FINALLY after 10 days of waiting I got my first gun...

[Smilin Steve]

It was like Christmas, I woke up early and drove to Turner's Outdoorsman, showed them my papers, and walked out with my new Ruger 10/22, 400 rounds of ammo, and a cleaning kit. I came home and read the manual then went straight to the range! It was a great experience and I can't wait to shoot again. If only I had a place to shoot that didn't cost $15 everytime....

 

[Thefabulousfink]

depending on the laws where you live, you can build an indoor .22 range without too much difficulty or cost.

Make a good backstop: a couple layers of carpet over concrete or 2" of wood.

Make a Taget with trap: build a box so you can hang a target in front of a steel plate that is angled to deflect the bullets down into the base. line the base with carpet or a few inches of sand (not required, but will help prevent the rare chanch of bouncing out of the trap)

Find a place with good ventilation: Just like painting, you don't want to shoot in a place that won't bring in fresh air. Build a fan to suck air out, blowing good air into a room wont do as much good as sucking bad air out.

Soundproof: if you are worried about people hearing you, earth and concrete make good sound insulaters. Line the walls with carpet or foam, the more angles and edges, the more soundwaves get broken up.

For a little money and some work, you could build a nice .22 range in you basement and no one would know.

 

[amprecon]

That's a good choice for a first firearm, they are fun to shoot. Did you get the 18 1/2" barrel or the 20"? I have the shorter barrel and they are just plain handy. I don't really care for the sights on them, but they do ok. I also have a Marlin Model 60, but the 10/22 is scoped which adds another element to it's fun factor. Since the "Ban" has expired I believe the hi-cap magazines are becoming available again, but go with the steel feed lipped ones, the plastics disintegrate over time. I took mine nutria hunting with some friends from a boat in a marsh on the Eastern Shore of MD, forget the name of it (Blackwater?), but to underestimate the experience, it was a blast. Enjoy .

 

[f4t9r]

Congrats and enjoy

 

[fletcher]

Grats



And may you buy many more

 

[Kevlarman]

Since the "Ban" has expired I believe the hi-cap magazines are becoming available again,

Not in California.
(The OP asked about places to shoot in the So. Cal area in a previous thread).

 

[countertop]

Why did you have to wait 10 days to get a 10/22???

Has it been customized? Did they need to special order it?!?!?!?!?!?!?

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

It was like Christmas, I woke up early and drove to Turner's Outdoorsman, showed them my papers, and walked out with my new Ruger 10/22, 400 rounds of ammo, and a cleaning kit. I came home and read the manual then went straight to the range! It was a great experience and I can't wait to shoot again. If only I had a place to shoot that didn't cost $15 everytime....

Congratulations! Welcome to the sport. When I was a kid, I used to shoot .22 in our basement. You can buy a bullet trap. I used to use CB longs and such, which are low power. With a semi-auto, you'd either have to use the full power stuff, or else work the action each time you fire using the CBs. Not sure if CB longs will work with your gun though. Never know till you try.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

Why did you have to wait 10 days to get a 10/22???

Has it been customized? Did they need to special order it?!?!?!?!?!?!?

As my nephew is now discovering, you need to wait ten days to buy any firearm in California.

 

[adaman04]

Congrats man. Wow, 10 days for a 10/22. How long would it have taken you to buy one out of a van? Oh wait, they never think of that. Haha, enjoy!

 

[DevLcL]

Good choice for your first gun. I store/shoot a buds 10/22 and I love it for what it is.

Why did you have to wait 10 days to get a 10/22???

Has it been customized? Did they need to special order it?!?!?!?!?!?!?

It's the rediculous PRK "cooling off period". Maybe after 10 days you'll decide you dont need to shoot your wife/boss/starbucks employee etc. :banghead:

-Dev

 

[Lennyjoe]

Cooling off period?

I'd be "pissing me off" period waiting 10 days to get a gun.

Ah, the joys of being an Arizonian.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Oh yea, congrats on your rifle. Enjoy it.

 

[Smilin Steve]

Yeah it's a ten day wait period in California like posted above. I wish the 25 rounds mags were still available here... Thanks everyone. As for building an indoor trap for shooting that's not really an option since I rent a small house with 3 other guys and there is almost no room as it is. I'm going to plan a trip somewhere for a little wilderness shooting soon.

 

[wallysparx]

congrats. if you're anywhere near a turners, then there should be a range within reasonable distance that won't cost you $15 just to play.

and if you think 10 days is bad, i just bought a Taurus 689 at turners norwalk yesterday. since it just came into consignment yesterday, their policy is they want to be in possession of it for 30 days to be sure it isn't stolen or was used in a crime or anything (is that 30 day hold a law?). so my dros doesn't even start till 02/16!

it was beautiful though, so i couldn't help myself. only the slightest signs of being used. dry firing was nice and crisp in SA and to my expectations in DA, 6" barrel, all in wood and stainless. and at a good price too.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Why did you have to wait 10 days to get a 10/22???

