.22lr rifle or pistol for a new shooter?

[CoyoteSix]

Hello again THR, I've got another newbie question for you!

So when I'm done paying for this semester's tuition I'm planning on buying some portable steel targets doing some plinking in the Idahoan BLM land 30 minutes from my home.

I plan on taking a couple friends of mine out shooting. We all work the same minimum wage job. One of them has been shooting with me for a while, the other has never been shooting before!

So THR, would you recommend a .22lr pistol or a Tapco special Ruger 10/22 for a new shooter? I've been wanting a Ruger 22/45, but I've also been wanting to partially make my 10/22 "Tacticool". (budget red dot, tapco stock, and some bananna mags ).

obviously I can't buy both Thanks again THR!

 

[Hardtarget]

Sounds like the gun is for you and you've been shooting for a while. So I will say you need both when all is said and done. however, you just need to look at where your most "fun time" will center. If its handgun then buy that first...or vice versa.

Not much help, am I?

Mark

 

[firesky101]

I had a 10/22 first, but i really enjoy plinking with a .22 pistol. So... I would order the 22/45 as I think they are one of the best deals going for a .22 autoloader right now, and keep your eyes peeled for a great deal on a used 10/22. Since you are planning on replacing things like the stock you might get a good deal on a cosmetically rough one.

 

[CoyoteSix]

@HardTarget. The gun is indeed for me and the friend is the excuse I'm giving myself to dump some money into something!

@Firesky, I already own a 10/22 that will undergo my mall ninja treatment. So modifying the gun I own is probably be cheaper than buying a new 22/45, which is my main argument against the 22/45. (Plus the rifle will help me work on my rifle marksman ship, just as the 22/45 would help me with my pistol work.)

The main thing I want to know is if a rifle or pistol will be easier for a new shooter to start on.

Something I've always thought of is if the newbie doesn't hit with the gun, and they get no positive feed back, they likely won't go shooting again.

Or am I just being silly?

 

[firesky101]

Ahh.. Well the 10/22 w/ red dot will be easier to make hits with for a newbie. Try to feel the tapco kit before installing it, I felt it was cheap and went with a houge overmolded.

 

[CoyoteSix]

I agree that it felt semi cheapy (had one for my M59/66). the telescoping stock is necessary (Newbie is smaller than me, and its nice to adjust for winter layers) and mounting options are nice. does allow me to mount a scout stlye scope on it if i decide to experiment.

and It just looks so sick to me!

 

[earplug]

10/22

Only because it will still be very usefull twenty years from now.
And new shooters can get excited and turn around with a firearm.

 

[SlowFuse]

I'd go with rifle for a new shooter.

Its generally easier to hit what you're aiming at because of the longer sight radius. Red dot should be ok if you're set on that. One thing I've experienced is that some people that haven't been around firearms much can be intimidated by pistols. That's varies obviously. In the end, you'll want one of each! Or 5... 22's are fun.

I usually start newbies on a Savage Mark II. If you already have the 10/22, that's a fine platform.

 

[mf-dif]

Im voting for rifle too. Its easier to get hooked because of the accuracy. Pistol shooting is not easy.

 

[Owen Sparks]

The rifle is also a lot easier on the ears.

 

[tactikel]

The rifle! It is easier for a new shooter to shoot accurately, and to have a positive experience. Once a new shooter can see they can hit the bullseye you will have a shooter for life. BTW rifles are much safer for a new shooter than pistols.

 

[TAKtical]

If you have $250-$300 for a 22/45, I would put that into your 10/22. You can build a very nice 10/22 with $300. Have you considered a scope and bipod for a 100 yard rifle? That would be my choice. If you are into the run and gun type shooting, look into nodak spud iron sights. You could easily afford the irons and the tapco stock. IMO that would be a better choice than taking a gamble on a cheap red dot.

 

[Steve C]

I would suggest a rifle as I've seen more serious safety violations with a handgun than a rifle, esp with new shooters. They get waving it around and not watching the muzzle, where they're pointing and who they sweep with the muzzle. Give a handgun to 99% of people who are unfamiliar with handguns and the first thing they do is put their finger on the trigger. A rifle is large enough they need to pay more attention to it. Just make sure to go over all the safety procedures 1'st, make them repeat them back to you until they get them all right and don't give them a loaded gun until you are sure they know what to do with it.

Make sure you explain how deadly any gun is, including a .22. You wouldn't believe how many idiots there are that think a .22 isn't dangerous because its small.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Rifle

 

[bannockburn]

For a new shooter I would opt for a rifle. Much more of a steadier platform to learn on.

 

[Sav .250]

Get the rifle!

 

[rcmodel]

Rifle.

For the reason Steve C posted in post #13.

rc

 

[22-rimfire]

Since you already own the Ruger 10/22, I'd get the 22/45 pistol. That will add a lot of variety to your group plinking sessions. Go with a bull barrel version. Do the mods later on the 10/22.

 

[ConstitutionCowboy]

Buy both and forget the tacticool stuff. You'll thank me in the end.

Woody

 

[USAF_Vet]

I say pistol as well. The tactical add ons will not make you a better rifle shooter.

 

[MedWheeler]

I bought my 10/22 in 1986, and left it essentially stock (except for a scope that went on it maybe after six months or so) until late last year. Then, I did the Tapco thing. I already had a functional banana mag for it, but the new Ruger BX25 mag looks and functions a lot better, so I got one of those. I don't own any centerfire rifles, so I have nothing to compare this too, but it is dang fun to shoot. I also have a Tapco sling on it.
Incidentally, the year after I bought the 10/22, I bought a Ruger Mk-II pistol, which was my second handgun. It's also fun to shoot, but almost "too easy".
I think you'd have more fun initially with the rifle/carbine, especially with the Tapco (or similar) setup, but you'll definitely be back for a pistol before long.