RetiredUSNChief
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Your budget will get you a fine .22 rifle. A 9mm will be much harder to find at that price.
9mm handgun or 22 rifle?
- Thread starter BigBL87
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BigBL87
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So just an update, got to try out some common 22s (795, 10/22, etc) and really couldn't get a good feel for them. Just seemed too small to me. I am 6'5" so maybe that's part of it.
Stevie-Ray
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I'm 6'4" and I still shoot my bolt-action .22 I had when a kid. Still love it. You can get a Ruger 77/22 full-sized, but likely not for $300. The kid sized guns just take some getting used to, I'd still recommend a Ruger 10/22 with a couple BX-25s to put a grin on your face. Mine's done up as a bullpup. And remember the wife will probably appreciate the smaller size.
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BigBL87
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I'm thinking maybe just a longer barrel might help. Everything I held was an 18 or 18.5 inch barrel.
Well the good thing about a 1022 and has already been mentioned umpteen times on this thread is there are tons of aftermarket parts floating around. You can buy the standard sized and be within your budget now and maybe put a new barrel and stock on it down the road.
Though I will issue a word of caution that is especially true with 10/22's. Just because you buy a gun for $200 then spend another $200 modifying it does not mean you will be able to sell it for $400. There's tons of modified 10/22's out there and they're only worth marginally more than what the unmodified ones are.
Though I will issue a word of caution that is especially true with 10/22's. Just because you buy a gun for $200 then spend another $200 modifying it does not mean you will be able to sell it for $400. There's tons of modified 10/22's out there and they're only worth marginally more than what the unmodified ones are.
Rugerspyderon
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10/22 ruger
Try the Ruger American rimfire rifle, 22" barrel and it comes with the full length stock. It's a full size rifle all around I REALLY like mine, it just has an all around "right" feel to it. Very nice trigger, great iron sights with a fiber optic insert, comes with two combs for the stock, a low one for iron sights and a raised one for a scope. It's also drilled & tapped for scope bases as well as having groves for .22 mounts. It uses the same magazines as a 10/22 including the high capacity BX25. All in all it's a lot of gun for the money and shoots very well. I got mine for $259 + tax IIRC.
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BigBL87
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Actually after looking at it I really like it. A little more than everything else I've looked at but probably has the best stock sights I've seen. Definitely thinking about it.
Love my 10/22 but..
I love my 10/22 and made sure both of my sons have one too, but recently my friend has introduced me to his lever action Henry. It is accurate, scoped, and a lot of fun. The 10/22 would be my choice for food on the table but like I said the Henry is a lot of fun. If fun is more important then other considerations at least look at the Henry.
I love my 10/22 and made sure both of my sons have one too, but recently my friend has introduced me to his lever action Henry. It is accurate, scoped, and a lot of fun. The 10/22 would be my choice for food on the table but like I said the Henry is a lot of fun. If fun is more important then other considerations at least look at the Henry.
Stevie-Ray
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Very interesting! I didn't know about that one, but then I haven't been keeping up lately being short on funds. This one may be worth a look, when things get back to normal for me, as if I don't have enough .22s already.
Delford
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No one has mentioned the c&r alternative for way less money. My first rifle was a 1929 Mosin Nagant. It is a .30 caliber variant (7.62x54r) found for under $150 and 440 rounds of ammo for $100. I do have a .22 pistol but am beyond the need for a. 22 rifle. I started shooting late in life but really enjoy trying to hit the target at 100 yards. It is way more accurate than I am but I'm learning. I recently purchased a Remington 870 and enjoy practice with it as well. Your wife might find the Mosin to be fun too, although it might kick a little more than she likes.
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BigBL87
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Mosin was an option I'd considered but a 22 seemed like a better long term investment since I don't have any other use for a large caliber rifle than just messing around. I like the history behind the Mosins though, always been a big WWII buff, but I don't plan on doing any hunting and most of my shooting will be on my in-laws property which makes a 22lr probably a better match.
Eventually, I'd like to have a shotgun, 22lr rifle, 9mm or 38 special pistol, and a Mosin Nagant (or other centerfire rifle) to have something for just about every situation. My primary thought is/was home defense, hence the shotgun first, and the rest are more for fun with home defense use being a bonus if it works for that.
