Well, I have a decision to make, and I need some help deciding.

I have the $$$ set aside, but, I only have enough set aside for one of the following.

Which would you choose (and why)?
Note: The money for each one is close.

Glock 23. .40 S&W caliber.

Marlin 1894C "Cowboy". .44 Magnum.

Stoeger "Coach Gun Supreme". 12 ga SxS.

 

3 different guns that fill 3 different roles. It totally depends on what you already have in your stable (I suspect you already have all 3 roles covered), then it depends on what you want or prefer.

So, for now, no opinion.

Jason

 

Well, here's the situation.

I have the reloading dies for all three. I've been loading my ammo for a little over 30 years.
The .40 S&W. . . well. . . I've got the 'bug', because a friend (US Capitol Police) asked me to load for him, for practice, and I've got (literally) over 100 lbs of .40 brass!
He basically backed out of an agreement, after I loaded some ammo for him. (Ummmmmmmm. . . he 'stiffed me' on bullets/primers/powder.)
So, I figured I'll use the stuff for myself!


With the G23, I can not only shoot .40 S&W, but, with a barrel change (less than $100.00) I can shoot .357 Sig. With a barrel and magazine change ($100.00 - I have magazines) I can shoot 9mm Parabellum.

Marlin 1894C "Cowboy" rifle. I sold a Marlin 1894S in .44 magnum several years ago, and I regret selling it.
Plus, the nostalgia.
Nothing like a "19th Century Assault Rifle"!
(I'm going to the devil's house, for that remark!)

Stoeger Coach Gun "Supreme".
I just like the 'looks' of short(er) barreled arms, plus, I sold a Stevens 311 (SxS) a bunch of years ago and regret it.
Plus, IF I were to use it for HD, NOTHING is faster for a follow-up shot. (Granted, I'm limited to 2 before reload.)
Now, to get the idea of what this would look like. . . . place two galvanized 30 gallon trashcans side-by-side (with lids off of 'em), then stick your face next to the openings!

 

I voted for the Glock.

I'm not a Glock fan, but that's a nice gun, and suits a purpose.

I don't have much use for handgun calibers in rifles. They have little use other than for plinking fun, and there are cheaper plinkers than 44 mag. Now change that to an 1895 in 45-70, and you'll have my vote.

Same with the coach gun. It would just be a gun safe queen.

 

I vote for the Glock aswell. It seems you'ld get more use out of it, and more options with the barrel change.
The other two seem to be "just to have guns". and why waste the money on something you may never use alot?

 

Dirty harry carried a Magnum . So the magnum gets my vote. Clint Eastwood; growl! that man makes me hungry!

 

He had a big gun!



I've got two M29's.

 

I voted for the Glock too. I want a new CC gun & a Glock might be my choice.

 

Keith!, you have enough Glock's!.........Go with the Marlin .44 mag!

Besides, .44 mag is SO easy to reload.

 

glock, versitle, and you already have reload supplies

 

Not the best reason but at least in my area you can find .40 ammo.

 

Well, not a lot of responses, but, then again, this isn't a 'gun' forum!

As for which one(s) would get used, they all would!

I only have one 'safe queen' and that's due to it's sentimental value. (It was my Grand-Dad's service revolver.) It hasn't been fired in over 60 years!

Reloading. . . I reload for all three calibers, already, so, that's not really a consideration, for this.

So. . . keep the opinions coming.



Thanks.

 

Okay, with that extra info, I voted for the cowboy rifle. I haven't gotten to shoot many, but a friend of mine had a .30-30 lever action that was fun to shoot. I found I could shoot accurately with it from a standing position and open sights, and the .30-30 round has just enough "oomph" to let you know you are shooting a gun. A .44 rifle should be even better.

Jason

 

Jeez, why not just buy all three?

 

My second choice would be the 44M rifle.

My preferred bullet for 44M is a hard cast slug. Using those keeps the reloading cost to a minimum too, so you can do a lot more shooting than if you had to buy jacketed rounds. Just keep the velocity a little lower than the rifle is capable of.

Sorry, I just don't see any value to a coach gun, other than joy of ownership. It's not good for hunting, it's not good for clay shooting, it has minimal self defense value, and I just don't spend much time on stage coaches any more.