Please give me recommendations for cheap .22 LR training rifles...

[Mulliga]

Okay...I'm going to try to start up a shooting club at my school (University of Florida), and I need some recommendations for cheap, decent .22 LR rifles for people to shoot. It can be semi, bolt, lever, pump, single shot, break open - doesn't matter (I'll probably aim for one of each action type).

Some caveats:

1. MUST be available from Wal-Mart. That excludes anything milsurp or custom. Wal-Mart doesn't have a firearms catalog online, but they carry most of the major rifles from the major manufacturers : Remington, Browning, Ruger, etc. They also carry smaller manufacturers like Henry, NEF, and some foreign brands (Howa, Tikka). If you want the complete list of firearms they carry, you'll have to look in a catalog in their store - sorry.

2. Must be as cheap as humanly possible (i.e., less than or about 100 bucks). I'll probably use whatever money I can get from student government plus whatever dues we charge, so the cheaper, the better.

3. Must have half-decent accuracy and be somewhat reliable.

I know these are strict conditions. But does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

 

[WhiteKnight]

You could look at the Savage Mark II series of rifles, as well as perhaps springing for a little more expensive Marlin 25 (much better quality IMHO). You could even talk to the Walmart manager and see if he would be willing to make a price break or a monetary contribution once he sees what you're trying to accomplish.

HTH

 

[Slimjim]

Pay the extra cash and get a 10/22, its available at walmart, atleast the ones around here. And it'll run you around 200 probly, but its worth it.

The 10/22 is the only .22 rifle you'll ever need.

I mean, for them all to shoot, its the easiest to learn really.
Also, parts are everywhere. And you do get what you pay for.

 

[WhiteKnight]

Pay the extra cash and get a 10/22, its available at walmart, atleast the ones around here. And it'll run you around 200 probly, but its worth it.

A Ruger 10/22 is definitely not a good choice for Mulliga's intended application. It should NOT, and let me repeat NOT cost you $200. At the local Wally World it's only $159 for the blued, and $189 for the stainless.

1) More expensive than he wants to spend.
2) It needs a lot of tweaking to shoot well. Bone stock 10/22s aren't accurate in the slighest, and a lower cost bolt gun (like I mentioned before...marlin model 25) will best a stock 10/22 any day of the week. New VQ hammer at the least, which totaling over $200 already...
3) The 10/22 is a semi-auto, which is NOT something new shooters need to learn on. Especially beginning shooters who are going to try for best accuracy .... A semi-auto is about the worst thing for a new shooter to attempt marksmanship with.

The 10/22 is the only .22 rifle you'll ever need.

I won't even address this...

I mean, for them all to shoot, its the easiest to learn really.

What?! A 10/22 is "the easiest to learn, really" ?????? What in the heck are you talking about. Well then it suprises me more of them aren't shot by beginning shooters in matches...

Also, parts are everywhere.

Yes, you're right. For the first time in your entire post. And like I previously said, Mulliga says, and I quote

Must be as cheap as humanly possible....the cheaper, the better

He doesn't want to spend hundreds on a better barrel, trigger, or other aftermarket parts!

And you do get what you pay for.

You are completely correct for the second time! However, the 10/22 in the entirely stock configuration is NOT a good deal. Don't get me wrong, I love 10/22s and I have nearly a thousand dollars invested in my own, but for Mulliga's intended use and the populace that will use the gun, the 10/22 is NOT a good choice. For an individual who plans to sink hundreds into new parts, it's a ton of fun! But for someone trying to start a club with people who may have not ever shot a gun in their entire life, there are much better choices.

 

[Harry Tuttle]

what about the CMP air rifle trainers?

CMP JUNIOR AIR RIFLE PURCHASE PROGRAM
http://www.odcmp.com/Programs/JrAirRifles.htm

The Junior Air Rifle Purchase Program is a CMP program in which schools, junior clubs, teams and camps can purchase precision and sporter rifles for junior target training and competition._ These rifles are eligible for a payment plan allowing the purchaser to distribute payments over a two-year span.

they also do 22lrs:
http://www.odcmp.com/Services/Rifles/caliber22.htm

 

[Mulliga]

Air rifles would be okay, I guess, but the tendency is for people to think of them as "BB guns" and not give them the proper respect. Part of the club's mission will be to teach firearm safety - a .22 rifle can kill someone easily, so it really makes people respect the firearm and not play around.

I prefer .22 LR because:

1. It's cheap
2. It's louder than .22 short (not loud enough to be intimidating, but loud enough to make the shooter more aware of his or her muzzle)
3. It can be used for hunting squirrels and rabbits
4. It's cheap

The CMP isn't selling any .22 rifles besides the $600 Kimber, which is WAY outta my price range. I'm dealing with the tightly clenched fist of student government, here .

 

[Bruce H]

Does anybody know of a source for Romanian .22 trainers? These would be perfect for Mulliga's needs.

 

[Mulliga]

MUST be available from Wal-Mart. That excludes anything milsurp or custom.

Does anybody know of a source for Romanian .22 trainers? These would be perfect for Mulliga's needs.

All the FFLs around my area charge an arm and a leg for almost anything, and I'm way too young to get a C&R license (I'm 19 years old).

Not to mention this is a very anti-gun environment; it'll be hard enough getting this through the Office of Student Activities - imagine if I tell them we'll be using guns imported from Romania...

I think it'll be best to stick to new rifles from Wally World.

 

[ojibweindian]

The Savage bolt .22lr's are about the best thing going, given your criteria. If you are able to go a wee bit above that $100 limit, I'd suggest a semi-auto Remington 597. They go for around $135 at Wal-Mart.

