Good first .22

[BADUNAME37]

The original post says he wants it CHEAP.

To me, $300 or more is not cheap for a 22.

To me, CHEAP for a 22 is less than $130, including tax. That's cheap.

Also, synthetic stock does NOT make it junk, but might make it cheap, so he can be in budget. For a Savage Mark II, expect to pay nearly $200 (tax included).

Like I said originally, buy a Chipmunk.
That will have a wooden stock, is lightweight and is inexpensive.
If you ever have children you will be glad to have that Chipmunk rifle -- besides, your girlfriend will think it's a cute little gun.

 

[cbrgator]

+1 on Savage Mark II

 

[Sinixstar]

Well, thanks for the input - i had the CZ and the Savage on a list of possibilities, but lower on the list due to cost. I think it's ultimately going to come down to what I can find for what price. I've been poking around local shops with not much luck in this department. Got a few more on my list to check out.
Trying to avoid doing the online/FFL transfer thing, just because I prefer to support local businesses, so - we'll see what happens...

 

[cbrgator]

Walmart usually carries the Savage Mark II in the 100-120 range.

 

[BADUNAME37]

In that case, go for it!

Savage makes a GOOD GUN!

 

[Dirty Dawg]

Save a few extra pennies and pick up a Henry lever action. Very nice plinker, looks great and will last forever. You could probably catch one on sale around the holidays for $200 or so.

 

[woof]

Actually the Henry is up to about $249. That's twice the price of the non-accutrigger Mark IIF. I have both of those rifles and while the Henry is fun to shoot, the Savage is more accurate and better for a beginner, IMO.

 

[scythefwd]

"I'm sure there is a middle of the road between $100, and $1200 - no?"

I'd hope so, I here you can get a competition level .22 for under 1k

You can get several good rifles for 150-200. If you belong to the right clubs, you can get a mossberg 44 from CMP. I love mine.

 

[Dirty Dawg]

Actually the Henry is up to about $249. That's twice the price of the non-accutrigger Mark IIF. I have both of those rifles and while the Henry is fun to shoot, the Savage is more accurate and better for a beginner, IMO.

Academy has them listed online for $229.99 and I'd bet that during the holidays they'll knock a little off that:

http://preview.tinyurl.com/5uymeb

I own a Henry .17hmr so I can't speak to accuracy of the .22. But it's a beautiful rifle, the action is slicker than snot and it's a blast to shoot; way more fun than my bolt action Marlin .22 mag. I think an argument could be made for either gun being better for a beginner. I think I'd want the Accutrigger on a Savage, but that's just me.

 

[CRITGIT]

Ruger 1022 or Savage MKII
She'll love either.

CRITGIT

 

[hoosier8]

Dawg, I agree on the lever action, fun and looks good. I ran across a used one at a local gun show for $179. I didn't pick it up because I had already spent my money.

Sinixter, the auto 22s tend to be picky about what ammo works. A bolt or lever action would probably be less irritating. I have a little semi-auto Henry Survival Rifle and found that the only thing it will cycle reliably is Remington Golden Bullet. Called Henry and that is the ammo they test their rifles with. Another guy at the range had a 22 on an AR platform and his was more forgiving but he had worked on it.

 

[BADUNAME37]

I think the problem is there are TOO MANY SELECTIONS.

You want a 22?

In the olden days, you would have maybe several choices, period.

Stick with your budget and get something that will not intimidate her, or she will be ANTI-GUN!

 

[regal]

You should consider a Savage MKII in stainless steel with the black stock. This rifle will survive neglect, she will be able to pass it down to her kids, or grand kids.

 

[Sinixstar]

Stick with your budget and get something that will not intimidate her, or she will be ANTI-GUN!

That's why i've been very very careful through this process.

 

[icebones]

one of the ruger 10/22 carbines might work nicely.

i married a woman that is about 5' 2''
and i learned a long time ago that if a rifle feels too small and too short for me its just right for her.

 

[BADUNAME37]

Quote:
Stick with your budget and get something that will not intimidate her, or she will be ANTI-GUN!

That's why i've been very very careful through this process.

You can't go wrong AT ALL with a nice little Chipmunk. Make fun of it all you want, but I bet it is an accurate, reliable little gun. You can start her out with 22 shorts, then long, then long rifle.

 

[ilbob]

I don't know that there is really a bad choice.

I'd be inclined toward something that might be usable after she gets past the familiarization stage.

No reason she can't shoot a lever or semiauto during familiariazation. Might be best if she started out only loading one round at a time, but no reason to start out with a single shot rifle.

After some thought, maybe an AR7, or AK/AR appearing rifle is not the best of choices.

I have a 10/22 and a Henry lever gun. Both would be good for a new shooter.

 

[BayouBocephus]

Try finding a H&R in a small caliber and that way if she wants to "graduate" to something bigger you can buy different barrels and not a whole new gun

 

[The Janitor]

Lever actions are fun. More safety features than a semi auto too.

 

[Schleprok62]

How about the Marlin 925?? it's a wood bolt action, under $200...

I have a Model Five Remington and love it... it's in the same league as the CZ 452 American... I paid $269 for the European Walnut version...

 

[Just One Shot]

For an inexpensive 22 rifle the Marlin model 60 gets my vote. It's accuracy is second to none and with over 10 million sold since it's introduction there's no questioning it's durability.

I picked one up at MC Sports for $139.00 and it shoots like a dream. I have owned a couple of these in the past and I have never had an issue with quality. While it is a semi auto, it is a dependable yet inexpensive first gun for anyone who is just starting out.

 

[Wolfgang2000]

I'll have to cast my vote for the Ruger 10-22. My wife is 5'3" and the standard 10-22 fits her fine, but they do make a youth version.

If it were a young child or early teenager I would agree with the single shot. This is a adult female who is uneducated in firearms. There is no reason she can't be taught the proper handling of a modern rifle.

I agree with Cajun on getting what SHE likes. But when it comes to a 22 the 10-22 is hard to beat. Even if she doesn't like it you will have a good 22 to plink or practice with.

With these unsettling time approaching, something cheap to shoot is a good thing.

 

[Sinixstar]

Try finding a H&R in a small caliber and that way if she wants to "graduate" to something bigger you can buy different barrels and not a whole new gun

yea, but...
that's half the fun

 

[Sinixstar]

I agree with Cajun on getting what SHE likes. But when it comes to a 22 the 10-22 is hard to beat. Even if she doesn't like it you will have a good 22 to plink or practice with.

Yea, the issue is - she doesn't like ANY of 'em.
Wanted to go with a bolt because it's less.... "intimidating".

Still haven't had a chance to get up to some of the shops on my list to see what they have. A lot of it depends on the outcome of those trips. Not totally opposed to a semi-auto (i personally like 'em a lot), just wasn't my first choice for an intro.

 

[woof]

I think with a semi she will be intimidated when firing it the first time simply because after a shot it is immediately in fire mode again. A rifle that has to be cocked after every shot is inherently less scary (and safer) for a newcomer IMO.