Why buy the .22?

[softscrubb]

So I have been reading a lot of posts lately and came across something I might be deficient in.

I read the 'How much ammo?' thread and 'First gun' threads and see that even people who own larger calibers.. .223, .45, .308.. also end up owning a .22 caliber rifle/pistol and stockpile a ton of ammo for them.

I come from a family of non-gun owners. My dad never hunted, he pretty much disliked guns until I started carrying one for work and doesn't own a gun.

As a result, I was never given what seems to be a fairly typical elementary/teen gift of the first .22. My first gun was the 9mm I was issued and since I own a few handguns, rifles and shotguns. Nothing smaller than my .38. So my question is, with all of the ammo calibers and firearms you can own and use (hunting or defense), why then would you buy the .22? Is it because they are cheap and you can buy a ton of ammo? What is the point of keeping so much of a smaller caliber when you have bigger already? If I am going to buy one .22, do I go with a rifle or pistol and probably better to get a semi-auto? Suggestions.. thoughts?

thanks,

Scrubb

[voiceofreason]

A Marlin 795 is about $160 with taxes and all minus the rebate.

A few extra mags for it, and you have a semi-auto .22 rifle that you can put almost any optic on.

It's lightweight, fun, and costs about $16 to shoot 300-500 rounds.

I have a red dot on one that I bring with me when introducing new shooters.

After teaching the rules, practicing the rules, I just have them place the red dot on the target and blast away (waiting 2 secs between shots, taking their finger off the trigger EVERY time). My local range allows fruit, bouncing target, and I can usually get a private range on weekdays.

I still want to get a bolt action .22, but I enjoy taking my time between shots.

The Ruger Mark 3 is held in high regard as an affordable and good quality .22 pistol. I've debated a 22/45 myself.

Recommend semi-auto regardless.

Bottom line, .22s are fun to shoot and much, much cheaper.

[paul0660]

Is it because they are cheap and you can buy a ton of ammo?

See? You knew all along.

[SureShot241]

You have not lived untill you have shot a tennisball on a sting with a 10/22. It's a very...fun round.

[cannon]

Cheap to buy. Cheap to shoot and a bunch of fun. There is no downside.

[Ziggy91]

/\ +1 to this guy.

Apparently they have good range too...
I saw 2 guys using .22s at my local 200 yard range last Friday.
Sadly, they shot better groups then I did with my 5.56

[RandyD]

A .22 is excellent for training. It is fun and cheap to shoot. It can take small game, and it can be used for self defense. I use a .22 conversion kit on my 1911 for practice and maintaining my gun handling skills. You can buy 5000 rounds for about $150.00. I belived many of the Korean store owners in the LA riots armed themselves with .22 rifles and they kept the rioters/looters away from their stores. Last of all shooting a .22 is fun.

[Reductio]

1. Cheap ammo. SERIOUSLY cheap ammo. You hardly notice when you've plinked away a thousand rounds in the desert.

2. Good training, particularly for new shooters you may bring with you. It's not intimidating, and it's just plain fun. Hand a new shooter a large-caliber handgun and you may not see them at the range again.

3. I'd say get 22lr rifle, 10/22's are always a good bet.

[Merc1138]

What's the point of keeping a smaller caliber...

fun and cost?

I can shoot 500 rounds of .22lr for $15-$30. No way I can really do that with anything else. You can also practice the basics pretty easy with .22lr, in addition to teaching people how to shoot(personally I explain follow-through and the trigger reset and tell people not to take their finger off the trigger, that being said I'm also not explaining to kids/spazzes how to shoot) without having to deal with a flinch/blinking at the same time.

Bored and want to go to the range for an hour or two without breaking the bank? .22lr

Want to practice trigger control without recoil involved so it's easier to spot what you're doing when the shot goes off? .22lr

Want to use a rifle but the only local range is indoors and won't allow typical centerfire rifle cartidges? .22lr

Want to get used to a manual of arms for operation so it'd be nice to have a cheaper to shoot version of that weapon? .22lr

Want a fancy "race gun" with stuff attached to it and doesn't cost $5,000? .22lr(well, even some .22lr guns can get pretty damn expensive).

Want to shoot in a competition but get started on a budget? .22lr

"run and gun" in the desert for cheap? .22lr

Want a crazy challenge like shooting dimes at 200 yards or something? .22lr

You seem to be under the impression that owning and shooting guns is only for hunting/defense. While this is true for a lot of people, plenty of others also simply shoot for fun or even competition. Heck, even with a casual competition between friends things become a bit more evened out when "that guy" isn't using his custom $4,000 benchrest gun and pulls out a basic 10/22 or 795 with a basic sight/scope like everyone else(it takes the gear/money out of the equation).

[dieselpower]

You have not lived untill you have shot a tennisball on a sting with a 10/22. It's a very...fun round.

.223 also....but it ends quickly. The .22lr and a tennis ball on a string will keep you occupied like a cat with a mouse... all day fun.

[Lovin]

I've heard it put this way:

"If you don't own and shoot a .22, you're either rich or don't shoot enough." *

*reloaders are the exception


I have a .22 that gets out of jail on Sunday. After blowing through ~1200rds in one month after buying my Glock 22, my wallet needs some relief. That, and .22 is just plain FUN to shoot.

[Merc1138]

I've heard it put this way:

"If you don't own and shoot a .22, you're either rich or don't shoot enough." *

*reloaders are the exception


I have a .22 that gets out of jail on Sunday. After blowing through ~1200rds in one month after buying my Glock 22, my wallet needs some relief. That, and .22 is just plain FUN to shoot.

Exactly. I can shoot .22lr all day long for a few cents a round.

Would I like to shoot my .308 just as much? Sure. At $.50-$1 a round? Hell no.

[Javi]

I love my .22 rifle Planning on buying a lever and a pistol in .22lr as well as possibly having a bolt action in .17 Mach II

[paul0660]

I don't think anything has paid for itself as quickly as my CZ pistol .22 conversion. I take kids shooting a lot, and it gives them 95% of the experience at 1/5 the price.

[Nathan Krynn]

I agree with everyone's reason. BTW the tennis-ball on a string is fun, especially when you have multiple balls on strings and they wrap around each other.

My family has all ways played another game. line up shotgun spent shotgun shells with a .223 case inside to weigh them down. Put on a piece of wood 100 yards down range. Shoot them off. $1 a shell for hits. It is a lot of fun and a great way to teach fundamentals and let your little brother know your still a better shot.

Plus you mentioned why if you have larger calibers and you mentioned you are not a hunter. If you ever go small game hunting you NEED a .22 lr. Think of a squirrel getting hit with your 9mm, not much useable meat left.