It's a People's Republic of California thing. Most of us wouldn't understand. It's a reminder to the statists that they can, indeed, bully the serfs.

 

[countertop]

As my nephew is now discovering, you need to wait ten days to buy any firearm in California.

Yikes

Well, Congrats on the Rifle, Welcome to the Nation of Rifleman, and my apologise on living in PRK.

Geeze, I had heard of waiting periods to buy a handgun, but a rifle????


My wife, on the other hand, would probably suport that kind of scheme as most of my gun purchases are of the - Hey, thats a gorgeous gun, I HAVE TO HAVE IT NOW" variety.

 

[wallysparx]

there are exemptions to the 10 day rule. 1 is through CMP, of course. also, you can do PPT without gubmint interference on C&Rs.

 

[Moonclip]

If you plan on shooting a lot, most indoor ranges offer annual passes for around $200 or so. Sharpshooters range in Torrance has a deal where you get to shoot 5 times at the range unlimited time for $40. Places like the Firing line that charge $18 if you don't buy their reloads(the attitude from certain employess is free though ) I'd stay away from. Shop around for better prices on 22lr bricks than Turners or Big 5(Wal Mart for about $9 for 550 rounds) buy a bunch or Ruger mags and get to the range! Give me an idea where you are located and I'll try to direct you to a reasonable priced shooting range.

 

[GoBrush]

Congrats and Nice choice.

Now that you have joined the large and growing shooting sports family make it a goal to always practice good safety habits and educate yourself and others. Invite others along to the range and introduce as many as possible to shooting. We need to spread the word and show people what responsible gun ownership is.

Stay Safe and enjoy!

 

[Janitor]

nd walked out with my new Ruger 10/22, 400 rounds of ammo, and a cleaning kit

"He chose wisely"

Extremely good choices. Very nice 1st (or whenver you get one) rifle. You got a cleaning kit and ammo right out of the chute. You read the manual, and then you went shooting.

And .... you also chose a great sport.

Congratulations, and job well done. Now , if you haven't already, learn your safety rules inside and out, live them, breath them, etc. Try to find somebody to learn from. Maybe see if you can take a basic skills class at your range.

If I assume too much about where you are in your learning curve simply because this is the first gun you own, please forgive an old (and sometimes wordy) fool. Obviously, there are all sorts of things you may have already done with firearms, and simply never had your own.

Anyway ...

I understand about the costs. At least a .22 isn't too expensive to shoot. Check and see if the range has a membership. Sometimes they sell range time more reasonably if you buy it in blocks. One of the ranges I go to has 10 visit punch cards for $90 as opposed to $15 a trip.

Keep your rifle clean, and your powder dry.

Welcome to THR.

 

[IDriveB5]

congrats on your first gun!

my first gun was also a 10/22! its a great gun to play with.

 

[Smilin Steve]

If you plan on shooting a lot, most indoor ranges offer annual passes for around $200 or so. Sharpshooters range in Torrance has a deal where you get to shoot 5 times at the range unlimited time for $40. Places like the Firing line that charge $18 if you don't buy their reloads(the attitude from certain employess is free though ) I'd stay away from. Shop around for better prices on 22lr bricks than Turners or Big 5(Wal Mart for about $9 for 550 rounds) buy a bunch or Ruger mags and get to the range! Give me an idea where you are located and I'll try to direct you to a reasonable priced shooting range.

I live in Fullerton, and thanks!

Janitor- I appreciate the advice a lot! It is not out of place, though I have been shooting with friends in the past this is my first gun and I can use all the advice I can get.

 

[Moonclip]

No problem. Don't tell me you have been shooting at the range in Brea, very expensive unless with range pass. The OC sheriffs range is close and convenient for you but does not allow long guns of any type, even 22lr. Most of the OC ranges seem pricey for your needs, although a bit farther, the Torrance range seems to fit your needs, PM if you need more details and check the rallying point board on this site.

THR members have been going on a fairly regular visit to an outdoor range at the end of the 605 north and you could come if you wanted, I might even still have a 25rd mag you could try out if I can find it though thats the closest you can get to it as I cannot legally sell it or even give it away in CA!

The 10rd factory mags are superior functioning anyways so don't feel bad and in CA you can put stuff like a folding stock and a flash hider on a 22 rimfire if you wanted to. I have 3 10/22's so I guess I like them!

 

[wallysparx]

since you're in fullerton, also check out insight in artesia, only 15 minutes west on the 91. it's $10-11 bucks for a lane and you can spend all the time you want. and they usually close at 9 so it's a great place to unwind after work. you can bring your own target (they must be a certain size) and your own ammo; of course they'd prefer to make a sale, but won't do anything about it.