What do you think my next purchase should be?

[BigBL87]

Thinking down the road on this one (gun budget is completely tapped out), but here's what I already have:

Mossberg 500 Field/Home combo
SAR EAA B6P
Savage Mark II FV
Crosman Vantage .177 air rifle


I'd love to get an AR or AK, but both are out of what I think I could convince the wife to spend on another gun (yes, she handles the budget). I'm thinking a semi auto 22lr rifle might round things out nicely, probably a Ruger 10/22 or Mossberg 702 if I have to go cheaper. FWIW, I don't hunt and buy mainly for the hobby and self defense.

 

[22-rimfire]

I think you are on the right track. A semi-auto 22 rifle would make sense and choose one that fits with your sport shooting tendancies. My favorite is the Marlin M60 for plinking and similar activities. Oddly enough, I don't even own one of these. Have probably a dozen or more 22 rifles already.

I personally would consider a centerfire handgun as well as a 22 handgun.

 

[BigBL87]

Ya, I'd love another handgun and I MAY be lucking my way into a "free" S&W .38 Special revolver but that's far from definite. One of the main reasons I was thinking a 22 is because I wouldn't have to buy any new calibers and the gun itself would be cheaper.

 

[MAKster]

The one large category you don't have is a center fire rifle. Everyone should have a semi auto rifle like an AR or AK. If they are too expensive you can look at bolt actions like the Savage Axis or Ruger American.

 

[vamo]

Depends on what you like, what you want to do with it and what the budget is.

I see a few options as far as rifles are concerned. Mosin Nagants are still going for about $150 last time I checked, they're fun and ammo does not cost an arm and leg they're but not particularly useful nowadays. An sks might be another option usually go for $100-200 less than the cheaper AK clones. Though the cheapest AK clones aren't bad guns themselves and can usually be had for $500ish. And I'm sure this sugesstion will get some hate, but I like hi-point carbines, and you can use the same ammo as your current handgun.

I'm not a hunter so I won't mention any specific hunting weapon, though there may be some lower end scoped rifles that would serve; I'm just not going to dispense advice on something I know so little about.

One thing I am seeing missing is a smaller carry gun. I don't know if you have a permit yet, but my experience is if your carry is too bulky you will leave it at home more often than not. There are acceptable pocket guns in the $200-$300 range.

Its a bit of an open question your asking I tried to throw out some of the more affordable guns that I felt filled a niche you didn't currently possess.

 

[MedWheeler]

I don't necessarily agree that "everyone should have a centerfire rifle" if their uses don't call for one; you say you don't hunt (yet!) I went without one for the first 28 years of my shooting hobby.

But, that has changed. Three days ago, I picked up a S&W M&P15 Sport, which I had placed on layaway a month earlier. Price was south of $600. Haven't shot it yet, though.

As others have said, you appear to be missing a small carry gun (you mentioned "self-defense"), though your BP6 can fill that duty under a lot of conditions.

A .22LR repeating rifle can indeed serve you well. The Ruger 10/22 is the longest-running piece in my collection, having been acquired in 1986. It, or the Marlin 60, can be had for well below $200.

A .22LR pistol could also serve as a good practice piece, and trainer for your wife, if she has an undeveloped interest. The Ruger SR-22 comes to mind, and it can also be pressed into carry service as well.

I also buy "for the hobby and self-defense". But, I have a thing for "budget" guns as well, and buying quite a few of sub-300 dollar pieces has let my collection build pretty well for being on a budget. Two that come to mind that were pleasant surprises in how well-satisfied I am with them are the Taurus PT-22 (used; purchased as a trainer and pocket-plinker) and the Heritage Rough Rider (.22LR and .22WMR cylinders included.) Both have done well. My wife likes the Taurus so far, though still isn't "into" guns; it's the one I leave out where she can get at it. The HRR is one slick-handling little two-bills gun. Hard to stop shooting it once I start, and it doesn't burn up a lot of ammo quickly like a semi-auto would!

 

[bannockburn]

I would go with a Ruger 10/22 if you're looking for a fun, versatile, and reliable .22 semi-auto rifle.

 

[wally]

No point in buying a .22lr if you can't find ammo for it at a decent price.

 

[BigBL87]

IMO, I think the 22 shortage is close to an end. I'm seeing 22lr being a little more available and 22 short has been lasting a few days at Wal Mart. I do have a brick of CCI SV for the time being. I actually bought the air rifle in part because of availabilty and cheapness of ammo.

 

[Deog]

Everyone should have a 10/22 and a shotgun, just saying.