Looking for advice on a first rifle for a college student

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Greetings all,

I'm a college student on a limited budget, and I'm interested in purchasing my first rifle. I've heard several good things about milsurp rifles like the SKS and Mosin Nagant, but I'm still not sure what to get. Couple of things:

1) What would be a good first rifle? I'm looking for something inexpensive but durable, that doesn't break the bank to fire.

2) I'm 6'9" and have a very long reach. What would be the best way to find a first rifle that fits me? Would a milsurp rifle still be comfortable to fire?

3) Aimsurplus.com seems to have very good deals on surplus weaponry, but I live in MD and do not have an FFL. Are there any dealers in the PG County region that may be able to help me? I know I could ask a dealer to get on record with the Aimsurplus people, but I wanted to know if anyone had already done so.

Thanks for your help.
 
Do you live on in dorm or on campus? If so you may not be able to keep any firearms there.

An SKS is a real good value. Plus ammo is real cheap for centerfire rounds. But it's not the cost of the rifle that should be your main concern, but the cost of shooting it.

The SKS and most Mil-Sulps you can get longer stocks on.

-Bill
 
If you haven't had any training with firearms, which I suspect you haven't because of the general nature of your question, I wouldn't recommend a semi-auto like an SKS. I probably would recommend a bolt-action .22LR like Marlin or Savage. They're cheap to shoot and accurate enough (especially the Marlin) so that you will notice a difference as you learn good shooting techniques. You can target practice and hunt and they're not so loud as to call attention to yourself.

You will want something that makes a bigger boom later, but trust me, a .22LR will give you a full day of fun for very little money.
 
My first rifle was a Yugo M48 mauser. It was fairly cheap and the ammunition is inexpensive as well. You can get 70 rounds on strippers for $3-4 from some places. One or two 70rd belts should last you pretty much the entire range session, and only cost you $8 to boot.

It does pack a wallop compared to guns like the SKS or AR-15 but the recoil is comparable to the Mosin Nagant.

I think you can't go wrong with either a Mauser or Mosin.
 
I agree that a .22LR would be best if you are a novice shooter. They are inexpensive to purchase and fire. Don't forget training. It is best to start off with good habits than to try to correct bad ones later. You can learn basic marksmanship skills with a .22 and have a lot of fun. Later when you are out of college and can afford a bigger gun, you will use those same skills.

Have fun.
 
I agree that a .22 would be a great way to start. If you decide you just have to have something bigger you might want to consider a used lever in .357. Also cheap to feed with .38 and .38+P, though not as cheap as .22, controlable, light, and able to hunt larger stuff if you decide to go that way.

Aside from that I'd say if you want a cheap rifle thats cheap to feed then you're looking at milsurp of some kind. The problem is that most of them have a lot more recoil and I don't think they would be a good "first gun" for most folks. Also, being surplus rifles firing surplus ammo you won't get nearly the accuracy you're going to want out of a first gun.

I say get a cheap, good condition, modern rifle to start off with. Learn to shoot. Practice. When you can hit what you aim at consistantly then consider getting the milsurp.
 
Get a .22.

A new Marlin bolt action or semi usually will run you under $200, a used one, half that. Ammo, $10 for 500 rounds. You'll learn a lot of stuff about shooting cheap (trigger control, proper sight picture, etc).
 
Another vote for a good .22 bolt action. You will love it like a child when you are older, and shoot it just as much. They are cheap to feed, comfortable to shoot all day and reliable. It isn't as sexy as getting a mil-surp, sure, but it will certainly feel sexier when you are able to get a grip on fundamentals and can actually hit what you aim at, versus barely keeping them on target with the mil-surp and making a big boom.

The good news is both the .22 bolt action and a mil-surp are extremely cheap. You could get a decent little .22 for around $100-150 and the mil-surps will can go anywhere from $60-200. So you could get the .22 and save a few pennies for that boomstick.

My thoughts, worth what you paid for 'em!
 
I have arrangements to store firearms. I should mention that I already own a 1911 that I use extensively (200 rounds a week at least), so I'm not a complete novice. I plan on taking the NRA course for rifle, just as I took one for pistol.

Assuming I go the .22 route, what would be a good setup? Which model Marlin etc would you recommend?
 
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My first rifle was an SKS. I think I turned out fine... *shrug* I do like my Ruger 10/22, though. I think those run around 200 or less.
 
At 6'9" a 10/22 or an SKS are probably gonna feel like toys to you (im 5'10" and the 10/22 is a bit small for me). Milsurps are a LOT bigger than they need to be and I bet most any of them would fit you fine. With surplus ammo they don't cost too much to feed and they do provide satisfaction when firing.

On the other hand a .22 is an excelent firearm to learn with. I would check out the CZ 452, as well as the Savage and Remington bolt guns (can't remember their names/numbers though).
 
Here's the order that I got mine in:

SKS
Remington 870
Mossberg 500
CZ452 (.22lr)
Hi-Point Carbine (9mm)
Savage 110 (30'06)
Garand
STG58a

I haven't found any of them to be too small, well except for maybe the Hi-Point, and as you know I'm 6'7"...certainly no challenge vertically here :p

If there's anything you want to try we can go on out to Westminster and run a few through them. I'm sure that Spot77 would also be happy to bring along his AR15.

FWIW...I'd go with the SKS as a first rifle. Reliable, cheap, fairly accurate, cheap ammo.

