First firearm, which caliber and rifle?

T.O.M.

T.O.M.

Joined
Jan 2, 2011
Messages
174
Been to the range about 5 times, shooting the G17 and Beretta 92FS, and love them, but I cannot purchase a handgun until I am 21, and I just turned 18, which sucks. My parents are asian and generally hate anything that can be used to kill anything and anyone, so I don't know how I'm going to purchase it behind their backs. Yeah, yeah laugh at me, but I just love knives and guns to a point of where I don't care what people think about me.

I've shot a bolt action .22 (Don't know if .22LR and .223 Rem is the same thing, probably not.) and I really liked it. Although the recoil did not effect me at all, so I'm thinking I would need a larger caliber. I asked the local range I go to (Insight Range in Artesia) and they said no rifle calibers. (Not sure what this meant exactly.)

I'm pretty sure I'm legal for rifles in higher calibers, correct? :(

So, my budget is around $900, and I'm looking for something that is ;

  • Bolt Action / Semi-Automatic
  • Chambered for .22LR / .223 or higher.
  • Widely available ammunition.
  • Black or " loltactical " looking.

Thanks for your recommendations!
 
T.O.M. said:
Been to the range about 5 times, shooting the G17 and Beretta 92FS, and love them, but I cannot purchase a handgun until I am 21, and I just turned 18, which sucks. My parents are asian and generally hate anything that can be used to kill anything and anyone, so I don't know how I'm going to purchase it behind their backs. Yeah, yeah laugh at me, but I just love knives and guns to a point of where I don't care what people think about me.

I've shot a bolt action .22 (Don't know if .22LR and .223 Rem is the same thing, probably not.) and I really liked it. Although the recoil did not effect me at all, so I'm thinking I would need a larger caliber. I asked the local range I go to (Insight Range in Artesia) and they said no rifle calibers. (Not sure what this meant exactly.)

I'm pretty sure I'm legal for rifles in higher calibers, correct? :(

So, my budget is around $900, and I'm looking for something that is ;

  • Bolt Action / Semi-Automatic
  • Chambered for .22LR / .223 or higher.
  • Widely available ammunition.
  • Black or " loltactical " looking.

Thanks for your recommendations!
Click to expand...
The range saying no rifle caliber means that the range does not permit using rifles. Rifle ammo is much, much more powerful than handgun ammo. I would think .22lr is okay because that round is relatively weak compared to other cartridges and is also used in pistols AND rifles.

The .22lr you shot was most likely not a .223. You would definitely feel the recoil on a .223.

Long arms are legal to purchase and own at 18, regardless of caliber.

My advice is to get a .22lr rifle of some kind to develop skills. .223 ammo is considerably more expensive to purchase. .22lr can be had for 6.47ish for 100 rounds.

I recommend something from the Ruger 10/22 platform. The rotary mag of the 10/22 is a proven, reliable design. If you want something that looks tacticool get the Ruger SR-22, which is based off the 10/22. The 10/22 and SR-22 both have many aftermarket parts should you choose to tinker.

Here is my brother's SR-22 next to my firearm, ammo, and knives.

NOTE: The SR-22 doesn't come stock like that. My brother bought the scope, bipod, and angled foregrip. What you don't see is the trigger job and accurized barrel.
sr-22.jpg


EDIT: Finally, good luck when you turn 21. My parents are Asian as well. One day I just came home with my Jericho 941 (the handgun you see). Granted I waited til I was 25. Still, just prove to them you're responsible enough to handle firearms. Since then, I got my bro into shooting and purchased him the SR-22 and a Smith and Wesson M&P 9 Pro. We go shooting weekly or every other week.

BTW, Glocks and 92Fs ain't all that and a bag of chips. Try other handguns before you finally decide on which to get (when you're 21).
 
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I would say get a Marlin 60 or Ruger 10/22 for a first 22lr rifle. Both are great and people have their favorites. I listed mine in that order. Dont need 900 just 150ish will do.
 
Ruger 10/22 for first .22! It is a fantastic rifle. But have fun with all the total BS you gotta deal with in hippy hug fest liberal california.
 
I recommend an SKS. Its made for russians/asians so it has a shorter stock, very reliable, easy to use and take apart, uses a decent caliber, easy to find ammo and its cheap, 10 round capacity, etc.
 
