.22 LR Rifle Recommendations

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - .22 LR Rifle Recommendations (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 6/17/2009 10:17:28 AM EDT

Hi all,

I'm looking to purchase a new .22 LR rifle to teach some kids in the family how to shoot. Also when they're not around I may use it to blow away a few beer cans & stay sharp to save on the .223/5.56 ammo. Looking for a good quality reliable rifle that's a good-shooter, but don't need a $2000 - $3000 Olympic-grade match rifle either. Was thinking of going with a bolt-action, but semi-auto is attractive as well. Wouldn't rule out a lever-action either.

I've heard good things about the Ruger 10/22 as well as others. Anyone have suggestions?

JH

Posted: 6/17/2009 10:18:28 AM EDT

[#1]

10/22 would be my choice, or a Henry lever action.

Posted: 6/17/2009 10:19:05 AM EDT

[#2]

Quoted:
10/22 would be my choice, or a Henry lever action.

I have both, and they are both good rifles.

Posted: 6/17/2009 10:19:12 AM EDT

[#3]

The 10/22 is a tinkerer's dream, but if you want a rifle that's quite accurate out of the box, the Marlin Model 60 can't be beat for it's price.

If you want a bolt gun, take a look at the offerings from Savage. Best bang for your rimfire buck when it comes to bolt actions.

Posted: 6/17/2009 10:21:32 AM EDT

[#4]

I have a 10/22 and you can't go wrong with that. But I fired a henry lever a while back and fell in love. That thing was super fun to shoot and stupid accurate. Kinda pricey compared to the Ruger, of course.

Posted: 6/17/2009 10:23:38 AM EDT

[#5]

Marlin model 60 what I bought for my 10 year olds. They love it, and I just put a bipod on it so they don't have to shoot it off of a box anymore.

This is our first .22lr rifle, and it's a lot of fun.

Posted: 6/17/2009 10:25:28 AM EDT

[#6]

GSG-5...

That's what I want, but I don't know anything about the accuracy out of the box.

Posted: 6/17/2009 10:26:20 AM EDT

[#7]

10/22 for price of entry and unlimited options
77/22 or CZ 452 or a 'nice' bolt action .22 rf that feels like a larger caliber rifle...
Polish Nagant trainer for a single shot good time with cb long loads. (the long barrel makes them extremly quiet)

Posted: 6/17/2009 10:26:40 AM EDT

[#8]

The 10/22 would be hard to beat. Might want to look around for a Romanian M69 trainer. Handy little bolt action.

Posted: 6/17/2009 10:27:19 AM EDT

[#9]

I like the 10/22 so much I bought two and turned one into a nail tacking .17mach 2

Posted: 6/17/2009 10:40:25 AM EDT

[#10]

CZ-452, pick your flavor.

Posted: 6/17/2009 10:41:25 AM EDT

[#11]

I have same one as the picture, Marlin model 60 stainless and it is a reliable tack driver.

I own a great many .22 rifles, and in my humble opinion, there is not a better rifle in its price point and shoots as well or better than rifles costing twice as much.

Posted: 6/17/2009 10:44:14 AM EDT

[#12]

If you have an AR15, I would suggest a Spikes 22lr upper. I just got one and really like it. I also have a GSG5 and its not terribly accurate out of the box though I am still working on zerioing it and am new to firearms in general.

(yes I jump into things with both feet ;p)

Posted: 6/17/2009 10:44:14 AM EDT

[#13]

A manual loading rifle (bolt, lever, pump) are best for initial lessons.

How old are the children? If <10 a youth model with shorter length of pull will help with developing good form (but will suck for you) CZ-452 Scout, Henry Lever Youth

If <7 look at a Henry Mini-bolt

Ruger Bearcat has worked well for introducing children to handguns.

