Hey everyone,
Forgive me as the search function is not so great here....I am looking to make my first gun purchase a .22 caliber rifle. I have shot handguns, shotguns, and rifles before, but figure a .22 is a good place to start as someone who wants to get into shooting seriously with their own gun (Im also looking at acquiring a semi auto .556 rifle before they are outlawed, but more to have vs shoot right now). I had contemplated building something from complete scratch, as I am very mechanically inclined, but figured it might be best to start basic and build from there.
All things point to the Ruger 10/22 semi auto. I don't see myself leaving the gun "untouched" for long, and it seems the Ruger has a whole host of upgrades for it. In trying to decide with the various options, I am stuck between whether its worth spending for the "takedown" model with the barrel that can unthread, or just going with the basic, no stainless (does that really help or matter?) model that is about $350 everywhere you look. A bx25 trigger, stock of my choice, and maybe a scope or red dot later and I would probably be pretty happy. Or should I be looking at another .22 completely? Savage? GSG? I want something that will work well with maintenance and has options for customizing and growth.
I am open to input and insight....and I always love to hear the "if I were to do it again" stuff, as that's usually the best advice in my own experience lol
My own hands-on experience is likely some decades out of touch, so keep that in mind. I am over 65 now. When I was teenager, I used my Dad's Cooey 60 bolt action repeater. Some friends had more expensive, like a Winchester semi-auto, in particular - would not feed a 10 shot clip without a hiccup in most every magazine full. My first bought-for-me semi auto 22 was a Remington Nylon 10C, with extra 10 round magazines. I thought it shot fine, but all the "cool guys" had Ruger 10/22 Carbine. So I traded it in on one - say early 1980's. Was used as completely stock for several years. Eventually got a Butler Creek (?) Heavy Barrel and a synthetic stock kit - I think in a blister pack at Canadian Tire. I can not say it shot any better on targets - apparently looked "cooler" though.
I started our son with a Lakefield Mossberg single shot bolt action - shortened the stock for him. Trigger pull was atrocious - like the kid needed to use two fingers to trip the trigger. That one came back to me some years later to set up for his son - so now stock is slimmed way down, besides shorter - is on it's second trigger assembly - still crap, so far as I am concerned. Grandson and I made a deal - I got that Lakefield Mossberg to swear at; he got the CZ Silhouette.
Along the way I had bought and sold a couple Savage - a bolt action 7 round detachable magazine - do not remember the model - in 22 Magnum, a falling block "Little Favourite" 93G also in 22 Magnum.
Eventually I drifted toward CZ rimfire - I have or have had a Silhouette, a Scout and a BRNO No. 1. After our son bought a Winchester 94/22, that Ruger 10/22 came back to me. So back into original stock, original factory barrel. Read an article about "cheap" mods for a Ruger 10/22 - so 13 layers of aluminum foil tape on sides of receiver (six on one side, and 7 on the other side) at rear, so no more wobble within the stock back there. Some wraps of electrician vinyl tape around barrel to anchor in forearm, and some sanding / filing to get complete clearance under that carbine front barrel ring. I installed Williams Fire Sights - I never did learn to use aperture sights when I was younger - so learning now - and that makes that little rifle into a real "hoot" to use!
If you want mind boggling, super accuracy with suitable ammo - get a Model 61 Schultz and Larsen or similar. Is also a Model 70 or a Model 77 here - am not real sure which version it is - only the trigger mechanism is different. Like 15 pound single shot .22, 1" diameter 28" or so barrel - but not likely to find more accurate rimfire for under $700. As mentioned, a Win 94/22 or a Ruger 10/22 are just real good fun, especially if you have a gopher patch to play in. Minor issues about safety operation with older ones, but any of the BRNO or CZ bolt actions worth evaluating. My experience leads me to not think much of the Winchester / Savage / Mossberg line up - maybe they are fine these days, but not the ones that I had tried out "back in the day". I do not think any longer made, but my Ruger 77/22M is handsome, and do not see many Ruger 96/22M lever actions out here either. Need to choose - precision, fun, portability, looks - each of us likely puts different weights on any of those aspects, and appears many of us have different ideas what those words mean.