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I recommend a surplus rifle too you can go past Yugo mausers 100% unissued for reasonable prices, then take it to a range and talk to the range supervisor...tell him you're inexperienced and want to learn, they're usually more then happy to sit with you and teach you the in's and out's of firearm safety (even if you know it, it dont hurt to hear it again) and certain ranges will have different regulations so always check first.

Especially in cali, a friend of mine in Santa Barbara used to take his 50 cal to his local range until the length of shot was reduced so a lot of the higher calibers were not able to be fired there.
 
Honor thy Father and Mother sounds familiar to me. WHERE are you thinking you'll keep your behind their back firearm purchase? If in their home, hope they get a good price for it when THEY sell it.

Seriously there is more to firearms ownership and use than killing things. Could your Dad be brought around by inviting him to a shooting competition or to the range with you?

I'm an old guy and my personal test of whether any person should start shooting in my vicinity at whatever age has to do with that person's maturity..I shoot with some children and there are more than a few men or women that I will not.

Best wishes..my first firearm was a .22 single shot that my Farther helped me pick out AFTER I'd earned the money to purchase...62 years ago.
 
T.O.M. said:
Been to the range about 5 times, shooting the G17 and Beretta 92FS, and love them, but I cannot purchase a handgun until I am 21, and I just turned 18, which sucks. My parents are asian and generally hate anything that can be used to kill anything and anyone, so I don't know how I'm going to purchase it behind their backs. Yeah, yeah laugh at me, but I just love knives and guns to a point of where I don't care what people think about me.

I've shot a bolt action .22 (Don't know if .22LR and .223 Rem is the same thing, probably not.) and I really liked it. Although the recoil did not effect me at all, so I'm thinking I would need a larger caliber. I asked the local range I go to (Insight Range in Artesia) and they said no rifle calibers. (Not sure what this meant exactly.)

I'm pretty sure I'm legal for rifles in higher calibers, correct? :(

So, my budget is around $900, and I'm looking for something that is ;

  • Bolt Action / Semi-Automatic
  • Chambered for .22LR / .223 or higher.
  • Widely available ammunition.
  • Black or " loltactical " looking.

Thanks for your recommendations!
Click to expand...

Okay, since it has not been suggested yet, I guess I'll throw it out there.

First; you go join the N.R.A. and get real shooting lessons and coaching at an N.R.A. backed gun club. Nothing beats pro instruction. If you go right to a larger caliber, and learn from some of the yahoo's that hang out at public ranges, there is a very good chance you will never develope into a really good shot, but can pick up some bad habits. Bad habits are hell to break once you learn them. Get involved in organized rimfire rifle shooting events on a club level. For this, you will need an accurite bolt action .22.

Stay with a .22 until you develope really good shooting skills. I see way too many of these young guys who go out and buy the tactical wonder gun of the month because the gun shop guru's tell them that's the gun to have. Not to mention the bigger profit they make by selling the gun to a newby. You're learning to shoot, not taking part in a zombi killing video game.

Get a .22 rifle and good instruction on the holy trinity; sight picture, breath control, and trigger squeeze. Without those, you'll never be a good shot, and it takes a lot of practice. It can even be done with a quality air gun if need be, but lots of cheap practice is going to be needed. There is no short cut, so don't let people tell you there is.

Marksmen are made with lots of hard work on the basics.

Carl.
 
I am asian also from the Philippines. Hope you are not implying asians are anti-guns. I am very pro guns and so were my parents and all my relatives. My son owns handguns and my wife is ok with guns. All my asian friends own guns here in Florida. Yes, the tactical .22s all look cool and not too expensive. Good luck and take care.
 
Hi T.O.M.
The Ruger 10/22 is a great rifle that you can customize any way you want. I have had one for 25 years and the only care it has needed is cleaning, stick with the Ruger clips aftermarket one I bought are crap. Before you buy you should go to the range and try some different rifles, I prefer bolt actions and you might too after you try one.
 
jackknife said:
Okay, since it has not been suggested yet, I guess I'll throw it out there.

First; you go join the N.R.A. and get real shooting lessons and coaching at an N.R.A. backed gun club. Nothing beats pro instruction. If you go right to a larger caliber, and learn from some of the yahoo's that hang out at public ranges, there is a very good chance you will never develope into a really good shot, but can pick up some bad habits. Bad habits are hell to break once you learn them. Get involved in organized rimfire rifle shooting events on a club level. For this, you will need an accurite bolt action .22.

