First Gun: SR22 and Questions!

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JRDuffman

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Hey guys. Getting ready to buy my first gun. Hopefully at the end of this week!

So I've been looking at autoloading 22's and have been weighing out 3 choices over the past few weeks.

I've been in a local gun shop a few times talking with one of the workers I know personally. The first time I was in there he had a Remington 597 VTR in for $450 taxes in. That was the initial draw... the price. I looked at it but decided not to get it as many reviews I've read have mentioned FTF issues. I'm a newb here so the last thing I want to do is buy a gun with the intentions of tweaking and changing extractors just to get something reliable! I want something that will be as simple and reliable out of the box.

So of course I learn about the Ruger 10/22 and the fact it seems to be the number 1 rated semi auto 22 as far as price and reliability goes and it's been around since the stone age. I like that so as soon as I learn about the SR-22 I was sold! Well... except for the price. But I figure it's worth the cost.

So the second time I went to the store they had the Ruger SR-22 in stock! The SR-22 is $150 more at $600 taxes in and that seem to be a decent normal going price for that. But as I want something simple and reliable (and as I said I don't want to tweak, mod or clean every day) so I think I'm going to get the SR-22!

I know the logical thing for me to get would be a basic 10/22 because it's so much cheaper and you're basically paying for the looks of all the extra aluminum parts on the SR-22. The 10/22 comes with sights (OMG who would think!) and so this was of course my 3rd choice. Get a basic 10/22 now with intentions of modding it to a more tactical look later on. But this is going to be my toy, my one and only gun and I have to admit none of the aftermarket 10/22 stocks look as good as the SR22 IMHO. Well except for the Nordic(?) one but of course by the time you buy the stock, barrel, and receiver you have paid for the SR22. The kit is at least $300 for all the aluminum parts! I have to say I like the SR22 looks wise even better than the VTR. But of course I've seen some awesome looking custom 10/22's on here. I really like that Thompson M1 Tommy gun mod!

Once I threw the VTR out of the equation it came down to cheaper 10/22 and changing stocks etc or the SR22. Now like I said I'm pretty sure I'm just going to get the SR22. I'll say it again it's a question of looks and I'm a sucker for the SR22.

Now, as I said I'm a newb here. So I want the gun for target practice at the range and maybe out on a farm since it's non-restricted. I'm no sharp shooter and so this brings up my first question. Sights.

I'm undecided on either a cheap red dot or some other type of fixed sights. I guess if I go fixed sights I'll have to get either a full length top rail or something else? That I'm not to sure about. I see red dots and fixed sights can REALLY vary in price. Since I'm a newb, it's my first gun and I'm not looking to win any competitions here... I think cheap is okay. For basic range shooting should I be looking at a cheap red dot or normal front and rear sights? For anyone familiar with the SR-22 what would be the most basic and affordable sights I should look for? It seems a pain to have to buy both front and rear sights and I'm once again guessing for the front I would need another rail to mount it. That's why I'm kinda leaning towards a cheap red dot. But I've never used one and I don't know how cheap I can get away with.

Ammo. I know there are different types of 22LR ammo. Different weights, Sub Sonic etc and I've also noticed different ammo can create more debris requiring more cleaning... don't want! So whats the standard run of the mill ammo you would recommend for the Ruger 10/22 action? Something that will be reliable and clean and once again accuracy isn't priority. I'd rather spend a little more on ammo since I won't be shooting a ton and I'd rather have less to clean!

Other than that I think I'm going to get the Ruger BX-25, 25 rd magazine and a basic carry case. Not too worried about the case I've seen affordable plastic ones or the official Ruger one is even nice looking. Oh, yeah. I suppose getting a cleaning kit would also be recommended? Once again, newb here so I have none of this stuff already.

-Sights on a budget. Basic needs!
-Ammo. Will not cheap out here.
-Extra recommendations like cleaning kit.

Guess that's about it. I'll of course be joining the local range as soon as I can.

Thanks ahead of time.
 
I'd put a fixed 4x scope on it before a red dot. Although red dots look better on the rifle, scopes are more accurate. Irons will require a top forend rail and will end up costing you a much as a Half decent scope. I'd get a scope.

