First Rifle Questions?

[Zeva]

Hello All! So I would like to purchase my first rifle. I was told a 10/22 would be a good choice? Also what would be the process? I would go to the store give them all my information pay for the rifle and wait 10 days then I am able to pick it up? I would like to spend under 400 on everything if possible which would include a case, extra magazines and possible an optic? I would just like some recommendations thanks for the help!

Ohh the purpose of the rifle would just to learn basic marksmanship and how to shoot
sorry PS#2 is there any shop that you guys would recommend in so cal by riverside, ca? thanks

[ccandgc]

You should be able to get a 10/22 for well under $400, tax and fees included. Go to a gun shop, or a sporting goods store that sells firearms. They will help you with the paperwork. All the extras- more mags, case and a scope/rings should be under $400.....depending on how crazy you go!

[Fjold]

Yep, the process is just as you described, providing that you are at least 18 years old and have a valid government ID.

The 10/22 comes with a scope mount, so you will need scope rings (1" diameter) and a scope. Get a variable scope in the power range of 2 to 3X on the low end up to 8 or 9X on the high end. (Buy the scope with a 1" diameter tube to fit the rings.)

Generally brands like Busnell, Burris, Weaver, Redfield will give you good quality for the money and generally they have mounting instructions in the packaging although you can probably find a local calgunner who will help you.

[ejhc11]

Black Friday is coming, why don't you wait and see what Turner's Outdoorsman is having then. Last year I got a stainless 10/22 for $229 plus tax/dros. You have a Turners in Corona.

[wtkaiser]

I will put in a vote for a manually operated gun for a first rifle. A bolt action (we'll leave out levers and pumps unless you insist) makes you slow down and concentrate a smidgen more on your shot instead of the rapidity of fire which CAN (not "will", but it can) breed sloppiness.

There will be those who disagree with me on this. It's just my opinion. And worth just slightly more than nothing.

[thenodnarb]

I will put in a vote for a manually operated gun for a first rifle. A bolt action (we'll leave out levers and pumps unless you insist) makes you slow down and concentrate a smidgen more on your shot instead of the rapidity of fire which CAN (not "will", but it can) breed sloppiness.

There will be those who disagree with me on this. It's just my opinion. And worth just slightly more than nothing.

I too prefer bolt guns to semi auto, at least when it comes to rimfire rifles, for the exact reason you mention.
A semi auto is more fun though, and a 10/22 CAN be made to be just as accurate. i'm not sure its as accurate out of the box though, but still plenty accurate to do whatever it is a .22 can do: hunt, target shooting etc.

[sprucansailor]

I am a fan of the Marlin 795 personally. I do not like the magazine release and no last shot hold open feature on a 10/22.

If you have decent eyesight I recommend you get tech sights instead of a scope. My personal goal is to become an expert with iron sights before I move on to a scope.

A Marlin 795 will run you around $150 - the $25 rebate, $65 for tech sights, $20 for a GI sling and swivels, 2 extra mags around $18 ea will get you an excellent set up.

Take your rifle to an Appleseed and you will gain valuable knowledge and experience!

That being said, the 795 has very few aftermarket upgrades available. If you like to tinker, a 10/22 may be right for you. Nearly every part has multiple upgrades available.

[sk8804]

I would personally go with a savage bolt gun. the 10/22 will eventually leave you with more to be desired in the accuracy dept. unless you drop the cash for match barrels and such.

[dirtykoala]

Hello All! So I would like to purchase my first rifle. I was told a 10/22 would be a good choice? Also what would be the process? I would go to the store give them all my information pay for the rifle and wait 10 days then I am able to pick it up? I would like to spend under 400 on everything if possible which would include a case, extra magazines and possible an optic? I would just like some recommendations thanks for the help!

