First .22: Rifle or Pistol

[TheNewShooter]

I am looking to get my first gun for personal ownership, seems to be a .22lr. (I did shoot a bit in my youth, but that was almost a decade ago, so essentially essentially everything needs to be relearned).
I don't really have any plans to hunt, will be shooting mainly for sporting/self defense (I plan on getting a CCW). I am looking for something that I can train with pretty inexpensively (I understand 22lr is best for that), but also something that is good quality, that I will keep, and would be useful in a survival scenario/small game. In terms of training, building good habits, becoming a better shooter, is it recommended to get a pistol or rifle/carbine.


FWIW, if this works out, at some point I will be buying a 9mm pistol, then a 5.56 rifle.

Thanks

 

[bannockburn]

TheNewShooter

Welcome aboard! My thought on the subject of your first gun is that one gun, no matter what it's configuration or caliber, is going to be "the answer" to all of your shooting needs. I always like to start small, as in .22LR. My first gun was a Ruger 10/22; super reliable and amazingly accurate with it's factory sights. Gave me a lot of confidence in my shooting ability and served me well not only at the range but small game hunting as well. My first .22LR handguns were mainly single action revolvers; lot's of fun plinking with but not as accurate as some of the semi-autos I would get later, like my Ruger Mk.II. One of my all-time favorite and most versatile .22s is my Beretta Model 70S. From there it was a relatively easy move to graduate to an AR15 and various 9mm. handguns like the Browning Hi-Power.

Hope this helps with your decision making process and let us know what you decide on getting.

 

[TheNewShooter]

I probably won't be getting a .22 rifle and pistol (at least not any time soon): I just want one so that I can make use of the cheap ammo and shootability for a good volume of range time (and as a survival option for when we have to live on squirrels). My second gun would probably be a full power one (at least 9mm double stack).

So you recommend getting the 10/22 rifle to learn/practice?

 

[dranrab]

The 10/22 is the one gun everyone should have at least one of. They are loads of fun that you'll never outgrow. With that said, if your near term goal is learning to shoot, fun, home defense and eventually a CCW, I'd buy a pistol to train with. That Ruger pistol pictured above is a great place to start.

 

[RavenTai]

For small game definitely rifle, from a range, terminal power and accuracy perspective a rifle is better.

It is also easier to keep a rifle pointed in a safe direction, also rifle controls are full Size, more ergonomically placed with large sure movement
Where pistol controls are miniaturized, and easier to flick unintensionally

If you enjoy yourself you will eventually have both.

Next question is semi-auto or bolt action, a semi is more exciting, a bolt gun teaches deciplin, breathing, trigger control. Making every shot count, skills that will help you in later shooting experience.

My 8 yo got his first gun last Christmas, it was a savage rascal.

My current favorite 22 is a CZ 452 ultra lux, the near 30" barrel acts a bit like a suppressor, by the time the bullet makes it to the end pressure is low. With sub sonic rounds no hearing protection is needed.

A close second favorite is a browning buck mark. Just a very pleasant plinking gun

 

[Ramone]

A .22 rifle is, IMO, the best place to start. While I have a slight preference for a bolt action for beginners, the 10/22 is a fine choice.

If you decide to start with a pistol, I'd say starting with a 9mm might be a better choice, as while not as inexpensive as .22, it's the next most inexpensive, easy to find, and in a full size, all metal pistol, the recoil is very manageable. As in many cases, one's first pistol is one's only pistol for a while, it makes sense to me to choose one a bit more capable than a .22

 

[MEHavey]

Not even a hard question for best lifetime value.
http://cz-usa.com/product/cz-455-american-22-lr-5-rd-mag/

Very near second, and with entirely different attributes as a field gun:
That ubiquitous Ruger 10/22

 

[chicharrones]

A .22 LR bolt gun is what I think of as a first gun, as well as possibly your 5th or 10th gun. They're not just for beginners, but long time shooters as well.

A rimfire rifle with a detachable magazine is great for range or field use, while one with a tube magazine is better in the field as you don't have to do instant mag unloads during range cease fires. Plus, with a tube mag you won't feel compelled to spend additional money on extra mags like you would with a detachable magazine gun.

