Good starting rifles/pistols

[z1ggy]

I just recently shot guns for the first time yesterday. Stationary clays with a .22 and the moving clays with a 12 gauge. It was really a lot of fun and I learned the safety and how to load the guns, etc. I started looking for ranges and gun clubs near my home and I found quite a few. What are the steps you need to take to join? Also, what woudl be some non-expensive guns to take a range to practice target shooting that are reliable and also not expensive to maintain? I did some research online this morning but I really don't know whats good for beginners and what isn't.

Btw I didn't miss once

 

[adairusmc]

You just need to call the ranges and ask about membership fees.

My favorite range is half the size of Oregon and has no membership fees or range officers - BLM and Forest Service land.

If you want some good inexpensive guns to get started, look at a Ruger 10/22 (there is no better .22 for the money, period) for a rifle, and either a Ruger or Browning buckmark to start off with a .22 pistol.

If you are looking at a shotgun to maybe shoot some clay birds, a New England Firearms single shot will only set you back a $100 or so, and be an excellent first shotgun to have.

 

[KB]

The gun clubs in my area (MD) usually require a sponsor to join. If you don't know a member from that club, find the clubs website, and email someone in the club and ask about membership. They will usually set you up with a sponsor who may want to meet with you to discuss gun safety/experience or they may tell you just to show up at a meeting. Some clubs even do criminal background checks and most require you to be a member of the NRA.
There are also public gun ranges that don't require membership, all they require is an entrance fee. These are usually near state forests/parks and are run by DNR. I have found the ones in my area to be good, but lacking in features, like skeet ranges, or targets greater than 100 yards. Of course all states are different.

I back what adairusmc says abut the Ruger. It is the ubiquitous .22.

 

[z1ggy]

Also, I was wondering if I need a permit to own/use a .22 rifle. If it is the same process as getting a handgun in NY then it's going to take a long ass time for this to happen.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: adairusmc
If you want some good inexpensive guns to get started, look at a Ruger 10/22 (there is no better .22 for the money, period) for a rifle, and either a Ruger or Browning buckmark to start off with a .22 pistol.

I disagree, strongly, about the 10/22. It's a jam-o-matic and it's not as accurate as my Marlin 925. The 10/22 has a very strong following, but I've never cared for it very much. The bolt-action Marlins have always felt better to me and they certainly operate more reliably.

For a pistol, the Ruger Mk III is reliable enough, and quite inexpensive, but I like the Buckmark's grip and operation better; the levers and releases just fit my hands more naturally. You'll want to try out each for yourself though.

ZV

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: z1ggy
Btw I didn't miss once

interesting no misses with moving targets even.

 

[StarsFan4Life]

Originally posted by: adairusmc
You just need to call the ranges and ask about membership fees.

My favorite range is half the size of Oregon and has no membership fees or range officers - BLM and Forest Service land.

If you want some good inexpensive guns to get started, look at a Ruger 10/22 (there is no better .22 for the money, period) for a rifle, and either a Ruger or Browning buckmark to start off with a .22 pistol.

If you are looking at a shotgun to maybe shoot some clay birds, a New England Firearms single shot will only set you back a $100 or so, and be an excellent first shotgun to have.

The best .22 I have EVER used is my personal Winchester lever action.

I also have a Sig Sauer p250 9mm pistol....

 

[z1ggy]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: z1ggy
Btw I didn't miss once

interesting no misses with moving targets even.

Shot the moving clays with the 12 gauge..so it was a lot easier than trying to pick it with that little .22.

PS- What is a good price to pay for a nice .22? Ive seen things ranging from $200 to $400 bucks. Also I hear ammo is getting harder and harder to get, is this true?

 

[JulesMaximus]

None of the ranges I go to require any sort of membership. You just go in and pay by the hour to use the range.

I good plinking rifle is the Ruger 10/22. It is cheap, you could shoot it all day long, and ammo is also cheap.

Good luck getting a handgun in NY State though. If you pursue that and do get one I'd probably start out with a medium frame .357 Magnum revolver from Smith & Wesson. You can shoot .38 Special rounds through it at the range and load it with hot .357 Magnum rounds for home defense. Nothing is more reliable than a revolver.

 

[TallBill]

Ruger 10/22 for a cheap plinking rifle.

