Rimfire Inclusion

[lizziedog1]

There is a thread currently going on about what three firearms you would have if you were limited to three. There have been other such threads and even artilces about this subject. They are fun to participate in and it does make one think. Sadly, some politicians would limit us to no guns if they had their way.

Some folks include a .22 rimfire in there set of guns. They are versatile and the ammo is not only cheap, but very portable. Some folks don't include rimfire weapons, they do have limitations.

Here is my question. At what point would your gun collection include a rimfire weapon of some sort? In other words, would it be your third choice, your fifth choice, your tenth choice, or never a choice?

I would include it if I was down to three guns. Below three guns I would not have a .22 rimfire. So, where would you place one?

 

[CB900F]

lizziedog1;

If the limit were three, one would be a .22 rimfire. I would probably place it in the #1 position also in a survival concept. That would hold true if I were just building my collection too. The .22 is probably the best platform on which to learn the basics of both firearms safety and accuracy.

There are conditions where I wouldn't suggest it as a first gun though. A single mom being stalked needs a viable self defense arm first, and I don't regard the .22 rimfire as a good choice for that niche. But, leaving those relatively rare circumstances behind, it's the best first gun in my opinion.

900F

 

[hardluk1]

I would also place a bolt action.22lr as one of the guns on the list of three guns with a 4" 357 next and a shotgun as the last choice. Maybe some don't think that a 22 can't kill well but i can eat well with just that 22 up to deer/hog sized animals and keep a head down or punch holes in it out to 200 yards. With a silencer you can't place it. For us country boy's it could be number one choice. Not much it can't do

 

[22-rimfire]

A rimfire rifle would be my #1 choice of a firearm. I got my first 22 rifle at age 14 and my last firearm will likely be a 22 rifle. The cost of ammunition is a consideration, but the availability is significant.

For many the first consideration for a firearm is "self defense" whether it be home defense or for carry. This is usually not a 22 rimfire and is usually a handgun of some sort. Self defense is important, but I believe you could get by with a 22 handgun quite nicely for this purpose if you are confident in your abilities.

The three gun thread is all about personal priorities and the concept of urban versus rural survival comes into play for many. Most people live in or near urban areas and as a result, their priority is not being able to shoot a deer for food but protecting their home and family. The question is can the 22 be used for both? I believe so.

 

[yeti]

I always look at those "if you could only have..." threads as pick your favorites that you would want to keep.

If I were really limited to two guns I would end up with a .22 rifle and a 12ga shotgun, three would include a .357 revolver, after that it's all golden, but just one and I would need to flip a coin between the 12ga and the .22.

 

[DM~]

Actually, ONE does just fine for me,



The rimfire bbl. easily unlocks and comes out, giving me a nice upland shotgun, and at 7 pounds it's easy to carry too.

NOW, what will my "other" two be? hhhmmmm

DM

 

[CraigC]

I will never be without a rimfire.....or 2.....or 3......or 20. Anytime anyone states that rimfires are for kids, I stop taking them seriously. Because there is no better skill builder than a good .22LR and I always assume that anyone who has disdain for the rimfire is probably a mediocre shooter at best.

 

[ColeK]

DM, that is a nice rig!

 

[Furncliff]

First choice..... in .17 HmR

 

[sappyg]

a 22 LR is my 1st pick. IMO it's the most usefull firearm you can own. it can't do everything but it can do a lot very well.

 

[pikid89]

forget 3...If i could only have one gun it would be a bolt action 22 with quality iron sights

 

[garymc]

A 22 would be in my first 3, maybe my first gun. My 22 rifles all shoot lr, long, or shorts. I think a semi-auto 22 would be my first choice.

 

[therewolf]

22LR is great for when I bring my GF or someone new to the range.

Also for small varmints.

Not the first guns I bought, but a 22LR rifle and pistol were in the first half dozen. Great for plinking, starters, target practice.

IMO, they're " The gateway to the good life...".

 

[Legionnaire]

I love my .22s. But a bolt-action .22 rifle would probably be #4 for me.

First and foremost, I'm a hunter, so my minimum gun battery would be built with that in mind. I'd need a centerfire bolt action rifle and a pump-action shotgun (preferably with a couple of barrels) for starters. Then I'd add a 4-inch revolver in .357 mag. The latter would do double-duty: .357 mag defensive and hunting loads; mild reloads (or .38s) for plinking. Then I'd add the .22.

