First gun - sks vs ???

Scot5 said:
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!).
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SKS is good, but make sure your gun club (if its where you intent to shoot) allows steel-core ammo if you plan on shooting some of that stuff...then you will need to properly clean the rifle to prevent pitting caused by corrosive ammo if not cleaned after the shooting session...

For pistols:
Cost of ammo vs 9mm. I got a 9mm and my next pistol will be a .22LR...cheaper to shoot, can bring a brick to the range per day if you want...When I bring my 9mm, I shoot about 100-150rds...maybe im cheap....
 
Scot5 said:
I AM thinking of a .45 as a first pistol. If that is a mistake - how come?
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It's not.

A 45 (1911) was my first pistol (in my 50's) and I can shoot it very well. I now have 5 of them.

If you can shoot a 45 somewhere give it a try.

Another good choice would be a 9mm. Cheaper ammo if that is important to you.
 
Scot5 said:
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!).
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Generally, I would say that it is a bad choice for a first handgun; however a new to the sport colleague of mine in his late 30's went all out and bought a brand new SIG 1911 (about $1500) as his first handgun. I have been shooting all my life, and have a Norinco 1911 and shoot really well with it with 200g SWC home loads. He shoots his better than I shoot mine! For him, it was a good choice.

The only thing for me is it's life time warrante precludes the use of hand-loads; so it is going to be expensive to shoot.

BTW, he started with a .22 rifle.
 
The days of sks' being cheap < $100 and good quality are gone. To get a really nice one that shoots well you are paying over $300. At that price you are better off putting a bit more in and getting a nice bolt action in .223 or similar

Last couple years the refurbs have been hit or miss.
 
Another vote for the Sks. Also purchase a 22 for cheap plinking. Additionally, canvas all your old family members and see what they have stashed away. Many of my friends have gotten entire collections just because they asked and expressed an interest in shooting.
 
Thats like asking who should my first girlfriend be?
The overweight, dated looking but extremely reliable neighbor across the street, or?
 
My first was a Ruger 10/22. I highly recommend it. Cheap to buy, cheap to shoot, great quality and it shoots great ! Awesome rifle to learn the basics and the kids love it too !

My next one will be the SKS, just because. I don't care what some people think, it's a great rifle that has a place in any respectable collection.
 
I love my sks more than any of the other guns I own. But I honestly think for people who want a semi auto with a lot more bang than a .22lr, .... a PCC in 9mm is the best option out there for a first semi auto.

A PCC offers:

Clean ammo at almost SKS prices
More accurate than sks
Good easy to find hunting ammo
Lots of customization
Approved for almost ANY range
Most are NR
Quieter on the ears
Don't intimidate young and beginner shooters
Less risk of over penetrating or far travelling strays
They don't mess up animal furs as much
Are gentle on metal targets
Are light and compact
Have warrantys and part support
Support optics better
Take cheap easy to find mags
Often legal to hold 10rnds
Have better ergos
And most models are reliable

I'm sure I'm missing more benefits....
 
bananarama said:
Thats like asking who should my first girlfriend be?
The overweight, dated looking but extremely reliable neighbor across the street, or?
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Laugh2Laugh2

Like the song says, if you want to be happy the rest of your life never make a pretty woman your wife!
Get a 22 bolt action rifle, Ruger 22 pistol, used 308 bolt gun, learn to reload, and viola! a new gunnutter is born. Hitting things is more fun in the long run than just making noise.Get an SKS down the road, to blast with while your accurate rifle barrel is cooling down.


:cheers:
 
I own a .22 and would like to get something like an SKS at some point... after a 12 gauge (lol).

Think it depends what kind of shooting you do and where to determine which one to go with first.

For me it was training for hunting at first and as others have said the .22 bolt action was great practice for my bolt action hunting rifle. When I practice at a range I appreciate having the .22 to shoot still as my centrefire cools down. I will shoot 100-150 rounds with my .22 if I go to a range and maybe 25 rounds of 6.5CM.

For just going out in the woods and shooting I find I wish I had something more fun than my .22. It is for this reason I would like an SKS or maybe a .223.

Matt
 
A .22 bolt action rifle was my first gun from my dad and love it. Bought an sks next and a ton of corrosive ammo, shot the ass off the gun and have also cleaned the ass off it. Amazing how fast you can get at dismantling, cleaning and reassembly of that gun. Next was a 12 gauge pump, chick chick BOOM! A semi 12 gauge, a .22 semi, .22 semi 45 clone handgun, 9mm handgun and a 12gauge o/u. I put all through their paces but the ones that leave the case the most are the .22 bolt action rifle and the 12 gauge pump for clays. IMO there is no other feeling as gratifying as destroying moving clay targets with a pump, but to each their own.
 
I got an SKS while you could still get a good one for under 200. It is fun to shoot, and not bad for accuracy. Mine will only ever go to the range.
 
I had a 45 ACP for my first handgun. It was fine. I reload and cast, so ammo is all pretty much the same price for pistols. If you're worried about ammo costs, start reloading. It pays, especially for larger handgun calibers.
 
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