My First Rifle?

jkrealm

jkrealm

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Hey everyone,

I'm looking for opinions on my first firearms purchase. My main reasons for buying are to learn how to shoot with relatively inexpensive ammo(22lr). I'm looking for something under $250 that comes with a decent set of iron sights, stock.

So far I'm leaning towards a 10/22 or a Marlin 60.

All opinions welcome.
 
I'd say stick with the Ruger. Tried and true, will let you learn, and if you want to customize it, buy accessories or whatever it's probably the most versatile 22lr platform.

Anyone can correct me if I'm wrong.
 
Marlin 60 if you want a reliable and accurate out of the box shooter.

My Marlin 60s are very close to my CZ452 Varmint in 100 meter accuracy with cheap Winchester bulk ammo, about 1.5 to 1.75 inch 5 shot groups.

Had a Ruger 10/22 a long time ago that was reliable but couldn't hit the broad side of a barn, so to speak. Newer 10/22s are much better and I've seen one that did 1 inch groups at 50 meters with bulk ammo.
 
jkrealm said:
Hey everyone,

I'm looking for opinions on my first firearms purchase. My main reasons for buying are to learn how to shoot with relatively inexpensive ammo(22lr). I'm looking for something under $250 that comes with a decent set of iron sights, stock.

So far I'm leaning towards a 10/22 or a Marlin 60.

All opinions welcome.
Click to expand...

Start with a good used bolt 22 there are a few on the EE. The new savages are nice also
 
Semis are nice and a 10/22 or 597 would fit the bill, but if your just learning I would go with a bolt action first.
 
Henry Golden Boy. Or a Marlin 39a. Load it on Sunday and shoot all week. Seriously, though, a lever action .22LR is a great first rifle.
 
Twenty-six years ago I bought my son a Marlin Model 60. We've put 1,000's of rounds through it. Never a malfunction. It is a great little rifle and is very accurate.
 
Stick with a bolt first...I have 3 marlin Model 81s that shoot incredible out to over 150 yards. I gopher shoot and they are always by my side or at my shoulder. With the longer 24 inch barrel and 17 LR carts in the under barrel mag, they would make a nice beginners rifle.
 
If you're just starting I'd say go with a bolt. If you really want a semi, I'd say got with a 10/22. Either way, try to buy a used one. As long as you don't get ripped off or damage the rifle you can usually sell if for about what you paid for it when you want a change or to upgrade.
 
I can appreciate the bolt action suggestion, and that was my original intention, but I've discovered that I'm Left Eye dominant, while being greatly and magnificantly right-handed. Rather than fumble with a right handed bolt, I'd rather just focus on my hand-eye coordination.

Are there any reasonable lefthanded bolt action 22s of similar quality?
 
jkrealm said:
I can appreciate the bolt action suggestion, and that was my original intention, but I've discovered that I'm Left Eye dominant, while being greatly and magnificantly right-handed. Rather than fumble with a right handed bolt, I'd rather just focus on my hand-eye coordination.

Are there any reasonable lefthanded bolt action 22s of similar quality?
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Two words........

Lever Action :cool:
 
jkrealm said:
I can appreciate the bolt action suggestion, and that was my original intention, but I've discovered that I'm Left Eye dominant, while being greatly and magnificantly right-handed. Rather than fumble with a right handed bolt, I'd rather just focus on my hand-eye coordination. Are there any reasonable lefthanded bolt action 22s of similar quality?
Click to expand...

Yes, the Savage Mark II GL which is the same as the G but left handed. They also make a Mark II GLY, which is the youth model.

That said I am also right handed and left eye dominant. It is a bit of an issue with a shotgun as you really should shoot with both eyes open -- and I can't. But, other than that I've shot right handed all my life. Not an issue at all with a scope.
 
I agree with Rod, Savage make a good rifle now and if you prefer a semi auto, the 10/22 is the one to go for. Whatever you buy, try different makes of ammo in it as .22s are VERY ammo sensitive and you will find your rifle will perform better with a particular brand. Good shooting with whatever you decide on.!!
 
I see so many suggestions for the Ruger 10-22. I would suggest that you scan thru the EEs and Rimfire threads and see how many are for sale, sold, need repairs and the needed additions to make them shoot. Many of the good results seem to be when using a 50 yard paper target. There are many of the older rifles that do as well or better at that distance. I like the rifles that are consistant at 100 yards and over. The Cooey model 64 semi has been around for many many years and still being made thru Savage. Other than a good cleaning, my Cooey 64 made in about 1939 ( plastic mag) still pushes the ammo thru and knocks 'em over at 75 yards.

But in the end, it is your choice but myself being left dominant and right handed, use a scope . No problems with that setup.
 
nobody here has mentioned the 597... I'm having the same conundrum myself and the 597 (besides the price) seems to be more or less as good as the 10/22... any thoughts?
 
Giroux said:
nobody here has mentioned the 597... I'm having the same conundrum myself and the 597 (besides the price) seems to be more or less as good as the 10/22... any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Read some reviews of the 597, it seems people either have no trouble with it at all (rarely) or it experiences a whole mess of problems (more common from what I've read).
 
Thanks for all the advice.
Originally, my ideal method to learn on would have been a bolt action with iron sights.

The Mark II GL seems like a great option, functionally and pricewise. Are there any other options or is this Savage the best lefty in its price league?

Thanks again, I really do appreciate everyone's input.

-John
 
I'm looking for a starting rimfire also, and I too am left eye dominant/right handed.
Have you tried firing a right hand bolt model left handed? I don't find it that bad but the first firearm I ever shot was a right hand bolt with neutral grip.
Anyways though...
Pretty sure CZ makes a left handed variant of the CZ 452, and apparently its feeding system is versatile (I think you can change the innards with no tools so that it can be a bolt action single shot or a bolt action magazine fed, someone correct me if I'm wrong.)
Unfortunately I'm a sucker for products that have 'service' or 'military trainer' thrown on the end, and thats why this one caught my eye. Consider it.
http://cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-452-special-military-training-rifle/
Otherwise I'd say get a 10/22. They're like the AK-47 of rimfires. (except when you get a bad one, then it turns into an original issue M16 wielded by someone who mistreats it and never cleans it.)
Good luck to ya bud
 
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