I'd recommend a 9mm semi, or .38 revolver for a pistol. Glock 17 or 19 would be nice.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: adairusmc
If you want some good inexpensive guns to get started, look at a Ruger 10/22 (there is no better .22 for the money, period) for a rifle, and either a Ruger or Browning buckmark to start off with a .22 pistol.

I disagree, strongly, about the 10/22. It's a jam-o-matic and it's not as accurate as my Marlin 925. The 10/22 has a very strong following, but I've never cared for it very much. The bolt-action Marlins have always felt better to me and they certainly operate more reliably.

For a pistol, the Ruger Mk III is reliable enough, and quite inexpensive, but I like the Buckmark's grip and operation better; the levers and releases just fit my hands more naturally. You'll want to try out each for yourself though.

ZV

I don't recall mine jamming much, if at all. Then again, who cares? I'm not hunting with it or relying on it for self defense. It is quite accurate and easy to shoot. I put a cheap 4x scope on mine and can plink a golf ball at 50 yards handheld.

 

[Demo24]

Originally posted by: z1ggy
Also, I was wondering if I need a permit to own/use a .22 rifle. If it is the same process as getting a handgun in NY then it's going to take a long ass time for this to happen.

Rifles don't have the same restrictions as pistols do(well, at least not these kinds). However check your local gun laws to find out. I doubt you need a permit, but that's just what I know from where I'm at.

 

[z1ggy]

Originally posted by: DEMO24

Originally posted by: z1ggy
Also, I was wondering if I need a permit to own/use a .22 rifle. If it is the same process as getting a handgun in NY then it's going to take a long ass time for this to happen.

Rifles don't have the same restrictions as pistols do(well, at least not these kinds). However check your local gun laws to find out. I doubt you need a permit, but that's just what I know from where I'm at.

Yeah I doubt it because I know a bunch of friends/coworkers who own/shoot rifles and don't have a permit liek you need for a pistol here in NY.

Also for beginner pistols, I know you recommended a smaller revolver, which I def. would like. What are good brands and how much should I expect to pay? I did like the shotgun, but looking at prices online I felt like many were much more expensive that my tastes right now.

 

[duragezic]

You are in New York? I'm in upstate NY and I haven't really found any ranges or shops. Moreover the laws seem ridiculous and I'm not sure I can even own much.

Check out user 'nutnfancy' on Youtube. Great gear reviews and shooting videos.

adairusmc has great suggestions, and he echoes nutnfancy on his suggestion. Ruger 10/22 is cheap and great beginning and just fun rifle. The Browning and Ruger .22LR pistols are very accurate and good to start with.

 

[z1ggy]

Originally posted by: duragezic
You are in New York? I'm in upstate NY and I haven't really found any ranges or shops. Moreover the laws seem ridiculous and I'm not sure I can even own much.

Check out user 'nutnfancy' on Youtube. Great gear reviews and shooting videos.

adairusmc has great suggestions, and he echoes nutnfancy on his suggestion. Ruger 10/22 is cheap and great beginning and just fun rifle. The Browning and Ruger .22LR pistols are very accurate and good to start with.

Yes I live in Albany which I guess is considered upstate. I know around here it make take close to a year to actually apply for the permit and have lal the backround checks and all that jazz done, before you may actually own a handgun. So far I have found some ranges close to the Albany area using google maps. Right now I am more into the rifles and longer distance shooting anyways, so I'm not super concerned with getting a pistol. But I def. want one in the near future, I just can't afford the permit and the gun all at once with a rifle too right now.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: adairusmc
If you want some good inexpensive guns to get started, look at a Ruger 10/22 (there is no better .22 for the money, period) for a rifle, and either a Ruger or Browning buckmark to start off with a .22 pistol.

I disagree, strongly, about the 10/22. It's a jam-o-matic and it's not as accurate as my Marlin 925. The 10/22 has a very strong following, but I've never cared for it very much. The bolt-action Marlins have always felt better to me and they certainly operate more reliably.

For a pistol, the Ruger Mk III is reliable enough, and quite inexpensive, but I like the Buckmark's grip and operation better; the levers and releases just fit my hands more naturally. You'll want to try out each for yourself though.

