Looking for a new semi auto

I don't get the vibe "OP" is someone's young 'un picking out a rifle... he's one of "us" looking for something that will work, and hit something.

I'm just getting into the sport and have fallen in love, in fact I wish my dad had kept his old Cooey that he sold when the registry took effect. I would have loved growing up doing this, feels like a waste of 28 years knowing what I missed, granted it's probably more like 20 if I started shooting when I was around 8... lol.

As cool as 'tacticool' is, right now it's not for me. I am simply trying to learn to shoot, dress up can be done later - I see a pink stock in my future for my daughter, who is now 2, lol. After a trip to Bass Pro and Sail and back to the local stores, NOBODY has Marlin .22's in stock which is horribly disappointing. After shouldering a Remington 597 again, I must say it 'fits' best out of everything I've held, the 64F comes a close second. The 10/22 just doesn't feel comfortable for me, and I want something that works well and is comfortable out of the box. Again, no stores have had any Mossberg's either and while I'm open to buying online, unless I've held the gun and know it would work for me, I'm very hesitant.

If I'm having this much trouble deciding on a rimfire, I can't imagine the stress I'll be dealing with when it comes time to buy a centerfire... lol.

I really appreciate the posts though, lots of good opinions, lots of good points to be had and it's given me tons to think about anyway.
 
Cabelas.ca have em Asinity.I just got one from there.Here is total cost to KW



Product Quantity Price
Marlin Model 795 Semi-Auto Rifle 1 $139.99
Marlin Rimfire Rifle Magazines - .22LR 10-Sht Nikl 1988+ 1 $15.99
Discount $0.00
Sub Total $155.98
Shipping $24.45
HST Tax $23.46
Order Total $203.89
 
Have a 10/22 that I bought purely to customize, Always wanted a G36 but knew I couldn't own one. After handling the 795 I'm looking to get one for myself, shots accurate out of the box, its cheap, easy to tear down and clean, bolt hold open on last shot is very nice (wish the ruger had it). for what you want it for, I would go 795.
 
Cabelas.ca have em Asinity.I just got one from there.Here is total cost to KW



Product Quantity Price
Marlin Model 795 Semi-Auto Rifle 1 $139.99
Marlin Rimfire Rifle Magazines - .22LR 10-Sht Nikl 1988+ 1 $15.99
Discount $0.00
Sub Total $155.98
Shipping $24.45
HST Tax $23.46
Order Total $203.89

Thanks, but I want to shoulder one before I commit to buying one. Know of any stores near KW that would have them? Shooters and the Gun Centre don't have them unfortunately.
 
New at Cabelas, Remington 597 LR HB. Comes with short heavy barrel, green fiberglas stock, picatinny rail and no sights. Cool looking gun for $239.
 
I'm waiting for this 597 HB A-TACS with 16" threaded bull barrel.

Model597_ATac_80912_Right.ashx


All I need to do is once she arrives is order up a good scope, sunshade, ARD, flip caps, bipod, cheek piece and some mags.
 
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I have an old sears that I've had for 25 years and it was my fathers before that and his fathers before that. The funny thing is it has had probably 100k ends trough it two stock refinishings and still shoots straight and true. The new 64b by Savage is the exact same action as my old sears and they shoot incredibly well for a semi auto. I have had some experience with the 795 and can say it is a very acurate gun as well. The one thing I don't like about the savage 64 is the mag. I find them tiresome to load and after a day at the range my thumb gets a bit raw.
If your like the rest of us this might be your first .22 but won't be your last. Spend as little as possible the first time out and get something that you will use over again. I mostly shoot bolt actions now because I tend to shoot longer than average distances for groups but always have that semi in the wings to get a few giggles with. I personally would chose performance over Lego add one anyday of the month.
 
I have an old sears that I've had for 25 years and it was my fathers before that and his fathers before that. The funny thing is it has had probably 100k ends trough it two stock refinishings and still shoots straight and true. The new 64b by Savage is the exact same action as my old sears and they shoot incredibly well for a semi auto. I have had some experience with the 795 and can say it is a very acurate gun as well. The one thing I don't like about the savage 64 is the mag. I find them tiresome to load and after a day at the range my thumb gets a bit raw.
If your like the rest of us this might be your first .22 but won't be your last. Spend as little as possible the first time out and get something that you will use over again. I mostly shoot bolt actions now because I tend to shoot longer than average distances for groups but always have that semi in the wings to get a few giggles with. I personally would chose performance over Lego add one anyday of the month.