With that in mind, detachable mag guns are my preference though, unless you consider a lever action .22 rifle.

Instead of the uber popular Ruger 10/22, I'd look into the Ruger American Rimfire that uses the same magazines as the 10/22. There is even a wood stocked model if you don't like plastic.

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

If you want a .22 pistol just for the fun of shooting then I would get a Ruger Mark series or 22/45. If you want a pistol that will be an understudy for a larger defense gun I would look at the Ruger SR-22 pistol. I have a 22/45 MKIII just for fun shooting and it fills that role very well. Its a bit heavy to have in a backpack for "squirrels" but it is plenty accurate. They make an ultralight version and Tactical solutions makes some Paclite uppers that are very high quality/very accurate. Keep in mind when swapping out top ends on the Ruger Mark series guns that they are the serialized part and considered a whole new gun. The lower is just an accessory.

 

[SlayerOfBunnies]

Nothing new here, but for my money, the Ruger 10/22 is the best value in firearms today. You can get a base model (and I would) for just north of $200 in my area and you can modify the crap out of it later (if you are into that) to make it as accurate, cool, weird, whatever - as you want. Right out of the box, it should be good for punching paper, squirrels, rabbits, groundhogs, etc. or for dinging pop cans and so forth.

Having said all that, the .22lr rifle I use almost exclusively now is a Ruger American Rimfire. It suits my needs better and is not much more expensive than the 10/22. Speaking of - this thread needs more pictures...

Everyone ought to have a .22lr rifle.

 

[J-Bar]

For your purposes, I think a handgun first. Get one with adjustable sights and a decent trigger, like this Ruger Mark I bull barreled target pistol, or the Ruger Single Six:


R

If you choose a rifle, I agree a 10/22 is fine. If you prefer a lever gun, the Henry is American made, accurate, and the company stands behind their product. You can find a good used old Remington bolt action .22 on Gunbroker or in pawnshops if you want something accurate and cheap.

 

[jeepnik]

I probably won't be getting a .22 rifle and pistol (at least not any time soon): I just want one so that I can make use of the cheap ammo and shootability for a good volume of range time (and as a survival option for when we have to live on squirrels). My second gun would probably be a full power one (at least 9mm double stack).

So you recommend getting the 10/22 rifle to learn/practice?

Then you'll starve. Small game won't last long in a "survival" situation. And .22lr ammo ain't cheap anymore.

 

[danez71]

Its kind of comvoluted but what I consider to my 1st's ....

My 1st gun was a 22lr rifle (a 10/22) and I still have it about 30 yrs later.

My 2nd was a 9mm hand gun ( a Browning HP) that I still have almost 25 yrs later

 

[azrocks]

Based on your desire to transition to a larger (defensive) handgun in the future, I think you'd be very well served by a Ruger 22/45.

For one, it's a Ruger .22, which means it's about as reliable in a semi-auto .22 as you're going to get. Pleasingly accurate as well. There are lots of tacti-cool .22s flooding the market now that look the part but don't deliver. Ruger's always been on top in .22 dependability.

Second, the handgun's grip is identical in dimensions to a full-size 1911, which makes it a great tool for developing skills that translate directly over into center-fire handguns.

Third, the newer 22/45 LITE versions are aesthetically pleasing (at least to some), and shave the weight off the all-steel version by a significant margin. Also suppressor-ready / optics-ready.

And fourth: while I wouldn't recommend a .22 for CCW use, if you had to, at least you could (in contrast to a .22 rifle).

I use the 22/45 constantly as a training tool to improve my shooting with any handgun, and it works (and for a fraction of the price of 9mm/45 ammo). But I also love it based on its own merits alone. Just a ton of fun to shoot.

Did I mention chicks dig it?

You know you want one

 

[C0untZer0]

I purchased a S&W Model 63 for my daughter, and she really loves it, but she also shoots the the 22/45 Target. I wish I had purchased one of the 22/45 because I think she would have shot better with the lighter gun, especially for long shooting sessions. Sometimes her arms would just get tired

There is also some good information in this thread:

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...to-learn-on-revolvers-than-semi-autos.807829/

 

[ranger56528]

So you plan on getting your CCW - check..Do you live in a city? If so you would be better off getting a handgun due to its conceal abilities and it wouldn't draw attention like a cased long gun but if you live in a small town or in the country a rifle might be better to start with and then buy a handgun later on after you get used to shooting a rifle,their both not that expensive and you would be set being you say you don't plan on hunting you would have two fun target weapons and a ccw weapon.

