V. I can't help but like the styling of these rifles, and the quality seems to be quite good from what i've read.

[turtle]

The choices are limitless.......

I am a big fan of single shot rifles (and pistols).

A nice rolling block Remington or falling block Winchester is a real pleasure.

The martini action falling blocks can be more fun than a barrel of monkeys with a single box off 22 target ammo

If you want to get something that you can use for anything get a cape gun, drilling or vierling multi-barrel single shot (each barrel in a different caliber). Once you experience this you will never go back to anything else ever again

[Lynchmeister]

I'm pretty new to the hunting/shooting game and since September of 2011, my wife and I have purchased the following: a Remington 870 12 gauge shotgun (for me), a Benelli Super Nova 12 gauge shotgun (my wife's), and a Springfield Arms XDm 9mm Semi-auto pistol. Here's what I've learned as a result...

I should have got a .22 first!

Why? Because, despite the fact that we're within 15-20 minutes of two ranges (members of both) where we have access to rifle/pistol ranges, as well as skeet, trap, and 5 stand fields..ammo is not cheap. For that reason and that reason only, I'm wishing that our next purchase after the shotguns (no regrets there, I'll be a lifelong waterfowl and upland hunter from here on out) would have been either a Henry Lever Action .22 rifle or a full size auto pistol chambered in .22...a S&W M&P .22 for example.

Are you a hunter? If so, what do you hunt and how often? Do you have geographical and financial access to a range and ammo that will promote more rather than less shooting? These are questions that I wish I would have asked myself a little bit harder prior to choosing a 9mm pistol based off of the false assumption that "it's 9mm, it's the 'cheapest' to shoot."

I'm going to change my answer. If you hunt (or have any interest in hunting), seriously consider a 12 gauge, pump shotgun. Look up versatility in the dictionary and you very well might see a picture of one.

...bonus points if you get a Wingmaster.

[rearviewmirror]

Cory, you can always buy a Sig and get the 22lr conversion kit for it. I'm a big big fan of that type of setup, as you get to use cheap ammo but still are using your 'real guns' trigger.

[gaseousclay]

Here's what I've learned as a result...

I should have got a .22 first!

Why? Because, despite the fact that we're within 15-20 minutes of two ranges (members of both) where we have access to rifle/pistol ranges, as well as skeet, trap, and 5 stand fields..ammo is not cheap. For that reason and that reason only, I'm wishing that our next purchase after the shotguns (no regrets there, I'll be a lifelong waterfowl and upland hunter from here on out) would have been either a Henry Lever Action .22 rifle or a full size auto pistol chambered in .22...a S&W M&P .22 for example.

Are you a hunter? If so, what do you hunt and how often? Do you have geographical and financial access to a range and ammo that will promote more rather than less shooting? These are questions that I wish I would have asked myself a little bit harder prior to choosing a 9mm pistol based off of the false assumption that "it's 9mm, it's the 'cheapest' to shoot."

I'm going to change my answer. If you hunt (or have any interest in hunting), seriously consider a 12 gauge, pump shotgun. Look up versatility in the dictionary and you very well might see a picture of one.

...bonus points if you get a Wingmaster.

I haven't officially gone hunting yet, but I hope to in the near future. I bought my Browning A-Bolt 2 yrs ago and haven't used it yet. In hindsight I should've bought a .22 first but I was so excited to have my first gun I didn't do the research first. the cost of ammo is definitely a consideration. After I bought my rifle I realized how expensive .270 winchester ammo cost, versus a brick of .22 ammo. I still want a 30-30 and/or a .22 rifle next though, as well as a shotgun

[turtle]

I haven't officially gone hunting yet, but I hope to in the near future. I bought my Browning A-Bolt 2 yrs ago and haven't used it yet. In hindsight I should've bought a .22 first but I was so excited to have my first gun I didn't do the research first. the cost of ammo is definitely a consideration. After I bought my rifle I realized how expensive .270 winchester ammo cost, versus a brick of .22 ammo. I still want a 30-30 and/or a .22 rifle next though, as well as a shotgun

Rather than a 30-30 look into a lever gun chambered for 35 Remington. You will be glad you did.

