Thinking of purchasing my first rifle...

[Bubbatn]

Hey guys, I need some suggestions and opinions. I am pondering on looking into my first long gun, however i'm not sure what I want to get. My choice is between a .22 rifle(just for fun shooting), or an 870 for again....fun shooting, and possibly home protection as well. The .22 will be cheaper obviously, and cheaper to shoot as well....but the 870 is abit more gun. So just looking for suggestions on what you guys think?

[Capbyrd]

You can have a lot more fun with a .22. You will keep both the cost and fatigue down by going the route of the .22. However, my suggestion would be to get both a shotgun and the .22 if that is what you want. You can walk into walmart with about 420 dollars and walk out with a 10/22 and Maverick 88. I know the Maverick isn't an 870 but surely that doesnt matter.

[Bubbatn]

You can have a lot more fun with a .22. You will keep both the cost and fatigue down by going the route of the .22. However, my suggestion would be to get both a shotgun and the .22 if that is what you want. You can walk into walmart with about 420 dollars and walk out with a 10/22 and Maverick 88. I know the Maverick isn't an 870 but surely that doesnt matter.

Yes, I eventually plan on having both a .22 and a shotgun of some sort, however at the moment....budget is a factor, so that is why i'm considering the .22 over the shotgun as well(plus the fun factor and cost of ammo).

[Capbyrd]

What is your budget?

[Bubbatn]

What is your budget?

Well, I could afford either honestly(not both at the moment), but the cheaper the better...haha. I'm just mainly looking for suggestions on .22 or shotgun(not considering price). I am thinking the fun factor would be better with the .22...but just looking for some other point of views.

[Garufa]

Go ahead and get a .22 rifle. Shotguns are fun for a few minutes but are definitely not for plinking, unless you've got a whole lotta stuff to blow up everytime you go shooting.

10/22 or a Marlin 60 are the traditional and best semi-autos. If you want to go bolt action a Savage Mark II basic model is something like $127 at Walmart, but finding extra mags is a major pain.

[Capbyrd]

there are literally a ton of .22's out there and will range from 100 to 1500 dollars. Personally, I like the 10/22 better than just about everything else. But that is just an opinion. You really can't go wrong though with the Marlin mentioned earlier or the Savage. Go to WalMart or any other shop and handle a few just to get an idea of what you want.

[JAB]

Have you thought about going the used gun route? At the gun show in Maryville (from the same dealer but on two different occasions), I bought this Winchester 190 for $79:

and, more recently, these two 20 gauge shotguns - one single and one bolt action - for $69 each (may have paid too much for the single but I don't think so - I already had other shotguns for hunting and HD - the single is a short 'youth model' type for my wife to use as a learning shotgun and the bolt was 'just because' I didn't have anything in 20 gauge, didn't have a bolt shotgun and didn't have a shotgun with the ability to change chokes - it has an adjustable choke):

The 190 worked but needed a new inner mag tube assembly. The shotguns work just fine. The bolt action Sears model holds only three rounds (one in the chamber and two in the internal mag) and wouldn't be as good for HD as my 12 gauge pump that I have set up for that but would be a heck of a lot better than no shotgun, at all. The shotguns are only 2 3/4 inch but I'm not all that interested in 3 inch shells, anyway. The gist of what I am saying is that if you look around at the local gun stores (some might suggest pawn shops but I have never really found good firearm prices at pawn shops) and gun shows you might be able to have both a .22 rifle and a shotgun for less or at least not much more than you might pay for a new .22 rifle at Walmart and begin shooting both while you save up for the 870 (in this example, the 190 and the bolt 20 gauge combined would come in at $148 plus tax and background check.) The inner tube assembly was around thirty bucks.

Edited March 30, 2010 by JAB

[Bubbatn]

Thanks guys, You all gave me the advice that I was thinking about, which was go with the .22 first for fun(and cost). Now the fun part, I get to go shopping Thanks guys.

[Mike.357]

Put my vote down for a .22 rifle. My preference for a first one would be a bolt action. mostly that it is very simple to maintain.

Look at Walmart for a Savage as Garufa mentioned for around 130 beans. You will not be disappointed. Mags are out there for it. I just ordered two of them for my son and his first .22

And the Savage el-cheapo model will last forever and shoot rings inside of any 10-22 or Model 60. I know this first hand.

You can always get a 10-22 or some other semi auto down the road.

[Bubbatn]

So could someone explain to me the major differences between a semi-auto vs. a bolt action? Aside from obviously having to work the bolt(I guess thats the right term?) each time you pull the trigger?

Is capacity the same in a bolt action vs. a semi-auto?

[Garufa]

So could someone explain to me the major differences between a semi-auto vs. a bolt action? Aside from obviously having to work the bolt(I guess thats the right term?) each time you pull the trigger?

I think you understand it.

Is capacity the same in a bolt action vs. a semi-auto?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. All depends on the gun and the mag capacity.

Semi-auto's will burn through ammo alot faster that bolt-actions, but if you're focused a bolt gun is pretty fast too.

[Bubbatn]

So you said the Savage is somewhere in the range of 120-130, what about a standard(comparable or semi-auto) Marlin or Ruger? BTW, If I bought new, I would prefer the synthetic stock assuming the price isn't much difference.

[Mike.357]

synthetic should be less expensive.

