New to the gun world

[Jrock408]

Hey guys I am new to the gun world and was pointed in this direction I have never shot a gun before and was told a .22 would be my best bet for practice and cost. I have no experience so I thought I would ask here. I'm sure you have heard it a billion times but I want a reliable low-cost rifle that look good. I know when u start to customize anything it can get expensive so I'm hoping to get everything in one package. I have seen different numbers out there referring to the gun like 10-22. Or 15-22 can someone please explain that to me. And ben looking for a gun what should I be looking for. Sorry for being such a newbie but u have to start somewhere and I would rather start off right.

[rojocorsa]

Jrock,

First off, welcome to the world of firearms. I am fairly sure that you will really enjoy shooting.

Yes, in my opinion, a .22 is an excellent way to practice marksmanship at low cost and with no virtual recoil. There is also something very fun about those little rimfires--they're addicting even.

A 10/22 is Ruger's flagship semi-automatic .22 LR rifle. AFAIK, it usually costs in the $200-$300 range.

A 15/22 is S&W's .22LR only version of their AR-15 based M&P rifle; I don't know the price, but have seen it for sale at Big 5. Hell, they also sell the 10/22 there.

Now, these aren't the only low cost options you have available, for there are Marlin and Savage rimfire rifles to consider as well. Marlin for example, sells their classic Model 60 semi-auto, and their 795 semi auto. Savage I think, has the Model 64. The Marlin 795 is often on sale at Big 5 and it usually costs less than the 10/22. Also, I heard that there was a rebate for 795s this year. It is also hugely popular and there are a lot of customization options for it as well.

In my opinion, I think that bolt actions are the way to go as far as general purpose marksmanship training is concerned. This is my personal opinion and I am not saying you need to go bolt. Bolt action guns, through the firearms world are also usually regarded as more accurate. I honestly based my opinions off the fact that most serious .22 target rifles are bolt actions.

I like bolt actions, because they are less likely to jam up, and they somewhat make you pace yourself when it comes to shooting, which is key for good shooting. (Admittedly, I even need to work on pacing myself, even with my bolt action). Moreover, bolt guns are simpler to maintain (especially for someone who is new). They are just a straight-up no-nonsense gun.

It looks like the "leaders" in low cost bolt guns these days are Marlin and Savage, with the Marlin 725 and the Savage Mk. II family being the most popular. These should also be found at Big 5 for moderate prices, I believe.

CZ rimfires are hugely celebrated for their quality and accuracy, so much that I was influenced enough to buy one. I could not be happier with a general purpose .22 bolt gun. Pricewise, the CZs cost $100-$200 than your typical Savage or Marlin (It does depend on the specific model, trim, and caliber though). In terms of pricing, I consider the CZs to bridge between the economically priced rimfires, and the more expensive ones. BUT, I am sure most would agree, that the middle-of-the-road priced CZs can certainly keep up and beat the most costly rimfires.

Again, I'll admit for my partiality in bolt guns and learning how to shoot the traditional way. I first learned in the Boy Scouts, and that's still the only thing I really care about from all my years in it.

That being said, I cannot really speak for training with a semi-auto .22 because I don't have a lot of experience with those. Instead of simply dismissing them, I would hope that someone that does use them voices their opinions on them.

Hope this Helps

[WDE91]

Welcome to the wonderful world of rimfire Jrock408

as part of this intro I suggest you check out Rimfirecentral.com
this is a site that is dedicated to rimfire and is very welcoming and friendly
that is where I got my start into the gun world
everything from stock Ruger 10-22's to benchrest .22lr and everything in between

Rimfire is the way to get trigger time on the cheap
being to go out and shoot all day for $20-30 of ammo is really nice

What part of the state are you in?
as locals can give you hints on check out this store vs that store or maybe even invite you shooting with them


You have to ask yourself, what are you looking to achieve with this rifle
light quick and nimble
heavy and accurate
hunting rifle
plinking(informal target shooting at random targets) rifle
target rifle

Also, who is going to be shooting this rifle?
just yourself?
Children?
Wife/girl friend?

