Geeze that's strange. I know quite a few knowledgable people who recomend them. But I'll retract my statemet and say quality bolt action in its place.
Norinco M14 as a first rifle?
- Thread starter tin
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Geeze that's strange. I know quite a few knowledgable people who recomend them. But I'll retract my statemet and say quality bolt action in its place.
Try to get an older one. I have both a Tikka and Sako hunting rifles. They were built before the two companies became one. Back when the reputation was made. I understand they are not the rifles they once were but again any quality bolt action Win, Browning, Rem, Sako, Tikka would be a good choice. I like the 700's as they are the small block chevy's of rifles and if it's made it's made for a Rem 700.
Look by all accounts the problems are few and far between particularily since the last few batches arrived but read this section. You can tune a 14 and accesorize a 14 and have a great time with one. Do you really want to take the chance your first and only rifle will give you trouble? Make it your second rifle.
Wonder what they do with them all? I mean I've seen this several times. They must have a room full.
Ar180shooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Ottawa, ON
Ruger 10/22?
The M14's are great, but the cost of shooting it on a regular basis can be prohibitive for some. For that reason, I recommend a good .22 of some sort, and then something like an M14 as a second rifle. Just remember that even 2 boxes of MFS .308 FMJ is more expensive than a brick of good .22lr (like CCI).
OP, I'd recommend a .22 first, but if it's in your budget, there's definitely nothing wrong with getting an M14 and a .22 as your first guns!
Welcome to the addiction.
Ruger 10/22, remington 700, these are all famous guns and I change my mind about what I want every week haha.
Honestly I really want something I can use to learn more about firearms than just how to point one. I want to be able to take the thing apart, look at all the pieces, and put it back together. The M14 seems good for that. So would a cheap norco AR, which has cheaper ammo, and I am thinking about that too.
However AR is restricted and that seems like a royal PITA. I will get my RPAL just coz why not, and I will mostly be a range shooter, but the registry, ATT's, needing a club membership, harsh storage requirements. I'm tired already just posting about it.
Then there are things like XCR or ACR but they are a lot more $$$ and while I can probably afford one I have a worry that in all my n00b tinkering I am going to do some damage to the gun. I would rather damage a $500 gun than a $2000 one.
Any suggestions for a 22 that would suit a tinkerer? Can I take a 10/22 apart the way I can take an M14 apart?
Or maybe the 22LR just for the cheap ammo and tinker with the 14.
So many decisions and so much frustration having to wait!!
Honestly I really want something I can use to learn more about firearms than just how to point one. I want to be able to take the thing apart, look at all the pieces, and put it back together. The M14 seems good for that. So would a cheap norco AR, which has cheaper ammo, and I am thinking about that too.
However AR is restricted and that seems like a royal PITA. I will get my RPAL just coz why not, and I will mostly be a range shooter, but the registry, ATT's, needing a club membership, harsh storage requirements. I'm tired already just posting about it.
Then there are things like XCR or ACR but they are a lot more $$$ and while I can probably afford one I have a worry that in all my n00b tinkering I am going to do some damage to the gun. I would rather damage a $500 gun than a $2000 one.
Any suggestions for a 22 that would suit a tinkerer? Can I take a 10/22 apart the way I can take an M14 apart?
Or maybe the 22LR just for the cheap ammo and tinker with the 14.
So many decisions and so much frustration having to wait!!
To make my motive clear:
I am probably only going to be able to go shoot on a Saturday or a Sunday. I am looking forward to being able to waste some time on weeknights at home with my rifle in pieces haha. Really I am not joking, I think it will be a lot of fun.
Something I can take apart will entertain me all week. Something that is only good for pointing and shooting is going to be useful to me only on a Sunday.
I am probably only going to be able to go shoot on a Saturday or a Sunday. I am looking forward to being able to waste some time on weeknights at home with my rifle in pieces haha. Really I am not joking, I think it will be a lot of fun.
Something I can take apart will entertain me all week. Something that is only good for pointing and shooting is going to be useful to me only on a Sunday.
