What should my next gun be?

[Zeno]

I do not have a rifle. I really need to fill this gap in my firearm arsenal. I was thinking of getting a .22 caliber just for plunking, any recommendations on this front? Henry makes a classic style .22 that I have looked at on their website but it is expensive for a small caliber. Marlin makes some cheaper .22’s that may be good enough.

I also need to get an Assault Rifle. One with a monster clip of say 50 rounds, bayonet mount, grenade launcher capabilities, and with ammo that is NATO compatible. Any suggestions?

-Zeno

[slickpoppa]

I don't think Captain Harris will let you carry any of those, Tackleberry.

[NLSoldier]

I'd get the sniper or the rocket launcher. I guess it depends if you plan on attacking a single dude from a long distance or a few guys comin at you in a Jeep.

Wait...you are talking about Halo aren't you?

[wacki]

HK G36 or the
XM8 which is the transforming assualt rifle. It turns into a carbine, sniper, assualt.....


http://world.guns.ru/assault/xm8-s.jpg

and

http://world.guns.ru/assault/xm8-c.jpg

[Blarg]

22 calibre rifles are a lot of extremely inexpensive fun. You can shoot all day for next to nothing. I'd highly recommend one. Probably the most all-around useful rifle there is.

Marlin's are often very cheap. I'd recommend looking up gun reviews and seeing what they say about out of the box accuracy. A big part of the fun of a .22 is how accurate you can be -- it's not like you're going for awesome power.

I don't really know what's out there on the market these days, but I do remember I think it's Kimber that makes excellent, very accurate .22 rifles. They used to be extremely expensive and have a long waiting list, but I read an article on one of them a couple years ago and apparently they are also making much less costly models now that are still very good. One of those might be a very good investment.

If you like plinking, how about considering a .22 pistol, too? Ruger makes very popular and high quality .22 LR pistols. Some are specially designed as target pistols, but even their regular ones have an excellent reputation for accuracy and durability. And they come in all kinds of barrel lengths and thicknesses, etc.

Oh, what's that dang gun called too, I've always thought one would be a gas to own -- it's a pistol you can put barrels for rifle cartridges on, as well as pistol cartridges - single shot and very accurate. Probably gun nuts more current than I am could remember what those are. One of those, and a bunch of different barrels, would be fun for target shooting.

[mmbt0ne]

Black to Blue Alias Intimadator
Halo B with rip-drive
68/4500 Crossfire

[Ray Zee]

i used to love my remington nylon 66 22. they dont make them anymore i think but thats what i would want. but for plinking i would get one of the new pellet or 17cal guns. they shoot 1000fps or more and are just as accurate. but much less distance. and noise. i have the ruger pisol and its fine as well as an old browning challenger or medallion target pistol. and a small beretta bobcat 22. oh and a derringer 22 mag. oh and some other thing i cant remember what it is in 22.
for an assalt rifle unless you are a nut. a ruger mini 14 is the classic and still tops for anything other than all out war on the aliens curently infiltrating the world from spri- 83. you can have fun dressing the little doll up as you want from cabela's.

[jakethebake]

nm

[cardcounter0]

Ruger 10/22 is a great .22 rifle plinker.
I have a 50 round clip for mine, so it is actually a 50/22.

[Zeno]

I liked your suggestion:

Mini-14 (http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=1805&return=Y)

Mini-14 Ranch Rifle (http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=1835&return=Y)

Carbine (http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=4801&return=Y)

Mini-Thirty (http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=1844&return=Y)


I need to go check out some things at the local gun store, get some more info, look at all the dodads from my Cabelas Fall Master Catalog, and then make a choice.

Now, about the proper scope....

-Zeno

[Zeno]

OK - Sounds like an excellent recommedation.

Ruger 10/22 (http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=1115&return=Y)

Thanks.

I'll update as appropriate.

-Zeno

[Blarg]

Yeah the 10/22 really is a great rifle. Not the most accurate one out there, but a great overall rifle.

[Diplomat]

Not the prettiest thing either.

-Diplomat

[stabn]

It's fun though. I put a scope on mine and have a 25 shot clip. Good little can shootin rifle.

[Zeno]

Here is a great site to explore about some very worthwhile guns from around the world. Click on the list to the right for arms from many countries - even France!

'Assult Weapons' (http://www.world.guns.ru/smg/smg62-e.htm)

-Zeno

[jakethebake]

They're inexpensive and there are all kinds of silly accessories for them if you're inot that. Aside from the big mags, you can turn the thing into a mini assault rifle if you want...lol. /images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Slacker13]

My Colt AR-15 with competition barrel is damn fun to shoot.
I have no suggestions on the Grenade Launcher. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[cardcounter0]

The Ruger 10/22 is fun to shoot, and very relible for an auto. I'll excuse your gun opinion, since you are from Canada.

