I’m just about to get my first gun. Looking for something inexpensive, just for making holes in paper. It needs to be fun, so no super small caliber. SKS looks like it may fit the bill; anyone know what else I should consider?
First gun - sks vs ???
- Thread starter Scot5
- Start date
Get the sks 100%, but don't write off a small caliber (.22) as your second (or alternative for your first). They can be very fun and you won't even feel the cost of ammo. They are also an invaluable learning tool.
Even the cheap 7.62x39 adds up. Getting a .22 too will supplement a nice range day. A good cooey single shot 22 s/l/lr can be got for around $100 if you find the right deal. (.22 shorts rule!! Some are almost as quiet as bb's if noise is an issue)
An SKS was my first. No regrets and I've had a few now.
Even the cheap 7.62x39 adds up. Getting a .22 too will supplement a nice range day. A good cooey single shot 22 s/l/lr can be got for around $100 if you find the right deal. (.22 shorts rule!! Some are almost as quiet as bb's if noise is an issue)
An SKS was my first. No regrets and I've had a few now.
A SKS is a great gun for the money, more so 5 yrs ago.
young guys that think a 22 is no fun when they don't have one gun yet is starting off on the wrong foot, to my way of thinking.
Kind of like buying a 44 mag or a 45acp for first handgun, and then never figure out why they can never shoot very good, but looks cool to all the girls, I guess.
young guys that think a 22 is no fun when they don't have one gun yet is starting off on the wrong foot, to my way of thinking.
Kind of like buying a 44 mag or a 45acp for first handgun, and then never figure out why they can never shoot very good, but looks cool to all the girls, I guess.
Lol - I’m in my 40s and married! I AM thinking of a .45 as a first pistol. If that is a mistake - how come? My only experiences shooting are a gun range in Vegas and air guns in my basement. I appreciate all advice from those who know more than I (at the moment, that’s probably everyone!).
Well, the way i see it, if you're brand new, invest in yourself and get yourself a decently accurate good value 22 rifle. Use the hell out of it, go to structured shooting sessions, learn the fundamentals and practice. The 22 ammo wont kill your pocket book and you will build a solid set of skill. As you learn more, you can decide on what direction you want to go from there. If you make the jump to centerfire rifles, you will be starting there with amuch better core skill set and it will have been acquired much more cheaply than what it would have cost you out of the gate shooting center fire from day one. You may decide to go get yourself a much better rim fire, or, several. Or, you may decide to branch into handguns & if you do, go get yourself a 22 handgun to start there & do the same thing again - lern the fundamentals on the cheap first.
I know that its helped me greatly & saved my wallet hugely. I shoot two different 22 handguns a lot and shoot my 9mm relatively sparingly. Yes theyre not exactly the same. Yes, managing the recoil is not the same. But, grip, muzzle control, sight picture, transitions between targets, working on my draw & reloads is all close enough for where my skills are at that it doesnt matter that much. Eventually when i get to the flatter part of the learning curve, ill probably shoot the 22s less and the 9 more, but, for now, I dont yet need to and im still finding rapid improvements in my 9mm shooting even though i shoot it sparingly. For me, ill typically put 300-400 22 rounds down range followed by 50-150 9mm to finish.
How much have things improved for me since last fall? When i got my first 9mm - a used M&P pro from the EE, i posted looking for some advice and a gunsmith to see what was wrong with it. At that point, when i was shooting dot torture from 3 yards, i was having more misses than hits and was very frustrated. With practice & some coaching/help[ from a couple of other CGN guys im now knocking on the door of getting my first clean dot torture - haven't done it yet but typically only have one round getting away from me & at the same time am finding im able to do it all much faster and have seen a pretty dramatic improvement in my IDPA scores at the same time.
Might not work for you, but, it sure has worked for me.
Good luck!
I know that its helped me greatly & saved my wallet hugely. I shoot two different 22 handguns a lot and shoot my 9mm relatively sparingly. Yes theyre not exactly the same. Yes, managing the recoil is not the same. But, grip, muzzle control, sight picture, transitions between targets, working on my draw & reloads is all close enough for where my skills are at that it doesnt matter that much. Eventually when i get to the flatter part of the learning curve, ill probably shoot the 22s less and the 9 more, but, for now, I dont yet need to and im still finding rapid improvements in my 9mm shooting even though i shoot it sparingly. For me, ill typically put 300-400 22 rounds down range followed by 50-150 9mm to finish.