The M14 is fun to take apart and put back together...you can talk to it too while you do it while watching full metal jacket....lol..just kidding.
Seriously, if thats what you want, get one..you most likely will not be dissapointed. Yeah a .22 is cheaper to feed but lots of guys learned how to shoot at a young age with .308 and .303.....before the 22 craze as previously mentioned.
I learned young on a .303 sporter,thats all I had access to. I was about 10...and the first semi I shot and learned to shoot was a FNC1A1 when I was 12 in cadets (when they had a better shooting program) I wasn't a big kid and with the proper instruction, me and all the others were fine with it.
IMHO, learning how to handle the firearm is the most important part...and it won't matter if its a .22 or a .308, If you aren't taught proper technique/fundementals and apply them, nothing will work for you.
I am buying my third Norc M14 when back (I am overseas right now), and had no problems with my first two (still have them) A few of my good friends got into the M14 thing as well, all norcs and no issues. Make sure, like I mentioned you learn how to shoot properly (if you don't know already, that is)...I have seen so many people blame the gun when it is their technique and failure to apply basic fundementals that is the issue, and you hear about it on here all the time as well.
As for accurizing....noramal strippping and assembly and maintanacne won't ruin that but....fire the thing bone stock first, then you can start to accurize and imrove the rifle as needed...you may not need to do any work on it at all.
Anyway, hope this helps....the Norc M14s are a blast to shoot...a real fun rifle for the range, plinking, competition and hunting. Send me a PM if you require any tips on the shoooting thing...I have a background in shooting instruction in the Military and Police service and have helped guys from CGN in the past from simple tips to hands on practical coaching and instruction....just do it via pm, I am out of the country right now and check CGN every few days and PMs are easy to spot.
Hope you get more into this sport...its a blast...pun intended.
Seriously, if thats what you want, get one..you most likely will not be dissapointed. Yeah a .22 is cheaper to feed but lots of guys learned how to shoot at a young age with .308 and .303.....before the 22 craze as previously mentioned.
I learned young on a .303 sporter,thats all I had access to. I was about 10...and the first semi I shot and learned to shoot was a FNC1A1 when I was 12 in cadets (when they had a better shooting program) I wasn't a big kid and with the proper instruction, me and all the others were fine with it.
IMHO, learning how to handle the firearm is the most important part...and it won't matter if its a .22 or a .308, If you aren't taught proper technique/fundementals and apply them, nothing will work for you.
I am buying my third Norc M14 when back (I am overseas right now), and had no problems with my first two (still have them) A few of my good friends got into the M14 thing as well, all norcs and no issues. Make sure, like I mentioned you learn how to shoot properly (if you don't know already, that is)...I have seen so many people blame the gun when it is their technique and failure to apply basic fundementals that is the issue, and you hear about it on here all the time as well.
As for accurizing....noramal strippping and assembly and maintanacne won't ruin that but....fire the thing bone stock first, then you can start to accurize and imrove the rifle as needed...you may not need to do any work on it at all.
Anyway, hope this helps....the Norc M14s are a blast to shoot...a real fun rifle for the range, plinking, competition and hunting. Send me a PM if you require any tips on the shoooting thing...I have a background in shooting instruction in the Military and Police service and have helped guys from CGN in the past from simple tips to hands on practical coaching and instruction....just do it via pm, I am out of the country right now and check CGN every few days and PMs are easy to spot.
Hope you get more into this sport...its a blast...pun intended.
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To the OP
The Norinco m14 was the first rifle I ever bought for myself and like you I had a small budget. I wanted something I could enjoy at the range, take apart/fondle and also be able to hunt with if I so chosed. I had my fathers guns to shoot so I didn't feel the need to buy a .22 or a bolt action hunting rifle of my own as my first gun.
I can just about guarantee you won't regret buying one as your first or one of your first guns, the only complaining you will be doing is over the price of .308
The Norinco m14 was the first rifle I ever bought for myself and like you I had a small budget. I wanted something I could enjoy at the range, take apart/fondle and also be able to hunt with if I so chosed. I had my fathers guns to shoot so I didn't feel the need to buy a .22 or a bolt action hunting rifle of my own as my first gun.
