[Balog]

I'm looking at buying the Romanian .22lr trainer from Southern Ohio Gun. It can be found here at the bottom of the page http://www.southernohiogun.com/surplus_rifles.html .
I'm going into the USMC in a couple months, and there is a pretty good chance I'll be 0311 (that is to say infantry). Should this be the case, I want to be able to shoot well enough to have a chance at being a Designated Marksman. Mainly because then I wouldn't have to use an M16. I'd be buying this primarily to practice for that.
So does anyone have any knowledge of this rifle? It seems like a pretty smokin' deal, but I'm always worried about buying guns I can't see first. Also, would spending the extra $10 for "hand select" be worth it? Thanks for any input.

[Dave R]

I got one of those for my son, and liked it so much I bought another one for me. Its very accurate, and very reliable (as Eastern-bloc arms usually are). I like the size & feel, too. Showed one to my gunsmith, and he was very impressed with the design. Few moving parts. Nice barrel. I think they're a great value.

Note that I had a problem with failure-to-feed from one of mine, but it was a 10 min fix and I still consider it a great value.

[Ed]

I have never seen one in person, but will say that at that price if you have a place to shoot it get it. The M-16 sights will be a peep as opposed to the ones on the .22 you are looking at but fundimentals are the same. That said, If you don't have a place accessable to shoot I'd also get a nicer pellet gun. You can practice everyday in your backyard. It all boils down to the same thing, sight picture,breathing and trigger squeeze. Other things also but those are the big 3. If you practice those you'll have a head start. No matter what the USMC should be able to teach you to shoot if you listen to what they tell you. Good luck.

[Balog]

I have to say a main worry that I have is learning bad habits. I'm self taught when it comes to shooting, and I've only used shotguns. I really have no idea how to properly fire a rifle. Add to that the fact that this rifle will be substantially different than the one I will be learning on in Basic and I'm almost afraid to practice! :uhoh:

[jrhead75]

I'm all for buying guns, although I don't know anything firsthand about those Romy trainers...but I will say this: The Marine Corps will teach you how to shoot, and the guys who haven't developed any bad habits generally have an easier time of it.

Buy an armory full of guns after Boot Camp.

Just one ol' Marine's .02

[Balog]

jrhead75: Yeah, I've been told that, and it's the reason I haven't been practicing. But I think if I could learn some good habits I'd be ahead of the game. See my thread about this very subject here http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?threadid=45695

[Black Snowman]

I found sniper manuals but not basic instruction: http://www.booktrail.com/military_sniping/usmarinecorpssniping.asp

Curious.

[ARperson]

I have one of those Romanian trainers. Bought it to replace the 10/22 the in-laws decided to call their own. While it isn't any 10/22, it's a great little shooter and pure fun. Mine isn't in as good condition as the one pictured and it's accuracy is a bit off (about a half inch to an inch low between 25 and 50 yards). But it's just a fun plinker and with a minor adjustment I can hit walnuts off the target stands at 25 yds. (Beyond that, the walnuts get too hard to see). For the price, you'll love it.

FWIW, I'm a self taught shooter too and have had no problems putting the lead where I want it to go. I think you'll be okay.

[duckfoot]

Gotta go with jrhead75. You'll hump out to the ranges soon enough after being put on the big yellow foot prints (I think they still have them.) The biggest favor you can do for yourself is forget you know anything about shooting and do exactly what your PMI says. He'll lay the foundation for shooting for the rest of your life if you let him. His duty is to teach recruits to shoot well enough to pass quals and sees a new bunch every three or four weeks so he knows his business (he has to or he doesn’t last long out there). It's serious business to him because every marine is a rifleman. I seen twelve crews of cannon cockers turned into a hasty rifle company in one hour because some one else dropped the ball, believe it.

It's also true that those that have less to unlearn are usually score higher on qual day than those that have picked up bad habits. Had a deer hunter from some backwoods somewhere blab that he was going to be high shooter for our platoon, all through our rifle range phase. Turned out that he placed in about the middle because he had never shot past 200 yds and had a hard time reading the wind like he was taught and was laying in some Kentucky windage when shooting instead of adjusting his dope (200 yds is where you will start at on the KD course.)

One last bit of advise. Do everything you can to relax the day before and morning of qual day. No coffee at chow, don't eat a big meal, be on the ball and don't give the DI's a reason to dig you etc...... If you’re a bundle of nerves you'll shoot like crap and spend more time out there either freezing your a$$ off or baking in the sun just to qual and get out of there.

Just my .02

edited

Also, listen to your coach, and ask questions if your not sure.

[Al Thompson]

I'm a proud Army type, so can't give you the in's and out's of the Corp. But - let's get this straight - your going to one of the world's premier training facilities and you want to possibly acquire some bad habits? Not well thought out, IMHO.

I'd concentrate on pull-ups, sit ups and running if it were me. Perhaps get someone to show you how to spit shine your boots - if the Corps hasn't gone to the rough side out boots.

Good luck!

[Balog]

Al Thompson: Actually I want to eliminate the bad habits I already have:( . It just galls me to not be able to prepare. I'm running and working out, I'm learning the General Orders and etc; it's extremely frustrating to be unable to prepare for such an important aspect of my training.

[hboy35]

I agree with the others about self taught bad shooting habits. I are one. Example: I take my wife to the range, her first time to ever pull a trigger. I tell her basic stuff, line this front blade up with the back notch, in the center, breathe, squeeze.....she nails bullseye everytime. She knows nothing about anticipating recoil, making crude windage adjustments, worrying about sunlight on the sights. It was really humbling to see her outshoot me. Fortunately, now she usually stays home when I go to the range. Says now she knows what to do if someone breaks in, why go over it again? Never ever argue with a woman.....

[Balog]

Great advice, all. Anyone else with first-hand experience with these rifles?

[Kaylee]

Anyone else with first-hand experience with these rifles?

Yes. Good for the money (sub $100).
If you can afford the extra C, get a CZ 452, any variant. You won't be disappointed. :)

-K

[longtom4570]

Yes I have two good value great accuracy buy it and wait untill after basic to shoot

[MaterDei]

I'm thinking of getting one of the Romanian trainers too. What did you guys that have them do about magazines? :confused: