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Rimfire Firearms .22, .17 and other Rimfire Handguns and Rifles |
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#1
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How do you deal with the stigma?
Hey guys. I have a secret love (a passion maybe even) for 22lrs. I can list the reasons why, but I think in this company I'd be wasting time; I'm pretty sure we 'get it'. But for some reason, it almost feels like a dirtly little secret, ya know? Case in point:
I recently went in to a local gun store and bought a bare bones 10/22. I plan to build it up to my tastes, tune it to drive nails and generally just turn it into one fine shooting machine. But I couldn't shake the sense of scorn from other customers in the shop. I'm a middle aged man of fairly large stature who yes, was in there buying a 10/22. No its not for my son, or my niece, or my grandma... its for me. Yes, it shoots a real caliber, no its not a toy and yes it is a real gun. I left the store almost feeling sheepish. How do you guys get over the stigma? How do you measure your "little 22" against the bigger center fire calibers even just in your own head? Is it 'just a toy' to you too, or do you think of it differently? Nothing is going to stop me from shooting and enjoying the hell out of my 22s. But I can't shake the feeling I'm somehow viewed as inferior for doing so. What about you, and how do you deal with it? |
#2
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Why give a crap what other people think...?
If you like it - Shoot it. Besides - My wife looks cute when she shoots hers...
__________________
. $500 Donation to any Veterans Charity - Plus $500 Gift Card to any gun store: Visit 2nd Amendment Mortgage / www.2AMortgage.com Last edited by DannyInSoCal; 09-19-2012 at 6:44 PM.. |
#4
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i get it from my cousin whenever i mention that i bought "another 22".
he'll ask what my gun-count is at currently (im constantly buying/selling), then he'll say "well, how many of those are 22's"....I tell him 5, and he'll act like those dont count happens in this exact order constantly |
#5
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Basically yea... who cares...
Though when I am at the range I do like going from pop pop pop to BLAM BLAM BLAM when I switch caliburs. It's all about enjoying the sport. and .22 is more inexpensive which means more time on the line and accuracy cannot be blamed on that huge recoil.
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US Navy Retired 1987-2007 |
#6
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seriously, fuggedabout it
I've got enough in various calibers. My 22 is still my favorite for practice and fun. I'm accurate and I can afford to shoot it all day long. Having more than one means I don't wear out one prematurely. Having more than three means more of the same. And when other people are making fun and then complaining of ammo prices, take your $20 and buy 500 rounds and tell them if they want to find you, you'll be on the range...
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#7
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my brother and i have a standing joke between us about some of the clientele and some of the employees seen and encountered in gun shops:
it seems like they're all ex-SEALs, ex-marines, ex-LE, ex-mercenaries, ex-rangers/paratroopers or ex-FBI/ICE/BP...and it seems like you always encounter the ones that will ask "What caliber XXXXXXX you got? oh...just a .44? i got a .45..." there ain't nuthin' wrong with what yer doin...it's yer $$$$, yer choice... the 10/22, along with the AR, happens to be, IMHO, a current day phenomenen that's not going away soon. i'm probably "Older" than you...i personally don't give a tinkers d*** what others say about my choice in fireams...
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NRA life member, US Army Veteran i am a legend in my own mind... we are told not to judge muslims by what a few do...yet, the NRA membership and firearms owners are ALL considered as radical... "The second amendment ain't about your deer rifle..." Last edited by donw; 09-19-2012 at 10:51 AM.. |
#9
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When I first got into firearms a few years ago, I thought the same thing. "A .22? Oh, please, might as well just shoot a kiddie BB-gun!"
Then I actually tried one. My mind changed very quickly. Shortly thereafter, a 10/22 somehow followed me home. I affectionately call it, "The Assault .22" because, of course, it's "capable of accepting a High Capacity Clip"! This rifle is just plain fun to shoot, and it's tough to beat one for harvesting small game like rabbits and such. Ammo for it is dirt-cheap, too. I cannot think of a better rifle to use for practicing marksmanship fundamentals than a .22LR of some sort. So, how do you deal with the "stigma"? Whoever doesn't like your choice of firearm is free to purchase a so-called "real gun" in a so-called "real caliber" for you with their money if they think it's so important. Anybody who opens their mouths at you like that, I suggest you consider mentioning that option to 'em. Oh, and they can buy your "real caliber" ammo for you, too. Until they do, just keep thinking of how much fun your .22 is to shoot, and how much easier on the wallet it is than their so-called "real guns".
