The last couple that I built, I got barrels and some of the internals from Combat Armory ( https://www.combatarmory.com/ )
I was pretty pleased, especially for the price.
All my life I've said I don't like Winchesters because of the top ejection throwing a shell up in front of your face, but now it's kinda hard to make that argument and own as many Glocks as I do...hahaha
I understand what you're saying but the SKS went up because we can't get anymore, what's here is here. I haven't seen any firearms that I can think of that that has increased 4xs or more that's still being produced. A $1200 (or more) Marlin is NOT due to inflation. It's popularity. And I stand...
The one I bought was back in the late 80's they were (for the most part) flawless back then... VERY dependable. But at some point they went WAY down hill.
Yeah, I miss those days. Would have never guessed a Marlin would cost as much as they do now. The very first firearm I purchased with my own money was a used 30/30 Marlin for $175.
I'm not a huge fan of polymer receivers but if I was going to use one, I'd probably go with KE arms. It limits your stock options because the stock is built into the lower, but I also think that would help with durability, not to mention their particular lower has been in the poly game a long...
That's not a 100% accurate comparison. 9mm and .40 are both chambered in the same platforms, whereas .357 is predominantly a revolver round and 10mm is predominantly a semi auto round ....
Definitely .22 small game and easy-ish to get ammo. 223/556 and 308/762 handles any large game in Ga it's also both NATO rounds so in the case of a SHTF scenerio you'll be able to pick ammo up off of "the fallen" military/police etc.
At least that's the way I've been stock piling for the last...
It looks.like half a dozen different manufacturers, you'll have a hard time pinpointing the exact one. As long as it locks up and does it's job, that's all that matters.