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first gun?

number77number77 Member Posts: 8 ✭✭
edited August 2003 in General Discussion
what is good first rifle to own. i was looking at the m14, mini-14, garand, and romanian ak. i know $250 won't get you too much. but what do you guys recommend for someting in that price range?
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Comments

  • elect1mikeelect1mike Member Posts: 4,585 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    All of them you listed are ok but also look at a mauser sporterized in 30 06 or 270 both should be in your price range and both would make a fine first gun

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    col elect1mike Illinois
    volinters RRG
    O give me a home where no democrats roam
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  • Horse Plains DrifterHorse Plains Drifter Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 40,234 ***** Forums Admin
    edited November -1
    If I was to own a first gun or an only gun it would be a bolt action .30-06. My first one was.

    81st FA BN WWII...Thanks Dad
    U!S!A! ALL THE WAY!!
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  • trooperchintrooperchin Member Posts: 2,632 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    How about a russian m91/30? Aim has them for around 90-125. With that much money saved you could buy plenty of ammo. Pus youve got a great piece of history!

    d852d797.jpg

    Go Army Beat Navy
    IF you wanna have fun join the cavalry
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  • bk0331bk0331 Member Posts: 525 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sounds like you are looking at military rifles. The only one in that price range (if you found a good deal) would be an AK. You might try an SKS, Mauser, or Mosin-Nagant, all to be had for under $200. Good luck.

    "We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence onto those who would do us harm." -George Orwell
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  • stanmanstanman Member Posts: 3,052
    edited November -1
    This is quite obviously not the direction you're headed but you asked the question.
    None of the firearms you listed would make a gook first gun, in my humble opinion.
    I would instead recommend a single shot .22 rimfire with open sights.
    But then I'm old school and grew up in a time when learning to handle and shoot a firearm was something to be taken VERY seriously.
    In those days you were expected to master the basics of shooting before you were even allowed to pick up a centerfire rifle such as the ones you listed.

    Like I said,,,, old school.

    I'm advised by some of the members here that these days you MUST provide a new shooter with some worthless hot-rod cartridge such as the .17 Bummer if you expect the new shooter to stay interested.[}:)]

    Edit: By the way #77, WELCOME ABOARD GB!
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  • old single shotsold single shots Member Posts: 3,594
    edited November -1
    Stanman--I went to the same school.I agree.
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  • bmbuzlrbmbuzlr Member Posts: 667 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Can't go wrong with a Winchester 94 30-30

    "The Tree of Liberty must be watered by the blood of tyrants."
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  • BurningDailyBurningDaily Member Posts: 271 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Number77-- Welcome to the board man! Don't be a stranger. Its a great community around here. Lotsa friends to be made. Anyway, i dont know about a great first gun to own as all I have gotten around to buying is an air rifle. But, for my first gun, i was going to buy a 30-.06 or something. I may even have to go for a ruger 10-.22 as i probably wont have enough money for a deer rifle. Anyway, your choice.
    -bd
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  • 0311marine0311marine Member Posts: 3,233
    edited November -1
    go with a .22 then move up to a higher caliber,that way you wont antisapate the recoil and jerk the trigger,

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    SEMPER FI
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  • ElMuertoMonkeyElMuertoMonkey Member Posts: 12,898
    edited November -1
    If you're looking to spend not-a-whole-lot, may I recommend getting an SKS? They're cheap, east to maintain, reliable, and fairly easy to find. Norincos are pretty good. Just stay away from the AK-mag converted ones. Those have a tendency to jam.
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  • longhunterlonghunter Member Posts: 3,242
    edited November -1
    I agree,an sks is tough to beat for the money....and when you move up to something else..you can sell it ,or do like I did and stuff it away someplace.They don't go bad,they shoot good and if your state will let you use it,it WILL take a deer with hunting ammo.Just my 2...L.H.
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  • 22WRF22WRF Member Posts: 3,385
    edited November -1
    SKS first rifle. I wouldn't think so.
    They are tricky just to properly clean.

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    The safest place to be in a hurricane is where forecasters say it will be in three days.
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  • longhunterlonghunter Member Posts: 3,242
    edited November -1
    You really think so?I didn't find them tough...then again I was along in a few years before I got mine......
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  • royc38royc38 Member Posts: 2,235 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you have never owned a rifle before start with a .22. You just can't go wrong. They are well made, cheap to shoot, recoil is very very very minimal, accurate and just plain fun to shoot. You start with the basics and then work up. For the money I can't think of a better cheap gun than a good SKS or Enfield 303 bolt action. When[8D] you are ready after shooting the .22 they will be there waiting for you.
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  • Nomad00Nomad00 Member Posts: 306 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My first was a 7mm and then a 30-06 bolt action(s). But to go along with your type examples, I would look at a Cetme. They are under $300, .308 fun and (mine) shoots better than my SKS, AK and MAC90. Out of your choices I would take the Romanian AK or the Mini-14.

    420
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  • number77number77 Member Posts: 8 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    thanks for the input guys i had no idea this board was this active. i wanted something a military type of weapon because i was thinking about joining, not sure though. i think now that i will just get a 10 22. the thing that had me worried the most was how much a bigger rifle will kick and if i hold it properly. so i think the 22 is the safest bet, thanks again[:)]
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  • MarksmenMarksmen Member Posts: 689 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Im 17 and if can handle a .50 BMG(ive shot about 5 rounds once) you can handle a .308 30.06, etc. .22 are fun, but having recoil is even funner! To me at least. Try and find a good bolt action with scope in at least a .243.
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  • ww2guncollectorww2guncollector Member Posts: 35 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    my first gun was the mauser k98 dated 1939 and nazi marked.several years ago a went to a ww2 reenactment and thought "damn that looks like fun" so i joined.Now as a senior member of the unit, I always have people coming up to me asking to join.Many of these people are first time gun owners like I was.There for adding to the ranks off the pro gun lobby.

    there is strength in numbers.
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  • MarksmenMarksmen Member Posts: 689 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The "secret" to find the right way to hold a rifle is stick your arm striaght out to the side, and bring your elbow in. Where your fingers touch is about where you should place the buttstock. You should be able to feel a grove right below your collar bone, thats where you put it. Lean a little foward when you shoot.
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  • mark christianmark christian Member Posts: 24,443 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    For the money that you have available I'd take a good look at some variation of the Mosin Nagant M44 carbine. These are fast handling little rifles, are military looking (which I know that you like) with their folding bayonet, and ammunition for them is dirt cheap these days. I own Russian, Polish, and Hungarian versions and like them all very much. If you must have an centerfire semiauto then the SKS is probably the only choice in your price range; a Mini 14, commercial M1 carbine, or CMP purchased M1 Service Rifle (Garand) will run about double your current firearms budget.

    Mark T. Christian
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