I did some research, now help me make a choice please!

[Birdmang]

I will be getting some firearms and need to make a choice, I have looked up some information and didn't really find much on the rifles at hand.

I was hoping someone could shed some light on which rifles are of best quality and could fetch the most if sold, none of these hold any special attachments or are heirlooms, these are just random closet guns that I have to choose from.

Thanks for the help!

I need to pick one .22 out of the following

Remington Model 550-I .22 S,L,LR



Marlin Model 56 Lever Action clip fed .22



Mossberg Model 352KB .22




I need to pick a shotgun out of the following

Winchester Model 1893



Winchester Model 12, 12 gauge Nickel Steel Pump



Savage Automatic 12 Gauge



Winchester Model 97





Manhattan Arms Co. Double Barrel 12 Gauge



Mossberg Model 185D-A 20 gauge bolt action




Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[CZ223]

I think I would choose

The Marlin lever action 22 just because of the novelty. Through the 20 or so years that I have been buying guns and frequenting gun shows, I have never seen one. That does not mean that it is worth a lot. Most Marlin 22's shoot extremely well and I doubt that one will be any different. Besides, it is a lever action, if not a traditional one, after all.

As far as the shotguns go, without seeing them up close it would be a hard call between the model 12 and the 97. It appears that your 97 is a takedown and the model 12 might be as well. You should start by making shure that they are tight. I am not shure but it seems like there might be some sort of mount on the top of the the 97. If this is not the case and the 97 is in good shape I would choose it. A good 97 will bring about $500 from a Cowboy action shooter these days. It doesn't have to be pristine either , it just has to be mechanically sound and look decent. The model is more collectable to some extent but value depends largely on condition. Yours looks to be in good shape but unless it it is great shape is probaly woth in the $300-$400 range. If you can, take them some place that can appaise them for you or at least get a blue book and look them up. The cresent arms guns is probably worth $250-$300 , the bolt action $50 and I am not shure about the Savge but I believe I have seen them for around $300. The 97 is definitely the coolest of all. Can you tell that I am a Cowboy action shooter?

 

[Birdmang]

Thanks for your input!

 

[CZ223]

I just went to Gun broker

and I will hve to stand by my original suggestions. Ther are three model 56's up for auction right now and two of them are at $300 while the third one has a starting price of $400. The good news here is that yours is in better condition than all 3 of them.

I also looked at the prices on the shotguns and I will also stick with my orinal recomendations on this one too. I do think that you model 12 might be worth as much as $500 from what I can see. You will want to consult a blue book on this one as the prices on these varries widely. There may be something special about yours that makes it worth significantly more.

 

[Birdmang]

I really like the Marlin but have yet to find any magazines for it, I need to do some drawer searching.

 

[CZ223]

there are three mags available on gunbroker right now.

Originals seem to be pretty pricey but there is one up for $15. You might also try Numrich gun parts.

 

[Tommygunn]

I inherited a Remington 550-1 from my father. Yours seems to be missing a shell deflecter; a stamped metal "shroud" that was screwed onto the top of the rifle over the ejection port that help deflect the ejected cases downward.
According to what I've been told, the 550-1 was an inexpensive .22 that had a good reputation for accuracy.
I don't think they have any really special collector value. Mine only has sentimental value as it belonged to my father.

 

[Jim Watson]

The 550's trigger guard is on backwards, too. I'd go for the Marlin.
It looks like there is something on top of the 97's receiver. Is there?
I would lean towards the Model 12 for actual use unless interested in CAS or resale to a CAS-er.

 

[Birdmang]

I found another gun and added it to the list...I also took a picture of the top of one of the shotguns.

 

[Jim Watson]

The plate on the top of the '97 is the base of a Nydar optical sight.
One is shown at:
https://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=131066191
so if you find the rest of the sight when going through drawers looking for the Marlin magazine, you have a neat old rig. If the rest of the Nydar does not turn up, I would take the base off the gun, whether it is to be shot or sold.

The 1893 Winchester is the ancestor of the 1897 but is not as strong and sturdy. Pass.

 

[Birdmang]

The 1893 is broken, I guess someone shot a smokeless shell in it?!

 

[KenWP]

The Browning Auto 5 clone isn't to bad either depending. I would be hard pressed on the shotguns to make a decision between the 3 good ones. The 22 is a pretty easy one as the Marlin wins hands down. I have a clip for it already anyways.
The picture of the double shot gun is blocked on my end so I have no idea what it is.

 

[welldoya]

I would for sure go with the Marlin lever and the model 12.