ETA - if >10 an AR upper, Marlin 39, Marlin 60, 10/22, CZ 452

Posted: 6/17/2009 10:44:28 AM EDT

[#14]

my ruger 10/22 is pushing 12 years old and still shoots like the 1st day i bought it

eta:

i've shot several other semi-auto .22 rifles and i much prefer the look and feel of the Ruger 10/22 carbine

Posted: 6/17/2009 10:44:43 AM EDT

[#15]

I like the 10/22 great.... it is best if you can get extra factory magazines. The after-market box magazines are no good. Totally unreliable. They shift too much in the mag wells and cause jams.

The rotary drums that come with the rifle can be found sold separately. They are more expensive, but well worth it. Make sure you get extras... They get clogged up with debris eventually, and cleaning is not very effective.
If you have an AR15, you might consider a conversion kit.

Posted: 6/17/2009 10:46:00 AM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
A manual loading rifle (bolt, lever, pump) are best for initial lessons.

How old are the children? If <10 a youth model with shorter length of pull will help with developing good form (but will suck for you) CZ-452 Scout, Henry Lever Youth

If <7 look at a Henry Mini-bolt

Ruger Bearcat has worked well for introducing children to handguns.

Or pick up a Marlin 25N bolt gun at a pawn shop for 100 bucks that is very accurate. You can find some very nice .22 rifles at pawn shops for next to nothing.

Posted: 6/17/2009 10:47:20 AM EDT

[#17]

10/22 if you want a semi; the GSG-5 is sh*t imo (yes, i've owned/shot both very extensively)

Posted: 6/17/2009 10:49:40 AM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:

Quoted:
A manual loading rifle (bolt, lever, pump) are best for initial lessons.

How old are the children? If <10 a youth model with shorter length of pull will help with developing good form (but will suck for you) CZ-452 Scout, Henry Lever Youth

If <7 look at a Henry Mini-bolt

Ruger Bearcat has worked well for introducing children to handguns.

Or pick up a Marlin 25N bolt gun at a pawn shop for 100 bucks that is very accurate. You can find some very nice .22 rifles at pawn shops for next to nothing.

If you are looking at used the list gets longer than I'm willing to type.

Posted: 6/17/2009 10:50:56 AM EDT

[#19]

If you want a bolt action I'd go with a Savage Mk II

Posted: 6/17/2009 10:51:41 AM EDT

[#20]

Semi mag cap?What is the largest?

Posted: 6/17/2009 10:55:21 AM EDT

[#21]

If you're feeling nostaligic, hard to wrong with a Marlin 39A. 10 minute's work will also rid you of that silly rebounding hammer. They aren't exactly cheap, though, and it's tough to find one in the used-gun rack.

Posted: 6/17/2009 10:57:09 AM EDT

[#22]

cz452 american.......

Posted: 6/17/2009 10:57:11 AM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:
If you're feeling nostaligic, hard to wrong with a Marlin 39A. 10 minute's work will also rid you of that silly rebounding hammer. They aren't exactly cheap, though, and it's tough to find one in the used-gun rack.

No shit.

Posted: 6/17/2009 10:59:23 AM EDT

[#24]

Quoted:

Quoted:
If you're feeling nostaligic, hard to wrong with a Marlin 39A. 10 minute's work will also rid you of that silly rebounding hammer. They aren't exactly cheap, though, and it's tough to find one in the used-gun rack.

No shit.

There is a good reason for that.

Posted: 6/17/2009 11:00:13 AM EDT

[#25]

10/22. Almost as many aftermarket accessories as AR's.

Posted: 6/17/2009 11:01:15 AM EDT

[#26]

Quoted:
If you want a bolt action I'd go with a Savage Mk II

Posted: 6/17/2009 11:01:22 AM EDT

[#27]

Quoted:
CZ-452, pick your flavor.

That's the way I'd go on a new one.

Posted: 6/17/2009 11:02:13 AM EDT

[#28]

10/22 w/ Tech Sight FTMFW! Seriously the best training option out there right now. You should also look into the Appleseed program. Free for anyone under 21, females and military, too.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=6&f=11&t=222026

Posted: 6/17/2009 11:02:26 AM EDT

[#29]

I love my Henry lever action. It'll eat anything I throw at it.