Stay with a .22 until you develope really good shooting skills. I see way too many of these young guys who go out and buy the tactical wonder gun of the month because the gun shop guru's tell them that's the gun to have. Not to mention the bigger profit they make by selling the gun to a newby. You're learning to shoot, not taking part in a zombi killing video game.

Get a .22 rifle and good instruction on the holy trinity; sight picture, breath control, and trigger squeeze. Without those, you'll never be a good shot, and it takes a lot of practice. It can even be done with a quality air gun if need be, but lots of cheap practice is going to be needed. There is no short cut, so don't let people tell you there is.

Marksmen are made with lots of hard work on the basics.

Carl.
Click to expand...

Carl,

Thanks for the giggles! That is great advice.

TOM, you may want to call the range and see if they will allow .22lr with a rifle. They just may. If not, try Piru Wes Thompson's gun range in Piru. You take I-5 North to the 126 and head towards Lake Piru approx 80 miles to shooter's heaven. He opens at 8 AM Saturday, Sunday, and I believe Wednesdays. Mike is a great guy, and will give you some tips. Rounds get expensive, get proficient with a .22 and then buy a larger firearm once you develop some skill. Try to avoid blasting away, slow down, and have some one spot you with a scope so you know where you are hitting the paper. If no buddy comes with you, hit metal targets, if the range is not too busy, you can probably hear the plink even at 100 yds. It is not as fulfilling if you cannot see where your shots are landing.

No one would laugh at you here if you like firearms. Have fun and be safe, learn to keep your finger off the trigger til you are ready to shoot. Join the NRA, it is the responsible thing to do. The current weather pattern is gonna be anti gun due to the Ariz. event. We should all do our part to protect our right and our hobby.
 
IMO, the first question here should be "What do you want the rifle FOR?" What are you going to do with it?

I would echo what others have said about something in a .22 because they are a great gun to learn the necessary skills before moving up to a higher caliber. I have a Ruger 10/22 also and highly recommend it. Unless you have some particular, specific use in mind (hunting, home defense etc.), I'd go with a .22 to learn the skills and safety aspects of long guns.
 
jackknife said:
Okay, since it has not been suggested yet, I guess I'll throw it out there.

First; you go join the N.R.A. and get real shooting lessons and coaching at an N.R.A. backed gun club. Nothing beats pro instruction. If you go right to a larger caliber, and learn from some of the yahoo's that hang out at public ranges, there is a very good chance you will never develope into a really good shot, but can pick up some bad habits. Bad habits are hell to break once you learn them. Get involved in organized rimfire rifle shooting events on a club level. For this, you will need an accurite bolt action .22.

Stay with a .22 until you develope really good shooting skills. I see way too many of these young guys who go out and buy the tactical wonder gun of the month because the gun shop guru's tell them that's the gun to have. Not to mention the bigger profit they make by selling the gun to a newby. You're learning to shoot, not taking part in a zombi killing video game.

Get a .22 rifle and good instruction on the holy trinity; sight picture, breath control, and trigger squeeze. Without those, you'll never be a good shot, and it takes a lot of practice. It can even be done with a quality air gun if need be, but lots of cheap practice is going to be needed. There is no short cut, so don't let people tell you there is.

Marksmen are made with lots of hard work on the basics.

Carl.
Click to expand...

I suggest that you print this post, study it, and follow it. There's a wealth of information, much of which may be missed or dismissed at first glance.

Firearms are fun, but are a great responsibility. Learn firearms safety the right way. See if you can find a mentor that can put you in a position to check out and fire a bunch of .22 RF rifles. You can probably pick up a good new or used shooter for $200-$300. Spend the rest of your money on instruction, practice and ammo.

Shooting for noise gets boring fast. Become a marksman. Less on the "cool" gun, and more on marksmanship training...including plinking, etc.

I have asian parents also (that's probably why I'm asian also), so I don't understand the aversion to firearms. I know many, many asian firearms enthusiasts.

In any case, you owe it to your parents to clear your firearms ownership with them for so long as you live under their roof. Just my opinion.

Best of luck,

Chris

p.s. Reread Jacknife's post!
 
jackknife said:
Okay, since it has not been suggested yet, I guess I'll throw it out there.