And actually, to be honest I've been thinking about going with a cheaper 22 rifle and trying to find an M200 revolver to cover both bases, but I want a rifle I'm comfortable shooting.
Eventually, I'd like to have a shotgun, 22lr rifle, 9mm or 38 special pistol, and a Mosin Nagant (or other centerfire rifle) to have something for just about every situation. My primary thought is/was home defense, hence the shotgun first, and the rest are more for fun with home defense use being a bonus if it works for that.
And actually, to be honest I've been thinking about going with a cheaper 22 rifle and trying to find an M200 revolver to cover both bases, but I want a rifle I'm comfortable shooting.
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Deog
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Love my Browning Bl 22 and Marlin 39a. just saying.
il.bill
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I have been following this thread and have read through all four pages. Especially taking into account BigBL87's posts, I have an opinion to add.
For $300 you can find a pretty nice used S&W Model 10 Revolver.
Since the OP did not specify a 9x19mm handgun, I believe this is a technically correct suggestion for a "9mm handgun", and it seems to fulfill all the uses he talks about for both him and his wife.
Just sayin' ...
For $300 you can find a pretty nice used S&W Model 10 Revolver.
Since the OP did not specify a 9x19mm handgun, I believe this is a technically correct suggestion for a "9mm handgun", and it seems to fulfill all the uses he talks about for both him and his wife.
Just sayin' ...
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BigBL87
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I say 9mm due to relatively low cost and good availability, decent stopping power, and cost of firearms in that caliber. If there are other options that fit those, I'm more than open to them (hence thinking about 38 special now).
hotajax
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If you buy a .22, what are you going to feed it?
76shuvlinoff
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Marlin Model 60 with more money left over for ammo.
I'm not sure what the S&W M10 situation is in Illinois, but they're few and far between around here. I've only ever seen a few for sale, so few that I can't really recall prices. I know there are guys who've stumbled into them when police departments were switching over, but I think it's been a long time since that's happened. If you can find one it may be a good choice.
Other choices you may find in the $300 to $400 range could include a used S&W M&P 9mm or .40, a Ruger P-95, one of the Canik CZ-75 clones that are floating around, or maybe a used Glock. I've seen some SIG's in that price range, but usually only P-6's, which are military versions of the P-225. The P-225 is a great gun, but I've heard some of the P-6's don't work well with HP ammo. Magazine capacity is 8 rounds.
Just some ideas.
Other choices you may find in the $300 to $400 range could include a used S&W M&P 9mm or .40, a Ruger P-95, one of the Canik CZ-75 clones that are floating around, or maybe a used Glock. I've seen some SIG's in that price range, but usually only P-6's, which are military versions of the P-225. The P-225 is a great gun, but I've heard some of the P-6's don't work well with HP ammo. Magazine capacity is 8 rounds.
Just some ideas.
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BigBL87
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Might have mentioned it before in the thread, but for 9mm I'm mainly looking at the SAR B6P/K2P or Zastava M70A (I've read these have issues with the mag releasing), mostly the SAR's though. They're comparable to the Caniks from what I've read. They fall just within my price range and I'm actually able to get and/or hold them locally.
The thing I'm really racking my brain over now is how often I'll be able to shoot with living in town and all (can still drive a couple minutes to the in-laws though). Either option could be used at the indoor ranges around here so that's not a lean one way or another. I imagine I could probably get more creative with a 22 out at the in-laws as far as distance/target/etc.. Both my father-in-law and brother-in-law have just shotguns and 22's so if it was a social thing the 22 would make sense too although I'm sure they'd love to try out my handgun if I bought one.
To everyone, I apologize for the jumping around in my thought process as far as what to buy and if I've unintentionally kept this alive longer than it should have been. I've found that this seems to be a great place to think aloud (or in typing as it were) and get input/other thoughts.
I find practice with a .22 LR at 100 yards to be a lot of fun. It's amazing the kinds of hits you can make with a .22 at that distance when you have some practice and a little bit of luck. But even if you can only shoot at indoor ranges, that's better than nothing.
76shuvlinoff
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I dunno, I voted for the .22 but I guess if I was thinking about what it is can I shoot -right now- ammo availability would weigh heavily in my decision. Maybe consider a wider window of selection based on that.
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