10-22 is a semiautomatic rimfire rifle from Strum Ruger

http://www.ruger.com/products/1022/index.html

the 15-22 is a semiautomatic rifle from Smith and Wesson that is designed to look like the AR15/M-16/M-4 family of rifles

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category4_750001_750051_757786_-1_757784_757784_image

Remember when it comes to quality vs pricing
a rifle is something that can be around for many generations
like pass it down to your children and they pass it down

the type of firing for rimfire rifles is as follow
semi automatic
single shot
lever action
slide action
bolt action

What is your budget to spend on your first rifle?
Do you want a scope or red dot on this rifle?

sorry to cut it short I have to head to work, I will check back in on this and see how things are progressing

[Jrock408]

Wow alot of information already. Well I live in San Jose so hopefully there someone around here that could point menin the right direction. Mostly it's going to be me just shooting it but maybe my girlfriend to. I'm willing to spend 300-400$. I want it to be used for hunting, shootig at targets that kind of thing. I'm hoping with the 300-400 I am able to get everything as in ammo cleaning kit and gun. Ether a scope or red dot is fine I haven't shot so I honestly could not tell you what I prefer Hahaha sorry if it seems mixed up I'm trying to go up and down and answer the questions so I can get some good answers

[41M]

In my opinion, I think that bolt actions are the way to go as far as general purpose marksmanship training is concerned. This is my personal opinion and I am not saying you need to go bolt. Bolt action guns, through the firearms world are also usually regarded as more accurate. I honestly based my opinions off the fact that most serious .22 target rifles are bolt actions.

I like bolt actions, because they are less likely to jam up, and they somewhat make you pace yourself when it comes to shooting, which is key for good shooting. (Admittedly, I even need to work on pacing myself, even with my bolt action). Moreover, bolt guns are simpler to maintain (especially for someone who is new). They are just a straight-up no-nonsense gun.

Good advice. With modern rifles I don't know that the old perception that bolt guns are more accurate holds any water. However, as a new shooter learning safe and responsible gun handling is a must. I believe the bolt action rifle will add a measure of safety to the process. Also, when you are starting out consider loading a single round at a time.

[rojocorsa]

$300-$400 seems like a good general purpose budget. As far as a scope or a red dot, you don't really need one. Keep in mind that when it comes to gun optics, you REALLY get what you pay for--this is what I have learned from other shooters around me. Not only on CGN, but on other [trustworthy] gun fora.

What I like about rimfires is that you don't really need a super fancy cleaning kit. In fact, the only piece of cleaning equipment that I bought for my .22 is a .22 cal boresnake. They usually cost less than $20. You probably don't have to worry about really cleaning your gun for a long time either.

For the uses of the gun you described above, anything from a bolt gun, to a lever to semi-auto is generally fine. I guess it really depends on price and preference. Though I will say that for target shooting proper, bolt action or semi-auto are the way to go. (As cocking the lever on a lever gun when proned out seems kind of annoying).

If you get a Savage or Marlin, or even a 10/22--you should have enough left over in your budget for ammo and a boresnake.

Have you ever shot anything before? Do you have an idea of what kind of gun you want? (ie. do you want a bolt or a semi, or something else perhaps?)

[rojocorsa]

Good advice. With modern rifles I don't know that the old perception that bolt guns are more accurate holds any water. However, as a new shooter learning safe and responsible gun handling is a must. I believe the bolt action rifle will add a measure of safety to the process. Also, when you are starting out consider loading a single round at a time.

Agreed. There has to be a reason why the Boy Scouts insist on using a single shot bolt gun to instruct their new shooters, even to this day...right? (rhetorical question)

As far as the accuracy thing, maybe it doesn't hold any water, but I just noticed that all serious target rifles are bolt action, so I just took that as a hint.


I didn't even realize that the turnbolt would add a measure of safety. Good observation there.

To the OP:

This is a popular Marlin bolt gun.

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/BoltAction22/925.asp

Also there is this one, which I've actually shot. I really liked it.

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/BoltAction22/981T.asp

The 981 T is ugly, but I really like the fact that it holds 17 shots. It's accurate, and the stock is made of plastic (which makes this gun cost less, and you do not have to worry about messing it up, like a nice wood stock). I though this gun was pretty utilitarian, back when I shot it in 2007.

And this is the Savage counter-part to the Marlin 925.

