Norinco M14 as a first rifle?

My 2 cents - consider picking up a Norc AR if you will be mostly at the range, or an SKS if you want something unrestricted.

I have a 22, but I only shoot it occasionally. My main rifle was my m14 prior to trading it off (if my wife gave me an unlimited gun budget I would have kept it haha...). I loved my m14 and it shot great, but it was too pricey and/or too much work to load enough to plink with it, use with a scope was a pain (although I didn't try to hard to rectify this) and it didn't fill the precision role at 800 to 1000 yards that my Tikka bolt gun fills nicely.

The most practical choice is a 22, but if you want something that is a lot of fun and pretty affordable to shoot pick up an AR-15. If you can't find one in your price range do not hesitate to pick up an SKS. SKS's are great and about as cheap to shoot as it gets, aside from 22.

If you are stuck on the m14 and don't have a problem with the ammo cost, go for it. I would suggest buying one used with some modifications done in advance that you may want. Do a lot of research on them - there is a lot of great info on this website.

Or better yet, buy a 22, an AR, an m14, a bolt gun, and an SKS, and then you will be set for awhile haha... Then there are handguns...

Arg... I definitely have an acquisition disease...
 
you can't play can-can with a bolt gun- you just CAN'T work that bolt fast enough- that ALONE is good reason to have an m14 of any colour- and as for levers,i've got a couple that would probably out shoot a bolt- one's a 94 trapper in 44 mag that shoots quarter sized groups at 100 yards, the other's a savage 99 - i don't need to tell you how THAT shoots
 
if its his first rifle, he ain't playing can-can...

P

t-star said:
you can't play can-can with a bolt gun- you just CAN'T work that bolt fast enough- that ALONE is good reason to have an m14 of any colour- and as for levers,i've got a couple that would probably out shoot a bolt- one's a 94 trapper in 44 mag that shoots quarter sized groups at 100 yards, the other's a savage 99 - i don't need to tell you how THAT shoots
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Ya can't go wrong with both a .22 and an M14. 22 is plenty of fun inside 200m and great for practicing different positions, standing, prone, etc if you haven't been shooting much in years. Hell you can go through a box of 500 rounds in a day and you're only out 20odd bucks. An M14 is definitely more fun though, you can stretch it out nice and far (if you've taken the time to get to know her and done a few mods) take it out hunting, the only downside is the cost of ammo. So just start reloading! Halve the price of ammo and get way tighter groups! Problem solved!
 
t-star said:
and as for levers...
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x10. Extremely underestimated. My top pick for a first rifle.
Takes skill to use.
A lever gun in the right hands can be a fast and very effective instrument ;)

So just start reloading! Halve the price of ammo and get way tighter groups! Problem solved!
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That's what I thought until I found that I just shot 2x as much. Never really solved that problem.....
 
Buy a .22. You'll always want to have one. I've had more fun shooting gophers all afternoon on a hill top with one than anything else.

Always buy the best quality you can afford. Rifles, scopes and everything else. I'd rather have one good rifle than 5 bad ones. That way you'll keep them and won't regret the purchase. In the end you'll get better value.
 
one of the supporting dealers here has a special on an M-305 where you get an sks for a few extra bucks.

2 pretty cool rifles for about 500 bucks, and one of them being dirt cheap to feed? Sounds like a pretty good way to start filling the gun locker.
 
Buy a .22 first then just buy a Mosin Nagant.... they are 100 bucks right now, you can't go wrong or if you want semi auto buy an SVT-40 or SKS. Then 12 gauge, lever action and so on.

I bought some chinese guns when I first got my license but I stay away now.
 
Get the M14, then get a CZ858. Then attend both the Service Rifle and CQB shoots (If you are in Ontario). Then the fun begins.
 
TACTICAL111 said:
x10. Extremely underestimated. My top pick for a first rifle.
Takes skill to use.
A lever gun in the right hands can be a fast and very effective instrument ;)



That's what I thought until I found that I just shot 2x as much. Never really solved that problem.....
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actually it's a lever in the LEFT hands can be a fast and effective etc
 
If you're learning to shoot, learning iron sights is the foundation of marksmanship.

As has been said already, get a .22 and the M14 if you like.
Start with the .22 and put the M14 in the safe for later.
For the .22 I would recommend something with good peep sights like a Savage Mark 2 FVT.

You can't ask for a better set of irons with more capabilities than the M1/M14sights offer. That system will teach you alot.
If you will be shooting range only consider picking up an old used bone stock AR15 as the sights are similar, ammo is cheaper and it has F-all for recoil. Great gun to learn with.

Once you have the basic principles down with the .22 at 50 and 100yds (shooting positions, sight picture, breathing, trigger pull, follow through) you can haul out the M14 (or AR) and start practicing at 200 and 300yds.

If you go M14 get one from the EE that has been accurized (unitized) and tweaked to save yourself some cash.
 
Ha ha your wallet is in for a world of hurt. also buy both a .22 and the M14 oh ans since your getting the M14 get the sks deal and dont forget ammo, locks safe, cases and Scope, forgrip extra mags the list goes on!
 
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But what about if Zombie's come?? Your gonna need a semi auto if Zombies come! Trust me... A .22 does not have the stopping power to take down a determined Zombie.. well maybe those small pussy Zombies, but not the big hungry ones. Go m14 baby and those zombie's will steer clear of your place. But make sure to have a .22 on hand too so the wife can watch the back door!!
 
J996 said:
You can't ask for a better set of irons with more capabilities than the M1/M14sights offer. That system will teach you alot.
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The concept is bang on, but the Norinco irons that come on that gun sometimes suck. So long as everyone agrees that you may have to spend $100.00 to replace them.

Me personally, I learned on the #4 Enfield sights when I was a brat little 7 year old kid. Those are fantastic as well, just as good as the garand sights imho. Between the ages of 12 to 15 I spent quite a bit of time using the #7 Enfield, FN FAL, Daisy and Crosman air rifles.

Buying a $200.00 No.4 Enfield isn't a bad idea either imo, PRVI ammo isn't super expensive and I believe you can get in cheap fmj.

EDIT:
http://www.theammosource.com/index....id=478&zenid=c2ba1395df208ad20723c8c41fe3454d

$18.00 for 20 rounds, that's not bad.
 
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