got a $500 academy gift card for a new gun, wife specifically wants me to use it for this since i deserve a new one. I currently have:
glock 22 for range/target (with both 40 and 357 sig barrels)
glock 33 for ccw (with both 40 and 357 sig barrels)
marlin 45/70 guide gun for hunting
marlin 30/30 for hunting.
what i dont have is a shotgun for bird hunting thinking about starting quail and dove hunting again. also missing a fun plinker cheap 22. so what can the board recommend:
ive looked at the Yildiz o/u shotguns, and what about the ar-15 versions of the 22 long rifles. anyone know anything about them. also thought about getting a 22 cal semi-auto small frame to drop into the pocket as a ccw backup, or to throw into the pocket when im not dressed to put on the holster to ccw the glocks. (use crossbreed supertuck for this). or thought about the rossi 38 to drop in pocket. been looking academy website since i got the card, and cant make up my mind, so suggestions will help. or if anyone has a different suggestion let me know. also might be open to trade card for right firearm.
doc

This one's easy....., for $500 at Academy, get yourself a Remington Express pump shotgun (12 or 20 Ga with laminate stock) for shooting birds and a Ruger 10/22 for some fun plinking! Merry Christmas!!!

apparently the smith and wesson 22's run great and the colt/umarex ones suck.

but i agree with the above poster, sensible, simple and reliable

I would have to agree 100% !

I believe the man is on to something! No reason to choose between the two when you can have both, and in a dang fine fashion...

I agree with Clarkfork, Brandon, and KC. Get a good pump and a Ruger plain jane 10/22.

The range i go to in Houston, a guy has a colt version of the AR style 22 and he has more prblems with it than my make-shift "ar" 10/22 that i built. If you get the 10/22, there are a world of aftermarket parts (stocks included) that you can get later. But for now, you will have a very accurate and reliable 22 plinker.

i like to show off my gun every chance i get. Vain i know but really love my little toy. It only cost about $220 in addition to the price of the gun. Alot of items are unnecessary, i just like them.

That thing is sweet.

I'd get a 20ga Yildiz over/under and a Marlin model 60 with a little more cash (60$ or so).

I have shot 300 rounds through a 20ga Yildiz over a 2 day period and it didnt miss a beat. The trigger pull is a little long because it's a mechanical trigger and not inertia driven. It's just different from my wetherby OU but can easily get used to it. Good thing is that Brily services all warranty issues with Yildiz right here in old ole Texas.

I personally would be a pump first because it's a great work horse that you can do anything with.

Hook'em Horns
Soon to be '09-'10 National Champs!!!
Class of 2005

The 870 is a great versatile shotgun no doubt but if all I'm using it for is shooting dove and quail as the OP indicated.

I'll take the 20ga o/u, light enough to carry around all day and doesn't break the bank on gun or ammo.

The model 60 is a great firearm as is the 10/22. I like Marlin better than the Ruger and the OP seems to like Marlin guns. I don't think he's hurting for HD purposes, picture the 45/70 off the hip plus a couple glocks.

Then again, I'm just spending someone elses money.

+1

Or the nice shotgun and all the accessories you might want for it, and those models you have?

another vote for this one.