Gun People: give me your opinions

[bernse]

Originally posted by: jtusa4

Originally posted by: PhasmatisNox

Originally posted by: jtusa4

Originally posted by: PhasmatisNox
Thanks! Any ideas on what might have cheaper ammo other than a .22? I'm probably going to be shooting a lot. 😀

You might try 7.62x39. That's what SKSs and AKs shoot. You can get a good SKS for $150. They can be pretty acurrate and are very reliable if taken care of.

I don't see one of those offered from the CMP. Any ideas on other places to find a good deal?

CMP won't have SKSs. I've never been to a gunshop that didn't have at least a few SKSs for sale. They are abundant at gun shows as well. Just avoid ones manufactured in China, shotty construction.

BS. Chinese SKS's are fine enough. I'd still take a Yugo over one though for overall quality, but they're not that far apart. It's now almost like comparing a Bushmaster to a Colt.

Question - can you even get new Chinese ones in the US anymore or are they all old? (Pre-Chinese ban)

 

[jtusa]

Originally posted by: bernse

Originally posted by: jtusa4

Originally posted by: PhasmatisNox

Originally posted by: jtusa4

Originally posted by: PhasmatisNox
Thanks! Any ideas on what might have cheaper ammo other than a .22? I'm probably going to be shooting a lot. 😀

You might try 7.62x39. That's what SKSs and AKs shoot. You can get a good SKS for $150. They can be pretty acurrate and are very reliable if taken care of.

I don't see one of those offered from the CMP. Any ideas on other places to find a good deal?

CMP won't have SKSs. I've never been to a gunshop that didn't have at least a few SKSs for sale. They are abundant at gun shows as well. Just avoid ones manufactured in China, shotty construction.

BS. Chinese SKS's are fine enough. I'd still take a Yugo over one though for overall quality, but they're not that far apart. It's now almost like comparing a Bushmaster to a Colt.

Question - can you even get new Chinese ones in the US anymore or are they all old? (Pre-Chinese ban)

I've never personally used a Chinese SKS so I don't know first hand, But I've heard that their receivers are stamped and barrels are pinned, that's what turns me off to them.

 

[1EZduzit]

Get a .243 bolt action. They are accurate, plentiful and cheap to shoot.. I'm not sure how happy you would be with an AR-15 type weapon. It won't be as accurate as you are and it would get really old trying to shoot a tight group with a weapon not capable of doing so.

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: 1EZduzit
Get a .243 bolt action. They are accurate, plentiful and cheap to shoot.. I'm not sure how happy you would be with an AR-15 type weapon. It won't be as accurate as you are and it would get really old trying to shoot a tight group with a weapon not capable of doing so.

I would be perfectly happy with an AR. I don't need something that is hugely accurate past 50-100 yards. It would be primarily a home defense weapon, any other uses are secondary. I would also be getting one with a 16" barrel so that would also harm long range accuracy.

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: bernse


As an owner of many firearms, I'd strongly urge you *not* to buy an AR for a first rifle. Sure, they are generally speaking a good rifle (I have 2) but they aren't cheap.

For someone just getting into it, I'd recomend a cheapo SKS (probably Yugoslavian if you can get them where you live) for a couple hundred $$$ and spend another couple notes on a scope and you'd be good to go. If you get a 30 rd mag they even look like an AK to the Antis 🙂

Decently accurate, cheap to feed (7.62x39) and lots of fun. That be my first recomendation.

You'd easily be spending more than $1000 on an AR.

Too bad you guys have the Chinese ban. Norinco makes a fantastic M14 clone for a fraction of the price of US made one.

Yes, you can get well over a grand in an AR, but my M4 is < $700.

For plinking / target shooting, I'd get a .22. Dirt cheap guns and ammo. Helps you get all the basics down.

As for recommending an SKS, have you ever shot one? I have. It's not a gun for someone starting out. Those babies have quite a bark. A 24" barrel on an AR would be a much, much better target rifle.


Cliff notes:
Get a .22 rifle and have fun on the cheap. When you have the basics, if you like it, upgrade to a bigger rifle.

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: Jumpem


I already have two .22's. They're ok for plinking and small varmints. They don't really fit the bill for home defense however. I want a simple 12-gauge for that, but I think an AR would work as well.

For target shooting, you can't be .22's. Everything else is a little more fun ... but not nearly as practical and cheap.

I'm going to see if I can get a .22 upper for my AR. Much better for plinking. 🙂

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: Jumpem

Originally posted by: 1EZduzit
Get a .243 bolt action. They are accurate, plentiful and cheap to shoot.. I'm not sure how happy you would be with an AR-15 type weapon. It won't be as accurate as you are and it would get really old trying to shoot a tight group with a weapon not capable of doing so.

I would be perfectly happy with an AR. I don't need something that is hugely accurate past 50-100 yards. It would be primarily a home defense weapon, any other uses are secondary. I would also be getting one with a 16" barrel so that would also harm long range accuracy.