Bolt is so much easier to take care of. Pull the bolt and clean off the bolt face with a tooth brush and a dab of Hoppes or whatever, wipe off the breach face as best you can and you are really good to go. Run a few patches through the bore every once in a while. Maybe a little dab of oil on the bolt to reduce friction.

Semi auto's seem to need heavier cleaning. Field stripping a semi auto involves more work and really needs to be done for lubrication if nothing else.

[JAB]

Some folks hold that bolt actions are more inherently accurate than comparable semiautos. In fact, some would say that bolt actions are the most inherently accurate rifle platform. Unfortunately, I've never had the 'problem' of being more accurate than the rifle I'm shooting so I couldn't really say.

[Bubbatn]

Thanks guys, Guess I will have to do a little shopping and looking around to see what I like.

Also, If I found a used .22(which I wouldn't be opposed to if the price was right)....what would be a good price for something comparable to these mentioned?

[Mike.357]

buy a new one, they are inexpensive enough anyway.

Used is gonna look used. Might shoot fine though. I have a used Stevens made by Savage) semi auto model. it looked like hell when I bought it, cost about 85 bucks out the door of a pawn shop. its a good shooter though.

[kesava]

I understand your choices. I would not go Shotty as they are NOT fun at the range. Bruising will occur. So in that case I would go for the .22, however if you want something that is more robust,,,,, try a

Mosin. They are fun to shoot, VERY accurate, cheap to shoot, cheap to buy, you can hunt with it and later accessorize when you have more cash.

[Desert Rat]

Go up to Mike's Gun shop and talk to him. He probably has something that you will like in your price range.

I was just in there yesterday!

[Guest 10mm4me]

I am a bolt gun guy through and through. If it comes down to defensive situations, I have a scattergun or handguns. I don't think I will ever purchase a semi-auto rifle. Bolt guns are just so much more practical. Most won't agree with me. I would like to have a Springfield M1A though, I would make an exception for one of those.

[Guest smileyguy]

If you are set on 22, and since it's a "fun" gun I'd go Ruger 10/22. The main reason is because the 30 round mags are reliable and can be found everywhere. IMHO shootin' is a lot "funner" than constantly reloading low cap mags or tubes.

Personally I'd go shotgun.

1) Blowing stuff up with a shotgun is "fun"

2) You can shoot skeet which is "fun"

3) 100 Walmart value packs of birdshot are fairly cheap

4) Having a 12 gauge in the house is a lot more comforting than having a 22 in the house if the need to defend yourself ever comes up

I'm a big guy so shooting a lot of 12 gauge doesn't bother me, but if you are recoil sensitive a 20 gauge is great. It is still a very powerful defensive weapon when loaded with buck shot and has about half the recoil of a 12 gauge.

[Guest 1817ak47]

I have had both a marlin 60 and 10/22, the 10/22 is worth the added cost. much more stuff available for it, a little better quality too. there is a ton of stuff for the 10/22, but only a few things for the marlin 60.

let us know what you get!

[Bubbatn]

Thanks guys, However as far as modifying one....I'm not too worried. Probably a decent scope would be about all i'd be interested in. I went and checked out a few today, I didn't have a place where I could compare them side by side, but I looked at the savage Mark II bolt action from walmart($137) which seemed pretty nice for the price...they also had the semi-auto version for the same price. Still going to have to look around abit and hopefully find somewhere I can look at them side-by side.

I know some of you guys said you prefer a bolt action over a semi-auto, but just found out that Marlin is offering a $25 rebate on this 795(which is a semi-auto). What do you guys think?

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/SelfLoading/795.asp

Also, How do you guys feel on the subject of tube fed vs. magazine fed?

Edited April 1, 2010 by Bubbatn

[Guest smileyguy]

I know some of you guys said you prefer a bolt action over a semi-auto, but just found out that Marlin is offering a $25 rebate on this 795(which is a semi-auto). What do you guys think?

Marlin Model 795

Also, How do you guys feel on the subject of tube fed vs. magazine fed?

I have a Marlin 795. It is a very nice gun, but I wish I would have gotten the 10/22. The only high cap mags for the Marlin are 15 rounds and I hear that they are unreliable. It comes with one 10 round mag and extras mags are about $25. Great gun for hunting small game or target shooting. If that is your interest, save your money and pick one up (or a bolt action), but if you ever want to blast through 30 round just because its fun and very cheap, pay the extra for the Ruger.

Mag vs tube? Both work just fine.

[peejman]

I have a Remington 552 Speedmaster (.22LR) and an 870 Wingmaster (12ga). Both are fun to shoot.

The 552 is a bit picky with ammo, it doesn't like uncoated HP's. Anything jacketed or round nose works fine. It's got a cheap Simmons scope and plinks the steel reset targets at 100 yds all day. Since this will be your first rifle, the traditionalist in me says bolt action. But don't sweat that too much. If you find a good deal on one you like, buy it.

My 870 only shoots 2-3/4 shells and they're plenty powerful. Shooting skeet, trap, and clays is fun if a bit expensive. You've gotta be fast to hit doubles with a pump gun (I'm not). 100 rds will leave a bruise the first time, but you'll get used to it if you shoot regularly. The 28" barrel is nearly useless for home defense.

My advice is to get both. Every man should have at least one rifle and shotgun in the closet.