[gaseousclay]

Rather than a 30-30 look into a lever gun chambered for 35 Remington. You will be glad you did.

is there an advantage to using a 35 remington? Is ammo cheaper? Is it more scarce? is there more recoil than a 30-30?

[Slash McCoy]

Conversion kits are a lot of fun. I like a full size .45 ACP with a .22 kit. It changes out in less than a minute. Accuracy is not up to competition standards but is up to "fun" standards. You can shoot all day for what it costs to go out to dinner. At the end of the day, just swap it back to .45 and fire a couple mags of .45ACP to re-accustom yourself to the balance and recoil, in case you ever do HAVE to use it. Win/win. It's all gravy.

I'm told that the Navy uses these conversion kits at recruit training center ranges.

Some revolvers have this convertable-bility built in. A .44 or .41 magnum can also fire its lower powered "Special" cousins. A .357 can fire .38 specials. I'm sure there are other combinations out there that I just can't think of at the moment. When I decided I had a flinching problem with my first .44 SA I was told about a trick that really works... I loaded the gun with both magnums and specials, randomly, then spun the cylinder. When you flinch and the recoil is that of the mild Special load, the embarrasment helps you to learn not to flinch, if that makes any sense. Also it helps train you to just be surprised at the instant of firing instead of anticipating it. Great learning tool. I love this kind of versatility in a handgun.

[Acmemfg]

.30-.30 ammunition can be found just about anywhere for $17-$20 a box.
.35 Rem is more than a tad harder to find, plus about $8-$10 a box more expensive

The basic differences between the two cartridges have been discussed over and over, Essentially..this snip from ShootersForum says it all:

"The .35 picks up about 30 grains of bullet weight, and some diameter, over the .30-30 (when velocities are similar). That is about it in a nutshell.

You'll get a little flatter trajectory in the .30-30, not much, and a bit more thump with the .35, again, the differences are slight....

[gaseousclay]

.30-.30 ammunition can be found just about anywhere for $17-$20 a box.
.35 Rem is more than a tad harder to find, plus about $8-$10 a box more expensive

The basic differences between the two cartridges have been discussed over and over, Essentially..this snip from ShootersForum says it all:

"The .35 picks up about 30 grains of bullet weight, and some diameter, over the .30-30 (when velocities are similar). That is about it in a nutshell.

You'll get a little flatter trajectory in the .30-30, not much, and a bit more thump with the .35, again, the differences are slight....

thanks. think i'll stick with the 30-30 then

[Old Prohaska]

Go vintage! I have a Modelo 1912 Chilean Mauser in 7mm Mauser (7x57mm), it is extremely accurate, and the workmanship is amazing (these were built at Steyr in Austria between 1912 and 1914). It cost me less than $250, including DROS fees and shipping. There are a lot of high-quality military surplus rifles out there for a fraction of the cost of a new rifle. If you do your research and shop carefully, you can find a gem for a very reasonable price.

Old P.

[Lynchmeister]

Cory, you can always buy a Sig and get the 22lr conversion kit for it. I'm a big big fan of that type of setup, as you get to use cheap ammo but still are using your 'real guns' trigger.

I've thought about this, but I have a few reservations...

First, does Springfield or an aftermarket manufacturer offer a a conversion kit for the XDm line? In all honestly, I haven't so much as asked around while browsing the gun shop counters or whipped out the Google-Fu...largely in part due to point number two...

...I want more guns.

I haven't officially gone hunting yet, but I hope to in the near future. I bought my Browning A-Bolt 2 yrs ago and haven't used it yet. In hindsight I should've bought a .22 first but I was so excited to have my first gun I didn't do the research first. the cost of ammo is definitely a consideration. After I bought my rifle I realized how expensive .270 winchester ammo cost, versus a brick of .22 ammo. I still want a 30-30 and/or a .22 rifle next though, as well as a shotgun

I hear you about getting excited...impulsive buys are my MO. I've already decided that I want a lever action 30-30 for deer hunting. Never mind the fact that I can literally walk across the street from my house into several hundred acres of WPA (Federally managed waterfowl production area land) and hunt anything in season, albeit only with a shotgun and non-tox ammo [lead slugs being the exception to the rule]. I rationalize that the county line (i.e., the shotgun only boundary for deer line) is just a 15 minute drive away, so I'd be cheating myself if I didn't pick one up.