I can just about guarantee you won't regret buying one as your first or one of your first guns, the only complaining you will be doing is over the price of .308
Since you are shooting range only on the weekends, just go with a cheap AR15 (norc). You can take them apart and put them back together in the dark, ammo is cheap, the rifle is both affordable and accurate.
It is also an easy rifle for a new shooter to learn on due to little recoil and great ergonomics.
Rocket Surgery
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
You can shoot off $1000.00+ / hour with the m14, you'd just be heating the barrel though. I try to fire 5 rounds every 10 minutes, which is about 30 rounds per hour. This means $60.00 on ammo for a normal range trip, which is pretty expensive imo.
Usually I fire off 5 rounds through the m305, grab the 22 and shoot that while the barrel cools down. Makes for non-stop shooting.
If you want to improve your marksman skills and don't have thousands of dollars to spend on ammo, get a .22 first. If you want to be a competent shooter from multiple positions, different weather/lighting conditions etc, you are going to have to shoot A LOT and the cost of centerfire ammo will be prohibitive.
If you just want to crack off a few rounds from a bench every now and then or have a bit of fun making 3 shot groups the m14 will be the better choice. You get the feel of a 'real gun' and you won't be shooting enough to make that big of a dent in your wallet anyhow.
If you just want to crack off a few rounds from a bench every now and then or have a bit of fun making 3 shot groups the m14 will be the better choice. You get the feel of a 'real gun' and you won't be shooting enough to make that big of a dent in your wallet anyhow.
Ar180shooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Ottawa, ON
Think about what your plans for the future will be in this sport. Hunting, Target, IDPA, IPSC, ect.
My first gun I bought as an adult getting back into shooting was.... wait for it.....
Cooey Model 39. It was the gun I learned on at the Haliburton Scout reserve.
My second was a Thompson Center Venture .308 Bolt with scope package. Scope is marginal and I will probably replace it. Although, it just took down two Caribou that my neighbor shot with it. He borrowed it for his hunting trip. He prefers to bow hunt but wanted something with a boom to it as well.
Now I have
4 handguns
an AR 15
Shotgun for trying out Trap
Shotgun for IDPA
And two more .22lr because although my Cooey is the one I will never give up. It's not really a target .22 but it is a great one to teach kids with all the same.
Like Horses, the initial price of the gun is the least of your worries. It's feeding the damm things that costs the most in the long run.
So my second Kinda Cool gun for me was the Cooey 39, because it gave me that nostalgic feeling. For you, it may be that Second Kinda Cool that makes your decision, that's all good. Just remember it won't be your last purchase.
My first gun I bought as an adult getting back into shooting was.... wait for it.....
Cooey Model 39. It was the gun I learned on at the Haliburton Scout reserve.
My second was a Thompson Center Venture .308 Bolt with scope package. Scope is marginal and I will probably replace it. Although, it just took down two Caribou that my neighbor shot with it. He borrowed it for his hunting trip. He prefers to bow hunt but wanted something with a boom to it as well.
Now I have
4 handguns
an AR 15
Shotgun for trying out Trap
Shotgun for IDPA
And two more .22lr because although my Cooey is the one I will never give up. It's not really a target .22 but it is a great one to teach kids with all the same.
Like Horses, the initial price of the gun is the least of your worries. It's feeding the damm things that costs the most in the long run.
So my second Kinda Cool gun for me was the Cooey 39, because it gave me that nostalgic feeling. For you, it may be that Second Kinda Cool that makes your decision, that's all good. Just remember it won't be your last purchase.
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A fine choice too!
By all rights, a fine first rifle and, a "keeper" too. Affordable (to both own and, shoot) and, I would need many more years of "trigger time" before I was better than the rifle itself. I'm a huge .22 fan, so I'm biased...(Yes, I do have centerfires too...)
By all rights, a fine first rifle and, a "keeper" too. Affordable (to both own and, shoot) and, I would need many more years of "trigger time" before I was better than the rifle itself. I'm a huge .22 fan, so I'm biased...(Yes, I do have centerfires too...)