First; you go join the N.R.A. and get real shooting lessons and coaching at an N.R.A. backed gun club. Nothing beats pro instruction. If you go right to a larger caliber, and learn from some of the yahoo's that hang out at public ranges, there is a very good chance you will never develope into a really good shot, but can pick up some bad habits. Bad habits are hell to break once you learn them. Get involved in organized rimfire rifle shooting events on a club level. For this, you will need an accurite bolt action .22.

Stay with a .22 until you develope really good shooting skills. I see way too many of these young guys who go out and buy the tactical wonder gun of the month because the gun shop guru's tell them that's the gun to have. Not to mention the bigger profit they make by selling the gun to a newby. You're learning to shoot, not taking part in a zombi killing video game.

Get a .22 rifle and good instruction on the holy trinity; sight picture, breath control, and trigger squeeze. Without those, you'll never be a good shot, and it takes a lot of practice. It can even be done with a quality air gun if need be, but lots of cheap practice is going to be needed. There is no short cut, so don't let people tell you there is.

Marksmen are made with lots of hard work on the basics.

Carl.
Click to expand...

BEST ADVICE YET!!!:thumbup::thumbup:

Murphyslaw said:
I suggest that you print this post, study it, and follow it. There's a wealth of information, much of which may be missed or dismissed at first glance.

Firearms are fun, but are a great responsibility. Learn firearms safety the right way. See if you can find a mentor that can put you in a position to check out and fire a bunch of .22 RF rifles. You can probably pick up a good new or used shooter for $200-$300. Spend the rest of your money on instruction, practice and ammo.

Shooting for noise gets boring fast. Become a marksman. Less on the "cool" gun, and more on marksmanship training...including plinking, etc.

I have asian parents also (that's probably why I'm asian also), so I don't understand the aversion to firearms. I know many, many asian firearms enthusiasts.

In any case, you owe it to your parents to clear your firearms ownership with them for so long as you live under their roof. Just my opinion.

Best of luck,

Chris

p.s. Reread Jacknife's post!
Click to expand...

SECOND best advice yet!!!:D
 
Not much to add but if I had to do it over again I would have bought a 77/22 instead of the 10/22 deluxe... Some of the bulk ammo doesn't cycle the bolt. As far as magazines go the 77/22 will accept the 10/22 mags. Just make sure you get proper instruction on safe firearms handling. The two loudest sounds in the world are a click when it should have went bang and a bang when it should have went click.
 
timcsaw said:
BEST ADVICE YET!!!:thumbup::thumbup:



SECOND best advice yet!!!:D
Click to expand...
I would like to second that first and that second. If you've got $900 bucks laying around, here's what I would do. Check out the CZ 452 bolt actions and the Ruger 10/22 semi-autos. I just picked up my first .22LR rifle about a week and a half ago. I got a CZ 452 UL. I spent about a month doing my homework here on this forum and on other sites before making my decision. The guns are more accurate than you will need to start and a .22LR rifle is a ton of fun to shoot. Even the premium ammo is dirt cheap and you will have plenty of money for a bit of professional instruction to get you started on the right foot. Gun safety is absolutely paramount no matter what you end up buying. And I would also suggest you tell your parents. Tell them it's little more than a glorified pellet gun. Put the rest of your money in the bank for a rainy day at the local indoor range where you can practice what you've learned. : ) Enjoy.
 
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With a 900.00 budget go with an AR15,you can get a .22 LR conversion for it.
I have a Bushmaster M4 and love it.
 
I would also have to advise against trying to hide anything from your parents as long as you are living with them.You need to try to convince them in a calm rational way that you are mature and responsible enough to own a gun.If they don't want one in their house you need to wait untill you are on your own to purchase one.It's just the kind of responsible attitude a gun owner must have.

If you have to wait a couple years untill you move out it will give you time to learn a lot more about firearms and the responsibility of ownership.

Just to give you an idea how wrong trying to hide a gun could become,imagine you are able to hide your gun.Then sometime when you are away,someone else finds your gun and shoots theirself or someone else by accident.

This advice comes from a 41 year old man who has grown up with guns of all kinds.I owned my first shotgun at about 6 and hunted by myself by 13.I love guns and would have everyone own one,"WHO IS RESPONSIBLE ENOUGH TO KNOW HOW DANGEROUS THEY CAN BE WHEN HANDLED WRONGLY."

You will be able to become a responsible gun owner soon enough.You just want to do it the right way.
 
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