Posted: 6/17/2009 11:03:46 AM EDT

[#30]

Dupe

Posted: 6/17/2009 11:04:41 AM EDT

[#31]

Try this

Posted: 6/17/2009 11:06:33 AM EDT

[#32]

Any confirmed 39a owners compare a Henry?And my mag semi question still stands.

Posted: 6/17/2009 11:06:41 AM EDT

[#33]

Marlin 39a and don't look back.

ETA - I like the looks of the Henrys but haven't shot one since I have the Marlin.

Posted: 6/17/2009 11:07:52 AM EDT

[#34]

Quoted:
I have same one as the picture, Marlin model 60 stainless and it is a reliable tack driver.

I own a great many .22 rifles, and in my humble opinion, there is not a better rifle in its price point and shoots as well or better than rifles costing twice as much.

I agree, but reloading is a pain.

10/22s for mee!

Posted: 6/17/2009 11:10:41 AM EDT

[#35]

Quoted:
The 10/22 is a tinkerer's dream, but if you want a rifle that's quite accurate out of the box, the Marlin Model 60 can't be beat for it's price.

If you want a bolt gun, take a look at the offerings from Savage. Best bang for your rimfire buck when it comes to bolt actions.

Marlin 60 is one of the guns I learned on back in the '80s. IMO it's a much better youth gun than the 10/22. Check out the savage cub & Mark I-GY too.

Posted: 6/17/2009 11:23:27 AM EDT

[#36]

Quoted:
Any confirmed 39a owners compare a Henry?And my mag semi question still stands.

I have a Henry lever youth for the kids and two 39d's (first gun I had was a 39d but I don't have that one) I had a 39m (gave it as a gift to a friend who had to have it) and a 39 Carbine (traded it for a USP).

Henry isn't close, it is a functional rifle but there are reasons it is considerably less expensive: materials, design, fit and finish... The Marlin 39 wins in any way you can compare them except price.

The Marlin 39 in various forms has been manufactured virtually unchanged consistently since 1891 for good reason they are very nice well designed rifles.

Posted: 6/17/2009 11:30:04 AM EDT

[#37]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Any confirmed 39a owners compare a Henry?And my mag semi question still stands.

I have a Henry lever youth for the kids and two 39d's (first gun I had was a 39d but I don't have that one) I had a 39m (gave it as a gift to a friend who had to have it) and a 39 Carbine (traded it for a USP).

Henry isn't close, it is a functional rifle but there are reasons it is considerably less expensive: materials, design, fit and finish... The Marlin 39 wins in any way you can compare them except price.

The Marlin 39 in various forms has been manufactured virtually unchanged consistently since 1891 for good reason they are very nice well designed rifles.

OK that answers that;now high cap mag semi question still remains.Almost bought that 60 at WallyWorld for $207 today.Worth it?

Posted: 6/17/2009 11:32:15 AM EDT

[#38]

To the OP-cz452 american.

Posted: 6/17/2009 11:36:40 AM EDT

[#39]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Any confirmed 39a owners compare a Henry?And my mag semi question still stands.

I have a Henry lever youth for the kids and two 39d's (first gun I had was a 39d but I don't have that one) I had a 39m (gave it as a gift to a friend who had to have it) and a 39 Carbine (traded it for a USP).

Henry isn't close, it is a functional rifle but there are reasons it is considerably less expensive: materials, design, fit and finish... The Marlin 39 wins in any way you can compare them except price.

The Marlin 39 in various forms has been manufactured virtually unchanged consistently since 1891 for good reason they are very nice well designed rifles.

OK that answers that;now high cap mag semi question still remains.Almost bought that 60 at WallyWorld for $207 today.Worth it?

10/22s have some 50 and IIRC 75rd mags but the highest capacity I own are 30rd eagles. Older 60 / 75c / 99 / 990s are a bit better if you can find one for sale but the new ones are fun very accurate and worth what you pay for them.

