Help Me Choose My Next Gun!
 

So I have this crazy notion that I need another gun...have really been lookin into a pump 20 gauge and such but theres so many others I'd like to have that it kinda puts me in a jam and I really just kind of want to get another gun because its fun to get new stuff...especially when it comes to firearms. So I am completely open to all suggestions.

I bird hunt a bit...from geese to turkey to quail...I love it all.
And as far as big game goes...all that I have really hunted is deer.
And there is always the small game that is fun and I love to hunt. Rabbit, squrriels, fox, coon, etc...

So heres my small collection so far.

12 gauge 3.5" pump
20 gauge single shot
.410 semi-auto
50 cal Hawkins Muzzleloader
Lever 30-30
Bolt .270
Semi-Auto .223
Lever .22
Semi-auto .22

That is all of em and I am sure ya'll can find a caliber or gauge or something to fit in there somewhere!

And lastly...I am on a rather tight budget and need to keep it to around 500$ or cheaper...anyway just thought it would be fun to have ya'll help me decide.

Thanks!!

BHB

RE: Help Me Choose My Next Gun!
 

Forgot to mention that I also have a .22 pistol...

RE: Help Me Choose My Next Gun!
 

I'd see if I squeeze enough dough for a semi 20ga. What are the franchi's going for now days? Really light weight, excellent rabblt guns. I thoughtabouta pump, but a 20 ga is a sporting gun, keep the 12ga pump for HD.

RE: Help Me Choose My Next Gun!
 

How about a nice carry gun?

RE: Help Me Choose My Next Gun!
 

I agree with hossdaniels on the franchi. my dad had one in a 28 gauge and he shot everything with it. those are pretty good, easy to shoot guns. i think a 20 or 12 would be a good gun to have. another possibility is a remington 1100. Or for a bit more money, you could get a beretta tekny. i once shot one of them at dove and it was perfect. but you cant buy one of them for 500.

RE: Help Me Choose My Next Gun!
 

A nice double barrel 20 ga. or 28 ga., for the quail, sure would round off your great collection!

I have a Browning upland special (12ga.) over/under w/24" barrels that is real nice in tight quarters...

RE: Help Me Choose My Next Gun!
 

I will look at the Franchi's!

I had another Idea pop into mind...So I have the .270 and the .223 but would a .243 serve a purpose if I have the other two already?

Colorado...What do you mean by a "carry gun"?

RE: Help Me Choose My Next Gun!
 

A nice pistol for protection. Like a 9mm or 40 or 45.

RE: Help Me Choose My Next Gun!
 

I second the O/U...I have a Winchester 3"20ga. It's a very versitile gun. You have 2 different chokes, handles nicely and I use it for everything from rabbits to quail to pheasants.

RE: Help Me Choose My Next Gun!
 

I too have the crazy notion to get another gun. So I am. I just picked up a Sig P220 .45 acouple ofweeks ago and I love it. Now I am going to get a Traditions Hawken Woodsman .50. Other than your shotguns and your ML, you dont really have a big bore rifle. The 30.30 is big, but its a brush gun (IMO). I would add a long range big bore to your collection or a .45 Pistol. Just my $.02

RE: Help Me Choose My Next Gun!
 

I am actually looking into a single shot break barrel 30-06 for a truck gun but since I dont do a whole lot of big-game rifle hunting at the moment I dont see a huge need for it.

So heres my next question. I see I have limited to a couple options...I either would like to get a double-barrel gun or a semi-auto...

But I am having one tough time deciding between pros and cons of eachother and prices. As far as semi-autos go I know it would be an 11-87...

but for double barrels (which I know get spendy) I am not sure. I saw a "CZ" and a Mossberg for less than $500 I belive but what are the quality like on these two?

Thanks!

RE: Help Me Choose My Next Gun!
 

The 11-87 is another great shotgun, and I too, will probably pick one up for a deer slug gun with a scope soon...
However, if I had MY choice I would put a rifled slug barrel on my Benelli Super Black Eagle, but for $500, I'll go buy a complete gun...

