Happy Constitution Day!
I was thinking about how some guns are just very affordable and worth the money, yet some people still don't buy them. Maybe it is ignorance, prejudice, or something else like the Glock hating phenomena?
So, I decided to start a list of guns that are affordable and worth the expense. By the way, this isn't just opinion here, I own an example of each of these guns, guns that I purchased for very reasonable prices.
Here they are in no particular order:
#1 The Ruger Security-Service-Speed Six Revolvers
This one might not even belong on the list, but there are still people out there that own these or are trying to sell these and are not aware of their value.
At one time these were the BEST deal in secondhand revolvers, selling for 1/2 of a classic S&W and 1/3 or less of a vintage Colt. They are simpler, stronger and just as comfortable to carry and shoot.
They were normally chambered in .357 or .38, available in stainless and blued in 2.5"-, 4"-and 6"-barrel lengths, square and round butt, adjustable and fixed sights (depending on the model chosen).
Nearly identical in size to the S&W K-frame guns, they garnered much less attention from collectors, that is until recently. Read more about these fine revolvers here.
#2. The Hi-Standard Sentinel Revolver.
For those not aware, the Sentinel is a 9-shot .22LR revolver, made by the Hi-Standard company of Hamden, CT and designed by the same man who engineered the Ruger revolver discussed above.
Made from aluminum and carbon steel, these guns regularly sell for $200-$300 for a nice example to $50 for a rough one. Their design is nearly flawless; I have owned several and handled several more and have yet to find one out of time or in need of serious mechanical repair.
Read more about this great gun here.
#3. The Marlin Model 60
A semi-auto rifle that is more precise/accurate than a factory Ruger 10/22 and sells for way less.
While not in production anymore, Marlin made more than 11 million of these in the 50 plus year production run. That means used parts are plentiful and while the aftermarket support is not that of the 10/22, there are upgrades and parts available.
The design only saw minimal changes and the guns work great if maintained properly. The best part is you can find them for $50-$200. I saw one at the Phoenix Gun Show in December for $40, I had to resist the urge to buy it (I have 5 or 6 of them now).
Read more about this gun here.
#4. The Stevens-Savage 325/340/840 Rifles
This series of rifles started with the model 325A in 1947. Savage eager to use up their surplus .30 caliber machine gun barrels left over from WWII created a simple, box mag fed .30-30 rifle. Short, light, handy and plenty accurate for woods hunting. They can usually be bought for very reasonable prices. I have two, one I paid $10 for, the other one $50.
Read more about these guns here.
#5 The H&R/NEF Single Shot Shotguns
These guns have never sold for very much; I have owned several and never paid more than $100 for any of them. What we have here is a rugged, made in America, single shot 12-gauge shotgun (they came in other calibers as well) that will not let you down.
Great for hunting or home defense, they eject shells like a southern man swatting flies: fast and deliberate.
I have yet to author an article on these guns, something I will have to remedy soon.
#6 The Ruger P-Series Pistols
Another great bargain that many overlook. What started as an attempt to create a pistol for the US Military and ended with a polymer frame striker fired pistol.
#7 The Remington 11-48 Shotgun
This gun is a cross breed between the Remington Model 11 (Browning Auto-5) and the current production Remington 1100. It uses the receiver of the 1100 (and 870) and the recoil action of the model 11. They are attractive, workable and dead on reliable. I hit 6 out of 6 clays on my 1st outing with my 11-48.
These often sell for cheap because people don't know much about them.
Read more here.
#8 Brand labeled guns
Many are not aware that the big gun makers brand labeled guns for retailers and even other gun makers, I have complied a small list below.
Dan Wesson made their models 14 & 15 .357 Mag revolver for Hi-Standard, known as the Sentinel Mark II & III respectively. These pistols often sell for 1/2 of a Dan Wesson. I saw a Mark II (fixed sights) revolver at the Phoenix gun show listed for less than $400....I am still kicking myself for not buying it.
Winchester made their model 94 rifle and 1200 shotgun for Sears, Montgomery Ward, JC Penny, Western Auto and others, these store brand labeled guns often sell for 1/2 of what a Winchester branded rifle sells for.
Marlin also brand labeled their model 60 for dozens of retailers, while it is hard to beat the prices for a Marlin branded guns, don't be afraid to buy one marked "Westpoint", "OTASCO" or "Revelation", they are functionally identical to the Marlin branded rifle.