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"San Francisco Liberal With A Gun" F***ing with people's heads, one gun show at a time. Hallelujah! http://www.sanfranciscoliberalwithagun.com (reloading info w/ videos) http://www.liberalsguncorner.com (podcast) http://www.youtube.com/sfliberal (YouTube channel) ---------------------------------------------------- To be a true Liberal, you must be 100% pro-Second Amendment. Anything less is inconsistent with liberalism. Last edited by Cowboy T; 09-19-2012 at 10:53 AM.. |
#10
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Hrmm.. ~525 rounds 22lr for <$20 vs. 100 rounds 9mm for ~$23 at walmart.
I can spend all day at Laguna Seca on the steel course and even play with the 300yd gong if I want. Or I can spend all day on the tin can range at Los Altos rapid firing. Can't rapid fire the 9mm at any ranges nearby, and I'd be spending 5x as much on ammo. Also, my wife likes 22's, so we go out together, and that's a huge plus for me. Even my mother said that our 22's were cute and she'd be willing to go sometime. So they seem fairly female-friendly which could be a good thing if you're trying to introduce a girlfriend to your hobbies.
__________________
Central Coast Chapter Meetups http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=493387 Use the CGF Help Hotline if you have an URGENT firearms-related legal matter.http://www.calgunsfoundation.org/get-help/hotline/ |
#11
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I have to admit, I felt a little weak when I was at the very busy counter picking up my Buckmark.22 I guess it's just a guy thing.
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#12
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Quote:
__________________
"San Francisco Liberal With A Gun" F***ing with people's heads, one gun show at a time. Hallelujah! http://www.sanfranciscoliberalwithagun.com (reloading info w/ videos) http://www.liberalsguncorner.com (podcast) http://www.youtube.com/sfliberal (YouTube channel) ---------------------------------------------------- To be a true Liberal, you must be 100% pro-Second Amendment. Anything less is inconsistent with liberalism. |
#13
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I happen to collect and shoot .22lr more than anything else. You'll get the look from the guys who think anything less than a .308 is childs play. When I go to the range or shoot with friends they're usually blasting away with their AR's and AK's and barely able to hit paper while I'm hitting the 1" shoot-n-c pasters with consecutive rounds from my .22's.
I enjoy giving them "the look" when we go up to change or check targets and they realize theirs looks like a bunch of birdshot all over the paper and i can cover mine with a quarter. I learned to shoot on a .22 and those fundamentals transfer over to larger caliber guns. I'd rather be able to hit what I'm aiming at consecutively and accurately than just blast away with a larger round. |
#16
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I agree with dannyinsocal. Let them talk. They are all closset 22 lovers in my book. I would say more than half my friends that give me crap about my 10/22 end up asking if they can try it out. after they have gone through all there ammo/$$$ of course. I remind them of the trash talk while they have the time of there life with my lil 10/22...
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#17
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There is no stigma. I'm having a good time and improving my skills every time I bring out a .22 to shoot, whether it's a 10/22, a vintage Remington or Mossberg, or dedicated rimfire AR. And, best of all, I'm not draining my wallet to do it.
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I'm retired. That's right, retired. I don't want to hear about the cop who stopped you today or how you didn't think you should get a ticket. That just makes me grumpy! |
#18
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I think you are being dramatic or paranoid. Everyone I know has at least 1 rifle and 1 handgun in .22lr. I don't know a single person that shoots well that doesn't shoot .22lr. However, if .22lr is the only thing you shoot, maybe some comments are justified.
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#19
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I love .22's and I ride a scooter. I don't give a damn what anyone thinks. But I have a lot of cheap fun on both.
__________________
"Show me a young conservative and I'll show you a man without a heart. Show me an old liberal and I'll show you a man without a brain." - Sir Winston Churchill "I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!" - Senator Barry Goldwater |
#20
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Maybe. But that'd be a first for me in either case
Nah, nothing like that. Just some random musings based on some observations during lunch on hump day. Believe me, I'd rather be at the range shooting one of my 22s |
#21
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I like to shoot anything that goes bang. That is all that matters to me.
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Stupid people; They're breeding. ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ Si vis pacem, para bellum ╠╦═╬ Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms should be a store, not a government agency. |
#22
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My Ruger 22/45 always goes to the pistol range with me. My buddies end up being broke/out of ammo sooner. I switch between the centerfire pistols and the rimfire. Helps my groups and counters any flinch I pick up. I do the same when I shoot rifles. A .22 is always along.