I bought mine 25 yrs ago. It's still my favorite .22 for "grab n' grab a grouse". I've put it through a few "do over's" m'self and, as ugly as I've made it, still shoots well. I'm 64 biased...50+ years in production means something. I think they actually cost more than a 597 or 795 now though. That's a tough 'un too. Part of the 64's history is affordability.
 
I've got a Marlin 795 that I absolutely LOVE to death!


I also just picked up a remington 597 off the EE still not too sure how I like it yet as i've only put a few hundred rounds down th pipe, but so far so good!
 
I'm 64 biased...50+ years in production means something. I think they actually cost more than a 597 or 795 now though. That's a tough 'un too. Part of the 64's history is affordability.

I have no doubt about how well the 64 works, my only beef with it is that the magazine can be a bit of a pain to remove and replace in the rifle - perhaps though it could be that it was just because it was still a new rifle and not worn in at all.

In stores the best priced of the ones I'm considering has been the 597 at $170, the 64F was $150 at Bass Pro but none of their employees really seemed interested in selling rifles that day and repeatedly walked by me as if I didn't exist - due to their 'lovely' service, I will never set foot there for a rifle again. The next best price was $200, followed by the Ruger at $290. Again, no stores have carried the Marlins, but I will be checking back in coming weeks as I'm still probably a month or so away from getting the funds I want to purchase.

Bigdonkey said:
If your like the rest of us this might be your first .22 but won't be your last. Spend as little as possible the first time out and get something that you will use over again. I mostly shoot bolt actions now because I tend to shoot longer than average distances for groups but always have that semi in the wings to get a few giggles with. I personally would chose performance over Lego add one anyday of the month.
It's going to be my second gun and second .22LR, my first purchase was a used Savage Mark II BSEV, came with a Bushnell Banner 1.5-4.5 scope, nice combo and has been fun to shoot at 50 yards, I put out $550 for that one and am not at all disappointed. I just want something inexpensive want with irons to learn to shoot sans scope (might scope it later), I'm not looking for super tight groups or add ons, just something that will eat bulk ammo and plink all day long.

Until I get the opportunity to physically hold a Marlin 60 or 795, I'm leaning to the 597 as I find it's stock most comfortable and the 30 round magazine is a nice option, I've shot a 597VTR with the 30 round mag and never had issues so my real world experience has been good. That being said, this very likely will not be my last .22 purchase, lol.
 
i have been doin my homework and the thing with the 795 is that the barrel is between a light to bull barrel plus micro groove, all round nice gun. a friend of mine was trying to get me to get a .223 or .22-250 bolt. to go shoot coyotes because a .22 is no good period.
 
i have been doin my homework and the thing with the 795 is that the barrel is between a light to bull barrel plus micro groove, all round nice gun. a friend of mine was trying to get me to get a .223 or .22-250 bolt. to go shoot coyotes because a .22 is no good period.

I'm waiting for this 597 HB A-TACS with 16" threaded bull barrel.

Model597_ATac_80912_Right.ashx


All I need to do is once she arrives is order up a good scope, sunshade, ARD, flip caps, bipod, cheek piece and some mags.

Cabelas in Edmonton has something like this in stock, green stock but not threaded. $239.
 
Digging up the old thread for anyone who cares. I ended up getting a great deal on a used 597VTR at a local shop, was fortunate with the timing of when it came in and when I checked the online stock.

It was $295, and came with a 30 round mag to boot. I haven't had an opportunity to shoot it yet (hopefully before the weekend). I did end up stripping it down as it was quite dirty, I can only assume at this point that the previous owner sold it because of jamming issues, probably due to the dirt and the fact that one of the guide rod set screws was super tight. After cleaning it all out, and adjusting the guide rods everything moves much smoother now and hopefully this makes the first trip out with it a pleasurable one.

All in all, for the price paid I think it'll be a fun gun to plink around with :)

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