You should buy a box of 50 in each kind of ammo you can get your hands on and try them all to see what works best. I wouldn't bother with expensive subsonic target ammo in that particular gun either if it were me. Also do not bother with anything made by Remington... It's all crap and will foul your gun good and quick.

Cleaning supplies... I'd ge a boresnake or pull through of some sort, a toothbrush, and some hoppes #9.

Congrats and welcome to the shooting sports! Shoot safe and have fun!
 
Okay so a cheap red dot is a no go? I still think I would prefer normal sights over a scope. I had a Tasco scope on my Pellet gun when I was a kid (I had a really nice 800 FPS break barrel rifle) and I hated using it. I just found it more comfortable with the sights and of course I was never shooting at more than 100 yards.

Why are BX-25 mags prohibited? The store I was in had the 30 rd mags for the Remmy and I didn't think there was any limits how many rounds you had for rimfire in Canada. That kinda sucks if they are but honestly not a huge deal breaker. I'm perfectly fine with a 10 rd mag if that's the case.
 
I would ditch the 10/22 idea and go with a marlin or savage semi. More accurate and alot cheaper too. $ saved = more ammo. But if you do get an sr22 I found stingers worked best when I still had an sr.
If I was to do it over again I would buy one that I mentioned above and save alot of $$

The mags are prohib because they are for the charger as well. Butler creek steel lips are almost the same
 
I agree, cheap red dots may look cool, but a scope is way better. I'll be swapping mine out for some quality glass shortly. The SR-22 is a great rifle, I love mine. And the Butler creek steel lip 25-round mags work well in my experience. Although the new promag 9/22 mags offer the rest of the tacticool look, but I hear they are causing extraction problems in some cases. I think I'll be giving them a try anyways, I just can't stand the banana mag look on an ARish looking rifle.
 
hometownhero said:
I would ditch the 10/22 idea and go with a marlin or savage semi. More accurate and alot cheaper too. $ saved = more ammo. But if you do get an sr22 I found stingers worked best when I still had an sr.
If I was to do it over again I would buy one that I mentioned above and save alot of $$

The mags are prohib because they are for the charger as well. Butler creek steel lips are almost the same
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The charger being the pistol. So I can't buy the offical mags but I can get the Butler Creek ones? Don't they fit in the charger too? Just a work around I guess.

Wendell said:
The Aimpoint T1 is an optic that you'll never outgrow.
Click to expand...

The T1 costs more than the gun? I'm a beginner on a budget here!

There has to be a good option for normal sights. If I have to buy the top mount than I will but what about the sights that come next? Does anyone sell a kit that comes with matching front and rear? What about an AR-15 style handle with rear sights? Can I get a front mount that would work well with that and not break the bank?
 
JRDuffman said:
There has to be a good option for normal sights. If I have to buy the top mount than I will but what about the sights that come next? Does anyone sell a kit that comes with matching front and rear? What about an AR-15 style handle with rear sights? Can I get a front mount that would work well with that and not break the bank?
Click to expand...

Get the top rail from Dlask Arms. I got the full 4 rail package and I'm pretty happy with it. All 4 rails do add a lot of weight though.... I think hical carries an AR style carry handle w/ sights as well as a set of "economy" flip up sights (a set). I was half tempted to get the economy set but judging from the picture I think they're magpul PTS MBUS?? If they are then they're technically made for airsoft so I wasn't sure if they would hold zero. I myself ended up getting the gen2 MBUS sights from Fabsports.
 
Dont forget the auto loader - shooters ridge is a little better than the butler creek but they both are good for the fingers.
As for the 25 rnd mags, go for the steel lips version of whichever mag you get, may cost a little more but should feed better over the lifetime of the mag.
 
I think ruling-out a 1/2-decent scope is a bad idea. Red dots look cool, and I used to have one on a 10/22. Good for pop-can-sized targets under 50 yards, but that's about it. (my opinion) 2 of the scopes I have .22lrs right now are 3-9x, bought used, for $50 each. One is on my new Marlin 795. (better guns than anything 10/22, again, my opinion) Comes down to whether or not you want to HIT the things you're aiming at, and see the things you're aiming at BEING hit. I want both, most shooters do.

