i want to get my dad a gun for his bday

[kodiak1232003]

so, could i buy it here in san diego... and then do a private party transfer @ a FFL with him up in ventura?

i'd like it to be a surprise...

like i show up with it new in the box, and then we take care of paperwork after that. i don't want to go looking with him, pay for it, have him have to wait 10 days etc.

also, here's the contenders (he's a shooter, but doesn't own guns)


1. 870 pump w/ short extra barrel
2. 10/22 in wood/stainless
3. marlin papoose in .22
4. .45/70 guide gun
5. marlin lever in "other" caliber (.30-30, 45colt, .44mag, etc.)


any opinions? him and my stepmom are big-time campers (almost every weekend)

this will be a camp gun/anti-predator gun specifically NOT in bear country (mtn. lion, coyote, wolf, very, very rare chance of a small black bear, and of course, 2 legged predators)

[Numidian]

45-70

[5spd]

Just for a camp gun/nite visitor a 30-30 would be my choice or a 44mag.
The 12ga would be just as fine and can be had with a short& long bbl.

You do not need to transfer the gun to him since its within the family and under FFL regs its considered a gift, this is only with your immediate family.

[4x401cj]

The .45-70 Marlin guide guns are sweet. I`m a big fan of all the Marlin lever actions reguardless of caliber, they`re just exellent rifles.

[kodiak1232003]

Just for a camp gun/nite visitor a 30-30 would be my choice or a 44mag.
The 12ga would be just as fine and can be had with a short& long bbl.

You do not need to transfer the gun to him since its within the family and under FFL regs its considered a gift, this is only with your immediate family.

thanks, i actually just found that out a few minutes ago...:)

[aloharover]

The .45-70 Marlin guide guns are sweet. I`m a big fan of all the Marlin lever actions reguardless of caliber, they`re just exellent rifles.

I think the 45-70 is a "fun" round. Black powder or smokeless it has a very wide band of uses.
I only have a Rolling Block atm, but want to get a Marlin.
Just think it's cool that ~130 years later its still a popular cartridge. :D

[4x401cj]

I think the 45-70 is a "fun" round. Black powder or smokeless it has a very wide band of uses.
I only have a Rolling Block atm, but want to get a Marlin.
Just think it's cool that ~130 years later its still a popular cartridge. :D

I agree with the "fun", part also. My only current .45-70 is my 14" T/C Contender. The most fun I had with it was using it to shoot IHMSA. That only lasted 3 competitions and I was asked not to use it because they were tired of repairing the 50 meter chickens. :D I only use it for hunting and plinking now.

[kodiak1232003]

did some research on the .30-30. its a bit less than the .45-70 and seems fairly good at taking all sorts of game up to deer size @ about 100 yards, not that he'll hunt with it...just an emergency game getter.

i also like the idea of a shotgun...all around good gun with 00 buck, slugs, or trap rounds. prolly an 870 just like mine.