How much have things improved for me since last fall? When i got my first 9mm - a used M&P pro from the EE, i posted looking for some advice and a gunsmith to see what was wrong with it. At that point, when i was shooting dot torture from 3 yards, i was having more misses than hits and was very frustrated. With practice & some coaching/help[ from a couple of other CGN guys im now knocking on the door of getting my first clean dot torture - haven't done it yet but typically only have one round getting away from me & at the same time am finding im able to do it all much faster and have seen a pretty dramatic improvement in my IDPA scores at the same time.
Might not work for you, but, it sure has worked for me.
Good luck!
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
An sks is a great first rifle, so is something in a .22. The sks has the benefit of being a center fire with more felt recoil over the .22, yet with not a lot of recoil that you’re sore from shooting it all day. It’s relatively cheap to feed and it gets you into the routine of cleaning regularly if shooting surplus ammo. It generally won’t be as accurate as a well made .22 but it’s still fun to shoot.
As for a first handgun, something in .22 or 9mm will be more affordable and easier to shoot in the beginning than .45auto. Compare the price of 9mm and .45 and you’ll see what I mean, once you realize that you need some proper handgun instructions the thought of the cost of shooting .45 without real results is a drag. That is unless you have money to burn. I’d buy a 9mm and take a shooting class before I spent the money on .45 ammo.
As for a first handgun, something in .22 or 9mm will be more affordable and easier to shoot in the beginning than .45auto. Compare the price of 9mm and .45 and you’ll see what I mean, once you realize that you need some proper handgun instructions the thought of the cost of shooting .45 without real results is a drag. That is unless you have money to burn. I’d buy a 9mm and take a shooting class before I spent the money on .45 ammo.
SKS is (IMHO) the best bang-for-buck centerfire in Canada. Cleaning after shooting corrosive is actually pretty easy and field stripping your gun and cleaning her is a Zen experience.... 
My first handgun was a 9mm (Beretta 92FS) and I think a 9 is an excellent choice as a first handgun. .22 is also a good first choice but in my experience most .22 handguns are a bit finiky with ammo (I now use CCI Mini-Mags in all my .22 semi handguns).
A .22 rifle is fun and VERY inexpensive to shoot - again I use Mini-Mags in all my 22 semi longuns. A Ruger 10/22 or a Remington 597 would be my choice.
And .....to round off a nice starter collection; a 12 guage pump (Mossy 500 or Remington 870 - or even a Norinco clone) would be in order.
Then go shoot!....also take a non-gun guy/gal friend shooting. The more people we have on our side the BETTER!
My first handgun was a 9mm (Beretta 92FS) and I think a 9 is an excellent choice as a first handgun. .22 is also a good first choice but in my experience most .22 handguns are a bit finiky with ammo (I now use CCI Mini-Mags in all my .22 semi handguns).
A .22 rifle is fun and VERY inexpensive to shoot - again I use Mini-Mags in all my 22 semi longuns. A Ruger 10/22 or a Remington 597 would be my choice.
And .....to round off a nice starter collection; a 12 guage pump (Mossy 500 or Remington 870 - or even a Norinco clone) would be in order.
Then go shoot!....also take a non-gun guy/gal friend shooting. The more people we have on our side the BETTER!
VanIsleCam
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Yup.
road.ripper
Regular
- Location
- Hamilton On.
My first was a .223 Savage Axis. I completely went nuts modifying it, I love it.
Now I'm buying a Norinco Np29 in 9mm
maybe an SKS or an Ar next
Now I'm buying a Norinco Np29 in 9mm
maybe an SKS or an Ar next
thepolinator
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Sudbury, ON
45 is a misktake for a first pisrol as the recoil will make it very easy to learn bad habits, like flinching on the trigger pull.
SKS for sure, cant break it. It will always work just be sure you are careful to clean it and check the firing pin for free floating ( ie it goes in/out with the push of your finger easy) if it sticks clean more.
Another easy to learn on inexpensive invincible gun is the Mosin nagamt.
Another easy to learn on inexpensive invincible gun is the Mosin nagamt.
^^yes!!^^ do some research on SKS safety and cleaning of you go that route. Feel free to pm me if you are looking for any advice, Id be happy to share my routine although there are many opinions. Not much to it, but the little bit you need to know is important.
7.62×39 is such an awesome caliber as far as fun is concerned. Just enough recoil to give you a bit of a shove but no discomfort at all. Now even I'm excited for you to get into the game!! haha.
7.62×39 is such an awesome caliber as far as fun is concerned. Just enough recoil to give you a bit of a shove but no discomfort at all. Now even I'm excited for you to get into the game!! haha.
The only reason I’m considering it - I fired one for a while at a range in Vegas and enjoyed it more than the 9. I understand how learning on something smaller could be better... clearly I have more research to do!