ZV

I don't recall mine jamming much, if at all. Then again, who cares? I'm not hunting with it or relying on it for self defense. It is quite accurate and easy to shoot. I put a cheap 4x scope on mine and can plink a golf ball at 50 yards handheld.

yeah, he either has no idea what he's doing or is using crappy aftermarket parts. the only time my 10/22 jams is when I use my cheap 30 rd. mags. The 10 rd mags that come with it work fine. Accuracy is just fine as well. There's a reason they've sold so many 10/22s.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: adairusmc
If you want some good inexpensive guns to get started, look at a Ruger 10/22 (there is no better .22 for the money, period) for a rifle, and either a Ruger or Browning buckmark to start off with a .22 pistol.

I disagree, strongly, about the 10/22. It's a jam-o-matic and it's not as accurate as my Marlin 925. The 10/22 has a very strong following, but I've never cared for it very much. The bolt-action Marlins have always felt better to me and they certainly operate more reliably.

For a pistol, the Ruger Mk III is reliable enough, and quite inexpensive, but I like the Buckmark's grip and operation better; the levers and releases just fit my hands more naturally. You'll want to try out each for yourself though.

ZV

I don't recall mine jamming much, if at all. Then again, who cares? I'm not hunting with it or relying on it for self defense. It is quite accurate and easy to shoot. I put a cheap 4x scope on mine and can plink a golf ball at 50 yards handheld.

It's still a hassle when it happens. My Marlin, on the other hand, never jams and the action never sticks. The 10/22s that I've shot all tend to have the bolt release "stick" and be reluctant to close the bolt again after a magazine is spent.

I know that everybody and his brother just loves the 10/22 but for the life of me I've never been able to figure out why. Give me a bolt-action any day.

EDIT: The 10/22 isn't a "bad" firearm, but it's hardly as exceptional as its reputation would lead one to believe. Like all semi-auto .22LR firearms, it's sensitive to ammo. It's also more difficult to clean than the simpler bolt-action rifles. On the whole, I don't like it as much as I like the bolt-action alternatives.

ZV

 

[MotF Bane]

Originally posted by: DEMO24

Originally posted by: z1ggy
Also, I was wondering if I need a permit to own/use a .22 rifle. If it is the same process as getting a handgun in NY then it's going to take a long ass time for this to happen.

Rifles don't have the same restrictions as pistols do(well, at least not these kinds). However check your local gun laws to find out. I doubt you need a permit, but that's just what I know from where I'm at.

This. I went to college in NY, and the guys on my floor did a lot of hunting with rifles/shotguns, and had been for years. Seems a lot easier to get those than pistols in NY.

 

[Soybomb]

How much do you want to spend? .22 is cheap and fun but so are larger calibers. Maybe get a .22 rifle (10/22 if you want to mod it, marlin 60 for just cheap and accurate out of the box, cz452 for a bolt action, marlin 39a for a sweet lever action) and then get something like a 9mm handgun.

 

[z1ggy]

Originally posted by: Soybomb
How much do you want to spend? .22 is cheap and fun but so are larger calibers. Maybe get a .22 rifle (10/22 if you want to mod it, marlin 60 for just cheap and accurate out of the box, cz452 for a bolt action, marlin 39a for a sweet lever action) and then get something like a 9mm handgun.

I would say I am willing to spend in the $200 to $300 dollar range for the 10/22. When you mention all those bolt action..lever..etc, I honestly don't really know what it means. I wouldnt't know if you showed me a gun and asked me, hey what gun is this and its features ( bolt, semi, lever). I just know the basics so when people say get a cz452 or a marlin 60,I really dont't know what that entails. ( like caliber, bolt..etc)

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: z1ggy

Originally posted by: Soybomb
How much do you want to spend? .22 is cheap and fun but so are larger calibers. Maybe get a .22 rifle (10/22 if you want to mod it, marlin 60 for just cheap and accurate out of the box, cz452 for a bolt action, marlin 39a for a sweet lever action) and then get something like a 9mm handgun.

I would say I am willing to spend in the $200 to $300 dollar range for the 10/22. When you mention all those bolt action..lever..etc, I honestly don't really know what it means. I wouldnt't know if you showed me a gun and asked me, hey what gun is this and its features ( bolt, semi, lever). I just know the basics so when people say get a cz452 or a marlin 60,I really dont't know what that entails. ( like caliber, bolt..etc)

Bolt Action

Lever Action

Semi



Common Calibers

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: adairusmc
If you want some good inexpensive guns to get started, look at a Ruger 10/22 (there is no better .22 for the money, period) for a rifle, and either a Ruger or Browning buckmark to start off with a .22 pistol.

