I haven't been on this board in a long time, but I have a question. Have there been any posts or comments on the Marlin LC Smith 28 gauge that was introduced a few years ago? If anyone has any experience with it, I would like to know about it.

Thanks

Welcome back, neighbor!...Geo

The first 28 and 410 were made by Zabala in Spain, later by Fausti in Italy. Of course it is a side PLATE boxlock and not a sidelock.

I can only speak to the Zabala offering.

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=98867

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=214671510

http://www.lipseys.com/itemdetail.aspx?i...;model=LC+Smith

They are serviceable and a bit stiff to cock the ejectors. I have had no trouble with the single trigger.

Do you have specific questions?

Welcome back James! it has been a long time. Bobby

As said, the 12 and 20 gauges were made by Zabala and the 28 and .410 were made by Fausti in Italy.

And as far as to whether a particular Marlin Smith was made in Spain or Italy that is easy, it is marked
Mike

I believe that's backwards. In fact, I know that the 12's and 20's, at least when they first came out, were Fausti-made guns. Essentially the same gun as the Weatherby Athena d'Italia, dressed up in different clothes. When Marlin wanted to add the smallbores, I'm pretty sure that's when they went to Zabala.

That is likely true, Larry. I think I remembered wrong.

Thanks everyone for the replies and welcomes. Its good to hear from you especially the familiar faces and names.

As many of you know I am a big fan of 28 gauge sxs's and have hunted with most of them. I haven't tried the Marlin L C Smith, but plan to do so. I wondered if there were any known problems or issues with them. I would like to hear of any good or bad experience with them.

Thanks,
Riprap

I'm pretty sure they're Zabala-made. Some people have very good luck with doubles from Zabala. In other cases, not so good. Quality seems to be somewhat inconsistent. If I were you, I'd also check out whatever kind of warranty Marlin gives the buyer, just in case.

Hi all, just a side note, the Zabala made 28ga is not made on a scaled frame to that gauge. Zabala 28's are on a 20ga frame. As been said before, Zabalas can be a crap shoot with their single triggers (like most Spanish SxS's). As skeettx said, look for the markers mark, Zabala is ZH and "Made in Spain" should be on the bbls.

Here's a couple links discussing the Marlin Smith's:

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopi...Marlin#p1740869

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=126&t=207687&hilit=Marlin


Good luck to you!!

All the best!

Greg

CDNN is closing out some of these 20 gauge SxS's with 26" barrels for $999. Probably a decent bird gun at that price.

JERRY

Riprap,
Come to Amarillo and you can shoot my 410, 28, 20 or 12 gauge.
I have the keys to the skeet range

Look here

http://bbs.shootingsportsman.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=42985

Mike

The Weatherby Athena d'Italias, essentially the same gun in somewhat fancier dress, have been selling at prices close to that. I agree that either is worth considering, at those prices.