Cheap .22LR, Go tactical or simple rifle?

[Gillbot]

I was thinking of picking up a nice cheap-o .22LR for boredom an ran across this Mossberg for a mere $239 at slickguns, couple other cheaper options with some digging too.

Unfortunately, the Mossberg seems to be going OOS everywhere or there are other "order delays" to deal with. A local sporting goods store has a Marlin 795 on sale as well with a scope for $139, and it seems like it might be decent and cheaper.

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/selfloading/795.asp

Same place selling the rifle has ammo on sale too, ends up running under $0.03/round.

Nothing like grabbing cheap-o ammo and wasting a pop can for fun. Just trying to decide if the tactical is worth the extra $100 and wait?

 

[FallenHero]

Go with the marlin. Don't get an AR-15 looking gun until you actually get an AR-15.

 

[MrPickins]

The 795 is a great little plinker.

Also, you should be able to find a ton of aftermarket parts if you want to upgrade it. The 25 round magazine is on my list.

 

[Pia]

I'd personally lean towards the AR-15 pattern .22 rifle *because* it would be a better substitute for my .223 when training indoors. I also dislike non-pistol grips.

With cheap semi-auto .22's, you should be concerned about reliability. A gun that jams gets old really fast. I guess bolt action isn't an option?

 

[Gillbot]

Go with the marlin. Don't get an AR-15 looking gun until you actually get an AR-15.

That's exactly my thought. Why pay extra for that look without the real features. That and the fact that i'm not a big "AR" gun guy to begin with. I like the plain looking rifle better.

 

[Gillbot]

I'd personally lean towards the AR-15 pattern .22 rifle *because* it would be a better substitute for my .223 when training indoors. I also dislike non-pistol grips.

With cheap semi-auto .22's, you should be concerned about reliability. A gun that jams gets old really fast. I guess bolt action isn't an option?

I'm not opposed to bolt action, just thought for the price the Marlin seemed decent.

 

[shortylickens]

I prefer a simple Remington.

 

[Specop 007]

An AR patterned rifle allows you to become more familiar with that type of weapon.

But if it were me I'd go Ruger 10/22. Most popular .22 rifle on the planet I think.

 

[Gillbot]

An AR patterned rifle allows you to become more familiar with that type of weapon.

But if it were me I'd go Ruger 10/22. Most popular .22 rifle on the planet I think.

Also more costly. I don't need to be familiar with an AR style rifle as I don't really have plans to get an AR15.

 

[shortylickens]

Also more costly. I don't need to be familiar with an AR style rifle as I don't really have plans to get an AR15.

My time with M-16's in the service taught me I'd never actually trust my life to one if I had the choice. Would much prefer a 12 gauge or .308.

Since I dont intend to use them, I dont think buying one for fun serves a purpose. If I wanted a novelty .22 I'd get a Calico.

 

[Away]

But if it were me I'd go Ruger 10/22. Most popular .22 rifle on the planet I think.

Agreed, the Ruger 10/22 is a great rifle. I generally see them on sale for around $250.

 

[irishScott]

The 795 is a great little plinker.

Also, you should be able to find a ton of aftermarket parts if you want to upgrade it. The 25 round magazine is on my list.

Apparently they suck: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PukEsTaPhx0&feature=fvsr

 

[Pia]

I'm not opposed to bolt action, just thought for the price the Marlin seemed decent.

I can't comment on the specific prices in your locale, but as a general rule, bolt actions are more solid, reliable and accurate at a given price. Less moving parts.

For semi-auto, Ruger 10/22's are the go-to, reliable .22. They have a huge amount of aftermarket parts so you can buy a plain gun and transform it into pretty much any shape and accuracy later. Different kinds of stocks, triggers, barrels and so on. I don't think you can go wrong with it.

 

[brainhulk]

i bought a modified 10/22 by magnum research @ bud's gun shop. sweet trigger, bull barrel, and very accurate with cheap cci blazer bulk ammo. I have a 25 round magazine for it too.

the day i zero'd it @ 25 yards:

 

[cKGunslinger]

Apparently they suck: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PukEsTaPhx0&feature=fvsr

lol

 

[Gillbot]

The 10/22 is 2x the price of the Marlin though. The Marlin seems to get great reviews over the Savage I was looking at also, but I may see what they have in bolt action and decide from there.

 

[Moonbeam]

For me personally, the aesthetic appearance of a rifle is of great importance. The one shortylickens gave is by far the best looking one so far. The clip sticking out of the 795, to my eye is just plain ugly. The top one in a 22 seems phony.

 

[Pia]

i bought a modified 10/22 by magnum research @ bud's gun shop. sweet trigger, bull barrel, and very accurate with cheap cci blazer bulk ammo.

That's a really clean-looking gun. Is it just above SBR length?

 

[Specop 007]

The 10/22 is 2x the price of the Marlin though. The Marlin seems to get great reviews over the Savage I was looking at also, but I may see what they have in bolt action and decide from there.

So its 250 instead of 125. Either way its not all that expensive for a quality rifle that will last you many lifetimes. I mean in the big picture its 2 tanks of gas. Not bad for a rifle.

 

[jcwagers]

10/22 or maybe a Marlin model 60

I've always heard great things about both and I love my 10/22. The Marlin model 60 should only be $30-40 above the 795 I think. I think you can even find the 10/22 and the model 60 at Walmart. Not sure about the 795 but it might be possible to find it there too.

 

[Gillbot]

So its 250 instead of 125. Either way its not all that expensive for a quality rifle that will last you many lifetimes. I mean in the big picture its 2 tanks of gas. Not bad for a rifle.

I just can't justify $250 for a 10/22, it's just a simple rifle.

if i'm going to "waste" $250, I may as well get the Mossberg AR knockoff.

 

[BladeVenom]

I already have a few .22 rifles and handguns.

If I get another .22 it will be

Or

Something in between.

 

[IGemini]

$300 is the most I can justify for a 10/22 (with a scope, including tax etc). I'm not a fan of the AR-based .22 rifles. Guy I know has an M&P15-22 that's decked out with way too much stuff (NV scope w/2 foregrips), ridiculously front-heavy but he has money to throw at the stuff.

Another possibility is the Henry AR-7, runs around the same price as the Mossberg and is quite portable, can breakdown and fit inside the stock. I almost went with this for my first rifle.

 

[schneiderguy]

My friend has a Marlin 795 and it's a nice gun. Pretty accurate and he says it's never had a malfunction in the 1-2k rounds he's put through it since he got it about a year ago.

I started out with the M&P 15-22:

But recently sold it and picked up a CZ 455 Lux in .22lr

The 15-22 was nice but I kind of felt like a mall ninja shooting it :awe: Haven't shot the CZ yet but they're supposed to be capable of sub 1" groups at 100 yards.

 

[Pia]

Another possibility is the Henry AR-7, runs around the same price as the Mossberg and is quite portable, can breakdown and fit inside the stock. I almost went with this for my first rifle.

Aren't the ergonomics of that thing pretty meh since there's no handguard?
There doesn't seem to be much point in the Henry in general use. Cool special purpose gun though.