Zeno: You might want to have a clearer picture of what you want. The 10/22 is a .22 plinker, the Mini-14 has a huge BANG from the necked down .223 cartridge. Big Difference.

[knifeandfork]

thompson center is the single shot you speak of. high quality. marlin maeks great .22's but the difference you get for the price difference is worth it for a ruger,(great sentence structure there). depending on your intended use the ruger makes traditional looking 10/22's or you can go the flashy stainless and or composite route. wont find a better .22 for the price. 308 is nato compatible (ithink its 7.62 X39)and packs a lot of punch for the recoil. the larger caliber sometimes makes it much more expensive thatn the 223 (ar 15) styles. wheni was a youngin i used to like them guns....

[knifeandfork]

ditto on the 14 but go with the longer barrel (ithinkits 22inches). makes a world of difference.

[Zeno]

I'm getting a .22 and another bigger style rifle.

You can never have too many guns. /images/graemlins/grin.gif

-Zeno

[nef]

I would recommend a springfield armory M1A used or new.

Springfield M1A (http://www.springfield-armory.com/prod-rifles-m1a-stan.shtml)

Its basically the civilian version of the M14, semi-auto in .308. A bit pricey but a lot of fun. Could also be used as a deer rifle with scopes etc.

If you prefer the black rifles I recommend this:
Bushmaster M4 Type (http://www.bushmaster.com/shopping/weapons/bcwa3f14m4iz.asp)

I like the izzy flash supressor better than others I've fired, and this one just epitomizes an evil black rifle. I have one on order myself.

[Blarg]

[ QUOTE ]
thompson center is the single shot you speak of. high quality.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ah there we go, thanks! I read about those years ago and saw a guy shooting one once. Pretty cool just to swap out a barrel and get a whole different, and highly accurate, gun.

[wacki]

I change my vote to the mini-14 that gun is a classic.

[benfranklin]

The Ruger 10/22 is probably the most popular .22 rifle made, and has about a gadzillion after-market accessories and upgrades. It has a cult following who spend more on upgrades than they did on the gun. I don't have one, but if I ever get another .22, that will be it. I have a Marlin Model 60, which is also a great gun, and durable as a hockey puck. I bought the Marlin at Wal-Mart for about $125, including a decent little scope. Hard to beat that for fun.
Marlin 60 (http://www.galleryofguns.com/ShootingTimes/Articles/DisplayArticles.asp?ID=270)

For a larger caliber, the Mini-14, the Bushmaster AR-15 and the SAR-1 (civilian semi-auto version of the AK-47) are all fun. Another option is the M-1 Carbine.

M-1 Carbine (http://www.gunsandammomag.com/long_guns/m1_carbine/)

This is a really nice little weapon, and feels like owning a piece of history. There are several companies making new clones of this gun. If you are interested, forget the clones and shop the gun shows and shops for a "mix-master", one put together out of all GI parts, but from different guns. I got mine a few years ago for about $300.

[benfranklin]

[ QUOTE ]

If you like plinking, how about considering a .22 pistol, too? Ruger makes very popular and high quality .22 LR pistols. Some are specially designed as target pistols, but even their regular ones have an excellent reputation for accuracy and durability. And they come in all kinds of barrel lengths and thicknesses, etc.

[/ QUOTE ]

The Ruger Mk. II is a classic, over 50 years in production. Lots of fun to shoot, major pain to clean.

Mark II (http://www.bobsgunsok.com/MK2.htm)

The Ruger Single Six is also fun to shoot, and has an old West feel.

Single Six (http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger_Single-Six_50th.htm)

[Rooster71]

[ QUOTE ]
I do not have a rifle. I really need to fill this gap in my firearm arsenal. I was thinking of getting a .22 caliber just for plunking, any recommendations on this front? Henry makes a classic style .22 that I have looked at on their website but it is expensive for a small caliber. Marlin makes some cheaper .22’s that may be good enough.

I also need to get an Assault Rifle. One with a monster clip of say 50 rounds, bayonet mount, grenade launcher capabilities, and with ammo that is NATO compatible. Any suggestions?