Ohh the purpose of the rifle would just to learn basic marksmanship and how to shoot
sorry PS#2 is there any shop that you guys would recommend in so cal by riverside, ca? thanks

the 10/22 makes a great starter gun, and can easily and inexpensively be made into a competition gun down the line. Semi auto and the insane amount of after-market parts will keep you entertained for years. Bolt action is nice if all you want to do is learn the basics, but youll get bored after a while.

like mentioned above, with black friday coming up, you should be able to get a 10/22 for about $200 at turners if youre in socal, or $230 at big5 if youre anywhere else.


ruger makes a pretty nice case for about $25
extra mags run about $15 each
i got a barska plinker scope with rings for $40, which works just fine. i ended up upgrading though, so if you live in the bay area i can sell it to you for $30? - though i would hold off on a scope until you are very comfortable with your irons, put the money towards a few bricks of ammo or go to an apple seed event instead, either will serve you much better than a scope while youre learning.

one of the basic things you should learn is how to get a correct sight picture and sight alignment, a scope will take that knowledge away from you.

also if youre in the bay area, PM me, i shoot my .22 a lot and would be happy to give you some pointers when im at the range.

[Zeva]

Do you mean a savage bolt action 22? I m open to basically any suggestion as all of you are more experienced than I am I was just thinking 10/22 because of the reputation I've heard of it being crazy reliable? and I decided on the 22 because its cheap and seems like a good round to start with? If you have other opinions i would love to know! And where is exactly is apple seed? thanks for the help again!

I m actually in the riverside for school and will be in the bay area during all other times so i will most likely end up purchasing it from bayarea or if turners still has the deal on sunday when i get back for black friday...

[dirtykoala]

Do you mean a savage bolt action 22? I m open to basically any suggestion as all of you are more experienced than I am I was just thinking 10/22 because of the reputation I've heard of it being crazy reliable? and I decided on the 22 because its cheap and seems like a good round to start with? If you have other opinions i would love to know! And where is exactly is apple seed? thanks for the help again!

I m actually in the riverside for school and will be in the bay area during all other times so i will most likely end up purchasing it from bayarea or if turners still has the deal on sunday when i get back for black friday...

10/22s are very reliable, and they old their value very well because of this. i was looking to buy a used one for my 2nd 10/22, but its just not worth it because the savings is usually very little.

Heres more info on apple seed- http://appleseedinfo.org/

youre right about .22 being a good starter round, with $20 you can put rounds down range all day, and there is no kick, so you can really just focus on the fundamentals.

i would seriously not recommend a bolt action for your first gun. maybe if you were 8 years old and needed something to force you to slow down and take your time they would be good. but they are so damn boring, and will not serve you well at all at apple seed if you decide to go. it sucks every time you pull the trigger, you have to rack the bolt and site in again. granted, they are generally more accurate than a semi auto, but being new, just about any gun will be more accurate than you anyway, so you wont see the difference.

if for some reason you do get a bolt action, spend a little more ($300ish) and get a CZ, those are high quality guns that are very accurate and reliable out of the box and will last a life time.

[owenriquez]

don't forget the very first thing to do is get a safety course for the gun before anything else

[Sleighter]

I shoot primarily .22s with my brothers in the riverside area and would be willing to help you out and share my experience if you ever need/want help, or we could go to the range sometime. I have a 10/22 in synthetic with stainless barrel (220 on sale usually) and inherited a sears(marlin) model 60. My brother has a marlin model 60 as well. I've spent over 150 upgrading my ruger and it still isn't as accurate as the marlins.

So, you can guess what my recommendation will be. Turners has the marlin on sale for 150 now. It's a great price for a reliable and accurate gun.

http://www.turners.com/engage/displayads.php

The main selling feature of the 10/22 is its customizability but I would say to wait and see if you want to customize in the future before buying a ruger. You may decide to do what I did and leave your 22 stock with a scope and buy another bigger gun to customize to your hearts content. You may as well wait to customize a gun that can do more than just punch paper, but it sure is fun.

[dirtykoala]

heres how my 10/22 did out of the box at 25yds

[Izzy43]

Many recommend the Ruger 10/22 and its a good rifle. Just consider the following:

1. Bolt action rifles will be more accurate than semi-autos, out of the box with no modifications.
2. Bolt action rifles have less moving parts, less wear, easier to clean and less expensive to repair if they do break.
3. Bolt action rifles have a slower rate of fire, allows you to take your time between shots and you will use less ammo while you are learning.

If you must have a semi-auto then the Marlin Model 60 or the Ruger 10/22 are good choices. Turners has the Marlin 60 on sale for $149 in their current ad.

For a decent scope, a Simmons 22Mag 3-9xX32mm AO (adjustable objective) for around $60 is a good choice.