What is the best gun to buy for around 350.00?

Question

Its for my husband, Years ago he lost an amazing collection of guns due to a flood, and this will be the first of his new collection except for an air rifle and a shot gun

Answer 1

Sara, what a nice gift.

It's really hard to say, as we don't know what his interest were/are regarding the collection. Was it old stuff, new? Rifles, pistols, revolvers? Does he hunt or target shoot competitively?

Answer 2

If a pistol is what you are looking for, three and a half bills will get you an accurate .22 caliber automatic Browning Buckmark (especially when they are on sale at a local Browning stocing dealer). For a rifle, CZ makes very, very accuarte and classy .22 bolt-actions that make Savage, Marlin, and Remington (newer models) seem like second-rate at best. As previously noted, you would be better off looking for a used quality centerfire with $350 on the table. Same goes for a centerfire rifle (if you include a scope, base, and rings in the price). There are so many guns to choose from when you get up to $350. Choose quality and stay away from anything that is attractive just because of price.

Answer 3

Well, bless you heart, Sara. . .

You don't say if you are looking for a rifle or handgun.

In the area of handguns; $350 will get you a nice, used, S&W 686, .357 mag. revolver or a Ruger GP100 revolver, same caliber. These are double action revolvers and are good, all around guns. Taurus makes a nice selection of semi auto handguns around that price range. I just bought a new .45 acp model 145 for $319.

Rifles are a bit more of a problem: Might want to check the local Wal Mart and see what kind of package deal they might have in stock. Last year my Step Son bought himself a nice Winchestere 30-06, with a scope for about $400. Check a few gun shops out, look for a nice 30-06. It is an old but very versitile round. Everyone makes one and there are a lot of good guality, used rifles, out there in your price range.

Good luck, have fun.

Answer 4

I think you need to ask a different question. To most men, the preference in guns is highly personal.

Perhaps there are relatives or hunting buddies who can tell you what he misses most from his old collection. Another tactic would be to tell us what he might do with a new gun. For example, if he would "hunt deer in Ohio", you could get a lot more useful answer than asking a general question.

An analogy would be, if you lost all your jewelry and your husband posted the question "What's the best piece of jewelry I can buy my wife for $350?", what are the chances that you would get what you really wanted?

But if he asked your friends/sisters what you like.... Or if he posted info about your social circle/location/age/culture in his question....

Answer 5

This is very thoughtful of you.

An American classic firearm would be a good place to start.
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/centerfire/336W.aspx

The Marlin Model 336 30-30

Wal-Mart & Dick's Sporting Goods both have the 336W for under $320, Dick's also has the 336A for $349.99.

The 336W that Dick's has on sale this week comes with a factory mounted and bore-sighted scope.

Answer 6

Old Fuzz gave some pretty good general suggestions. But JD's right, we'd need to know a little about your husband's preferences before making specific suggestions.

Doc

Answer 7

If he likes pistols the Ruger P95 is a very nice and rugged firearm that can be found in the $350.00 range. You could spend a lot more on a pistol, but for general use you can't buy a lot more.

Answer 8

I would get him a Savage 30-06 in case he wants to hunt because it is a very versatile caliber. I got my Savage model 111 in 30-06 for $390,

Answer 9

Great idea, but we need a little more information before we can give you good suggestions. Rifle? Shotgun? Handgun?
New ? Used? Hunting or Target Shooting? etc. etc.

Answer 10

Mil-Spec........1911 45 acp

Rock Island and Springfield makes nice ones in the $350to$400 range....