Beginner Questions (Help)

Thanks everyone, My dad just told me that his step-brother is actually a certified NRA instructor so I'm all good and he is going to train me.
 
Looks like you are headed the right way. If you follow what you learn in NRA training, you should be good.

For a first gun, I would highly reccomend a bolt action 22 like a Savage Mark II. A single shot or mag fed bolt action is alot simpler to operate. Auto's are safe in the right hands, but they do require knowing the proper handling very well.

Lots of good warning/advice here. With your field, or any shooting, know exactly where your bullet will be stopped.
 
Well, the S&W M&P 15-22 is semi-auto and i've heard a good and reliable beginners tactical rifle.. I hope ppl are right because I'm taking a trip to my local FFL and might be coming home with one
 
I am all good with instruction. Dads step-brother is certified NRA instructor.. Sometimes its as easy as asking ur parents haha
 
Don't, I repeat DON'T, get a .22-250 in luie of a .22lr. There are so many reasons to not only start off with a .22lr but in many ways to go no further up the power food chain when it comems to range toys and target shooting.

Just get a Ruger 10/22. You're gonna end up with one at some point so why not now. It can and will be anything you want in the furture.

LK
 
M&P 15 all the way. The round might different, but the functionality (bolt release, safety, etc) are very similar to the AR15 and would be a good trainer if you go that route in the future.
 
If you're serious about going "tactical" .22lr. Check out the Ruger 10/22 tactical rifles. Go to gunbroker.com and type in ruger 10/22 tactical - you will find a bunch on that site, and you can get some good pictures of the various 10/22 tactical rifles. If you're not interested in the 10/22, do a different search on gunbroker - lots of pictures and prices to give you a good idea on variety of tac 22's. Good luck
 
If you're serious about going "tactical" .22lr. Check out the Ruger 10/22 tactical rifles. Go to gunbroker.com and type in ruger 10/22 tactical - you will find a bunch on that site, and you can get some good pictures of the various 10/22 tactical rifles. If you're not interested in the 10/22, do a different search on gunbroker - lots of pictures and prices to give you a good idea on variety of tac 22's. Good luck
 
Rem 597's are supposed to be pretty decent, and you can get it in the ATAC with an adjustable stock and rails to hang tacticool stuff off of. Walmart carries the SIG 522. Kinda pricey for a .22lr, but if thats your bag...
 
If you're serious about going "tactical" .22lr. Check out the Ruger 10/22 tactical rifles. Go to gunbroker.com and type in ruger 10/22 tactical - you will find a bunch on that site, and you can get some good pictures of the various 10/22 tactical rifles. If you're not interested in the 10/22, do a different search on gunbroker - lots of pictures and prices to give you a good idea on variety of tac 22's. Good luck
 
I recommend the following:
1. Check your local laws regarding ownership and use of firearms. In CT I doubt you are allowed to shoot in your yard unless you live somewhere on a large farm.
2. Find a local range.
3. Buy a nice bolt action .22. CZ, Marlin and Savage all make accurate rifles that are not too expensive.
4. Take a rifle safety course and get some shooting training. The NRA may have something in your area.
5. Have a blast.
 
I agree you should have some NRA firearm safety training before beginning your shooting sport. With that said, make sure your rules are obeyed in your neighborhood and area, watching especially for what is downrange behind your target. 22LR would certainly be cheaper for the ammo, and you do not need to begin with a top of the line rifle....nor a second-hand junk rifle. I'd suggest something like the Savage Mark 1 or Mark II. We use these at our Scout camp for training and they are very accurate with appeture sights.
 
A bolt action is easier to maintain and does not jam the way semi-autos do. And because you have to cycle the bolt your rate of fire is lower so you take more time to concentrate on each round. They are also far less expensive.

Get a used bolt to learn on. Once you are proficient get a semi-auto.
 
While I do like the M&P 15-22, I looooove my Mark II Tactical. Great shooter, easy to clean, and affordable I picked it up for an inexpensive way of improving my mechanics, and as it turns out, it's also a blast to shoot. Being a bolt-action, it really does slow you down and allows you to focus on each individual shot. If you get to that point, you can even take it to 100 yards with the right ammo.

Should you go the bolt-action route, try to find one with iron sights. Iron sights are a lost art but learning how to shoot with them is a must. Optics break and/or lose zero, it's a fact of life.
 
Why a bolt-action though? I just don't see the point I really like the S&W M&P 15-22
Click to expand...

As many have stated, a bolt action, or even a single shot .22 will be a great training tool. It makes you slow down and take your time with each shot. Sure, it is possible to slow down with a semi-auto, but the temptation to speed up, coupled with the ability to speed up, will inevitably make you speed up. Eventually it can be a good thing to practice rapid fire sooting (it is even an element of some competitions), but it is not a good place to start. I have a semi-auto (Marlin 795) and an old single shot lever action Savage. The semi-auto is more fun for me, but I take the single shot to the range with me at least once a month to remind myself what it feels like to slow down and concentrate. Practicing with the single shot has only improved my ability with the semi-auto. You can pick up a bolt action or a single shot pretty cheap, and they are worth every penny.
 
+1 on the bolt. They're more reliable too. I had a savage for 11 years, never had a problem with it. I just gave it to a buddy to teach his kid to shoot. Google some of these semi's you're looking at and look at the problems they have compared to the bolt actions. Problem with a .22LR is its a cheap rifle. Seems they don't put as much qc into them. The simplier design of a bolt action usually means less chance of a lemon.
 
Another +1 on the bolt action. I've been shooting fo 40 years, and still have and shoot my original .22 rifle. I own many different types of rifles and calibers, but I'll always enjoy that .22 bolt action. Best rifle to learn with.
You can't mess up too bad with one. Keep in mind, there's a reason they don't teach driver's education in Ferraris. When learning, the basics are what's important. Once the basics are learned, they transfer to other platforms. It's the old crawl, walk, THEN run.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top