Good first semi auto rifle?

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I always recommend a .22LR as a first rifle and the Ruger 10-22 is a good one to start with. I also prefer the Deluxe stock that doesn't have a barrel band...preferably, a bull barreled, Target model.

A person can learn to shoot well with an accurate .22LR, but more than that, it's still fun to shoot the .22LR, even after you've become more proficient. It's easy to add a scope, red dot sight or receiver sight on them, as your budget and expectations for accuracy and/or longer range develop.

Learning to shoot well takes time and a LOT of ammo... nothing is cheaper than .22lr ammo and a Ruger 10-22 feeds most .22 ammo well. I also like that a 10-22 can be upgraded as you advance. Like Picher said the 10-22 is a lot of fun to shoot... 30 years later I still love going out and shooting my 10-22... my daughter does too!

I have 9 semi auto rifles and not a single AR. Never wanted one and don't foresee ever owning one. I like brown rifles... not so much black rifles. I love my mini 14... it does have a more than passing resemblance to my M1 Garand... which is one of my favorites.

A Ruger PC9 is another great rifle which shoots cheap 9mm ammo. It is basically a scaled up 10-22 take down. If I had to choose between my 10-22 and my PC9... I would choose the 10-22 hands down... it wouldn't be a tough choice at all... even though I love shooting my PC9. I shoot my PC9 more often than I shoot my other non-10-22 semi auto rifles... it is fun AND cheap to shoot.
 
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New to wanting to own a gun also looking for a good first semi auto rifle for any where under 500$ not above though please. Wanting something fun to plink around with at a range. But also looking for something accurate & reliable. And also looking for something in a 22 Caliber. And also looking for something with a barrel length between 16' to 20" Inches. Thinking of a good AR-15 or something else any recommendations? Also have a good day everyone I'm new to the forums.
Cool thanks. Would you at least recommend AR-15 Chambered in 22 for a first? Also has anyone heard of the TC/22 Competition to the ruger 10-22? Also would y'all recommend the AR from tippmann arms?
First of all, welcome to THR! As you're a new shooter, I'm going to join those who have recommended a .22LR. Learning to shoot well takes time and rounds. There's nothing cheaper to shoot than .22LR. Right now, you can buy cases of .22LR for around 5 cents/round. The cheapest centerfire ammo that I've seen runs at least triple that. You could pick up a basic 10/22 and 5K rounds and still be under your $500 budget.

I looked at the TC/22, and it looks like a decent rifle. Thompson/Center has been around a long time, and AFAIK, they make pretty good guns. I don't have much experience with them, though. I do have experience (about 40 years) with one particular 10/22, and it's really one of my favorite guns. I haven't really tricked mine out. It's the basic carbine model that's had a trigger job and a scope put on. But I have a ball shooting it.

Let me also suggest that you consider a bolt-action .22. As much as I love my 10/22, if I were actually teaching someone to shoot, that's where I'd start. Making a new shooter slow down isn't a bad thing for learning the basics. The Ruger American Rimfire shares magazines with the 10/22, and I'm pretty fond of mine. There are also bolt action Savages, Marlins (I think?), and quite a few other makers that would probably suit your needs.
 
Let me also suggest that you consider a bolt-action .22. As much as I love my 10/22, if I were actually teaching someone to shoot, that's where I'd start. Making a new shooter slow down isn't a bad thing for learning the basics.
This where I’m at. I have an ultra accurate CZ bolt .22 with a nice scope. I had new shooters consistently hitting a 2” metal spinner at 100 yards

I have 3 AR’s, am 68 years old, Definitely not a Rambo wanna be. Semi-autos are great for turning money into noise. That’s the downside for a new shooter. And as noted, AR’s cost 3-5x more per shot

If you’re really set on a semi, you could do a lot worse than a 10/22, and you’ll most likely keep it a long time. I’d get decent (not Remington Thunderbolt) ammo and concentrate on making every shot count

In the end, there are literally hundreds or thousands of choices and there are many good ones and few wrong. It’s more about what pleases you

Welcome to the forum
 
First of all, welcome to THR! As you're a new shooter, I'm going to join those who have recommended a .22LR. Learning to shoot well takes time and rounds. There's nothing cheaper to shoot than .22LR. Right now, you can buy cases of .22LR for around 5 cents/round. The cheapest centerfire ammo that I've seen runs at least triple that. You could pick up a basic 10/22 and 5K rounds and still be under your $500 budget.

