AndyC, The Marlins are fine guns, I really like to looks of the Laminated stock one pictured above, and with the addittion of a flush fitting 5 round magazine it would be a beauty. However if you are a beginning or fairly new shooter I suggest saving your money and getting a H&R1871 (New England Firearms) Sportster single shot. Since your buddy already shoots a .17 HMR and you might be hunting fox but not coyote go with the .17 HMR. Don't be fooled into thinking money alone will buy accuracy. I have shot my .17 HMR Sportster (under $150) with a Simmons Whitetail Classic 6.5-20x50 ($100), a $250.00 set up head to head against an Anshutz 1717D ($1,450.00)with a Unertel scope ($800), the Anshutz, set up the way it was cost 9-10 times what my H&R did and I equaled or bested the groups of the Anshutz at every yardage!!! The H&R won overall!!!. I shot the Anshutz after the little informal match and of course the Anshutz's owner just had to shoot the gun that beat his pride and joy. I must admit the Anshutz's trigger was to dream of and the scope was spectacular, the gun itself is a work or art (Mastergrade, special wood) but the H&R came out on top. Try the H&R in .17 HMR to get your feet wet, if you want to move up to something more expensive and a bit more flashy by all means do so. You will always have the H&R to fall back on or to let another friend shoot so you can get another introduced to the shooting sports. Try it, it won't cost much and I think you will like it, but be careful, they are addictive. If you run into any other questions or problems please visit the rest of us Handi/Sportster junkies just a bit above this section. Remember, accuracy is as much in the shooter as in the gun....<><.... :grin:
