First firearm advice

Submitted my PAL a couple weeks ago. I am now starting the process of selecting a firearm.

The purpose of this firearm will likely be punching holes in paper. I MAY hunt some small game in the coming fall but whether I have the time/energy/desire to do that is yet to be seen.

So I have narrowed my choices to either an eastern block milsurp rifle (SKS or Mosin), other milsurp in the 500$ range, a more modern bolt action or a Shotgun in 12 gauge.

I am trying to find a nice balance between fun and price. The SKS or Mosin fit the price point well and from everything I have been seeing, can be used as serviceable hunting rifles. Other milsurps, enfields, k98, Norinco M305's all have a bit more wow factor associated with them I feel, but the price reflects this. I was informed a higher caliber milsurp bolt action will fall to a more modern bolt action, even a budget one. So I see no reason to buy a $500 milsurp bolt action rifle when I could pick up something that will easily out perform it.

The final option is a shotgun. I have fired everything from 410 up to 12 gauge. I was looking specifically for a 12 pump gun. Something about ejecting a spent round, the sound ect. All of it makes me happy. It also seems like a 12 gauge mixes excellent utility with relatively cheap ammo and an all around good time. It can be used for hunting smaller game, birds, varmint all the way up to larger stuff. So this appeals to me on several levels.


If you where in this position, what would you say provides the best mix of value/fun for target shooting, while maintaining the ability to hunt.

My first firearm was an SKS. It wasnt too long (weeks) after more joined it in the safe: 12ga, 22lr bolt action then came the restricted etc...


An SKS and a 22lr are a lot of fun for cheap

Much like DT741 said you need at least three guns. Some would call it the big three.

Hunting rifle - sks or mosin are good choices. Get a mosin if you plan on getting a semi auto 22lr *cough* marlin 795 *cough*

A shot gun - Shot guns are extremely versatile. You can hunt small woodland critters like bunnies, clays and deer just get any 12ga that you like. *cough* not mossberg *cough*

a 22lr - semi or bolt is all personal preference. Lever actions are just too expensive to me. This is the ultimate plinking gun, I sold my sks and go a semi auto 22lr and have not regretted it

if you wanted a milsurp SKS is certainly the way to go cheap, cheap ammo, fun to shoot and you can shoot 500rnds in a day and have no worries... for a good well priced P/A shotgun id say a 870... i have a 870 tactical with the blackhawk stock with pistol grip and i love shooting it could do it all day everyday... but for a first time gun id say a .22, personally i like the 10/22 lots of different ways to set it up for whatever tickles your fancy... but to each his own

Let me clarify I have no intention of doing one and done. I have a fair amount of shooting experience. I will definitely be buying a .22 when I find the right deal/model for my needs. I am talking "first gun" into the safe right now. I follow the SKS page on facebook and have been heavily favoring it. My only real concern right now is the increase in SKS prices/ammo that is happening. The mosin was me "cheap bolt action" option that got thrown into the mix for obvious reasons.

As for shotguns, I have been looking at the big 2 pump actions. Or more specifically the 870 express and the Maverick 88 (I know the differences between it and the 500). I am just trying to narrow it down to why I should buy one over the other as the SKS/870/88 are all right around the same price (the mosin is of course cheaper). Finances are a bit tight right now, so dropping a ton of cash on a purchase isn't the best option. Thinking seriously about this, a shotgun keeps looking like the best option for me at this time.

naminator58 said:

Let me clarify I have no intention of doing one and done. I have a fair amount of shooting experience. I will definitely be buying a .22 when I find the right deal/model for my needs. I am talking "first gun" into the safe right now. I follow the SKS page on facebook and have been heavily favoring it. My only real concern right now is the increase in SKS prices/ammo that is happening. The mosin was me "cheap bolt action" option that got thrown into the mix for obvious reasons.

As for shotguns, I have been looking at the big 2 pump actions. Or more specifically the 870 express and the Maverick 88 (I know the differences between it and the 500). I am just trying to narrow it down to why I should buy one over the other as the SKS/870/88 are all right around the same price (the mosin is of course cheaper). Finances are a bit tight right now, so dropping a ton of cash on a purchase isn't the best option. Thinking seriously about this, a shotgun keeps looking like the best option for me at this time.

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im not sure about in calgary but here in onatrio the sks's at canadian tire are going for $199-$229 from what ive seen so that would be your best bet buy a sks get some bulk ammo and go have a good time

For someone starting out into the firearms foray and possible hunting scenario, much would depend on what you plan on hunting and what range work you plan on doing.

You indicated that you want to punch paper and possibly hunt small game. So ideally you want a cost effective option, but something reliable. My advice would be:

1. Save the milsurp stuff for later, once you become familiar and confident handling guns and have learned the fundamentals of marksmanship.
2. Select a shotgun or rifle that is going to be suitable for the game you plan to hunt with the least amount of learning curve, but will maintain reliability.
3. Select an appropriate caliber or gauge for your skill level (i don't recommend getting a 10 gauge or latest super magnum to start - RECOIL IS NOT YOUR FRIEND!)
4. Make sure the gun fits you and is comfortable to shoot (correct length of pull).
5. Practice, practice, practice.

If it were me, for a rifle I would select a Weatherby Vanguard series rifle in a moderate cartridge (243 Winchester, 260 Rem, 308 Winchester, 270 Winchester). For a shotgun, it's pretty hard to beat the Remington 870 and Mossberg 500/590 series pumps in 16 or 20 gauge.

Good luck and have fun.

A shotgun is not made for making holes in paper, although it can do that too, but there are much better tools for the btask at hand.

A shotgun is for shooting at moving targets, such as clay targets and birds. If that is in your plans, get a shotgun. If not, get a rifle.

I forgot to change my location. I am now living in Lloydminster, last time I saw an SKS it was 279.99$ and I was advised from 2 other gun stores that they will be very hard to source ammo and guns.

naminator58 said:

I forgot to change my location. I am now living in Lloydminster, last time I saw an SKS it was 279.99$ and I was advised from 2 other gun stores that they will be very hard to source ammo and guns.

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lol my canadian tire has 4-5 cases of 1100(corrosive)... i think it was 1100 something like that plus they had 3-4 different kinds in 20rd boxes

I just recently got in to shooting and have picked up 3 different firearms. Mossberg 500 12 gauge pump for skeet shooting. I've put about 300 rounds through it and it has worked flawlessly. I chose the mossberg 500 over the Maverick 88 because it comes with a set of choke tubes and has a 10 year warranty vs only 1 year on then a Maverick. A ruger 10/22 for target shooting. It also has worked great with 400 rounds through it and not a single failure. Finally I just got an SKS and will be shooting it for the first time this week. Can't wait!!
Sounds like a 22 rifle would suit your needs right now. Good for cheap paper punching and small game hunting. Lots of goodd stuff on the EE to chose from.

naminator58 said:

I forgot to change my location. I am now living in Lloydminster, last time I saw an SKS it was 279.99$ and I was advised from 2 other gun stores that they will be very hard to source ammo and guns.

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Wow you guys are getting robbed !!

Still find some for 199.99$ around here

I am always a fan of starting out with a 22 rimfire, and in adding them to the collection. Also when starting out I support the idea of getting manually cycled actions, so I would council getting a bolt action 22, a lever action or a pump action would also fill the need, and the Mosin-Nagant rifle, then get the Remington 870 shotgun. I like the 870, what can I say.

Before buying a .22 anything, go to the range or near by woods with a friend that has one and try it. Like in this thread I was told man! you got to have a 10/22 so I bought one, shot 200 rounds with it and sold it along with 3 550 round boxes of ammo. Wasn't my thing at all, felt like I was shooting a pellet gun Just saying...

One of my first firearms was a mosin nagant sniper, I still love it to this day even though I have modern rifles that cost 10x the amount I paid. I also bought sks's and they are fine, but would pick the mosin any day. I would stick to bolt actions at first, modern or milsurp before moving to semis. I recently picked up some Lee Enfields and am greatly enjoying them.

My wife wants a .22 in the future. I have nothing against the .22. I think it is a mighty fine round. But honestly? I want to shoot a "real" gun. I have played airsoft for years and one of the guns I collected was a 10/22 look alike. I was out at a relatives with it and they brought out there 10/22. We lined up some cans and started taking shots. At the relatively short range, my airsoft .22 out shot the real one and aside from how loud a real .22 round is, my gun had just as much kick.

I am still seriously interested in a shotgun for the utility of it. Right now I am wafling between getting a Maverick 88, a SKS, a Mosin or a modern .308 rifle. For the prices I am seeing, I may just get a mosin at my LGS and get a used shotgun from the EE. I went into a gun store on Friday to ask a few questions and I was told to buy a bolt action Savage in .223, a Savage MK2 .22 and then was completely ignored, which was really dissappointing. You would think a potential customer coming in and talking about getting there first firearm would generate a bit more of a response than the couple of sentances the guy shared with me (.223 is cheap, get that. Shotguns are terrible for shooting targets. .22 is better than .17hmr).

Just got my PAL and as much as I want a nice 9mm I'm going to go slow and get a 22lr Bolt and probably a GSG 1911. Why waste $ missing. 22lr is pretty cheap and I'll become more comfortable in the mean time. I'll shoot that till fall then try to pick what I want up on sale or in the EE if they ever let me in.

I would get something in .223 look at a savage axis when they go on sale. Plenty of ammo options. I think you would be more satisfied paper and varmint wise.

For a first center fire rifle, I would suggest a .223 bolt action rifle as it is fairly inexpensive on ammo and still has good reach and range of use.

As far as shotguns go, the Maverick 88 is a great first shotgun for the price, in my opinion (I owned one for 17 years and it never let me down - lots of other shotguns came and went during that time). The Remington 870 is a well made shotgun but the feed ramp on it (much like many other brands) is simply not as user friendly when reloading compared to Mossberg shotguns. It will probably never bee an issue but fast reloading on the Maverick and Mossbergs is a lot faster/easier.

I had an SKS for years and they are amusing/cheap to shoot and there is a lot of accessories/mods for them. You won't be getting tight groups but it's still fun to try!