Thinking about an all around gun for the cottage and started thinking that a break action 22/ shotgun would make a nice hand gun for critters and maybe teaching the kids to shoot. Brands? 22/.410 vs 20 vs 12. Would like to keep it as value oriented as possible.
Talk me into or out of a .22/shotgun combo
- Thread starter plmnkoqaz
- Start date
- Location
- West Quebec
Why not buy a simple bolt 22 and a separate shotgun
I've been talking myself out of getting a .22/.410 combo gun for quite a while, but my willpower in this regard is fading.
I've kept a .410 backpacker handy this year when I've been working the gopher patch - for close in shots that are hard to get on quick with a scoped .22, and to tag the odd crow or magpie.
The thing that keeps me from slapping down the card is... The currently available options. I wouldn't touch that plastic Savage POS with a 40 foot pole, and I'm not convinced of the quality of the Double Badger either.
Is there anything out there in a .22/.410 combo that's half decent and won't break the wallet too much?
I've kept a .410 backpacker handy this year when I've been working the gopher patch - for close in shots that are hard to get on quick with a scoped .22, and to tag the odd crow or magpie.
The thing that keeps me from slapping down the card is... The currently available options. I wouldn't touch that plastic Savage POS with a 40 foot pole, and I'm not convinced of the quality of the Double Badger either.
Is there anything out there in a .22/.410 combo that's half decent and won't break the wallet too much?
My favorite gun by far is my savage model 42. .22wmr over a 3" .410 shotgun. I've killed every pest you can think of with it. It keeps the peace out at the farm. Its light weight and can take an ass kicking. It has spent count less hours rolling around the bottom of the canoe, dragged in the mud, and left out in the rain. Its cheap enough that Im not worried about it. Beavers, coyotes, skunks, black birds, magpies, racoons, gophers, squirrels, weasels, and so on.
Two things i hated about it, the sights, and the trigger.
40$ got a profesional trigger job(really impressed with it)
$250 red dot sight fixed the sight issue.
Say what you want about it, but the long track record i have with it puts it at no.1 for me. No other weapon in my safe has cleared out as many pests or travelled as many miles. It feels like a little toy in your hands. I have air rifles that weight more.
Word to the wise, the .410 is loud as hell. Keep ear protection near by. I store ear muffs in my safe right on the sling with it. I also keep a knife on the sling, the .410 slugs are tuff to eject with the lame extractor. The knife works great. The burris reddot sight is amazing. I have completely submerged this rifle on several occasions and the battery has yet to die. I'm sure that voids my warrant tho. lol, sure hope P&D Enterprise don't see this.
What ever you choose you wont regret it. The combo of .22 and .410 is a great all around firearm. I also hear good things about the Baikals.
Have fun and be safe.
Two things i hated about it, the sights, and the trigger.
40$ got a profesional trigger job(really impressed with it)
$250 red dot sight fixed the sight issue.
Say what you want about it, but the long track record i have with it puts it at no.1 for me. No other weapon in my safe has cleared out as many pests or travelled as many miles. It feels like a little toy in your hands. I have air rifles that weight more.
Word to the wise, the .410 is loud as hell. Keep ear protection near by. I store ear muffs in my safe right on the sling with it. I also keep a knife on the sling, the .410 slugs are tuff to eject with the lame extractor. The knife works great. The burris reddot sight is amazing. I have completely submerged this rifle on several occasions and the battery has yet to die. I'm sure that voids my warrant tho. lol, sure hope P&D Enterprise don't see this.
What ever you choose you wont regret it. The combo of .22 and .410 is a great all around firearm. I also hear good things about the Baikals.
Have fun and be safe.
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I have two combo guns, one in 30-30/20g and one in .222/12g. I use both of them quite a bit. I used to have a .22/20g as well but I sold it because I found that I never used it. For bird hunting I use a shotgun and for critter control I use a .22 so the combo just sat in the safe.
Ahsan Ahmed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
The Baikal MP-94 Scout (.22LR/.410 or .22WMR/.410) is a well made combo firearm i.e. if you can quickly find one at this time. Shotgun barrel has screw-in chokes. However, barrel regulation may leave something more to be desired but it is what one would expect from a product built at that price point. The rifle barrel is very accurate.
I find the combos to be somewhat economical, but poorly made. While a 410 does not require a lot of precision to shoot, the .22 lacks in accuracy on a combo despite claims that suggest otherwise. I've not shot one that was not all over the map.
As said above, better off with 2 separate rifles.
As said above, better off with 2 separate rifles.
Obviously, you don't own one.
For things like pest control, you have the option of making an on the spot decision which is more appropriate.Grizz
Obviously, you don't own one.
Grizz
I couldn't agree more. I've sighted up on lots of critters and made the split decision to switch barrels for the situation. Combo guns are great for taking out on hikes, canoe trips, and general shooting. You shoot the same rifle enough you will learn everything about it and know exactly what distances your shotgun can hit and the exact hold overs for the .22
Obviously, you don't own one.
I've never figured out the combo guns.... but this point makes good sense.
nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I have a Savage 42 in 22/410. Not my thing, thinking of selling it. If one had a farm and wanted a knock around pest gun, it would be ideal for the tractor or quad.
I had an old savage 24 I was going to fix up, but I realized that the purpose I was keeping it for, taking care of the odd pest was easily handled by my 20ga.
And if it's out of reach of the 20ga, I'd want a scoped rifle which I hope to be handled by the ruger american .22 I picked up.
S1de8urnz's 42 looks exactly how I'd set one up when I was thinking about getting one, but there's some really negative reviews out there.
It's like they punted instead of going for the touch down.
If I'm on the back roads with the truck, it's a matter of picking the best gun for the task out of one case or the other case.
And if it's out of reach of the 20ga, I'd want a scoped rifle which I hope to be handled by the ruger american .22 I picked up.
S1de8urnz's 42 looks exactly how I'd set one up when I was thinking about getting one, but there's some really negative reviews out there.
It's like they punted instead of going for the touch down.
If I'm on the back roads with the truck, it's a matter of picking the best gun for the task out of one case or the other case.
To each their own, thats not enough hate for me to want to part with my old 24.
It has served me well and continues to do so..
nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I replaced the horrible rear sight with a rail through site sponsor Hirsh precision, then mounted a Bushnell Trs 25 red dot. Think that took care of most of the negative reviews. Seems to be accurate enough with both the 22 and the 410. Just something wrong...like a scope on a Model 94 or SKS.....(dons flame retardant suit). But the real reason i am thinking of selling it is that my 410 SXS gets chicken duty....i dont have to worry about a optic......or two ammo's along with a big rifle. JMO ...YMMV.