 

[MAURICE]

Marlin Model 60.
Wal-Mart here sells them for 106 bucks,IIRC. and you can catch them on special occasionally for less than 100 bucks. Cheap, accurate, reliable. Good guns.

 

[seeker_two]

If we're talking about beginning shooters, I'd be more inclined to go with single-shot rifles like the NEF's, Rossi's or Savage/Stevens Favorites.

1. Easy for beginners to manipulate & make safe (no magazine or floorplate to fool with).

2. Can use different .22 rimfire ammo for different purposes (Shorts, CB's, standard velocity, high velocity) w/o affecting function.

3. Makes shooters slow down to aim & concentrate on the fundamentals.

4. Usually smaller & lighter than magazine repeaters. Good for smaller shooters.

5. Much cheaper than bolt or semi-auto repeaters.

IIWY, I'd buy single-shot rifles & invest in some good quality (but inexpensive) red-dot scopes. They will help new shooters acheive early success, and that will keep them in the game long enough to learn the other skills like using iron sights.

Good luck on your endeavor!!!

 

[Rupestris]

Marlin Model 60.Wal-Mart here sells them for 106 bucks,IIRC. and you can catch them on special occasionally for less than 100 bucks. Cheap, accurate, reliable. Good guns.

I'll second the Model 60. They are always on sale for $99 somewhere. WalMart or one of the major sporting goods chains.

 

[son of a gun]

Why does it have to be bought from Wal-mart ? That really restricts your choices. You could approach the NRA about starting a club for beginners thats there main purpose, promoting safe shooting may be they could assist in finding cheap reliable guns.

 

[Wedge]

1) You CAN check to see what Wal-Mart carries online! You have to be a little sneaky about it. go to http://www.walmart.com/promos/2003_Walmart_Kiosk.pdf to download what they carry or can order. You can find that on the Wal-Mart website youself if you type "firearms" into the search box.

2) I would go with one of the Savage bolt action .22's. Unfortunately it looks like the only single shot that they have is a youth model, but the 5 shot models are all around $120, a little more than you wanted to spend I know. Part of the pleasure of shooting for me has always been working the bolt on a rifle...call me crazy but I bet that the members of the club will enjoy shooting a bolt action more than a break action.

When you get the funds invest in some very nice micrometer adjustable peep sights...

Good luck!

 

[Mulliga]

Why does it have to be bought from Wal-mart ? That really restricts your choices. You could approach the NRA about starting a club for beginners thats there main purpose, promoting safe shooting may be they could assist in finding cheap reliable guns.

To receive any help from the NRA, I suspect I'd have to affiliate our club with them, correct? But affiliation requires at least three officers with NRA memberships, something I don't have. And it also requires 5 adult members over 21, something I also don't have.

Wal-Mart is the cheapest place to get firearms in my area. Every single other gun shop/sporting goods store is more expensive.

1) You CAN check to see what Wal-Mart carries online! You have to be a little sneaky about it

This appears to be an incomplete catalog. No Remington firearms, for example.

 

[c_yeager]

If you are able to go a wee bit above that $100 limit, I'd suggest a semi-auto Remington 597. They go for around $135 at Wal-Mart.

I have a 597 and i love it. But, i wouldnt recomend it for a junior team. For teaching new people to shoot i HIGHLY recomend doing all the positions and teaching how to properly use a sling. 597's regrettably lack sling attachments.

 

[rust collector]

The CZ 452 rifle in the low end, beech stock version has good sights and would make a good beginner gun. About 190 a copy, however, and getting hard to find. J&G also had some used Brno rifles.

Have you tried connecting with local small-bore shooters? There may be a junior club in the community with target rifles sitting around that NRA or DCM helped them buy. Cooperating with such a club would get you much better hardware, set up and stored, and may connect you with some terrific experience and instruction as well. Don't re-invent the wheel if you can help it.

Good luck.

 

[otomik]

go with a daisy air rifle. it's much more likely to get by anti-gun college administrators and it help the beginners to slow down and take their time. hopefully once they develope an interest you can just let them bring in their own guns.

 

[mixtli]

Hopefully helpful

I've been doing my own research on cheap training rifles and have found a good place, http://southernohiogun.com/surplus_rifles.html towards the bottom is a .22lr training rifle for $60. They even give a $10 price break if you order 5 or more. A friend and I are going to college in DC and want to find a place nearby to target practice. We can't decide on whether to get a pistol or a rifle. Which would you advocate to learn on? Should I learn the pistol first or vice versa, or does it even matter? Thanks for any advice, and I hope the site helps, I might be buying from there too.

 

[Tropical Z]

Go straight to Savage.Trust me.

www.savagearms.com

 

[boogalou]

If you decide to go sem-auto the Marlin 60 would be the best choice. Cost around $100 at Wally World and they shoot fine for a beginner.

If you think a bolt action is better I would go with the Savage although they have crappy triggers.

The Romainian trainers are the cheapest .22 around right now but Wal-Mart doesn't sell them and they are hit & miss on reliablility.

 

[Mulliga]

Should I learn the pistol first or vice versa, or does it even matter? Thanks for any advice, and I hope the site helps, I might be buying from there too.

I think most people would agree it's more difficult to shoot a pistol accurately than a rifle, simple because pistols aren't designed to be that accurate - they're designed for CQB. The weapon is less supported, the sights wobble more, and the triggers on most (non-target) pistols are heavier than the average medium price hunting rifle.

SOG has decent prices, but i can't order from them as I have no C&R license and no one within 25 miles will do transfers (yes, I checked my local FFLs).