Need Your Help with First Time .22LR Gun Selection

[Maxa1]

Hi,

I'm new to this forum and this is my first post.

I've bought some guns only for home defense in my home (I'm in the SF Bay Area). I live in a house, a tract home with mostly stucco exteriors and have detached houses with the same for my neighbors. I have a narrow hallway that is a bottleneck leading to all bedrooms. I've done other measures to reduce break-ins, eg dog, reinforced ALL doors, security bar on front and basement door when home. Distances for gunfights would be point blank to about 15 feet at the most.

I have a Glock 17 (9 mm) and am doing the 10 day thing for a S&W M&P Sport ii (5.56 NATO) and Mossberg 590 shotgun (3"). I have experience with the Glock 17 at the range, but it's been a while.

I wanted your advice on getting a .22LR for marksmanship/target practice that would best simulate and/or help me get skills transferable for these weapons.

I'm thinking of a Ruger 10/22 and/or a Browning Buckmark due to not being ammo fussy, easy to use, and reliable/durable, but I'm open to other ideas.

Curiously, the Browning may be TOO accurate, as I read a comment that someone grew bored, not having challenges of doing better with target practice.

Where can I find it/them? My FFL charges $150 for transfers, so on-line won't work for me.

Guns are hard to find right now, and ammo is worse, especially .22

The other question might be off-topic, but what is the order I should use these guns in home defense and what ammo should I get, particularly for the shotgun (the gunstore recommended #9 birdshot, but I see on YouTube that it's not but #00 buckshot is effective).

Thanks

[TMB 1]

You can get both the Ruger10/22 and the Browning Buckmark at Sportsman's Warehouse, even in stock at some stores.


Lots of people will tell you not to use birdshot but at in the house distance 1oz of shot will f them up even if it doesn't kill them right away. I would rather have #6 or 7 shot if using birdshot or even better 1 7/8oz #4 or 6 shot turkey loads.

[edgerly779]

Stop hiding your location and someone may be able to refer help. Typical newbie first post. I have the interarms breakdown 22 auto match the browning in socal for sale.

[sfvshooter]

It might be worthwhile to get some training. Basic shooting fundamentals apply to all firearms.

I use both shotgun & pistol for HD. Get some 9mm practice ammo (FMJ) and some defense ammo. 00 for HD, but again, make sure you get quality ammo for defense and some basic 00 buck for practice. I've read/heard some people say you want low velocity (1200 fps) 00 for HD so it doesn't go through walls, but that's up to you.

[Preston-CLB]

edgerly, he says he's in the SF bay Area.

Welcome to CalGuns, Maxa!

The Buckmarks are nice; reliable and easy to maintain. They tend to prefer standard velocity .22LR.

You might also consider a .22 single action revolver. There are some real nice ones from Ruger, Heritage Arms, and others. They are fun to shoot, and are great for working on fundamentals. I have a Ruger Single Six Convertible that comes with .22 LR and .22WMR cylinders. I shoot every range trip.

As far as a 22 rifle, 10/22's are nice. For just a fun gun/plinker, there are some real nice lever action and bolt action models out there. Lots to choose from.

I'll second the suggestion to get some formal training.

Have fun, and be safe!
-P

[hermosabeach]

Most of us will never use birdshot for home defense. Only 00 Buckshot.

The deal of the decade, if you can afford it, is buying a second hand membership to frontsight in Pahrump Nevada.

For about $100 members here can sell you a lifetime membership good for their 2 and 4 day classes.

It will still cost you
$50 background check - once per year
Travel too and From
4 nights lodging
ammo


If you want to get better, if you can afford it, get coaching!

You will learn the correct way to shoot.
You can then practice what you learn in school at your local range and home dry practice.


--
Yes it is difficult to walk in and purchase a gun. Many stores can order a gun for you especially one they normally stock. As your local shop what 22 LR they normally carry and order one.

(AVOID the sig Mosquito)

[dmo171]

First get a new FFL

[Imageview]

Put a couple thousand rounds through my 22 pistol, not bored yet. More fun to fire than my snub 357 with terrible sights for sure (although that's still enjoyable as well). Ruger 10/22 also a barrel of fun. Birdshot will do plenty of damage inside 5-7 yards, not an ideal choice but it'll mess someone up. #4 buck would be more certain. For self defense I would personally pick up the shotgun, but that's just me.

[Maxa1]

Thanks

First get a new FFL

Please help me understand what they're doing wrong.

[Maxa1]

Thanks

edgerly, he says he's in the SF bay Area.

Welcome to CalGuns, Maxa!

The Buckmarks are nice; reliable and easy to maintain. They tend to prefer standard velocity .22LR.

You might also consider a .22 single action revolver. There are some real nice ones from Ruger, Heritage Arms, and others. They are fun to shoot, and are great for working on fundamentals. I have a Ruger Single Six Convertible that comes with .22 LR and .22WMR cylinders. I shoot every range trip.

As far as a 22 rifle, 10/22's are nice. For just a fun gun/plinker, there are some real nice lever action and bolt action models out there. Lots to choose from.

I'll second the suggestion to get some formal training.

Have fun, and be safe!
-P

How often, if at all, would I need to completely disassemble the Browning Buckmark, especially those Allen/hex screws on top of the slide, to clean the entire gun?

Would the 10/22 or Buckmark be better for my purposes, or should I buy both?

[golfish]

Buckmarks are fun. I'd look at a Ruger revolver too

I'm not a big fan of the 10/22. I don't like the magazines that they use. Take a look at the Marln 60 when your looking at the 10/22. The Marlin is tube fe.d

[JohnnyMtn]

[JohnnyMtn]

[WOODY2]

The 22's for the win, at maybe a dime a round vs a buck for 556.

[Imageview]

I disassemble and fully clean my Ruger mk ii (similar to Buckmark) about every 3rd session shooting (so every 600 rounds or so, more if my wife is shooting since she loves to use up my 22 ammo). Some folks will say I am neglectful, others will think I clean too much and I could go longer with minor cleaning and not full disassembly. I could stretch it further without any malfunctions because the gun is too dirty, but that feels about right to me. While my Ruger doesn't have the screw concerns of the Buckmark, it is a complete pita to put back together and has its own potential wear points.

I'd pick the one you enjoy shooting more (rifle or pistol), then decide if you want the other later. Or buy both, no one here is going to work too hard to convince you not to do that.

For FFLs I prefer UG imports, rmb, mount pleasant arms (if he's accepting new customers) or coyote clays ( long guns only) for transfers depending on where in the bay you are one of those may work. All will be cheaper than $150. Reeds in Santa Clara had some Buckmarks and I believe 10/22s in stock when I was there this morning.