Cheap .22 LR trainer

[Phaethon]

I'm in the market for a .22 rifle, given that I don't have one but have a closer full of center-fire's, so that I can train my shooting skills.

My requirements are pretty simple; I want something dirt cheap. I'm going to put this gun through hell, and its ability to shoot straight is barely a requirement for me as long as bullets always come out the other end. I'm a bolt action man, so I would prefer a bolt action rifle - no mentions of 10/22's here, please. Ideally, dirt cheap means under 200$

I've spied around on my own and have had trouble finding nice rifles. I'm not willing to pay 300+ for a CZ or other such thing. I'll admit that I don't really see .22 rifles as something worthy of a deep investment, at least, not yet. One rifle that I really really like is the Marlin 981T. It's absent of those nasty protruding magazines, it has clean lines, and the ammunition capacity in comparison to other rifles is enormous. I also think it's pretty neat that I won't have to pay for extra mags, and I can load a tube pretty quick (all of those points being a big one up for me; if someone can direct me to other tube-fed 22's that'd be greatly appreciated). I only have two issues that prevent me from getting one; one, I can't find any of the damn things. I never like going on gunbroker because it seems like I can never actually find any good deals.

Two, I must admit that the synthetic stock turns me off. I might change my mind later and accept that it lends to its "beat-it-up" charm, but can anyone offer advice on possibly any alternative rifles that would fit my bill, point me to a place that sells these 981T's, and enlighten me on whether they offer these guns with wooden stocks?

As always, thanks in advance.

 

[rivergun]

Try finding a Mossberg full stock model. Has the weight and about everything else you asked for. If I remember correctly M42 or M46.

 

[trueg50]

That price point is pretty tough.

Preachere at Surplus Rifle forum sells quite a few trainer rifles, you could PM him and ask what he has for sale at the moment.

Your other option of course will be starting in a few months; flea markets and yard sales!

 

[Craigman]

i picked up 2 marlins for $90 each. well one is a glenfield 25 and the other is a marlin 25n i think. both shoot awesome. they have magazines but dont stick out too far IMO. I didnt date them but prob from the 70's and 80's.

 

[BrocLuno]

Any store brand 22 will be the cheapest. JC Penny "Foremost" brand, Wards "Western Field", Sears. and many of the big hardware store chains. Should be doable from a pawn shop or something for about $75

 

[CraigC]

There are tons of old Mossberg boltguns on the market. Many are $100 or less. These are good guns but be wary of the plastic triggerguards. Inspect them for cracks.

As far as price point, why not spend a good amount of money on the guns you shoot and enjoy the most? Your rimfires. I guess I never understood the "it's just a .22" mentality.

 

[lexjj]

I am rather fond of my Marlin 795. However, it is a semi-auto. I paid exactly $99 for it, and with Marlin's rebate, you will be able to find it for that price basically every other week.

If a bolt gun is all that will do, I would recommend the cheaper Savage Mk II. I have the 93r17 (which is the same gun in 17 hmr), and it is a fantastic rifle. Savage makes a cheaper version with synthetic stock, but if you find the right dealer, you might be able to squeeze a wood stocked version for under your budget. But if you are going to beat it to hell anyway, the synthetic might be your best bet.

Otherwise your options are probably to buy used. Marlin, Mossberg (sometimes labeled as Westernfield), and Savage/Stevens all made good guns.

 

[Phaethon]

I guess I never understood the "it's just a .22" mentality.

I don't regard .22's as inferior weapons, I just don't have a high price point for what I need. I'm just as likely to chide "It's just a center-fire" when I drop 70$ on another Mosin-Nagant. I just need a rifle that I can buy a year's worth of ammo for 30$ with, and won't break my bank.

I might look into Western Field; I remember Hickok45 talking about how one of those was his first rifle, and it seemed pretty nice when he demonstrated it. I'll go ahead and revise my requirement to be tube-fed; I'm guessing that should narrow things down considerably.

I've still got my heart set on a Marlin 981; I don't mind the synthetic stock anymore because I can just order a replacement wooden stock from Marlin another time, after I've weathered it enough and grown sick of it. I keep on looking, though, and no retailer carries it, or no one seems to have it in stock. Pawn shops in Miami Florida aren't very likely to carry fire-arms, especially not one that I would like. I'll probably post a WTB here on the boards and see if anyone will let it go; what's a good price point for one? I know that 170$ is high, because I see people talk about getting them for 120$.

Edit ~ I've noticed that the Marlin 81 looks virtually identical to the 981, and I can find a few for just over a hundred bucks. What's the difference between these models?

 

[pikid89]

if your in Miami, try
www.floridaguntrader.com
then search the south region, there seems to be alot of sales coming out of the miami/dade county area

 

[Mals9]

The 981 is the newer version of the 81. I think the only difference is the trigger group. Older model 81's are known to be quite accurate. I have a JC Higgins, Sears brand, Marlin 81 and it is a very good and solid rifle. If you can find one you wont' be dissapointed.

Mals