[Mako72]

If you don't have a .22 then that should definitely be your next purchase, IMO. Cheap to shoot and great for getting trigger time, plus its easier to get non-gun people out to try it.

If you want something a step up, but in the vein you were looking, try to find a Marlin 1894C in 38/357. The don't kick any more than a .22 so everyone loves them, you still get to throw that lever around, and at anything up to about 100yds a breeze to hit. In addition when loaded with hot 357s it has about 2-3 times the power compared to a revolver. Plus they pair nice with a good revolver for a camping gun

But I don't think you could go wrong with any of the rifles you picked!


Jay

PS- Fun read... http://www.leverguns.com/articles/taylor/357magnum.htm

[Valerius]

Depends on how much you want to spend. The first suggestion would be a Finnish rifle, the Sako, available in a vast range of models and calibers, all bolt-actions. In mine, .30-06, I can almost throw in any ammo and it has an incredible accuracy. If you want a small sleek very nice hunting machine check the Merkel 141. This is a double rifle, side-by-side, built on a 28 cal shotgun mechanism. That one can be concluded as a sweet little gem. Then you have all these nice safari grade rifles...

[gaseousclay]

Depends on how much you want to spend. The first suggestion would be a Finnish rifle, the Sako, available in a vast range of models and calibers, all bolt-actions. In mine, .30-06, I can almost throw in any ammo and it has an incredible accuracy.

ah yes, I forgot to add the venerable Sako to my list

[turtle]

.30-.30 ammunition can be found just about anywhere for $17-$20 a box.
.35 Rem is more than a tad harder to find, plus about $8-$10 a box more expensive

The basic differences between the two cartridges have been discussed over and over, Essentially..this snip from ShootersForum says it all:

"The .35 picks up about 30 grains of bullet weight, and some diameter, over the .30-30 (when velocities are similar). That is about it in a nutshell.

You'll get a little flatter trajectory in the .30-30, not much, and a bit more thump with the .35, again, the differences are slight....

The reason I like 35 rem is that I have a Marlin SC, lever, Remington model 8 auto, and Remington model 14 pump that takes this round. I only have a Winchester model 1894 that takes the 30-30.

I guess I like the guns that take the round more than the actual round, though for shooting through brush that extra weight does make a difference. I've had twigs and branches mess up a shot with a 30-30 whereas the 35 rem will plow right through.

[turtle]

ah yes, I forgot to add the venerable Sako to my list

Might as well add a Brno bolt action to your list too....

[P Funk]

>>4) Browning BPS 12 gauge. I’d like a general purpose shotgun that I can use for trap shooting, bird hunting and/or home defense.
Great gun. I'm more of an handgun guy (have a Springfield 1911, Ruger Mark III, S&W .357) but of the pump shotguns that I have tried, this is has got to be up there for an all around gun.
I use it primarily for clays and target practice. I also have a shorter barreled Mossberg 20 gauge. The Browning is well put together (nice fit, finish) and shoots like a champ.
Of course, the o/u are really nice but the cost puts them in another category. The BPS is one of more expensive pumps out there but I think it's worth the $.

(How about that for a first post on a shaving forum?)

[stobes21]

I'd actually say if you're considering the BPS for a do-all shotgun to have a look at used Ithaca 37s. They use a similar design but the Ithaca is generally a bit lighter and swings better in my opinion. If you're mostly shooting trap the extra weight of the BPS would actually help, but for upland hunting where you're carrying the damn thing for miles and miles and only shooting a few times every ounce counts. Plus, there should be tons of good condition 37s out there for a fraction of what you'd pay for a new BPS. I also think the 37 has a better trigger and is a bit smoother in the action, but that may well depend on the particular two you are comparing. I think ithaca is back producing new 37s but I haven't seen or held any of them. So my comments reflect only what I've experienced with older 37s.

[Acmemfg]

Ithaca shotguns are great by reputation (although I don't know if they are the same gun as the Original Model 37)...but I highly doubt they're a value at $860 and an 8 week waiting period. I have both a Remington 870 Super Magnum and a BPS. Fit and finish on the BPS gets the nod but the 870 is what I will crack out for the desert island or zombie attacks. BTW the BPS has a bottom ejection port and tang mounted safety. Big plus if you're left-handed