Rossi matched pair .22lr/20 gauge: good first gun?

[fizzbuzz]

Not sure if this should be in rifle or shotgun section =P oh well. I've had some experience shooting my friend's 10/22 and CZ 75, and I don't want to mooch from friends when I go to the range so I'm planning to buy a gun for my own, mostly for plinking. Thing is, I'm a dirt poor college student, so .22lr seems like a good choice, and the 20 gauge because none of my friends have a shotgun for some reason.


Only thing I'm worried about is the quality of the Rossi's, which are... legendarily bad. Don't want to buy just a single .22lr rifle, H&R doesn't offer rimfire barrels, and the Rossi is just straight up one of the cheapest guns in the market. I mean, even Rossi can't screw up a single shot gun... right?

 

[Hunterdad]

For your intended purpose, it should be fine. You just can't expect too much from it, that's all. I've seen some Rossi. 22's that were tack drivers and others that were minute of squirrel. :cuss, which is really all that's needed.

I've been actually thinking of getting one for the wife.

 

[roadchoad]

My son has one. I've shot a few rounds through it. Seems to be built well, just not as nice fit and finish. Haven't had any problems with it. I trusted it enough to take it hunting a time or two. Carries well since it is so light.

.22 barrel: Couple hundred rounds through it. Accuracy is okay, the sights are not that great. They are plastic and cheaply made. I put a scope on his, but haven't used it yet. Ejects strongly, had one or two hangup when new, but closing and reopening popped the spent case right out.

20 ga: Only a few rounds through it. Kicks, as any single shot shotgun will, as this gun is light. Ejects cleanly and forcefully. Hits where I point it.

I'd buy another.

 

[bigfatdave]

roadchoad's observations match mine, I've shot the youth version (not mine, a co-worker's) a couple times.

I'll add in that the swap is pretty easy from rimfire to shotgun