buckeyeLCPL

Well, it has been a while since I've been able to buy a firearm, but in a couple weeks I'll get to again, and then I'll be out of the country and unable to for a while. I've got cash set aside, some for a gun safe (I'm thinking a liberty centurion model), and some for buying a firearm. My price range is around the $700 mark. Just looking to round out my collection, here are the top runners, if anyone has suggestions for replacements in the price range I'll take that into consideration as well. It's a very varied list, so make an arguement for the one you like best.

Smith and Wesson 686 .357 with 6" barrel
SA XD Service model .45
Beretta Stampede 5.5" barrel, .357
Savage in .308 or .30-06
Stoeger Condor in 12 gauge
Rem870/Mossberg 835 with at least 26" barrel
Marlin .357 carbine

If anyone else knows of any good contenders in either a general purpose (non HD shotgun), or solid general use bolt action rifle, I'd be glad to hear them.

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SIXTO

I'd go with the Marlin or 870... with the 686 in a close 3rd place.

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buckeyeLCPL

Interesting to hear you put the Marlin first, any reasoning behind that?
For 870's Wingmasters or Police models are the good ones, right?

Anyone have any opinions on the 7 shot 686, I can get it for like $20 more than the 6 shot, how does cylinder size compare for holsters and such?

I guess this is my Heller celebration gun, although I'm late to that party too, I just found out about the decision last night.

__________________
Fortes Fortuna Juvat

We're mules lad. Mules that kill.

SIXTO

The Marlin is just a handy gun...its fun and cheap to shoot and you can do about anything you want with it. It would make an ideal survival SHTF type of gun too. Plus, I've wanted one for years, but never bought one.

Yes, the Wingmaster is the better field gun, the P is the better or best of them all.

The 686+ is a little fatter, so you do have to get specific holsters for the + model.

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In a land of sheep, even a toothless wolf is king.

Wake Up! The zombie invasion has begun years ago.

dukalmighty

I just bought a mossberg 930 semi auto 12 gauge combo package for 505.00 shipped it has 2 barrels a 18 1/2" cylinder bore HD barrel and a 28" vent rib with choke tubes

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buckeyeLCPL

Dukal, howz the operating system on that 930?

An autoloader shotty would be cool, but I do like the reliability of pumps. Had any problems with it?

While on the topic, how about other semi shotguns? Anyone have anything to say about Benellis?

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We're mules lad. Mules that kill.

artz

the marlin lever action in .357

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retsupt99

The Marlin, but perhaps the 336SS (30-30).

You have a great list! How tough it must be for you, to have to pick only one.

Stay armed...add ammo to your list...stay safe!

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buckeyeLCPL

I have a Marlin 336 already Ret, I bought one a few years back, love that rifle. I want a lever action in .357 and .45LC too, but the .357 is more practical right now. Ammo is always on the list.

Next year I'm gonna be able to get a very expensive 1911, which will be awesome, this will hold me over till then.

__________________
Fortes Fortuna Juvat

We're mules lad. Mules that kill.

Hoot

You have some excellent choices listed. The decision will be yours, and you shouldn't be swayed from your own preferences by others preferences - and I'm sure you won't be. That said, it would help to know your interests and priorities. But I have or have owned most of the guns on your list. I don't mind sharing my own perceptions about the choices.

I just sold my 686. It was a great competition gun 25 years ago. I used it for both PPC and Pins. But with a six inch barrel it was bigger and heavier than I wanted to carry for woods walking, less powerful that I wanted for hunting, and certainly a poor choice for a carry gun. I kept my model 19 and model 66 with four inch barrels. For me they were much more practical. True the 686 is stronger if you want to shoot a lot of magnum loads, but shooting a lot of magnum loads was never my idea of fun.

The SA XD .45 is a sound choice if you don't have a .45acp. I prefer the 1911 platform. But the XD has a lot of fans. If the XD fills a gap in your collection, it is a viable choice.

The Beretta Stampede in .357 would not be my choice in a single action revolver simply because it tries to marry the mechanics of the Colt with the transfer bar safety of the Ruger. I would either purchase a good Colt clone or a Ruger New Vaquero, depending on whether I wanted a classic design or a modern SA design. However, if you can get the Beretta at a real bargain price, give it a try. Everybody needs one or two cowboy guns. (I have 18 single actions)

The Savage is a great choice. The new trigger is splendid. Both .308 and 30-06 are great calibers. However performance between the two is very similar so you don't need both. I would opt for the .308 because it is shorter so the rifle action can be shorter. It also might be easier to find ammo in a tight situation. But either caliber is a great choice. Look at the "scout" rifle. If you hunt and don't have a hunting rifle, certainly you need one. A good bolt gun in either caliber is ideal for any game in the USA and is also a fine battle/survival rifle.

Stoeger Condor. This would be my last choice for two reasons. One, I don't like Stoeger and two, the Condor doesn't have enough class.

Remington 870, yes, everybody ought to have one. Get a 26" barrel and an 18 or 20 inch barrel and you have all your bases covered. If you don't have a good shotgun, then certainly this is a gap that must be filled.

My Marlin 94 in .357 has been a perfect workhorse. I suppose I have at least 15.000 rounds through it and it is better than new. Marlin quality seems to have dropped a bit in the past three or four years. I'd look for a used one. But the Marlin doesn't fill a gap in your collection. It is a niche gun. It is great if you intend to get into cowboy action shooting someday. It is okay for game from Coyote on down...but there are better choices. It is very marginal for deer. I wouldn't use it for such. It is a good home defense weapon. It is a good survival weapon. And it is a super plinker. It will take .38 spec. in most cases so long as OAL is around 1.42" minimum.

If I were you I would make my selection in terms of greatest need measured against the amount of use the gun would get. Happy shopping!