Suggestions for first C&R purchase

[till44]

This will be my first go at picking up a C&R piece. I'm looking to restore it to what I can, make a few tweeks to improve the performance and nothing more. Just want it to be reliable and fun to shoot. I have lots of experience with modern weapons, but will admit that I know next to nothing about the older guns. This will end up spending most of its time in my vehicle.

I would like to find either a shotgun or lever gun. Something that has some capacity to hold more than 1 round at a time. Also looking for something that doesn't require ammo that I will not be able to find at the local gun store/Walmart.

So, what do you recommend? What's a reasonable price for it? Keep in mind part of the reason for this little project is to keep the overall cost to a minimum, I do not want a museum piece. Thanks for the help and all the ideas.

[Rekrab]

Mauser bolt action might be good if you're not dead set on shotguns and levers. I believe you can pick up 8mm at wally world.

[froman118]

M1 Carbine from the CMP? About $500 shipped for a genuine USGI rifle that probably saw service in WWII and will be more of a shooter than collectible. .30 Carbine might be available at Walmart and it will be cheaper than their 8mm or 30-06.

If you can find a 30-30 lever rifle that's older than 50 years old then that'd work too. If you can narrow down what you're looking for a bit more then we'd be able to help more.

[Z ME FLY]

I have an old 16ga sxs shotgun that is missing the extractor. I believe this is the only thing missing. I cut the stock down with the idea of putting a pistol grip but never got around to shape it. It has 18.5" barrels. Let me know.

[till44]

I have an old 16ga sxs shotgun that is missing the extractor. I believe this is the only thing missing. I cut the stock down with the idea of putting a pistol grip but never got around to shape it. It has 18.5" barrels. Let me know.

Is it this one?

As for narrowing it down further, I really don't know. I like the idea of the lever gun and shotgun, primarily because I am familiar with their modern counterparts.

[bgelectrician]

Mosin Nagant bolt action rifle are fun and cheap! You can pick one up from Big 5 for $99 bucks. Or online for about the same or a little less.

[Z ME FLY]

Is it this one?

As for narrowing it down further, I really don't know. I like the idea of the lever gun and shotgun, primarily because I am familiar with their modern counterparts.

NOOOOO I am never selling that!

It's an old riverside SXS.. I took pictures of it a long time ago before I did the chop. But the stock on the sxs looks like the one in the picture. I liked the idea of leaving it like that so I can use the stock cuffs.

[Z ME FLY]

Mosin Nagant bolt action rifle are fun and cheap! You can pick one up from Big 5 for $99 bucks. Or online for about the same or a little less.

I was going to say this..

Get a Mosin they are super cheap! or an old shotgun you want to work on too. Actually you can get both because its cheap.

[Edge]

Pick up a Winchester 30-30 lever action. Fun to carry and shoot.

[cryoguy]

I was going to say get a Mosin too. Just about every gun store has ammo for them that is cheap.

[bgelectrician]

Go to AIM and get your ammo! They are 1/3 the price and the Mosin will eat up anything. Just clean it afterward.

[OneApart]

SKS

[sd_shooter]

1) Mosin - Cheap, and you can get the ammo at Big5 (Although better ammo is available online for a lot less - at least until AB962 kicks in.)

2) SKS - Not that much more, ammo available everywhere. Tons of fun.
(Not all SKS are C&R though...)

3) Garand - You can get a rack grade for $500 at CMP. Ammo readily available although it costs more than options 1) and 2).

[mdouglas1980]

I go with a mosin or the SKS as stated above^^^^

[till44]

I guess I should say I'd like it as compact as possible, it will have to fit in my trunk, and it is relatively small. Plus, I have always hated the look of the Mosin and SKS. The M1 Carbine seems great but more than I want to spend, I could build a budget AR or Saiga for that price.

Any other suggestions? Thanks for the suggestions up to now, I feel like a complete noob in here.