[Gaffer]

What in the heck are you talking about? A propos? Do you mean apropos? The man asked a question for three specific needs that he specifically qualified.

I happen to have actually purchased a Marlin 60 ($160 with scope) and Mossberg Persuader 8-9 shot pump (right at $220) and I’ve gotten any number of bolt action and semi-autos up to 30’06 that could fit the last need - all bringing in the total cost under his goal.

But, since you seem to have all the answers based on some cryptic pawn and sympathetic gunsmith expertise, go right ahead and tell him how to do it. I was just answering his question based on his parameters, not yours.

[jospehm20]

I have a tube fed Remington 550. I like it because it will shoot shorts, longs or long rifles without any fuss. That is a cool .22 rifle.

[golux]

What in the heck are you talking about? A propos? Do you mean apropos? The man asked a question for three specific needs that he specifically qualified....

1. I am talking about guns. 2. Please don't lecture me on the subject of French. It's silly on FR and I am fluent. Not "fluent" as in "I am applying to VA Tech and can talk to our maid"

3. Congratulations on having purchased a number of firearms for less than the price of a Wal-Mart TV. I doubt you are fluent, or even proficient, in their use. Yep the word fluent is a propos.

4. Used guns, as you might have inferred, can be dangerous, damaged, have risky serial numbers, be pitted, be warped, or have all sorts of other problems. As do yours, I'd imagine, unless you engaged a qualified and trusty expert to look them over, etc. which was the essence of my "advice."

Now that you've done checking inferred vs implied please note that when you need (when one needs) a firearm, you need it to function properly, and you need to really know it. Yes that was a preposition.

Even someone one who insists on splitting a menial firearms investment on some shoddy grab-bag or explosive crap, if they are a member of this forum, is worthy of good advice. My advice is: spend the grand on ONE weapon and know it well, little Gaffer, unless you're getting the family price. And I sure hope you got it on that Marlin 60 "$160 with Scope!"

Talk about "cryptic!" Good word though. Very cryptic.