For ~$50-100 more you could get a used Ruger American or Compact American in .243 or 7mm-08 and not be handicapped by a single-shot/hammer rifle. If you bought the compact, the kids could shoot it and you could get the Standard stock when they grow. Savage Axis would be another option that wouldn't break the bank.

The American Ranch Rifle in .300BLK was the one I wanted forever. After researching the cost of getting a supressor, I'm pretty much over the blk. Next in line was the american compact in 7mm-08. Still really like it and was planning on picking one up when I came across the CVA single shot. The more I read about it the more I come to like it. It's nearly 4 inches shorter than the American Compact and sounds like it's the more accurate of the two. Repeat shots is not really a factor I'm looking at, just a good easy-to-handle truck gun I can beat up on and let people use without worrying.

Between my cabelas points and gift cards I'd be nearly $0 out of pocket on the CVA which is a big reason I'm interested.

When the CVA single shot works, it works well - but they do not always work.

A customer brought one in recently, telling me that his would open when he fired it. The lockup was so uncertain that I could open the gun by slapping downward on the barrel without touching the release.

Researching the problem on the web, I discovered that it was not an uncommon problem, and that parts etc. were not easily available. - On the bright side, CVA has a system in place for sending the gun in. The story is that in most instances, they just send back another gun instead of trying to repair them. They are manufactured in Spain.

So, owners are either very happy, or not happy at all. The ones with no problems are, by all accounts, accurate and reliable guns. Turn-around time for warranty work at the time I had this gun in my shop was two months. That kind of thing varies, though. It could be more, or less by now.

I would not buy a used one, or buy one on-line. If I could not test the lock-up, I would pass on the CVA single-shot. If I could test the lock-up and found it to be solid, I would not hesitate to buy one, as the good ones are said to be very good.

If the seller does not want you to close the action, and then slap downward on the barrel to be sure that it stays locked up, then I would let them keep it.