Ranger--a couple of years ago I bought a stainless CVA Optima with a thumbhole stock at a pawn shop for $140, he was asking $200 to begin with I think. It was like new except for the dirty barrel. It took awhile to clean that up. It is a great rifle, simple, accurate and good looking. I don't think you will go wrong with one. It may be better to buy a new one instead of cleaning up someone else's mess. If I were going to buy a new one now I would go with the nitride treated ones. Sometimes CVA offers factory seconds at very attractive prices if a cosmetic blemish does not bother you.