Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Favorite firearm models?

The pawn shop thread got me to wondering what folks consider their favorite firearm in a given configuration. I know this has been done before but I would be curious what are the favorites of the campfire folks again. The models don't have to be offered today, many of my favorites are not, but had to be mass produced at one time or other and are not considered military firearms. No full blown customs either please.

Remember, these are your favorites. It doesn't matter if someone else thinks something else is better.

Le's start with an even dozen categories. Others can be added if someone wants to but I think these might be the most common.

22 bolt
22 pump
22 lever
22 auto
22 target rifle

Center-fire bolt action
Center-fire lever action
Center-fire pump action
Center-fire auto

Pump shotgun
Auto shotgun
Double shotgun

I'll start with mine. No, I don't have all them now but have had at one time or another with the exception of a couple. Some good ones got away.

22 bolt � Mossberg 46M
22 pump � Winchester 62
22 lever � Marlin 39 �Mountie�
22 auto � Browning semi-auto
22 target rifle � Remington 37

Center-fire bolt action � Winchester 70 (Pre-64)
Center-fire lever action � Winchester 71
Center-fire pump action � Remington 141
Center-fire auto � Browning BAR

Pump shotgun � Remington 31
Auto shotgun � Remington 1100
Double shotgun - Parker

Not saying these are the "best"....just what I like,

22 bolt: Ruger 77/22
22 pump: Winchester 62
22 lever: Winchester 9422
22 auto: Ruger 10/22
22 target: Anschutz 64

Centerfire bolt: FN Mauser
centerfire lever: Savage 99
centerfire pump: Remington 14
centerfire auto: Ruger 44

pump shotgun: Ithaca 37
auto shotgun: Browning A-5
double shotgun: L.C. Smith

And yes, I do still own all of these!!!

22 bolt-CZ 452 American
22 pump-Remington
22 lever-Marlin 39
22 auto-TC Classic
22 target rifle-Martini Mk II

Center-fire bolt action-Rem 700CDL and FN Win Model 70
Center-fire lever action-Marlin 336
Center-fire pump action-Remington
Center-fire auto-Ruger 44

Pump shotgun-Win Model 12
Auto shotgun-Rem Model 1100
Double shotgun-Win Moddel 21

Larry,

Interesting Posting!!
Makes you think..

Don

22 bolt Ruger 77/22
22 pump none in particular
22 lever Marlin 39A
22 auto Browning Auto
22 target rifle Remington 521T

Center-fire bolt action Tang safety locking bolt Ruger 77
Center-fire lever action Savage 99
Center-fire pump action Remington 141
Center-fire auto (Old Model).44 Carbine

Pump shotgun Ithaca 37
Auto shotgun Browning A-5
Double shotgun Merkel 1620

22 bolt, Rem 541
22 Auto, Rem Nylon 66
CFR bolt, SS Classic Win 70
CFR semi-auto, Win 100
CFR lever, Win 88
Auto shotgun, Beretta 302/303

I haven't shot enough examples of the rest to have a strong opinion.

22 bolt Kimber of Oregon 82
22 pump Winchester 61
22 lever Marlin 39A
22 auto Browning Auto
22 target rifle Winchester 52

Center-fire bolt action Winchester Classic M70
Center-fire lever action Marlin 1894
Center-fire pump action (Don't Like, Ruger #1 instead)
Center-fire auto M-1 Garand

Pump shotgun Winchester M12
Auto shotgun Benelli Ultralite
Double shotgun CSMC RBL

22 bolt-Remington 541
22 pump-Remington 121
22 lever-Marlin 39
22 auto- Browning
22 target rifle-Mossberg 44

Center-fire bolt action-Husqvarna
Center-fire lever action-Savage 99
Center-fire pump action-Rem 760
Center-fire auto-None

Pump shotgun-Remington 870
Auto shotgun-Browning Auto 5
Double shotgun-Fox Sterlingworth

22 bolt
22 pump M61 Winchester grooved receiver.
22 lever
22 auto
22 target rifle 40X Rem. also M52C.

