Ok guys I am trying to decide what my next firearm purchase will be. Last few have been handguns, last being a Super Redhawk. I think I want a long gun this time. My wife bought me a copy of the 2010 gun digest and I happened upon the PCP Air rifles. These things look pretty cool shooting anywhere from 500 fps to 1400+ fps. Really like some of the AirForce ones Talon SS, Condor. Nice thing is cheap to shoot, can shoot in the backyard, highly upgradable etc. The next gun I have been considering is a Ruger 10-22, with target barrel, stock etc. Again lot of fun to shoot, accurate and inexpensive to shoot etc. Then there is the AR, well I am sure I don't need to explain all the great things about them. Price on the guns are all in the same range, the 10-22 is obviously cheaper until you add the upgrades. I realize the choice comes down to mostly what I will use more, but I was hoping that some of you with two or all three of these types of rifles could give some insight to what you find the most enjoyable to shoot and what you find yourself shooting more often.
Next Rifle, Air, 10-22 or AR
- Thread starter Bull_frog
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cat_IT_guy
Member
you sir, have a problem 
All of the above sound like fun.....guess I cant say which you should get though unless we know what you already have.
All of the above sound like fun.....guess I cant say which you should get though unless we know what you already have.
raindog
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The only reason to buy a 10/22 is if you enjoy tinkering and doing personal builds. Granted, it would be fun to buy a 10/22, a stock, a barrel, trigger, etc., but the cost is outrageous: $150 for the 10/22, $100ish for the stock, $150ish at best for the barrel (and they can be a lot more), $100+ for a trigger (Kidds are more like $300) - you're at $500 and that doesn't include lots of little other things.
On the other hand, for $250 or so, you can buy a Savage Mark II bolt-action .22LR, which comes with a heavy barrel (free floated) and a match trigger, and get fantastic accuracy out of the box.
Hey, if you like tinkering and the 10/22 project sounds fun - by all means. It's not like most rifles are practical buys anyway ;-)
IF I was going to buy an AR, I'd build it up from a stripped lower receiver. If you have the tinkering bug, the end result is probably more worthwhile than a tricked-out 10/22.
Just my opinion.
On the other hand, for $250 or so, you can buy a Savage Mark II bolt-action .22LR, which comes with a heavy barrel (free floated) and a match trigger, and get fantastic accuracy out of the box.
Hey, if you like tinkering and the 10/22 project sounds fun - by all means. It's not like most rifles are practical buys anyway ;-)
IF I was going to buy an AR, I'd build it up from a stripped lower receiver. If you have the tinkering bug, the end result is probably more worthwhile than a tricked-out 10/22.
Just my opinion.
Having just bought a stripped lower, I'm biased. For a project that gets you in depth with the next craze, building an AR is where it's at. Since the AR platform allows building various dedicated uppers, you can have a great lower with expensive trigger and stock and get to shoot it all the time - in different calibers at different situations. A 20+ 6.5 for long distance, a 18" 6.8 for hunting, a 16" 5.56 for tactical or three gun, a .22 upper for plinking, etc.
It really cuts into the "All THOSE guns" comment you might sometimes hear. And then she might like to come along, which means building her very own lower, and peace reigns.
The AR has the most options and versatility. The others are nice, just can't do anything else.
It really cuts into the "All THOSE guns" comment you might sometimes hear. And then she might like to come along, which means building her very own lower, and peace reigns.
The AR has the most options and versatility. The others are nice, just can't do anything else.
Good answers so far. Air guns are fun but I like a bigger BANG for my buck.
Every man needs an AR. Start with a 223 upper, 16" light barrel for the range/hunting. Then get a 458 Socom upper just to say you have one.
I dont like 22 uppers for ar's. I built a 10/22 with a tactical solutions barrel and hogue stock for $400 bucks. Its way lighter than an AR and its super easy to clean. I have not shot one of these new AR lookalike 22's that I see alot now. They might be worth looking at for a 22 plinker. Also that GSG-5 (mp5 lookalike) in 22 looks pretty fun too. Both are about the price of a semi-tricked out ruger.
So in short you will "need" both. AR first.
Every man needs an AR. Start with a 223 upper, 16" light barrel for the range/hunting. Then get a 458 Socom upper just to say you have one.
I dont like 22 uppers for ar's. I built a 10/22 with a tactical solutions barrel and hogue stock for $400 bucks. Its way lighter than an AR and its super easy to clean. I have not shot one of these new AR lookalike 22's that I see alot now. They might be worth looking at for a 22 plinker. Also that GSG-5 (mp5 lookalike) in 22 looks pretty fun too. Both are about the price of a semi-tricked out ruger.
So in short you will "need" both. AR first.
I know, I know everybody needs an AR. I was looking at building one for a while and then everything went crazy and you couldn't find AR's, Lowers, parts or anything. I'm going to take your advice and start looking at building an AR again. I want to set it up with a heavy varmint barrel. I think my son needs a 10-22 for Christmas to start shooting with, dad might just have to shoot it a bit and add a few things, honey I swear he really needs one. Ha Ha.
stchman
Member
Everyone should have a 10/22.
@raindog let me help you with those numbers...
$199 for stainless 10/22 with synthetic stock, replace the trigger group with a $80 "plinker special" from www.hornetproducts.com, $9 for polymer bolt buffer.
Stick with the stock barrel at first, then upgrade to a Green Mtn barrel for about $110 later on *if* you need to. I'd also recommend you think about the TechSights peep sights... way better than the stock open sights.
$199 for stainless 10/22 with synthetic stock, replace the trigger group with a $80 "plinker special" from www.hornetproducts.com, $9 for polymer bolt buffer.
Stick with the stock barrel at first, then upgrade to a Green Mtn barrel for about $110 later on *if* you need to. I'd also recommend you think about the TechSights peep sights... way better than the stock open sights.
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well, here is how I did my 10/22
Bought it used, $150 bucks
bought a barrel $120
Stock $129
And I did the trigger job myself <super easy. like rediculous easy.>
so we are up to $399
Now I sold the old stock for $40, and the old barrel for $85
so $274.
Do I feel like that was worth it? Yup. Does it shoot like a dream? yup.
Bought it used, $150 bucks
bought a barrel $120
Stock $129
And I did the trigger job myself <super easy. like rediculous easy.>
so we are up to $399
Now I sold the old stock for $40, and the old barrel for $85
so $274.
Do I feel like that was worth it? Yup. Does it shoot like a dream? yup.
alfack
Member
I like the PCPs. I can shoot starlings in the back yard and nobody is the wiser. You have to get one with a nice shroud though, like a Marauder or an S410.
Of course, I like the powder burners too, but can't shoot them as often.
Of course, I like the powder burners too, but can't shoot them as often.
chevyforlife21
Member
get the ar or 10/22. if you want an air gun get a 50 dollar 1000 fps one from walmart later.
rangerruck
Member
if you are not yet into airguns, you don't know what you are missing, even just 1 cock / spring piston/ gas-spring designs. totally fun, and when you go downrange, at most it is 25 yds!!!!
Plus this; a nice expensive, tin of 500 or more rounds of good pellet ammo?
usually 5 to 7 bucks.
Plus this; a nice expensive, tin of 500 or more rounds of good pellet ammo?
usually 5 to 7 bucks.
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