 

[shafter]

If you plan on carrying concealed then you're going to want to train and practice. Get the pistol.

 

[Cowhide Cliff]

I'll tell ya I don't think you can go wrong with the Ruger American rimfire for a bolt gun. I really like the wood stock model. Can't go wrong with a 10/22 but theres just something relaxing about sitting back and slow firing a bolt gun for target shooting. The Ruger pistol pictured above is also a great choice.

 

[TheGerman]

I think it also depends on how much you want to spend. The Ruger 10/22 as a rifle has been mentioned here before and you can even get a take-down version for the survival package. From a handgun perspective, I like larger calibers better for self defense and would recommend a 1911 in .45 ACP or 9mm and for less expensive training, you can get a .22lr conversion set - definitely a more expensive starter package, but should address everything in regards to low recoil, inexpensive training/plinking to useful personal defense.

 

[chicharrones]

OP - I probably won't be getting a .22 rifle and pistol (at least not any time soon): I just want one so that I can make use of the cheap ammo and shootability for a good volume of range time (and as a survival option for when we have to live on squirrels). My second gun would probably be a full power one (at least 9mm double stack).

Its kind of comvoluted but what I consider to my 1st's ....

My 1st gun was a 22lr rifle (a 10/22) and I still have it about 30 yrs later.

My 2nd was a 9mm hand gun ( a Browning HP) that I still have almost 25 yrs later

I like that line of thinking.

A .22 rifle followed by a 9mm handgun.

9mm is pretty cheap practice by centerfire standards.

 

[KNO3]

How about a 9mm conversion kit? I have a Glock 19 and an Advantage Arms .22lr conversion kit. Best of both worlds. It's nice to have since I shoot with my kids and they prefer the lesser recoil of the .22. I can swap over to the standard 9mm barrel in seconds. cmcgov.com often carries them for around $275. Seems expensive, but at the current price of .22lr ($0.06/rnd) and 9mm ($0.20/rnd), you pay for the conversion after 2,000 rounds of .22lr. Advantage also makes them for 1191 and Springfield.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

I would start with a bolt action rifle in order to learn shooting discipline and trigger technique and then if you want a dependable pistol I would recommend a Browning Buckmark for its balance and accuracy. In my opinion, the balance and comfort of the Buckmark is far above the Ruger Mark series of pistols. I went in to the gunshop twice to buy a Ruger but emerged with a Buckmark each time. One is a commemorative version with beautiful wood (Walnut I believe) engraved handgrips and the other is a heavy barrel version with a 4x scope with which I am able to rapid fire the ten round magazine at 25 yards into a hole that can be covered with a dime. I was impressed with the Buckmark.......

 

[susieqz]

i can do anything with my 22/45 that i can do with a rifle. it will take a bunny at 50 yards.
but this is because i love training with it.
thing is, rifles are far easier to shoot n take much less time to learn.
i shot that 50 yard bunny after more than 8,000 practice rounds.
i love having a gun that i can just strap to my waist n forget, as opposed to lugging around a rifle, but handguns are work so you gotta love them for best results.

 

[bullzeye8]

I would normally say a .22 rifle but since you have the goal of getting a CCW, I'm guessing sooner rather than later, a .22 pistol might be a better first purchase. I would recommend either the S&W Victory or the Ruger Mark IV. Both will be accurate, have decent triggers, and be great beginners guns.

 

[chuckpro]

If your goal is marksmanship and gun handling pick up a 22lr bolt gun. If CCW is in your future I would skip the 22 and find a 9mm that fits your hands and practice with it. Putting holes in paper with a 22 pistol is fun but it does not give you the muscle memory needed for larger calibers. ( controlling the recoil)

I have most of the above-mentioned firearms and I love my 10/22s and my 22/45 but I don't think they are the best choice for a first/single firearm.