Center-fire bolt action Brno M22F.
Center-fire lever action Savage 99F.
Center-fire pump action
Center-fire auto
Center-fire target Rem. 40X

Pump shotgun Ithaca M37 Deerslayer.
Auto shotgun
Double shotgun Bernadelli Gamecock
Drilling JP Sauer
Schuetzen Aydt
Pistol Colt Woodsman old model 6".
Revolver Ruger .45 Colt Blackhawk
Pocket pistol Seecamp

Just personal favorites? Easy, and these are all based upon memories of friends, family, trips, and not necessarily the "best" in any category:

22 bolt: Winchester 60A
22 pump: Winchester 1906
22 lever: Marlin 39
22 auto: Marlin 60
22 target rifle: Mossberg 151M(T)

Center-fire bolt action: Lee-Enfield
Center-fire lever action: Savage 99
Center-fire pump action: Rem. 7600
Center-fire auto: FN/FAL

Pump shotgun: Rem. 870
Auto shotgun: Browning A-5
Double shotgun: Lefever Nitro Special

22 bolt- Cooper Jackson Squirrel rifle
22 pump- Winchester Model 61
22 lever- Winchester model 9422
22 auto- Browning 22 Auto
22 target rifle- See Cooper above

Center-fire bolt action - Browning X-Bolt, A-Bolt, Safari & new Winchester M70
Center-fire lever action- Browning Model 81 and Marlin 336C in .35
Center-fire pump action- None
Center-fire auto- Browning BAR

Pump shotgun- Remington 870
Auto shotgun- Browning Auto 5
Double shotgun- Old Cowboy gun-Rossi Overland

22 bolt: Ruger 77/22
22 pump Remington 121
22 lever Marlin 1895 Cowboy
22 auto Browning Automatic
22 target rifle Mossberg 44

Center-fire bolt action Winchester pre-64 featherweight
Center-fire lever action Savage 99
Center-fire auto M1 Garand
Double shotgun Ithaca Model 100

ok i'll give this a try

22 bolt- mossberg m144
22 pump- savage 1909
22 lever- don't own any
22 auto- marlin mod 60
22 target rifle- moss m144

Center-fire bolt action - win pre 64 mod 70
Center-fire lever action - savage mod 99
Center-fire pump action - don't own any
Center-fire auto - win mod 07 just a fun gun and no military otherwise the m1 would fit here

Pump shotgun ithaca 37
Auto shotgun benelli m2 lefthand
Double shotgun fox

handguns
22-rev -ruger single six
22-auto -ruger MKII

centerfire rev -ruger security six
centerfire auto - colt gov't mod

that is my list some i know their are better guns but tried stick with what i own or have shot

22 bolt Kimber 82
22 pump
22 lever Win 9422
22 auto Ruger 10/22
22 target rifle

Center-fire bolt action Win 70 Pre 64
Center-fire lever action Savage 99
Center-fire pump action
Center-fire auto AR

Pump shotgun Win Model 12
Auto shotgun Beretta 303/390/391
Double shotgun Beretta 682


I must admit I have never owned or care to own a pump action 22 or center fire.

22 lever - Marlin M39

Centerfire, bolt action - Winchester M70 Classic SS,.308 Ruger tang safety, 7X57
Centerfire lever action - Marlin 1894 CL .25-20. Have owned and liked very much the Marlin 336 in .35 Rem
Centter fire pump - Rem 760, 30'06

Pump shotguns - Winchester M42, .410,Remington 870, 28 ga.
Auto shotguns - Benelli, 20 ga., Remington 1187 SP, 12 ga
O/U shotgun - have owned neither, but a sporting clays Beretta, or the SC Browning Citori E

22 bolt-Winchester 67
22 pump-Remington 572
22 semi auto-Ruger 10/22

centerfire bolt-Ruger M77 mkII
centerfire pump-Remington 760
centerfire lever-Savage M99
centerfire auto-M16A2

pump shotgun-Remington 870
semi auto shotgun-Remington 11-48

Don't own or have much/any experience with 22 levers or double barreled shotguns.