-Zeno

[/ QUOTE ]
You don't have a .22 rifle? What do you plink with? My suggestion for you is the Browning that loads from the rear of the gun. I can't remember the model name, but it's been around for a helluva long time. Any gun shop can order one or you could find a good deal at gunbroker.com. Best I remember, they run around $400-500 which is alot for a .22. But it's damn well worth it. Mine is actually a Norinco, built off of the same patent. I bought it used for $125. Damn fine shooter, very accurate and it's never jammed on me. Don't follow the conventional wisdom and buy a Ruger 10/22. I've owned a Marlin .22, several Ruger .22's and a couple of Reminton .22's and the little Browning kicks all of their asses.

As far as the assault rifle, it just depends on what you want. Selection can vary greatly depending on where you are located. Or do you plan to buy off of the Internet?

[Rooster71]

[ QUOTE ]
The Ruger 10/22 is fun to shoot, and very relible for an auto. I'll excuse your gun opinion, since you are from Canada.

Zeno: You might want to have a clearer picture of what you want. The 10/22 is a .22 plinker, the Mini-14 has a huge BANG from the necked down .223 cartridge. Big Difference.

[/ QUOTE ]
I'd recommend the Mini-30 over the Mini-14, unless you feel you need the extra distance provided by the .223 round. I think the extra knock-down from a 7.62x39 outweighs the slightly less range you get when compared to a .223.

[Rooster71]

[ QUOTE ]
Oh, what's that dang gun called too, I've always thought one would be a gas to own -- it's a pistol you can put barrels for rifle cartridges on, as well as pistol cartridges - single shot and very accurate. Probably gun nuts more current than I am could remember what those are. One of those, and a bunch of different barrels, would be fun for target shooting.

[/ QUOTE ]
It's probably already been answered, but Thompson Contender is the name you're searching for.

[Rooster71]

[ QUOTE ]
and a small beretta bobcat 22. oh and a derringer 22 mag. oh and some other thing i cant remember what it is in 22.

[/ QUOTE ]
Beretta's Bobcat 22 is a great gun for a small 22. In a fit of stupidity, I traded mine for a Keltec 32. Next I'll trade up to a Tomcat 32. It's exactly the same as a Bobcat, only in a 32 cal.

[Rooster71]

http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=25927057

[Rooster71]

[ QUOTE ]
OK - Sounds like an excellent recommedation.

Ruger 10/22 (http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=1115&return=Y)

Thanks.

I'll update as appropriate.

-Zeno

[/ QUOTE ]
For your larger caliber rifle, I can't believe nobody here has recommended an SKS or an AK. Both have all sorts of gadgets you can buy, if you want. I prefer the SKS. I haven't looked at a Mini-14 or Mini-30 in years, but they used to all come from the factory with peep sights. I never could stand peep sights, you might like them though. Just something to keep in mind. I don't know what it costs to convert the peeps to open sites.

[Zeno]

Rooster (and all),

I purchased the Ruger 10/22 at a local gun store. Got it new for just under $200. I'll be plinking some today.

I'll probably go with a Ruger Mini-14 or Mini-30 for the the larger rifle. The local gun shop has a good selection and a number of models to choose from, including a police/military model with flash suppressor, bayonet mount, and intergal scope mounts. All are open sights. The guns with flash suppressors have the blade sights mounted further up the barrel - don't know if I like that or not.

Anyway, thanks to everyone for the input and good advice.

I won't be purchasing the Ruger Mini until after the first of the year. I'll make my final decision then.

-Zeno

[Rooster71]

[ QUOTE ]
Rooster (and all),

I purchased the Ruger 10/22 at a local gun store. Got it new for just under $200. I'll be plinking some today.

I'll probably go with a Ruger Mini-14 or Mini-30 for the the larger rifle. The local gun shop has a good selection and a number of models to choose from, including a police/military model with flash suppressor, bayonet mount, and intergal scope mounts. All are open sights. The guns with flash suppressors have the blade sights mounted further up the barrel - don't know if I like that or not.

Anyway, thanks to everyone for the input and good advice.

I won't be purchasing the Ruger Mini until after the first of the year. I'll make my final decision then.

-Zeno

[/ QUOTE ]
Keep us informed. I guess I got involved in the discussion too late. I am always looking to purchase a gun that "floats my boat" and I'm looking to get some new ideas.

Judging from the price you mentioned, I assume you purchased the wood stock (Walnut?). If this is a rifle you plan to keep for a really long time (and especially if you carry it with you alot), some sort of composite stock would be a good investment.

Just curious, what part of the country are you located? You are probably nowhere near Oklahoma, but if you are ever passing through that state they seem to have an overly abundant supply of SKS's (I have no idea why) that are priced better than anywhere else I've been. They won't sell handguns to out of state residents, but there's no problem when it comes to long guns.