If pressed, I might consider exchanging the shotgun and the .22 for a Savage 24 .22/20 gauge combo if I absolutely had to limit myself to three guns.

Oh, and a .22 handgun would be #5.

 

[bannockburn]

lizziedog1

Since I would probably select an M1911 in .45ACP as my handgun choice (out of a 3 gun limit), I would also include a .22LR conversion kit along with it. If this option were not available, then I would pick a .22LR rifle (a Ruger 10/22), as my fifth pick; right after I used my fourth pick on a 4" .357 DA revolver (S&W Model 686).

 

[Carl Levitian]

If I were down to just three guns, one of them would be a .22 rifle.

If I were down to just two guns, one would still be a good .22 rifle and the other a center fire handgun. Maybe a Glock with a .22 conversion kit.

A .22 can get you pretty far in being fed, and making a hostile person uncomfortable. Like one poster has in his sig line; A .22 in the head from across the street can ruin your day. Or something like that.

 

[henschman]

When it comes to guns, there is no more important use for them than defending liberty. And I have to say, my .22s have done much more to advance that cause than any of my battle rifles have. My .22s have taught many people the fundamentals of rifle marksmanship, and the importance of maintaining our heritage of marksmanship, by being loaned out at Appleseed marksmanship clinics and to various people I bring shooting with me. I would gladly loan my M1A, M1, AK, Nagant, or any of my other center fires as long as the shooter provides the ammo, but most folks who want to learn marksmanship can't afford a case of ammo for one of those. However, most folks CAN afford a bulk pack of .22 LR. My .22s see a much higher round count than any of my other firearms, which is fine with me... those low velocity lead bullets make for a long barrel life! Those .22s of mine will probably be around making Riflemen long after I will. They are the unsung heroes of the rife world... while the sexy battle rifles get all the attention, those workhorses are out there teaching people the fundamentals, without which a modern battle rifle is about as effective as a smoothbore musket.

 

[LAK]

Everyone should have at least one .22 rimfire or similar.

---------------------------

Je Suis Prest

 

[ms6852]

I have to agree with CRAIGC. A 22lr in the right hands is a very lethal weapon. It is lethal and I personally have killed rabbits with a head shot at 200 yards. I do not understand where anyone would get the idea that it is only a 50 yard rifle.

 

[oldfool]

22 rimfire was/is #1 on my list
maybe even #1 and #2 (handgun and rifle)
might not think so if it really was "only 3"
(a 357 will always be on my "list", any my list)
luckily, I don't think "only three"
don't ever intend to start thinking in "3" either
last dozen of 40 or so, maybe, I dunno
which 3 to carry to range day, always a 22 on board, whatever else happens to go with

 

[killchain]

If it was limited to one gun, I would take a bolt .22LR.

Honestly, if I had my pick of "3 only" I would take a .357 revolver, a .22LR semi, and a 5.56mm semi. I'm not a big shotgun fan (or good with them.)

 

[bracer]

I dont know why the question about one gun or three guns come up... If your going to hunt there are the upland bird, duck ,quail shotguns, small game and varmint rimfire rifles, small and large caliber centerfire varmint and preditors .Then one needs the small ,medium, and large big game rifles some of which need to be for hunting in the woods and other in the wide open country. What about target rifles and hand guns? I m thinking how can a person get by with less than 30 or 40 firearms. Thinking about three guns is just a wast of time...

 

[Snowdog]

I'll have to echo what Legionnaire already said. As much as I respect and use the .22LR, I would have to choose something concealable or at least easy enough to belt carry (a handgun, of course) and a centerfire rifle.
The number three position would have been a toss up between a pump shotgun and a .22 rifle... but again, as much as I find the .22LR rifle useful, I suspect there might be a bit more I could accomplish with the shotgun, so it would take the third spot.

I haven't any doubt it would make it to #4 on the list though and I simply can't argue with those who chose it within the top 3; a personal choice with personal preferences I'm sure.

 

[lizziedog1]

Rimfires have another advantage, the ammo is very portable. This is espically true compared to shotguns. A shotgun is more versatile, but one can easily put fifty rimfire rounds in a pocket, most pockets can't hold that many 12 gauge shells.

 

[btg3]

...would it be your third choice, your fifth choice, your tenth choice, or never a choice?

5th or lower.