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Most Online9,918 Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 127
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 127 |
I may be opening up a Pandora's box, but I need to get your opinion on the LC Smith side by shotguns that Marlin was selling that were made in Spain. I know the guns were not sidelocks, but boxlocks. Have there been any problems with the guns malfunctioning? I know they come with a single non selective trigger. My reason for asking is that Cabela's Classic Gun Library has some in 12, 20, and, even, 28 gauge for sale in the neighborhood of around $1400, give or take a couple of hundred. They also have a SKB 385 in 12 gauge with 28 inch barrels for $1900. I know about SKBs and seeing as how they no longer are making side bys this may be a much better buy.
Colin L. Kendall
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,941 Likes: 19
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,941 Likes: 19 |
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,205
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,205 |
The "new" Marlin L.C. Smiths in 12 and 20 gauge were made by Fausti in Italy and the 28 and .410 guns were made by Zabala in Spain. Not sure about the 12 and 20, but the 28 and ,410 have a selective trigger.
I bought a NIB .410 about three months ago. Gave $995 for it. It is a very nice, well made gun. I am very pleased as is a friend who also bought a 28 gauge about the same time. IMO the Zabala guns are better built than the Fausti guns.
Ole Cowboy
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 314
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 314 |
For a little less money you can buy a CZ Woodcock. Same quality, fit and finish and about $500 less than the $1400 Faux Smith.
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,409 Likes: 4
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,409 Likes: 4 |
Greentop Sporting Goods in Glen Allen Va has Marlin LC Smith light weight double with 28" tubes Mod/Full in top shape for $499. This is ca. 1970 SLNE clone of original L.C. Smith shotgun. I took it off hold this morning for that price it is an exceptional buy.
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,205
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,205 |
PJ, what is SLNE? These guns were not clones. They were made with original tooling. Very good buy.
Ole Cowboy
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,337 Likes: 342
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,337 Likes: 342 |
Sidelock Nonejector. The Marlin Smiths were good guns. Just that the gun came around at the wrong time and perhaps the wrong gauge. At the time these were on the market, you could get an original LC cheaper and there where still tons around. SxS's were not as popular then as they are now. Wht buy an "old" time gun when you could get a nice new Rem. 1100 for about the same $$ or less. Of course we know better now.
Best of Luck!
Greg
Last edited by gjw; 07/01/11 09:59 PM.
Gregory J. Westberg MSG, USA Ret
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,573 Likes: 165
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,573 Likes: 165 |
Agree with Greg. That previous REAL Elsie made by Marlin might have been a seller for them if they'd come out with it in 20ga. They also put a vent rib on those guns, and they're not particularly popular with the sxs crowd except on dedicated target guns--and that one was basically a field gun.
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,409 Likes: 4
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,409 Likes: 4 |
It's nice LW gun with reinforced plates to prevent stock splitting and modern stock dimensions. There are couple spots on stock and one tube plus small chip off the plastic butt plate but zero field use. Mechanically 100% new piece that can provide many years of field use.
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