Posted: 6/17/2009 11:50:17 AM EDT

[#40]

I'd pick the Marlin 795 even though they use clips instead of magazines.

Model 795 features an 18" barrel, 10-shot clip magazine, and an automatic "last-shot" bolt hold-open. Its stock is black fiberglass-reinforced synthetic with molded-in checkering and swivel studs. It's fitted with an adjustable open rear sight and a ramp front sight.

Marlin 795

I have one and its my favorite .22 now. Light and compact, it's what I grap in the middle of the night to check out strange critter noices. I have a 10/22 and a model 60 also.

Posted: 6/17/2009 11:50:57 AM EDT

[#41]

513T, You won't regret it.

Posted: 6/17/2009 11:55:56 AM EDT

[#42]

Marlin 60 or Ruger 10/22

HH

Posted: 6/17/2009 11:57:51 AM EDT

[#43]

Savage Mark II-FVT. Will out shoot a 10-22 any day. For the price is a value - and a good teaching tool. It is not an Ansultz, but it is very good for the price. ($401 is msrp - our program gets them for closer to $250, and the sights are probably worth 1/2 of that).
––-
fwiw I own a 10/22. I had a chance to shoot the Mark II at an instructor training class. I shot plenty of tricked out 10/22's and several Ansultz (including an Olympic - with about a 2oz trigger pull). No matter which tricked out 10/22 I shot, it still had a 10/22 trigger (even the ones with aftermarket triggers - still felt like a 10/22 trigger). They are fun and all for blasting, but for any target fun - the trigger is crap. Off a bag I have no doubt that the Ansultz are more accurate (I managed to stack one when sighting it in), but freehand I utterly loved that Mark II. I have no excuse to get one at the moment, but will probably risk the wife and try to sneak one into the safe by the end of summer (abet that space is tight since the wife just figured out I spent $600 on that last browning buckmark).

Posted: 6/17/2009 12:04:44 PM EDT

[#44]

a 10/22 is a great choice in my opinion, it has lots of options for it, go with a wood stock and it looks like a 'fudd friendly' gun, useful for introducing people to firearms, that you can later make look like an EBR with whatever crazy crap you want to throw on it. It also requires less maintenance than any other .22 my friends own including a leaver action, a bolt action and two (older model) Marlin's, but maybe they all suck at maintaining them...

the Marlin's I've shot shoot well, I just don't like their iron sights and internal tubular magazines (might be harder to reload for the young ones) and I never feel comfortable reaching towards the end of the barrel to reload it.

if you're not too worried about the aesthetics of an EBR, you could also consider a GSG5, if you plan to eventually get them into shooting other things, but there are probably better alternatives.

if you decide on a bolt action .22, you could use subsonic ammo that wont properly cycle in semi-autos, you barely even hear the action move.

Posted: 6/17/2009 12:21:32 PM EDT

[#45]

Hands down, get the 10/22.

Posted: 6/17/2009 12:23:57 PM EDT

[#46]

Walmart Special 10/22 with the 22" barrel and nicer stock.

Posted: 6/17/2009 12:29:18 PM EDT

[#47]

10/22
Spikes Tactical ST-22 .22LR Upper

I have both. The Spikes AR in .22LR sees far more use than the 10/22.

Posted: 6/17/2009 12:32:07 PM EDT

[#48]

Quoted:
10/22 would be my choice, or a Henry lever action.

there is your answer. I would add a Savage Mark II to the list also.

Posted: 6/17/2009 12:37:22 PM EDT

[#49]

In order of preference: Henry, Marlin 60, Ruger 10-22

Posted: 6/17/2009 12:42:06 PM EDT

[#50]

Rem 597 was about as inexpensive as it guys. 10/22s are a little nicer but I'm satisfied with my 597, especially considering I got it new-in-box at a Bass Pro for under $100.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - .22 LR Rifle Recommendations (Page 1 of 2)

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