As far as the two choices of of doubles you mentioned, I can not comment.
The only other note I would like to point out is that, I hope your helping your local gun shop by buying it from them,
instead of helping the big dealerships to save $20-$30.
Sorry, the conglomerates are my pet peeve...

Good-luck and have fun shopping.

RE: Help Me Choose My Next Gun!
 

BHB, there are some fine used guns out there. I just picked up a pre 64 Winchester model 70 30/06infantastic condition this past summer w/the vintage scope for $200. 1948 vintage. I have got quite a few great guns this way and with the economic times the way they are there are a lot of good finds out there. You just have to do your research and know what yourlooking at.

RE: Help Me Choose My Next Gun!
 

Do NOT buy a $500 double shotgun. Decent starts at a grand and up, and a grand doesn't necessarily mean decent.

RE: Help Me Choose My Next Gun!
 

If you want a great pump shotgun at a good price, I'd strongly consider the Browning BPS in 20 gauge. If I were in the market for a pump shotgun, the BPS is my ONLY choice. I used to own one (in 12 gauge), and sadly regret ever having sold it. Best pump shotgun on the market, IMO.

If I were in the market for a true single shot "truck gun", which by my definition is a utility weapon designed to take a beating literally bouncing around behind the seat of a pickup, my choice would be the New England Firearms Handi-Rifle with a simple, mid-priced, fixed 4x scope on it. Simple, reliable, not much to break and it'll do the job. Now, my choice of cartridge would not be the .30-06 unless there is a serious possibility that it'd be shot at critters bigger than deer. I think I'd opt for a .243 Win, .25-06 Rem or 7mm-08 Rem. For the short quick handling single shot I'd probably lean toward the 7mm-08. It'd even do the job on elk within a reasonable distance, but won't bruise your shoulder too bad with the lightweight single shot.

Mike

RE: Help Me Choose My Next Gun!
 

any of the 22s as it seems to be the only ammo you can find

RE: Help Me Choose My Next Gun!
 

Get yourself a 17 HMR. You will love it. You can get a gun fairly cheap and put a decent scope on it, and you will have a blast trying to get the best 5 shot groups you can get! And they are absolutely un-beatable for any critter probably 20 lbs and under.

RE: Help Me Choose My Next Gun!
 

So the "cz" and "mossberg" o/u are not worth the money?

I would love to get a New england .243...I think it would make a great truck gun. And do just fine for the black-tails over here...But I would use a new shotgun way more and that is sort of more what I am after...

RE: Help Me Choose My Next Gun!
 

BHB, take a long, hard look at the Stoeger Model 2000. I have one and love it. It's performed flawlessly for the 5 years that I've had it. I haven't been that easy on it either. It's made by Benelli, so it has the Inertia System in it. Just a suggestion. Any more questions let me know.

RE: Help Me Choose My Next Gun!
 

WHAT EVER YOU CAN BUY AMMO FOR. OUR GUN STORE HAS A GOOD STOCK OF GUNS BUT YOU WILL WALK OUT WITH NO AMMO.[:'(]

RE: Help Me Choose My Next Gun!
 

Not the mossberg,lots of problems with their o/u's.I'm not a big fan of the cz personally, but it has a few followers. The cz seems like a very well dressed cheap turkish double to me??? How bout a used beretta or browning? It would last for ever and if ever wanted to sell it, you would atleast get your money back out of it(maybe more)?

RE: Help Me Choose My Next Gun!
 

ruger sr9

RE: Help Me Choose My Next Gun!
 

My first thought would be a 20ga SxS for quail...nothing finer than shooting those birds with a nice double. However, $500 won't even get you the stock on a nice one.

The glaring omission I see on your list is a medium-bore, bolt action rifle. How about a new Ruger Hawkeye in .338 Federal? It will make a splendid deer rifle, and you'll be set up perfectly if you ever get the chance to hunt elk or black bear.