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"On bended knee is no way to be free." - Eddie Vedder, "Guaranteed" "Let your gun therefore be the constant companion of your walks." -Thomas Jefferson, in a letter to his nephew Peter Carr dated August 19, 1785 |
#24
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Stigma? Anyone that knocks the 22LR just doesn't get it, it's not even worth trying to explain to them. It's like a stage in life you either get it or not.
And anyone that doesn't have found memories of shooting a 22LR some time in their lives is sadly deprived imo. Some of my best memories are shooting 22LR with my grandfather. Shooting for tiny groups or long distances with a 22LR is challenging and fun! (not to mention cheap) People see my heavily modded Marlin 795 and say, Wow! And if anyone ever did knock it I would have them shoot it... |
#25
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Another plus is that DGM in Santee allows pistol calibur rilfes on thier pistol range so it saves me the gas driving out to the San Diego store.
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US Navy Retired 1987-2007 |
#26
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People drooled over my MP5 22lr at the range the other day.
They watched and saw how much fun it was and the groupings that even my girlfriend was putting down and all wanted one
__________________
CLXXIV
In us we trust. |
#27
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Put 10 rounds in one hole and yell "That just cost me ten cents! I think I'll do it again."
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#28
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Where are you shopping for ammo? 10 rounds costs 30 cents minimum.
__________________
"Show me a young conservative and I'll show you a man without a heart. Show me an old liberal and I'll show you a man without a brain." - Sir Winston Churchill "I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!" - Senator Barry Goldwater |
#30
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__________________
NRA life member, US Army Veteran i am a legend in my own mind... we are told not to judge muslims by what a few do...yet, the NRA membership and firearms owners are ALL considered as radical... "The second amendment ain't about your deer rifle..." |
#31
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I don't care what others think...
I have 22lrs for a reason...same as my bigger stuff. mkane, those are some sweet looking rifles you got there.
__________________
NRA Benefactor Member NRA Golden Eagle SAF Life Member CGN Contributor |
#32
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Stigma?
Screw what morons think. I know that .22lrs are tons of fun and my favorite guns to shoot. When some moron starts showing his machismo and stupidity by trying to tell me that I'm a wimp for shooting .22lrs, I just laugh it off. I know the moron is probably a new shooter who shoots to feel recoil and hear a loud noise instead of actually trying to hit what he is aiming at. In the end, I could not care less what the moron thinks of me but, if I have one of my 50BMGs around, I might F with him and let the smallest girl I can find shoot a few rounds from it. Then, I can explain to the moron that recoil and noise aren't any more macho than Hello Kitty. When I take my .22lr shotgun out to try to break clays, I only get laughed at until I actually break a few. But, I'm not that good so, "a few" might take me 25 rounds to hit.
__________________
NRA Certified Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun and Metallic Cartridge Reloading Instructor California DOJ Certified Fingerprint Roller Ventura County approved CCW Instructor Utah CCW Instructor Offering low cost multi state CCW, private basic shooting and reloading classes for calgunners. CCW SAFE MEMBERSHIPS HERE KM6WLV Last edited by CSACANNONEER; 09-19-2012 at 3:16 PM.. |
#33
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I was late to join the .22lr shooters, I sadly scorned a few in my ignorance. It isn't as fun as shooting big bore but I'm really into cost/benefit comparisons, and when a full magazine costs less than one cartridge, I have nothing to be ashamed of.
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OIF 07-09 Veteran NRA Endowment Member, CRPA Life Member |
#34
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Quote:
I love my .22's! Of course a 10/22 (doesn't everyone have at least one?) and a Mk1 but also my Razor 80%'s...in 22LR and WMR. What a blast to shoot them all! Stigma?! Not sure I feel any! Most shoot for the sheer love of shooting. Always a good time and compliments on the rifles. Robert |
#35
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Quote:
I pay 30 cents for a single round of bargain .45 ACP But I'd be impressed and believe it at the range.
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#38
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Anybody can shoot 22 , It is very difficult to shoot one well . anybody who does not understand what i am getting at I could never explain it to .
Now i have to admit that I dont get the 10-22 craze, No matter what you do to it you still have a 10-22 . |
#40
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Screw what they think. Next time some macho-man makes a comment about how a 22lr is an underpowered toy or similar, tell him that you are not sure of the power it has and ask him to volunteer to be your next target to verify its stopping power.
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AL CGF Contributor NRA Golden Eagle Being north of 70 has definite advantages: I was able to do all my stupid stuff before video cameras, smartphones, utube, and the internet. |
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