I disagree, strongly, about the 10/22. It's a jam-o-matic and it's not as accurate as my Marlin 925. The 10/22 has a very strong following, but I've never cared for it very much. The bolt-action Marlins have always felt better to me and they certainly operate more reliably.

For a pistol, the Ruger Mk III is reliable enough, and quite inexpensive, but I like the Buckmark's grip and operation better; the levers and releases just fit my hands more naturally. You'll want to try out each for yourself though.

ZV

I don't recall mine jamming much, if at all. Then again, who cares? I'm not hunting with it or relying on it for self defense. It is quite accurate and easy to shoot. I put a cheap 4x scope on mine and can plink a golf ball at 50 yards handheld.

It's still a hassle when it happens. My Marlin, on the other hand, never jams and the action never sticks. The 10/22s that I've shot all tend to have the bolt release "stick" and be reluctant to close the bolt again after a magazine is spent.

I know that everybody and his brother just loves the 10/22 but for the life of me I've never been able to figure out why. Give me a bolt-action any day.

EDIT: The 10/22 isn't a "bad" firearm, but it's hardly as exceptional as its reputation would lead one to believe. Like all semi-auto .22LR firearms, it's sensitive to ammo. It's also more difficult to clean than the simpler bolt-action rifles. On the whole, I don't like it as much as I like the bolt-action alternatives.

ZV

:laugh: They are a pain in the fucking ass to disassemble. I think people like them because you can get all kinds of aftermarket crap to make them look like assault rifles...never understood that personally but whatever.

I bought it because it was on sale for $120. I spent an extra $40 or so on a cheap 4x scope and some scope rings which just make this thing extremely accurate for plinking.

Honestly, if the thing jammed as much as you seem to think they do I would have gotten rid of mine years ago. I just don't recall it ever jamming much at all...granted I haven't shot it in a few years, but I think I'd remember that.

 

[adairusmc]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: adairusmc
If you want some good inexpensive guns to get started, look at a Ruger 10/22 (there is no better .22 for the money, period) for a rifle, and either a Ruger or Browning buckmark to start off with a .22 pistol.

I disagree, strongly, about the 10/22. It's a jam-o-matic and it's not as accurate as my Marlin 925. The 10/22 has a very strong following, but I've never cared for it very much. The bolt-action Marlins have always felt better to me and they certainly operate more reliably.

For a pistol, the Ruger Mk III is reliable enough, and quite inexpensive, but I like the Buckmark's grip and operation better; the levers and releases just fit my hands more naturally. You'll want to try out each for yourself though.

ZV

I don't recall mine jamming much, if at all. Then again, who cares? I'm not hunting with it or relying on it for self defense. It is quite accurate and easy to shoot. I put a cheap 4x scope on mine and can plink a golf ball at 50 yards handheld.

It's still a hassle when it happens. My Marlin, on the other hand, never jams and the action never sticks. The 10/22s that I've shot all tend to have the bolt release "stick" and be reluctant to close the bolt again after a magazine is spent.

I know that everybody and his brother just loves the 10/22 but for the life of me I've never been able to figure out why. Give me a bolt-action any day.

EDIT: The 10/22 isn't a "bad" firearm, but it's hardly as exceptional as its reputation would lead one to believe. Like all semi-auto .22LR firearms, it's sensitive to ammo. It's also more difficult to clean than the simpler bolt-action rifles. On the whole, I don't like it as much as I like the bolt-action alternatives.

ZV

:laugh: They are a pain in the fucking ass to disassemble. I think people like them because you can get all kinds of aftermarket crap to make them look like assault rifles...never understood that personally but whatever.

I bought it because it was on sale for $120. I spent an extra $40 or so on a cheap 4x scope and some scope rings which just make this thing extremely accurate for plinking.

Honestly, if the thing jammed as much as you seem to think they do I would have gotten rid of mine years ago. I just don't recall it ever jamming much at all...granted I haven't shot it in a few years, but I think I'd remember that.

My older one and my new one have neither ever jammed since I have owned them that was not a magazine malfunction from crappy aftermarket mags.

Of course, I have over $4,000 into my new one, so it had damn well better not jam up on me.

 

[shortylickens]

You want this.

 

[z1ggy]

Funny you mention guns jamming and whatnot..the .22 we used yesterday actually did jam once, but I think it had to do with the bullet..it was old as hell looking and it looked like it was struck..but nothing happened.