Budget defense rifles

There's a lot going on here I don't get. The 10/22 is a less than ideal choice for defense especially with a mag limit. Essentially any cheap internal or detachable box magazine hunting rifle in 223 or 308 would be better. T/C compass rifles have a detachable 5 round mag and are dirt cheap. Add an inexpensive optic and you're good. Or just get an 870 Express 12ga Home Defense.

Then just get whatever in 22 to plink with.

Walkalong said:

A .22 LR and a low recoil lever or bolt gun in a common easy to find caliber. If he is a newbie to guns, a shotgun might serve him better, not likely he will need to cover distance.

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I agree with Walkalong, a twenty gauge shotgun (ideally youth stocked) has decent stopping power without overwhelming recoil. Gas operated would be nice but probably easier and much cheaper to find a pump gun. Advise some snap caps with the purchase as the pump action requires a bit of practice to keep from shortstroking.

Another alternative would be a .22WMR bolt action which is an upgrade from a .22 and a decent self defense round with the right ammunition. Ammo can be found at even Walmart still for them. Some sort of .22LR would also be useful--I would argue a bolt action with a detachable magazine because these are more intuitive and easy to fire safely for a new shooter with less instruction. Semi-autos are ok but you have to know that .22LR ammo can have variable levels of going bang--thus stoppage fixes are necessary. Bolt action is pretty simple in that respect.

Needs to start with a shotgun, then add the 10/22. There’s a lot of really good pump shotguns that are crazy cheap for what they are. I keep looking at the Stevens guns and scratching my head wondering why they aren’t literally everywhere.

As much as I understand looking at alternatives to the 10/22, the amount of support in terms of stocks, magazines, sighting options, and everything else makes the 10/22 the better choice for me. I have no problem leaving them pretty much stock and just adding magazines and ammo.

I set up a 10/22 for my wife like this and it was a gun she would actually shoot. She recently moved up to a Ruger PC Carbine and the transition was pretty simple.

I would be leary of a shotgun unless they understand how to shoot it and what the limitations of a shotgun are. For a non-shooter a 12 gauge pump is not the best choice.

I would stick with a couple of good .22's and spend what is left over on quality ammo and factory magazines.

Are bayonets legal in new york? A mosin nagant with bayonet makes a formidable defense weapon, just ask those boys in Stalingrad. An sks even better, but might cost ya a bit more. There’s no gun more reliable than a bayonet!

Given the guy's intended use, stick with tye highpoint carbine recommendation. Buy the 40 cal version so ammo will be available. Definitely has enough power for the job. Mag fed for easy reloads when dumb laws limits capacity. Substantially better ergonomics and shootability than a hunting rifle or shotgun of any flavor for defensive use, plus much less recoil for easy shooting. They are very easy to learn to shoot well compared to a handgun for average newbies, too.

Hog huntin Harry said:

I've got a friend that lives in New York state, he wants to get 2 rifles preferably semi auto for plinking and home/self defense

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For the stated uses, why are we recommending single shot and bolt hunting rifles?

as usual, paul harrell explains well the value of a 22lr semiauto rifle in home defense.