First firearm

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Jonny Quest

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Recently received my PAL. Looking to buy a rimfire rifle and a 9mm pistol. Both will be used for punching holes in paper. I only have the cash for one at this time. Which would be better to start with? Any recommendations for particular models to check out or avoid?

Thanks
 
Not that I really needed another expensive hobby, but I was in your exact position not long ago. I initially went with a Mossberg 17HMR rifle. Cheap, accurate, better ballistics than a .22, and a great platform with which to learn & hone your skills. A buddy of mine has a Savage 17HMR & it's great too.

I got my S&W M&P9mm a few months later. Tons of fun, but significantly more expensive - both the gun and the ammo!

I'm in the process of building a long(er) range .223 rifle now. Who knows what will be next...
 
Definitely go with a .22 first.

My first (and still favorite) .22 was a Remington 597. Very much a jack of all trades, it isn't necessarily "the best" at anything, but it's good at everything. The basic models come in right around the $250 sweet spot, too.
 
Jonny Quest said:
What do you mean by this? Is there something wrong with .22?
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No, he means dont go buy a pistol, thats typically twice the cost of most 22lr, and then struggle to afford ammo for it, buy a .22 that is cheap to feed.

If you are looking at a CZ 452 your prices are a bit more comparable though, my .22 was only $210+tax
 
Yeah, the "trap" is that if you only have the budget for one gun, you buy the one you really want first. You pay 2-4x more than you would for a decent .22, the ammo is 10-20x more expensive, you can barely afford to feed it, you can't practice much, and you walk away frustrated.

Start with the .22, though? You can get the gun and THOUSANDS of bullets for the base cost just to buy most good centerfire guns. You can shoot till your trigger finger goes numb, practice as much as you like, and you're already a few hundred bucks ahead on saving for the gun you really wanted.

Simple fact is, for everything except hunting, a good .22 is literally the ultimate gun. You basically can't go wrong.
 
As most are saying go with a .22 first . You mentioned the Ruger American Nice gun I have the rifle & carbine (old guy with too much disposable income & love Rugers) Personal recommendation would be a Ruger 10/22 Base model sweet little gun you can upgrade , all kinds of options on different models & different capacity mags from 10 to 110 . My oldest (aging myself) is second year production (has never failed) newest today . Welcome & have fun . you've joined a great site & sport !
 
X2 for ruger 10/22 as for handguns, don't buy a cheap one just cause you don't have the budget NOW. Better scrape up a bit longer and get a decent one that you will enjoy for years and years without putting money on it or just plain leave it in the safe cause it will cost more to repair than it's worth. if you're going to shoot it often get something good. Not saying get a Sig at over 1K but the S&W M&P 9 or the Glock 17 have been trough it all and came out on top you cant go wrong with those. Youtube is your friend
 
Thanks for all the great replies! I really have my mind set on a bolt action. I'm much more comfortable with them. As far as a handgun I like steel. The plasticky feeling Glock type guns just don't do it for me. My plan now is to pick up a CZ 452 and as much ammo as I can find and buy myself a nice Christmas present, like a Beretta 92 or Sig P226.

Thanks everyone
 
Take a good, long look at the CZ 75 SP-01. Steel frame, aluminium grips, and an INCREDIBLE shooter. Buddy of mine has one, and I shoot it every chance I get.
 
Machinegon said:
Man don't fall in the same trap every firearms lover on a budget does, buy the .22 first.
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Ah yes... I went for .45acp as a first pistol. My wallet cries out in distress. Thank goodness I have a .22 now as well.

The good news is there are a lot of awesome little tactical style 22's on the market now. I just got an ISSC 22 sporting rifle and it's the most enjoyable gun to shoot ever. I recommend it highly for a first .22. I wouldn't be discouraged by the bad reviews floating out there from a couple years ago, the new ones are updated and everything I've read indicates the problems of some of the first run ones are ironed out. Mine has performed flawlessly.
 
Everyone is saying buy a 22, which is a smart and economical option
but if you buy an sks you can feed milsurp through it and its still cheap and you still have the fact that its centerfire ammo so it has more kick

but 22 is cheaper, it has many restrictions in the hunting world though
 
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