Question to firearm experts

[Steve Rozmiarek]

In terms of heavier -- does he mean the caliber or the rifle or pistol? I would also recommend a 22 to start. The Ruger 10/22 rifle is available with a heavy 1" bull barrel from the factory is is quite accurate. I had one made up by a gunsmith (Jim Clark) prior to the factory making them and it would shoot 10 shots at 50 yds into a dime. Of course a good bold action is excellent but can be pricey. The 22 pistol Ruger makes is also available with a bull barrel and is a good choice. If money is no object and you want the above with a really great trigger and barrel look at Clark Custom Guns website -- but they are pricey. Also if you're not familiar with firearms get some expert lessons so you are safe! If you start with heavier calibers and want to shoot a lot you will need to reload. Dillon is an excellent company for reloading equipment. The 22 is the best training weapon and no matter what else you get you'll always be happy to have a good 22.

I'll second the Clark recommendation. I have an older Clark Mauser in 220 Swift. That thing is absolutly the best rifle that I have ever shot. Not that it takes much really, but it will easily outshoot my capabilities. Pricey stuff though. A buddy of mine has a couple Cooper's, which are nice semi-custom rifles too. Cheaper than a full custom Clark.

[Bruce Shiverdecker]

Just my humble opinion, but:

For one of the best, semi-reasonably priced small bore target rifle, I suggest a Savage Anshutz bolt action, bull barrel, single shot, with Lyman sights. I have had one since 1960 and have pounded 6 penny nails with it at 50 ft. (I had very good eyes back then).
A descent price will about $750.00. Once you own one, you will love it.

As for a pistol, I would choose an S&W model 41 in .22 Cl.

Bruce

[David Drickhamer]

Lots of good advise out there and can't really disagree with any of it but still feel the need to add my 2 cents.

A 22 is a good chose for several reasons. Cheap to shoot making it easier to shoot lots more and develop the skills need to be proficient with the firearm. These skills, safe gun handling, sight alignment and trigger control, carry over to any other firearm.

Semi auto or revolver? Your choice. Both are good. Same with rifle. Bolt or semi auto?

My choice for an affordable handgun would be Ruger Mkll or Single action revolver or maybe something used. With the economy the way it is I don't think you'd have much trouble finding quality user.

Centerfire handgun, it depends what you want to use it for. 9MM or 38 SPL would be the most economical and are both good cartridges. Other choices are 40 S&W, 357 mag, 44 mag 45 ACP etc.

Rifle is the same way. Bolt, semi auto,etc. A good 22 rifle and affordable is a Ruger 10/22. Put a heavy barrel on it and you have something with some heft to it and can be used for target or plinking. I built a 10/22 that will out shoot my Anschutz that cost severat times more. Bolt action, I like CZ, Remington or Savage.

Centerfire rifle, again depends what you want it for. AR 15's are pricey but good guns. Brownells sells a sub caliper adapter that will convert the AR to a 22. I have one and love it. Practice with 22 then shoot 223. In a bolt action, as mentioned earlier, it's hard to beat a Savage. Not pretty but will shoot as well as Remington, Ruger or Winchester.

The main thing when buying a firearm is to get something you can afford, ammo is readily available and you can get out and shoot a lot and have fun with.

Don't forget hearing and eye protection and use a range with a safe back stop.

Have fun.
Dave

[Nick Abbott]

I don't really care for the Ruger 10/22 due to it's short length making it awkward to handle. However 22. caliber rimfire rifles are cheap to buy, fun and inexpensive to shoot. I personally am fond of .22 rimfire pump action rifles. I also always keep a Ruger single-six revolver with a 6" barrel around for entertaining plinking. It's been a fun hangun to own for the past 30 years or so.

If he wants a center fire rifle that is inexpensive to shoot look at the SKS. For a center fire handgun I would suggest a 4" revolver chambered for .357 magnum (I prefer Smith & Wesson) and would shoot .38 specials thru it.

[Michael Trivette]

I'm suprised.

People suggesting if 22 LR isnt enough go to things like 357 mag.

I love my 44 mag. it shoots 44 spc. as well.

But the first gun I recdomend to EVERYONE IS

The 22 magnum.
The 22 mag is alot more bang for buck than 22 LR
and the prices are still reasonable.

Everyone here is raving about the 17hmr. But I out shoot them with my old Marlin 22 mag.

Pistol wise there are many choices in 22 mag. as well.
If you get a revolver for the pistol option.
Many come with 22 LR cylinder and a 22 Mag. Cylinder alowing you to shoot either.

TRY THE 22 MAGNUM . I think you'll like it.
It's the best balance of
Power
Acuracy
and cost to shoot you can get.

However if big bangs are your thing, and money is no object.

Go with the Ruger Redhawk 44 Magnum Revolver.

[Burt Alcantara]

Best shooting gun I own and every shot is a Freedom Arms model 83 in 44mag.

[Ted Calver]

For big bang in a hand gun I like the .500 Smith and Wesson Magnum.

[David Epperson]

For big bang in a hand gun I like the .500 Smith and Wesson Magnum.

Other than being heavy and taking $2-$3 each time you want it to go WHOOM. (They don't go bang, they really thump - from 4 lanes over at the range. If you or anyone near has a pacemaker, be warned, you WILL feel it)

[Jerry Bruette]

Go pick up a T/C Contender then you can get any barrel you want, if T/C doesn't make a big enough thumper then go to an after market company and get one.

Anything's possible from 22RF to 45-70 and beyond. Oh ya and they're accurate like you wouldn't believe.