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/MARKIIF

It's a very basic no frills gun as you can see. Of course, there are other models with wood stocks, but those cost more. I am assuming that you want to save as much as possible. (As I would).


What I think is cool about having a really basic no-frills plastic stock is that one could probably Krylon it to a cool camo pattern and get away with it. I know that if I had that Savage, I'd totally spray paint it. That's just me though.

[Jrock408]

Sad to say but I have never shot a real gun I have a bb gun and a pellit gun. But other then that nothing. I will have to check those out when I get home. Thanks for all the advice. I will definatly be poking into other thread learning as I go.

[Chris M]

Sad to say but I have never shot a real gun I have a bb gun and a pellit gun. But other then that nothing. I will have to check those out when I get home. Thanks for all the advice. I will definatly be poking into other thread learning as I go.

I just sent you a Private Message.

There are several shooting ranges in the area that will allow you to rent firearms...but bring a friend if you plan on renting (suicide prevention & all).

[sofbak]

Here are a couple of current threads on the subject:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=395411

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=398021

Good info in both.

HTH

sofbak

[gratefuldog]

Newbie

For $400, DROS two Marlin 795's, spend the rebates on cheap (Barska) scopes, buy 3 or 4 bricks of ammo, and take your girlfriend to Appleseed! Done!

[PatriotnMore]

Welcome. Good advice already given, no need to add to it.

[wc12]

No one warned you that this hobby is addicting, so there, I think you're good to go!!!

[WDE91]

It sounds like one CZ rifles would a darn good first rifle
they are without question quality
here is the factory site

http://www.cz-usa.com/products/by-category/rifles/

here is a supplier site

http://czcustom.com/cz452453rifles.aspx

O ya I am not bias
I am 19 years old and already have 4 CZ rifles

I also have a 1973 Ruger 10-22
I installed some trigger pieces, extractor, auto bolt release, extended charging handle

DO NOT SPEND MONEY ON CHEAP OPTICS
people seem to think that .22's do not deserve quality optics

a good bargin scope is something does make sense in certain cases
but the $20 Tasco special is something is best fit on a BB if that

You have lots to learn grasshopper but you are in good company here

We are great enabler's
soon you will begin to think you only work to pay bill and buy guns

[Crunch130]

Jrock,

It would probably be a great investment of your time to take a class. I'm an NRA instructor, and I've had many adults take the NRA Basic Rifle Class. It's not just for youth. I've even had experienced shooters learn new things about shooting technique and form.

Through the course of the class you will mostly shoot 22's, but you generally get the chance to try several different types. Good gun fit and comfort while shooting are CRITICAL to success and enjoyment. You'll be in a much better position to decide what rifle you like, armed with this knowledge.

I live down south, but the larger gun stores in your area should be able to connect you with an NRA instructor. Many of them, like myself, teach the basic rifle class as volunteer work and only charge a nominal fee for course materials.

I recommend that you choose a rifle that will allow you to easily reconfigure between open sights, peep sights, and a scope. And when it comes to scopes, especially for 50-yard or even 100-yard rimfire shooting, less is better.

Avoid the temptation to put on the Hubble Space Telescope. That turns a perfectly good 22 sporter/field rifle into something you can only shoot off a bench rest. A fixed 4 power, or 3-9 power zoom are fine, and they even make some compact scopes with less magnification than that. Especially try to keep the front lense (the objective element) at 28 to 32 mm in diameter, no larger. (But don't waste your time with these cheap 4X15 scopes, either.) Scopes with 40 mm or larger front objectives weigh more, cost more, and require taller rings, which make it less likely to be able to get a good "cheek weld" to the comb of the stock for both metallic sights and scopes.

I'm not aware of any semi-autos, but a number of bolt actions (Marlin, Savage) have the front sight mounted in an old-fashioned lateral dovetail. This allows you to replace it with a Lyman 17AHB globe, that you can swap between various front post and round aperature inserts. And they're only about $36.

http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/sights/series-17a.php

Williams makes a great, fully-adjustable rear peep sight that mounts on a standard .22 scope rail (may require inletting on one side of the stock). About $73 (less expensive than Lyman rear sights).

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=319728

I'm not saying you need to fit your rifle for peep sights right away, but it's nice to pick a rifle that has that versatility for later on down the road.

Regards,
Crunch