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Posted: 11/18/2006 9:34:59 PM EDT
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I'm getting a cheap long gun for my birthday. I've narrowed it down to two choices and thought I would see what you guys think: 1) Marlin 336A(?) 30-30 lever action. I've thought a lever action would be a lot of fun to shoot and play around with. Its $270ish dollars at walmart. I could even put a scope on it and use it for hunting. 2) Remington 870 Express HD 7-shot. Its about $310ish at an on-line store based in Kentucky. This would be exactly what it was meant to be, a reliable, cheap pump action to keep under the bed. I'd more than likely use it on the semi-rare occation that I go skeet shooting as well. I like the idea of both. I do already have a hunting rifle (mauser mode 98 in 270) and I have a couple of viable home defense weapons, so neither of them are really needed other than....I need a new weapon. Given the choice...which would you take? Sorry to type so much, just wanted to get all the info out. Thanks for your input. ETA: Pole jdm |
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It depends on what you want and need more of course, but if you've got some good defense guns already the 30/30win Marlin is a great hunting gun, still a good defense gun to get a few well aimed shots off quick enough and is a nice rifle even for shtf. There a very reliable, forged steel action in a round that is widely available and one of the best to find all across the US. The 870's the classic shotty but I think you'd be better off adding on the Marlin. |
Thanks for the input. I spoke to may parents, and as it turns out, I may get one for my birthday and one for Christmas. Over my thanksgiving break I'm going to see if there is anywhere local I can get the 870 at a good price. The Acadamy here wants $360 for it. Again, thanks. 
Do you have a scope on yours? Do you ever use it to hunt or is it just a fun gun? |
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JDM83 look around at your local pawn shops and you can find the gun that the 870 was built off of(the rem 11-48)for around 200.00 auto too! Recoil and like the barreta and benellie short throw recoil! Or for about three bills a Rem 1100,gas operated you can buy a 40.00 tube extension and have ten rounds of pure fast as you can pull them fun! Just explore it before you decide on a pump gun,most people start the clays with an Over&under then switch to a 1100 or other gas gun to save there shoulders! They keep thier O&U 's just don't shoot them all day! A shot gun is just a shotgun and most newer auto's(and some old A5's)work just as reliable as any pump! Just that the 870 is the Worlds most popular and one of the finnest pumps made(wingmaster)! Forget the Express! Bob 
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I've got both and they each are fun to shoot, but unless you reload, the marlin can be more expensive to feed if you are just shooting for the fun of it. The marlin also has some nice accessories these days and with the new LEVERLUTION type ammo the effective range and accuracy of the rifle is significantly increased. I've got some of the ammo, but until I get a scope mount I won't be doing any accuracy work. As for the shotgun there are many more parts options and a dizzying number of ammo options. I've found Federal Power Shock Buck Shot to group very well at 25yds from my 18.5" 870. The only skeet shooting I've done was with a buddy's longer, traditional shotguns and I don't know much about the sport except 7 shot capacity is probably more than what you need for that sort of thing. 
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JDM83 Get a Winchester just because you can pull the lever and drop one in right off,right in the reciever! Plus anything you find now will be made in the USA,later will be Miroki or Phillipines! You can allways find a Marlin later but Winchester went tits up! Winchester may not be what Marlin people call a good lever rifle but they don't like savage levers either! If you want a good lever get a Winchester or a Savage 99,they are getting scarce! Thats the way you win,cause they will be worth more later than you paid for them now! Bob
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| I have both (ok I have 5 870s) and both are nice. I would get the 870 if you already have a hunting rifle. Both of those guns have been around for a while and you should be able to fine nice used examples for a bit less than new. Around here you can find either of those models for $200 or less for a good condition used model. |
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