Jerry

[Paul Ryan]

Jerry makes a good point. I forgot about the thompson contenders. They have have sorts of barrels for them so you can shot all kinds of rounds to figure out what you really like. You want something the really goes whomp! Try a thompson contender pistol with a 45-70 barrel on it.

[David G Baker]

Does the Law Rocket Launcher count for the big bang? I fired one in the Army along with the 50 caliber machine gun, but was issued a M-14 and a 45.
I have the kids 22 plinker Mossberg single shot lever action LR that works for finishing of nasty critters that do damage around my place. Looking for a clip that fits but so far haven't had any luck. I am working on setting up a back ground for target practice that is made from a bunch of 8-10 foot logs and a lot of sand. I forgot how much I love the smell of gun powder

[Scott T Smith]

My uncle wants to buy a rifle and a handgun for target shooting and has asked me to do some research. So I am here to ask you all to make some recommendations. I am not sure how much he is looking to spend so let's not concentrate on the price.

Alex, there has been a lot of good advice offered on this string thus far. With respect to the handguns, I would offer the following advice.

First, determine what range of calibers are acceptable for the needs at hand. Is the firearm just for target shooting or will it potentially be used for self-defense? If the latter, other considerations apply. For semi-auto's, your three most realistic caliber choices are 9mm, .40, and .45 auto. If magazine capacity is a concern, you can usually find higher capacity mags for 9mm versus .45.

For revolvers, your most common choices are .38, .357 (and you can shoot 38's in most guns chambered for .357), and .44 magnum. One unique choice amongst the revolver are the "Judge" series from Taurus - they shoot either .45 long colt or .410 shotgun shells, and the recoil is manageable.

Second, is there a preference between a revolver or a semi-auto? The latter offer much greater ammunition capacity than the revolver, but are slightly more complicated and require greater hand strength in order to cycle the slide.

Third, and I personally feel that this is the most important - select a handgun that fits the shooter, as opposed to trying to make the shooter adapt to the gun. Every model of handgun is different, and the way that they fit into your hands is different. Find one that fits the best and where the "instinctive point of aim" is as close as possible to the "actual point of aim".

Another questions is related to if your uncle is considering participating in any competitive shooting events? If so, it would be beneficial to determine what classes that he may wish to compete it and then purchase something that is well suited for that class.

On the rifle choices, the first consideration is bolt action or semi-auto? Other than target shooting will the rifle be used for hunting, and if so what game?

Caliber will be influenced by the distances that you want to shoot, and how accurately. In general, higher velocity ammo will have a flatter trajectory, but for shooting at distances less than 100 meters everything is fairly close. AS with the pistols, semi-auto's offer significantly greater ammo capacity than bolt actions.

Another consideration is the weight of the rifle. Will it be carried long distances? If so, weight becomes a significant concern and a lighter, smaller caliber rifle may be more desireable.

Ruger's Mini-14 is an excellent value for a .223 caliber semi-auto rifle. The AR 15's are also great guns, with a lot of accessories available.

[Steve Rozmiarek]

Does the Law Rocket Launcher count for the big bang? I fired one in the Army along with the 50 caliber machine gun, but was issued a M-14 and a 45.
I have the kids 22 plinker Mossberg single shot lever action LR that works for finishing of nasty critters that do damage around my place. Looking for a clip that fits but so far haven't had any luck. I am working on setting up a back ground for target practice that is made from a bunch of 8-10 foot logs and a lot of sand. I forgot how much I love the smell of gun powder

David, how do you get a clip into a single shot rifle? I suppose it originally had a clip, and it's MIA. If so, you might have some luck with Midway. My brother found a long obsolete clip for an old Mossberg bolt action 22 in their stock. Might be worth a try!

[Al Willits]

Kinda like asking favorite car, so many different opinions and the hard part is finding which one fits the buyer.

Have him go shoot a bunch and see what he likes.
Ammo for some pistols is hard to find now, but give it time, and it'll get better.

Wife carry's a .380 or 9mm and finding ammo for either is tough right now, 38 and .357 isn't so bad here anyway.

fwiw

My favorites
Rifle
Ruger 10/22
Remington (I have several they all shoot well when matched to the right ammo)
Remington .223 VS

The .22's are the cheapest to shoot and don't invovle reloading.

Handguns

S&W model 41 tackdriver, but now spendy

S&W 625 Loaded for .45acp, fun gun to shoot

SVI Open gun in .38 super, not excatly a run of the mill gun, but very fun to shoot, reloading required unless you have accounts pay for it all.

S&W 686 in .357, I had the 8 in barrel, but I'd reccomend the 6" barrel, .38 is cheaper to shoot and there's always the .357 if ya want more power.

btw I've shot the .500, that is not a gun you'd spend the afternoon shooting though a couple hundred rounds, least nobody I know would.

Al

[Kent E. Matthew]

I really don't shoot rifles so I can't really comment. I have considered an AR myself. Handguns you have a much bigger choice to decide. Target, revolver, autoloader. I would recommend for this decision go to the local gun shop and fondle as many as they will let you. The feel of a handgun is very important. If it doesn't feel good in your hand it won't be fun to shoot. The very first time I put an HK USPf .45 in my hand that was it. I had to have one. It took a little time for me to get used to shooting a polymer pistol, but it shoots sweet. If polymers are not your thing I also have a Sig Sauer P228. Any Sig model is a very fine choice. I also have a Heckler and Koch P7. Not for everyone. You either love them or hate them. I will not part with mine. Obviously I'm in to autoloaders.