22 bolt Springfield 15 ( my son is shooting it now)
22 pump Winchester 270
22 lever Win 9422
22 auto Marlin Mod. 60
22 target rifle

Center-fire bolt action Win 70 Pre 64
Center-fire lever action Win. 88 ( Savage 99 a CLOSE second)
Center-fire pump action Rem 760
Center-fire auto Browning BAR

Pump shotgun Win Model 12
Auto shotgun Browning A5
Double shotgun Baker Batavia Special(SxS) Marlin 90 O/U

Can't resist:

.22 bolt Rem 510
pump Win 61 .22WRM
lever Win 9422M
auto Ruger 1022 stainless "Wal Mart Spl."
target original Win Hiwall 1885

CF bolt Steyr Mannlicher M1903 6.5x54
lever Savage 99 .358 Win
pump original Rem 760 .300 Sav.
auto original Ruger .44 carbine
singe shot original Win Hiwall 1885 .30-40 Krag

Pump shotgun Ithaca 37R 20ga
Auto shotgun never had one
Double shotgun Ithaca NID Grade I 16ga
single shotgun Savage 220A .410

I've owned and fired all of these and own most of them still.

OK....it's early, but let's recap the results so far:

In the .22 bolt action poll, the trend seems to be "anything goes" with only one rifle recieving more than 2 votes (the Ruger 77/22 with 3 votes). Seems everyone has a different favorite.

In the .22 pump actions there was a bit of a surprize as the older, long-discontinued Winchester 61 (4 votes) and it's hammered near-twin the Model 62 (2 votes) is leading the newer and more familiar (to younger shooters) Remington pumps which pulled in just 4 votes from all models (121, 572, ect.)

The .22 lever rifle is a two horse race as the Marlin 39 (7 votes) holds a small, but steady lead over the Winchester 94/22 (5 votes).

In the .22 autos another older rifle is taking the early lead as the Browning Auto pulled in 6 votes to beat out the newer Ruger 10/22 (4 votes). A`surprize , to me, was the strong showing of the cheap, plain Marlin 60 with 3 votes.

In the .22 target rifles it was once again voting all over the place. Only the Winchester 52 and Mossberg 44 managed more than a single vote (2 for each).

The centerfire bolt race is a runaway as the Winchester 70 is dominating with 10 votes.....far ahead of the second place Ruger 77 (3 votes). Oddly, the popular Remington 700 pulled just a single vote.

The Savage 99 is unchallenged in the centerfire lever voting with 11 votes (the most of any rifle in any race). The Marlin 336 (3 votes) trails far, far behind.

In the centerfire pump voting it is not surprizing that Remington rifles are dominate. With little competition the Remington 760/7600 (7 votes) is outpacing the older Remington 14/141 (3 votes). I suspect the older rifles would make this a much closer vote, but many here are young enough that they likely have never seen, much less fired a Model 14/141.

The surprize leader (to me at least) in the centerfire auto vote is the long-discontinued Ruger 44 (4 votes). I would have thought a more current rifle such as te Browning BAR (3 votes) would have been the choice. The M1 Garand did recieve 3 votes also, but has to be disqualified as the original post plainly stated.....NO MILITARY!!

Pump shotguns voting is a basic dead heat with the Remington 870, Ithaca 37 and Winchester 12 each recieving 5 votes. No clear leader is exspected here as voting continues.

With the modern trend toward gas-operated, plastic stocked, ugly shotguns, it is refreshing to see the another discontinued, older auto, the Browning A-5 (6 votes) take a commanding lead.

In double shotguns it is once again a mixed vote with only the A.H. Fox and the Beretta guns pulling in more than a single vote (2 votes each).

Is there a trend here??? I think so. Notice how many discontinued models lead or contend for the lead across the board. Maybe manufactures should take note and go back to producing products the public really wants rather than guns the magazines are proclaiming to be so great!!

22 bolt Ruger M77/22
22 pump Remington Speedmaster
22 lever Win M94/22Mag
22 auto Ruger 10/22
22 target rifle Remington Scoremaster

Center-fire bolt action Winchester Model 70
Center-fire lever action Savage 99
Center-fire pump action Remington 760
Center-fire auto Browning BAR

Pump shotgun Winchester Model 12
Auto shotgun Remington 11-87
Double shotgun Ruger Red Label