Gun enthusiasts, need help choosing my first rifle...

[AmigaMan]

I need some help choosing a rifle. I'm primarily interested in a .22 mostly for target practice and also because I've been reading a bunch of "disaster preparedness" websites. I'd like to have something, where if the sh1t hits the fan and I need to bug-out, I'd have "something" to protect myself and family with. I understand a 22 is not much, but then again, I doubt I'll ever be in a situation where I'll need anything bigger.

I've shot a couple of my dad's guns before (.22, 30'06, 16 gauge shotgun, and a 9mm handgun) but I've never owned a gun personally. One of my requirements is that it breakdown into smaller components to make it more portable for multi-day hikes and ease of transport. Getting a handgun is out of the question due to wife objections and I just don't want one. While a shotgun would be ok, they're just too big.

I've narrowed it down to the following:

[*]Henry Repeating Arms Survival .22
[*]Marlin Papoose
[*]Ruger 10/22 with Butler Creek Folding Stock.

Anyone have any opinions or suggestions?

[edit] forgot to mention my budget is $150-$300.

 

[IGBT]

..I bought a Ruger 10/22 in stainless. Yes they make it in SS.

 

[K1052]

Ruger 10/22 hands down.

 

[evolvedbullet]

I don't know about a Ruger or anything but I know a good rifle when I see one. I have a maintained m21 detachable rifle/sniper rifle for hunting. It's bullet shoots far and it is one hell of an accurate gun without scopes. I really need a firing upgrade though; the bullets are getting hard to find and I want cheap bullets, not rare ones to fire! I have no idea if you can find that on the shelves anymore but if you get the chance, check the gun out. It's an all combat purpose gun.

 

[AmigaMan]

Originally posted by: K1052
Ruger 10/22 hands down.

Why? Have you shot any of the others? I'm kinda leaning towards the Henry just because it looks cool (piss poor reason I know) and it would be really portable.

 

[IGBT]

Originally posted by: AmigaMan

Originally posted by: K1052
Ruger 10/22 hands down.

Why? Have you shot any of the others? I'm kinda leaning towards the Henry just because it looks cool (piss poor reason I know) and it would be really portable.

..it has a simple highly reliable action that's easy to field service. Parts are easy to get.

 

[IGBT]

Ruger 10/22® rimfire autoloading rifles provide reliable performance with the following key features:

** America's favorite .22 rifle.

** High-speed, pivoted hammer for short lock time.

** Proven performance in a wide range of styles for every rimfire application.

** Barrel that is locked into the receiver by a unique two-screw V-block system.

** Unique, removable rotary magazine that offers superior reliability, no exposed magazine to dent and no uncomfortable protrusions at the rifle's balance point.

** .22 Magnum model only (10/22 RBM) incorporates a rugged steel receiver with integral scope mounts and free Ruger medium height scope rings.

** The .22 Magnum model holds nine rounds and features an 18 1/2" barrel.

** Compact model features a shorter 16 1/8" barrel, short 12 3/4" length-of-full, high-visibility fiber optic front and rear sights, and correctly proportioned tapered forends with no barrel bands.













Text

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: AmigaMan

Originally posted by: K1052
Ruger 10/22 hands down.

Why? Have you shot any of the others? I'm kinda leaning towards the Henry just because it looks cool (piss poor reason I know) and it would be really portable.

They are really good guns and have the largest aftermarket of the 3 listed. I've shot the Henry and the 10/22.

Personally, I would never consider anything chambered in .22LR a self defense weapon.

In your typical SHTF scenario I'd either want something with more reach and punch: Text

 

[Kelvrick]

Yea, Ruger 10/22 if you want a 22. I couldn't myself ever considering it for self defense.

A shotgun is probably be best bet. Easy to use without needing precise aim and flexibility. If the shtf, you can use it to hunt birds and small game and even bigger game like deer with slugs.

 

[pontifex]

I own a Henry lever action and it is a great gun.

 

[LS20]

good enough for this guy
http://youtube.com/watch?v=SKEs1Emwcog

but question: where to get it for cheapest?

 

[AmigaMan]

Originally posted by: IGBT

Originally posted by: AmigaMan

Originally posted by: K1052
Ruger 10/22 hands down.

Why? Have you shot any of the others? I'm kinda leaning towards the Henry just because it looks cool (piss poor reason I know) and it would be really portable.

..it has a simple highly reliable action that's easy to field service. Parts are easy to get.

Those are actually things I hadn't thought about. I guess there are probably more ruger owners out there than Henry or Marlin, at least that's what I see when I'm googling.

Originally posted by: K1052

Personally, I would never consider anything chambered in .22LR a self defense weapon.

it's not primarily for that, but I do agree with your opinion. It was a struggle to get the wife to agree to have any gun in the house. Once she sees that they can be safely stored and used responsibly, she'll probably open up. But if it comes down to it, any gun is better than no gun if you're trying to protect yourself or family.

 

[WildHorse]

Very happy with my Ruger Delux Sporter 10/22DSP.

Excellent gun. Mine has extra checkering on its stock.

Back when I bought it a long time ago it was only $99, but with its extra banana clips would be maybe $400+ today.

Also, if I was buying today I'd buy the stainless steel version with the all-weather synthetic stock.

Actually, for an all-around rifle I'd want the Ruger All-Weather Mini Thirty KMINI-30-P with the matte stainless steel barrel and the black synthetic stock, in 7.62x39mm caliber.
This one!

It's price is more than your stated price range, but that's the one I'd want for all-around versatility.

