I know it sounds weird or stupid (we are into guns after all right?? any gun...) but I cannot find a reason why I should spend my hard earned dollars to buy a 22 caliber rifle and/or handgun.
Disclaimer...My dad, RIP, had an impressive collection in Italy and it included several .22 guns. These guns now are in my mother's house in Italy and one day I will eventualy get my share (I have a sister) and bring them in the US but it is something way into the future...however let's not digress...
At the moment I'm building my small collection, growing by the day, here in the US...
I do not have kids, only one teen ager stepson that hunts already with a 300 Win Mag ...so, for example, no need for a "training" gun.
I'm not a professional target shooter, I like to plink here and there and spend some good time at the range...
All of my guns have a "practical" aspect in regard to a possible use..for example, I have a big revolver in .44 Mag for wildlife protection during my hiking trips, few semi-auto handguns and considering getting another revolver for CCW, my pistols are full size and pocketable (for summer carry), I own several high-power and medium power rifles (all kind of actions, semi-auto, bolt, lever, "assault style", etc..).
I do not hunt but if I need to, I can put meat on the table.
In a SHTF type of situation I'm well defended...
Then I have couple of 12 ga. shotguns for skeet and HD
You get the picture..all of my guns can serve a specific practical purpose....I have no interest in historic "not shootable" weapons, antiques, etc...
I just do not see the practical purpose of owning a .22....I know I know ammo is dirt cheap.....but I really enjoy the noise, kick and blast when I shoot, the strong sensations...I honestly get seriously bored after a couple of .22 magazines...
A .22 is hopelessly inadequate for personal defense.... some loads, stretching a little bit, could take a coyote but there are way better tools for that and I already own rifles that are definitely a more adequate choice for varmints...
If I would ever need to get rid of rats, I would use poison and mousetraps, where I live I cannot shoot all around my yard anyway
Still once in a while a thought "torments" my mind...how come you have a gun collection and you do not have a 22??? Seems like owning few 22s is a "must" for a gun collector...
So far in my state (WA), going around gun shops and shows I been unable to find a dirt cheap (below 100 dollars) decent .22 shooter in good conditions..I know that once in a while big sporting goods stores run sales of .22 rifles at $99 or less but I been unable to "lock on" one of these offers yet and I suspect they will not come around often in the future anyway....
What I usually find (used or new) runs around $150 or so, rarely a bit less....at that point an other kind of thought "assails" me ....for few dollars more or sometimes significantly less (Mosin-Nagant anyone??) I can buy another more "serious" rifle or pistol....a milsurp, a sporterized military rifle, a well used hunting rifle, a decent revolver or semi-auto, etc...
My mind "refuses" to cough up that kind of money for just a plinker with no practical use (to me).
Granted, if I could find a decent Ruger 10/22 for $50 I would get it...
What do you think?? Am I being irrational or idiotic?? Anyone is in my same "situation"?? Any advice or comments??
I apologize for the long post, I just need to rant...
Thanks!!!
Disclaimer...My dad, RIP, had an impressive collection in Italy and it included several .22 guns. These guns now are in my mother's house in Italy and one day I will eventualy get my share (I have a sister) and bring them in the US but it is something way into the future...however let's not digress...
At the moment I'm building my small collection, growing by the day, here in the US...
I do not have kids, only one teen ager stepson that hunts already with a 300 Win Mag ...so, for example, no need for a "training" gun.
I'm not a professional target shooter, I like to plink here and there and spend some good time at the range...
All of my guns have a "practical" aspect in regard to a possible use..for example, I have a big revolver in .44 Mag for wildlife protection during my hiking trips, few semi-auto handguns and considering getting another revolver for CCW, my pistols are full size and pocketable (for summer carry), I own several high-power and medium power rifles (all kind of actions, semi-auto, bolt, lever, "assault style", etc..).
I do not hunt but if I need to, I can put meat on the table.
In a SHTF type of situation I'm well defended...
Then I have couple of 12 ga. shotguns for skeet and HD
You get the picture..all of my guns can serve a specific practical purpose....I have no interest in historic "not shootable" weapons, antiques, etc...
I just do not see the practical purpose of owning a .22....I know I know ammo is dirt cheap.....but I really enjoy the noise, kick and blast when I shoot, the strong sensations...I honestly get seriously bored after a couple of .22 magazines...
A .22 is hopelessly inadequate for personal defense.... some loads, stretching a little bit, could take a coyote but there are way better tools for that and I already own rifles that are definitely a more adequate choice for varmints...
If I would ever need to get rid of rats, I would use poison and mousetraps, where I live I cannot shoot all around my yard anyway
Still once in a while a thought "torments" my mind...how come you have a gun collection and you do not have a 22??? Seems like owning few 22s is a "must" for a gun collector...
So far in my state (WA), going around gun shops and shows I been unable to find a dirt cheap (below 100 dollars) decent .22 shooter in good conditions..I know that once in a while big sporting goods stores run sales of .22 rifles at $99 or less but I been unable to "lock on" one of these offers yet and I suspect they will not come around often in the future anyway....
What I usually find (used or new) runs around $150 or so, rarely a bit less....at that point an other kind of thought "assails" me ....for few dollars more or sometimes significantly less (Mosin-Nagant anyone??) I can buy another more "serious" rifle or pistol....a milsurp, a sporterized military rifle, a well used hunting rifle, a decent revolver or semi-auto, etc...
My mind "refuses" to cough up that kind of money for just a plinker with no practical use (to me).
Granted, if I could find a decent Ruger 10/22 for $50 I would get it...
What do you think?? Am I being irrational or idiotic?? Anyone is in my same "situation"?? Any advice or comments??
I apologize for the long post, I just need to rant...
Thanks!!!