How did this start out as marksmanship and end up in home defense. You need to pick one. 😛

 

[bernse]

Originally posted by: JDub02
As for recommending an SKS, have you ever shot one? I have. It's not a gun for someone starting out. Those babies have quite a bark. A 24" barrel on an AR would be a much, much better target rifle.

I have 2 of those as well. By "bark" do you mean recoil? I'd have to disagree with you on that. I find them very managable and a great utilitarian rifle. 🙂

 

[TitanDiddly]

Originally posted by: JDub02

Originally posted by: bernse


As an owner of many firearms, I'd strongly urge you *not* to buy an AR for a first rifle. Sure, they are generally speaking a good rifle (I have 2) but they aren't cheap.

For someone just getting into it, I'd recomend a cheapo SKS (probably Yugoslavian if you can get them where you live) for a couple hundred $$$ and spend another couple notes on a scope and you'd be good to go. If you get a 30 rd mag they even look like an AK to the Antis 🙂

Decently accurate, cheap to feed (7.62x39) and lots of fun. That be my first recomendation.

You'd easily be spending more than $1000 on an AR.

Too bad you guys have the Chinese ban. Norinco makes a fantastic M14 clone for a fraction of the price of US made one.

Yes, you can get well over a grand in an AR, but my M4 is < $700.

For plinking / target shooting, I'd get a .22. Dirt cheap guns and ammo. Helps you get all the basics down.

As for recommending an SKS, have you ever shot one? I have. It's not a gun for someone starting out. Those babies have quite a bark. A 24" barrel on an AR would be a much, much better target rifle.


Cliff notes:
Get a .22 rifle and have fun on the cheap. When you have the basics, if you like it, upgrade to a bigger rifle.

I am confident in saying I have the basics. I'm dead sure I can't afford an AR. And what do you mean by bark? Recoil... shouldn't be a problem. 😀 I'd like to get something bigger than a .22, just because... well, you know. Cheap to shoot is a big bonus, but I doesn't have to be super cheap like .22LR.

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: JDub02

Originally posted by: Jumpem

Originally posted by: 1EZduzit
Get a .243 bolt action. They are accurate, plentiful and cheap to shoot.. I'm not sure how happy you would be with an AR-15 type weapon. It won't be as accurate as you are and it would get really old trying to shoot a tight group with a weapon not capable of doing so.

I would be perfectly happy with an AR. I don't need something that is hugely accurate past 50-100 yards. It would be primarily a home defense weapon, any other uses are secondary. I would also be getting one with a 16" barrel so that would also harm long range accuracy.

How did this start out as marksmanship and end up in home defense. You need to pick one. 😛

It's definitely home defense if I were to go buy something. The marksmanship idea was to do something interesting for my PE requirement.

 

[bernse]

Originally posted by: Jumpem
It's definitely home defense if I were to go buy something. The marksmanship idea was to do something interesting for my PE requirement.

Man, you don't want a rifle for home defense. To unwieldy IMHO. If your going to shoot the burgler at the end of your driveway or down the street, not a bad idea.. but not for in your house! 🙂

Either a pistol (may I recomend a Sig - any 22x or a venerable 1911) or an old reliabe short barrel 12 gauge.

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: bernse

Originally posted by: Jumpem
It's definitely home defense if I were to go buy something. The marksmanship idea was to do something interesting for my PE requirement.

Man, you don't want a rifle for home defense. To unwieldy IMHO. If your going to shoot the burgler at the end of your driveway or down the street, not a bad idea.. but not for in your house! 🙂

Either a pistol (may I recomend a Sig - any 22x or a venerable 1911) or an old reliabe short barrel 12 gauge.

I think an AR-15 with a 16" barrell is shorter than a shotgun. I'd need to go through the year long process of getting a permit if I want a pistol around here. Otherwise I would definitely go that route.

 

[bernse]

Originally posted by: JumpemI think an AR-15 with a 16" barrell is shorter than a shotgun. I'd need to go through the year long process of getting a permit if I want a pistol around here. Otherwise I would definitely go that route.

Not if you get a 14" barrel and pistol grip shotgun which will likely be legal where you live. You can defintely go shorter, but check you laws.

I am a firm believer in 12g for home defense. Scatterguns have a place for stressful situations.

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: bernse

Originally posted by: JumpemI think an AR-15 with a 16" barrell is shorter than a shotgun. I'd need to go through the year long process of getting a permit if I want a pistol around here. Otherwise I would definitely go that route.

Not if you get a 14" barrel and pistol grip shotgun which will likely be legal where you live. You can defintely go shorter, but check you laws.

I am a firm believer in 12g for home defense. Scatterguns have a place for stressful situations.

I don't think a Class III would be easy to get in NY. But your point stands.

 

[bernse]

Good luck either way you go.

At the very least, guns are a great hobby and lots of fun... unfortunately it can be quite expensive though.