There's been a guy at the last two Silverado Gun Shows with Yugo SKSs for $100
 
two words: MOSIN NAGANT. any modle works but for your size id suggest (of course) the 91/30. my first gun and its never done me wrong. i shoot fine and have never touched a 22. dunhams has them for as low as $80 and some gun shows you can find one for as low as $50 but in those cases you get what you pay for. ammo is cheap, and while certainly not match grade, accurate for most general purposes (hunting, pinking, "remodling various household appliances" :evil: ) or the yugo m48. slightly more expensive then the mosin (by slightly i mean at most $50) cheap ammo fun to shoot reliable. cant go wrong with either.
 
At your size, and considering you already shoot a .45, I'd not recommand a .22. it'll feel like a toy. A lot of the Yugo SKSs ont he market right now seem to have a fairly long length-of-pull, and would probably fit you well. But for the least money, for both rifle and ammo, I'd recommend one fo the long Mausers (with the 29" barrel, not the carbines that everyone else seems to need, or a Mosin Nagant 91/30. Either one shouldn't run you more than $100 from a gun shop, in good condition, and the ammo is dirt cheap for surplus on both, and commercial ammo for the Mosin is very cheap.
 
M-98 Mauser = $150
1400 rnds of 8mm Mauser ammo in spam can, on strippers in bandoleers = $75

Learn how to shoot a bolt action, and use open sights before you get a semi and scope.

The Mosin Nagant would work also, I just prefer the Mauser action.
 
bear in mind that many (and I mean many) have trained on a semi-auto/auto as their first exposure to firearms (Military). A .22 is an excellent platform to learn on though. train and practice, practice, practice.
just my thoughts.
 
What are you seeking in a rifle? Accuracy, precision, affordability, correct sizing, a big- or small-game gun, romance/nostalgia, or- ?

Although you sound as if you are proficient with the 1911, I suspect there are a few things to be learned from a simple rifle that is inexpensive to shoot, has ammo readily available, and recoil so light you can maintain a sight picture. You owe it to yourself to pick up a .22 rimfire and see how good you really can be. It's a gun you never outgrow, although you may want to move on to longer distances or need more power for hunting later.

The CZ 452 is a good trainer, sized for adults. Savage, Marlin and others make good bolt guns too. The 10/22 or another semi-auto can be used, but a bolt teaches better technique and usually will have a better trigger.

If you need more energy to fill the bill, you may want to pick up an Enfield #4 with micrometer sight. You can get a longer buttstock, or build up the stock it comes with. A K-31 is another option, but if you will need optics, you would be better off with a used bolt in the lightest chambering that will do what you need.
 
Mosin Nagant, the 91/30? I think, the long one not the shorter. This is a good rifle, but the kick takes some getting used to. If your looking for cheap however, nothing can beat a .22 I'd reccomend a Henry repeater or something along those lines, picked mine up in wal-mart for $120
 
+1 for .22LR

CZ 452 is a decent, cheap .22 bolt action. You can also tune the trigger yourself with a little bit of work and gain a better understanding of how your rifle works. Go to http://ebrooks77.50megs.com/

For more information on picking a .22 of your own spend some time at www.rimfirecentral.com.

You can add a scope if you like and with cheap ammo, learn a lot about shooting without breaking the bank. Enjoy.
 
Nothing like learning on a .22...
Click to expand...
I have to agree with jfnvk and others about a rifle in .22LR. These are fun to shoot, easy to learns on (sure you can also learn with larger calibers, but you will not shoot anywhere nearly as many 7.62X54R rounds in a day of shooting as you would .22LR. They ammo is cheap as dirt, maybe cheaper - just go to buy some potting soil and see what I mean. The guns can be inexpensive from about $125 for a new one, up to very expensive. A really good rifle in .22LR can be had for about $175. The 500 rounds of ammo for about $20. Then go to shot it all in one day and - look ma I made a lot of holes in the paper.

These are the guns of youth, these are the guns of middle age, these are the guns of old geezers - they are great - don't miss a chance to have at least one of the most fun guns in the world. Then buy the SKS or M44, or whatever.

Of course any rifle would be ok to start with, but the .22 just has an aura about it, that will last a lifetime, especially if it is your first gun.

All the best,
Glenn B
 
The other good thing about a .22, that I forgot, is that if you ever move into small game hunting, you don't need to buy another gun.

If that is a good thing :uhoh:
 
a good 22 lr rifle. and a better one. a good remington or a Kimber. I you are popping 30 40 bucks a week on 45 ammo , then the added cost of a GOOD 22 will be worth it.

a win/browning model 52
a kimber
a Remington 540 or new 504
a CZ
an anshutz sporter
yeah they are going to run 300 or more, BUT, they will be a rifle you will always care about. these teach more because they have real rifle triggers adjustable and crisp. they will shoot better than you can, making you really work toward good shooting skills. the lower price 22;s are good, but they do have their limitations. Just my 2 cents, if you buy an autoloader, buy the old remington 572 or the Ruger 10.22 the Remington is good as it is, the ruger can be the base of an amazing weapon.

plus with a 22 you can stack a bunch of yellow pages together with duct tape and shoot in the apartment with cb caps nope you can not do that it is illegal

If you are going to a centerfire. Then look at a nice commercial bolt action, something you can use for hunting when you decide to.
 
You guys have pretty much sold me on the .22 plinker. How much would a good .22 cost me (I'm inclined to think the Ruger 10/22, although I still haven't ruled out a bolt action), and where in MD should I get it?
 
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