 

[AmigaMan]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick
Yea, Ruger 10/22 if you want a 22. I couldn't myself ever considering it for self defense.

A shotgun is probably be best bet. Easy to use without needing precise aim and flexibility. If the shtf, you can use it to hunt birds and small game and even bigger game like deer with slugs.

wouldn't a shotgun obliterate a bird? I don't know since I've never gone hunting for anything more than squirrels with my dad and that was 20 years ago.

Honestly I'd like something to do some target practice with. I doubt I'll ever go hunting, and I'm not the survivalist type so i don't see a need for anything bigger at the moment.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

I'll be different and say a Kel-Tec Sub-2000 in 9mm.

Folds in half to take up little space. Takes Glock magazines, which are cheap and abundant. Adequate enough for game and defense with tons of 9mm loadings.

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: AmigaMan

Originally posted by: Kelvrick
Yea, Ruger 10/22 if you want a 22. I couldn't myself ever considering it for self defense.

A shotgun is probably be best bet. Easy to use without needing precise aim and flexibility. If the shtf, you can use it to hunt birds and small game and even bigger game like deer with slugs.

wouldn't a shotgun obliterate a bird? I don't know since I've never gone hunting for anything more than squirrels with my dad and that was 20 years ago.

Honestly I'd like something to do some target practice with. I doubt I'll ever go hunting, and I'm not the survivalist type so i don't see a need for anything bigger at the moment.

You'll have to change the choke/loads for each instance. They don't use buckshot to hunt ducks.

Have you ever tried clay shooting?

 

[AmigaMan]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick
You'll have to change the choke/loads for each instance. They don't use buckshot to hunt ducks.

eh, shows what I know

Have you ever tried clay shooting?

I went one time with a good friend and we shot some clay targets with his 16 gauge which was loads of fun. I also found out I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with his 30-06. But I'd only shot one of them beasts once before and wasn't used to the recoil.

 

[AmigaMan]

Originally posted by: BrunoPuntzJones
I'll be different and say a Kel-Tec Sub-2000 in 9mm.

Folds in half to take up little space. Takes Glock magazines, which are cheap and abundant. Adequate enough for game and defense with tons of 9mm loadings.

out of my price range and looks a little too much like something the gangsta's carry around here

 

[AndrewR]

Originally posted by: K1052
Ruger 10/22 hands down.

No question. I've had mine for 21 years, and it's a fine piece of machinery. It HAS jammed -- after I put about 1,500 rounds through it without cleaning. Accurate, unbreakable, inexpensive. What more could you ask?

[edit] If you want an inexpensive rifle with much more power (for self-defense), look at a Mauser Kar98k or one of the many variants. Weapon (the bolt) design dates back to end of 19th century and has endured because it is simple, effective, and extremely reliable. You can get a good quality rifle for less than $200, and the ammo is plentiful and fairly cheap. It kicks like a mule but will put a hole in most anything with accuracy to about 900 yards. It's heavy and not very small, but it's fun to shoot.

 

[TallBill]

Ruger 10/22. I have a savage Mark II, its an awesome rifle and amazingly accurate by the magazines suck ass. I get FTF's (Failure to feed) all the fucking time. If I can't get some magazines or find a fix I'll probably get a 10/22.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

A 10/22 is a perfectly fine first rifle, and a good place to start in terms of learning marksmanship, but don't delude yourself into believing it is really useful for self-defense.

 

[jlee]

Another vote for a Ruger 10/22. It'll last longer than you'll need it..if you don't abuse it, it might last even longer.

My dad gave me his on my birthday over ten years ago. My uncle borrowed it to take out a woodchuck...put one shot right up its nose. Can't complain about the accuracy.

Self-defense? Remington 870...Mossberg 500...any decent 12ga will do just fine. I picked up a used 870 for 175 bucks.

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: AmigaMan
I need some help choosing a rifle. I'm primarily interested in a .22 mostly for target practice and also because I've been reading a bunch of "disaster preparedness" websites. I'd like to have something, where if the sh1t hits the fan and I need to bug-out, I'd have "something" to protect myself and family with. I understand a 22 is not much, but then again, I doubt I'll ever be in a situation where I'll need anything bigger.

I've shot a couple of my dad's guns before (.22, 30'06, 16 gauge shotgun, and a 9mm handgun) but I've never owned a gun personally. One of my requirements is that it breakdown into smaller components to make it more portable for multi-day hikes and ease of transport. Getting a handgun is out of the question due to wife objections and I just don't want one. While a shotgun would be ok, they're just too big.

I've narrowed it down to the following:

[*]Henry Repeating Arms Survival .22
[*]Marlin Papoose
[*]Ruger 10/22 with Butler Creek Folding Stock.

Anyone have any opinions or suggestions?

[edit] forgot to mention my budget is $150-$300.

Try this:
Compact .357 Magnum Rifle

can probably also fire .38 specials.

so if u do get a revolver, you dont need to switch bullets.

edit:
As for survival Katrina hit my town, and i'm stranded w/no law anywhere scenario, i'd go with AR-15 with 90mag dual drum. and obviously, carry a backup weapon (handgun) incase it jams or you get caught while reloading the AR-15.

 

[jackace]

Ruger 10/22 for a .22 rifle, it's a great starter gun for sure.

 

[andylawcc]

hey, any 10/22 modders in the house?

I have a friend who modded his quite a bit. I don't have the specifics, but the barrel is different (thicker at the tip) and so is the stock (it has ergoemetric curves that fit right handers).

and are there a lot of variants for the 10/22?


anyways:
omg