Hi Georgian,

I'm not sure if there have been any problems with either of those models, (maybe oldelkhunter has had, or heard of bad experiences?), but my brother has had a model 96 since the second year they were out. He has never had any problem with it, at all.....and you'd have to pry it out of his son's hands. For all intents and purposes, my nephew is the new owner.....and he'll tell you so!

They've taken five or six deer with it already, it shoots well, (good consistent groups at 100 yards....they mounted a fixed 2 1/2 power scope), and he has never had a malfunction of any sort! They put several hundred rounds per year through it, on average.

I wouldn't have trouble recommending it, in my experience!

Dave