Win_SX-1
Member
We are at our family cabin "up north" here in Minnesota and I just stepped into the LGS to buy some ammunition. The owner was busy with another customer but was gracious enough to ring up the sale for the ammo.
On my way out, I saw that he had a Marlin Camp Gun in 9mm and an old Ruger Mini-14 - both were on sale for $300 and both had wooden stocks. They were obviously used but did not look abused ... at least not in the display cabinet. I'm guessing the Marlin was from the mid-80s and the Ruger from the early 90s. Since my family was waiting, I did not have time to wait for the owner to finish with the other customer. The shop is closed for the rest of the weekend so I plan on going in next Saturday to have another look.
What are the things that I need to look out for? Are these fair prices if they are (say) 75% condition - remember I did not have time to inspect them. I can only afford to buy one and not both of these. I like the idea that the Marlin is in the same caliber as my P99 so I do not have to stock yet another set of ammo, but I'm worried about getting magazines, parts etc. The Ruger is still being made so I know I can upgrade if I want to.
I would only use it for plinking. We do have wildlife around the cabin including deer, coyotes, foxes and bears. And a couple of winters ago we saw what we thought were wolf tracks but didn't see any. If they become a nuisance I do have a pump shotgun and my father-in-law's Garand, but they have always kept to themselves and never bothered us.
I would appreciate any advice on the Marlin and the Ruger, especially what to look out for when I go back ... assuming they haven't been sold by then
Thanks
On my way out, I saw that he had a Marlin Camp Gun in 9mm and an old Ruger Mini-14 - both were on sale for $300 and both had wooden stocks. They were obviously used but did not look abused ... at least not in the display cabinet. I'm guessing the Marlin was from the mid-80s and the Ruger from the early 90s. Since my family was waiting, I did not have time to wait for the owner to finish with the other customer. The shop is closed for the rest of the weekend so I plan on going in next Saturday to have another look.
What are the things that I need to look out for? Are these fair prices if they are (say) 75% condition - remember I did not have time to inspect them. I can only afford to buy one and not both of these. I like the idea that the Marlin is in the same caliber as my P99 so I do not have to stock yet another set of ammo, but I'm worried about getting magazines, parts etc. The Ruger is still being made so I know I can upgrade if I want to.
I would only use it for plinking. We do have wildlife around the cabin including deer, coyotes, foxes and bears. And a couple of winters ago we saw what we thought were wolf tracks but didn't see any. If they become a nuisance I do have a pump shotgun and my father-in-law's Garand, but they have always kept to themselves and never bothered us.
I would appreciate any advice on the Marlin and the Ruger, especially what to look out for when I go back ... assuming they haven't been sold by then
Thanks