I looked at the TC/22, and it looks like a decent rifle. Thompson/Center has been around a long time, and AFAIK, they make pretty good guns. I don't have much experience with them, though. I do have experience (about 40 years) with one particular 10/22, and it's really one of my favorite guns. I haven't really tricked mine out. It's the basic carbine model that's had a trigger job and a scope put on. But I have a ball shooting it.

Let me also suggest that you consider a bolt-action .22. As much as I love my 10/22, if I were actually teaching someone to shoot, that's where I'd start. Making a new shooter slow down isn't a bad thing for learning the basics. The Ruger American Rimfire shares magazines with the 10/22, and I'm pretty fond of mine. There are also bolt action Savages, Marlins (I think?), and quite a few other makers that would probably suit your needs.
Good advice I'll have a look see on the Ruger American Rimfire & 10/22 and other 22's.
 
I am considering on trying out the marlin model 60 22lr as I have had a lot of ruger 10-22's but I am ready to try something else! my Walmart here has it for $157 and so i'm about to break to buy it!
 
One small bit of advice to OP regarding a first semi, I'd suggest a magazine-fed design rather than a tube. I feel it's safer because it's easier to unload and clear the weapon. If you do, get at least 3-5 mags, just in case you get a bad one. Good luck and happy shooting!
 
AR15 is the obvious candidate for an accurate centerfire .22 caliber. A Ruger Mini-14 is out of your price range.

Ruger 10/22 is a good candidate for a .22 LR.

And a Ruger PC Carbine in 9mm would be a great plinker, especially if you already have a Glock 9mm pistol.
 
One small bit of advice to OP regarding a first semi, I'd suggest a magazine-fed design rather than a tube. I feel it's safer because it's easier to unload and clear the weapon. If you do, get at least 3-5 mags, just in case you get a bad one. Good luck and happy shooting!

because before the all mighty 1022 came out people had more brains and did not shoot themselves when loading the gun.
 
I would suggest the Remington 597 if you are of larger stature. I love mine because it does not feel as diminutive as other 22s when I shoulder it. I am 6'5", so, obviously, YMMV.
 
because before the all mighty 1022 came out people had more brains and did not shoot themselves when loading the gun.
There's no need to get nasty, I was just offering the original poster my opinion. Nor do I recall telling him to choose this, that, or any other make or model weapon.

And I'm quite sure that people were just as smart or stupid back then as they are now regarding firearms safety. The only difference today is greater information available when someone does something wrong it's more widely reported than in the past.

In the end it is his decision as to what he ends up acquiring and only asked for recommendations from a community of people familiar with the sport.
 
My first 22.cal was a Bolt action JC Higgins. Every rifle I have shot, I learned from that gun. One shot, one kill. I have a number of High End 22.cal Pellet rifles, one shot (SPRINGERS) that I prefer over 22.cal power burners. I bought a MP AR15 22.cal and extra magazines about 7 months ago and it just sits in the New box. Just seem to have no interest in shooting it. Starting off, get a bolt action 22.cal or Single shot and learn to make one round (Precious). Savor the wind, the Sun, and the Harmony of youself getting into it all. Become on with the gun. Just to load up a semi auto IMO really does not teach you the most important things. What ever you do, do not start off just blasting away like so many do. I see to much of that now with Larger caliber AR's. Just seems reckless and a wanton waste of ammo.
 
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