What is the best nail gun for a home owner to use for framing of a deck? I have heard that triple coated zinc bolts are used, does that also mean that the nails need to be triple coated that are used in the nail gun. Also, what gauge should be used? Full size with heads? ie 10 or 11g? Is it practical to buy for under 500 including compressor and what size compressor is needed to run it? I want to build a shed, deck and redue my basement with 2x4 studs and that will save my arm and time. Any help is appreciated.

There are so many available, I could'nt possibly tell you which is best.
I use porter-cable. I purchased it at Sears a few years ago. Got the packaged deal. Twin stack 3 hp, 4 gallon, compressor with Clipped head framing nailer, 50 ft. hose and a few other odds and ends for around $350.00.
I have used it to build three boat docks, a large deck, a garage and other things. ( Will never use a hammer again. )
I like the galvanized coated ring shank nails.
They are almost impossible to pull out and will last as long as the wood.
Hope this helps.

there is no best nail gun but i recommend getting one that shots clipped head nails they are more universal.rink shank nails are best but not galvinized if you are planing on useing pressure treated material. the new cemical they put in treated lumber corodes steel it is a no contact with steel. use stainless steel ring shank nails.or your deck will start with rust streaks and then lose boards than finally an expensive unsafe deck. Tim, Rock Creek Contractor Services Inc.

What Tim said is basically correct,
However, in January 2004 while building a dock, I had some delays because.
On December 31, 2003 the wood industry in response from pressure from the EPA voluntarily changed from treating wood using ( CCA-C ) Chromated Copper Arsenate, Arsenate meaning a form of Arsenic, to other formulas of treating wood for preserving.
Galvanized ( definition, to coat with zinc. ) products also changed. They increased the content of zinc by 50% or more in order to comply with the new ANSI ( American National Standards Institution ) and ASTM ( American Society of Testing Materials ) codes for galvanized materials. Reference ASTM A641/A641M-03.
While I cannot attest to what smaller hardware stores might have left over in their stock.
I do know that Lowes and Homedepot pulled all galvanized products from their shelves and replaced them with the new ones.
Stainless steel products would be best, however type 304, 309, or 316 stainless steel products can cost from three to as much as five times what the galvanized ones cost.
Unless you can sell your customer on the benefits, it can be hard to compete with your competitor who will underbid you.

Before you invest in a "quality" gun check with local building codes. In our area here in California building codes require full head nailers for framing. Bostich makes a great dual purpose gun (Bostitch N88RH-2MCN) that allow you to shoot up to 3-1/2" nails and then with a quick change of the tip allows you to nail metal connectors. Very helpful if you are trying to do both but do not want to invest in a stand alone metal nailer.

Hey, all, I need to get some opinions, please.
Above, skiddr states that he got a 4 gal dual-tank for framing. On my addition, I borrowed a 30 gal & it met my needs fine, but now I am looking for one myself for future non-pro construction jobs. What I mean is that I will do big jobs like multi-room additions, prossibly only every year or less. What size compressor will be good for my needs? Will such a small compressor be OK or will it be cycling all the time? Thanks, all.

Based on the type of compressor you choose will determine if it will work or not.
I use Bostitch nail guns and can run two off a pancake compressor sold by sears.
Now I use this compressor pretty much all the time, but not with both guns being used.
You need to check on the nail guns your planning to use. Palm nailers, roof nail guns and how many will be working at the same time.
then determine how much CMF each gun uses.
Combine them to determine how big your compressor should be.
Based on what your going to be using a pancake compressor should work fine. If your planning to use many guns at the same time or plan to use this every day then a larger duel tank compressor would be in order.