I'm a bit of a 10/22 "basher" because I think modding them to become 1/2-decent shooters is crazy. Some people buy them for modding purposes alone, so opinions vary to a huge degree. My new 795 shoots 10x better than my 10/22 did, and it cost me $125 tax in. ($100 tax in, if my mail-in rebate ever comes in :) ) So reading your initial post...and being a 795 fan...you're paying $475 for all that black cladding from my perspective.

Having said ALL that..if it's the SR-22 you really want, I'd say go for it. No sense always wondering if you should have "followed your heart", so to speak. A scope, even a modest-priced one, will make target shooting, plinking, even small game hunting more enjoyable and successful for you.
 
Well I'll throw my 2 cents into the ring, I've spent a lot of money on "tricking out" an SR22.

Here goes ...

If your going to get a rail setup for the front end, ditch the factory tube and get yourself the Short Dlask Fore end kit with Top, L/R/B rails & free float tube. It will save you a bit of weight and may cost you more in the end but it is well worth it. You will also need to keep the barrel support block from your OEM one and just reinstall.

after market back up sites, get yourself some used Magpul flip ups, those will run you $100 or less. Or you can save another $20 and buy the Magpul PTS (profession training simulation) versions which can be found on most airsoft sites.

Volquartsen Extractor .. best $15 you'll spend. The factory extract is good but can be better.

Scope .. Decent 4X or a 3-9x40 ... your choice but don't cheap out too much.

Trigger .. if you good with your hands, there are plenty of Youtube videos that will show you how to make your trigger better. Or you can do what I did and buy an aftermarket trigger set up, I chose a Timney trigger kit and cost me $180 ... but that was just my choice and not something you really need to do.

Buy lots of different ammo to find out what ones work best for you and your new rifle. Using the factory barrel, I found that CCI Blazers or Mini Mags worked best for me.

Good luck and have fun!
 
I am like you and did a ton of research on the 22LR semi auto in non restricted with no mag limit and finally, in a tacticool style.

I came to realize that in Canada there are 4 options available after a week of research.

Ruger SR22
Remington 597 VTR
Mossberg 715T
ISSC MK22 SCAR
Possibly the Kel Tec SU 22 in late 2012 or 2013 if they send a sample in to RCMP.

Various ranges of prices, quality, history and aftermarket goodies.

All the IMO "good" ones that resemble the AR15 are restricted in Canada. I would have loved to buy the S&W MP15-22 but it is restricted and limited to 10 round mags.

Still do not know which one to buy. I love the SR22 but the banana clip 25rd mag looks so goofy IMO. I really want the ISSC MK22 SCAR 22LR but I have heard these suffer from quality issues such as jamming and/or ejection issues.

Disclaimer: I am new to firearms as well. PAL in the mail and no I am not a mall cop.
 
BX-25 is prohibited because it was designed to fit the charger pistol and the 10/22. A magazine designed for a pistol with a capacity greater than 10 rounds is prohibited. The Butler Creek steel lips/hot lips probably fits the charger but it wasn't designed for it so it's not a prohibited device. The B/C mags can be painted to match the finish of the gun.

The alangator tri-mag is another option to increase ammo capacity.
 
Anyone ever bought from combatoptical dot com? I'm thinking of getting the M4 handle with rear sight, the top short rail for the SR22 (they have many rail kits including all 4 rails short, med and or with full length top all at low sale price) and the "Removable Low Profile Detachable Front Sight"

I'm thinking this trio should work together and it's only $63 USD before tax and shipping.
 
JRDuffman said:
Anyone ever bought from combatoptical dot com? I'm thinking of getting the M4 handle with rear sight, the top short rail for the SR22 (they have many rail kits including all 4 rails short, med and or with full length top all at low sale price) and the "Removable Low Profile Detachable Front Sight"

I'm thinking this trio should work together and it's only $63 USD before tax and shipping.
Click to expand...

Purchased my SKS bayonet lug bipod from them years ago. No complaints.
 
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