Can anyone suggest some good rifles?

[Danyel Ruiz]

I’ve never had a long gun before but I’m ready to dive in and make my first purchase. I’m hoping to find something that’s good for home defense and also enjoyable for recreational shooting. What should I consider?

 

[Maxman2]

Look at a Ruger camp rifle in 9MM, Or any of the ARs in .223. If just plinking a a Ruger 10/22 is a good place to start.

 

[Alpo]

This is a question that makes perfect sense to newbies, but actually it's very hard to helpfully answer.

If you have no experience with a rifle, you don't know what you like. They have single shots and they have repeaters. I have break open, rolling block, falling block, trapdoor, and martini. And that's just single shots. Got bolt action, pumps, lever action, automatics.

They all feel different, and they all work different.

One of the guns suggested in the post above was the AR. I figure if you asked 90% of the people in this country would tell you that an AR is a wonderful gun. I wanted one, desperately. Until I shot my brother's. In my opinion, Mr Stoner's plastic and aluminum toy is a piece of garbage. Possibly you would be one of the 10% that does not like them, and it would probably annoy you greatly to spend between $500 and $1,500 on a rifle and find out it's a piece of garbage.

What you need to do is find somebody that has a rifle that will let you shoot it a little bit. See if you like a pump. See if you like an automatic. See if you like a lever.

Guns are a lot like cars - "I'm a Ford man! You couldn't give me no damn Chevy!!"

It's the same thing. It's what you like, not what I like. My recommendation would be based on what I like.

 

[christak]

I agree with the previous response, but maybe consider a pistol caliber carbine. I have a couple in 9mm and they are great fun and inexpensive to shoot. There are quite a few at various price points...check them out. I have a CZ Scorpion Carbine and a cheap Keltec Sub2000 Gen 3. S&W has the FPC that seems to be a nice carbine.

 

[Lee7588]

If wanting something for home defense get a pistol, rifle is rather long to go around corners versus a pistol that can stay at your hip. Also most rifle rounds can over penetrate the walls. Not that pistols can't they are just less likely. If you're set on having a rifle for home defense, a pistol caliber carbine would be ideal. If you're wanting something for punching holes and paper, look at a small caliber with minimal recoil. It'll help you learn trigger control in your fundamentals first.

 

[Shooter308]

For AR Platforms Rock River in 5.56/223 and 9MM, Ruger 10-22 22LR and Ruger Precision 22LR, Savage 110 Series 308 Winchester, Buy decent scopes recommend 3 X 9-40 minimum. I like 5 X 25-50 personally.

 

[luvs2hunt62]

Are you located near Tampa Bay. If you are, I teach a class at the Wyoming Antelope Club and I'd be happy to let you try out a few of my rifles at the range.

 

[gonepostal10309]

If you have any friends with firearms, ask them to take you to the range so you can try before you buy. What someone recommends might not be right for you. If you think you know what you want, go to a gun range and rent. Most range officers will show you how to work it safely.

 

[Alan]

This is a question that makes perfect sense to newbies, but actually it's very hard to helpfully answer.

If you have no experience with a rifle, you don't know what you like. They have single shots and they have repeaters. I have break open, rolling block, falling block, trapdoor, and martini. And that's just single shots. Got bolt action, pumps, lever action, automatics.

They all feel different, and they all work different.

One of the guns suggested in the post above was the AR. I figure if you asked 90% of the people in this country would tell you that an AR is a wonderful gun. I wanted one, desperately. Until I shot my brother's. In my opinion, Mr Stoner's plastic and aluminum toy is a piece of garbage. Possibly you would be one of the 10% that does not like them, and it would probably annoy you greatly to spend between $500 and $1,500 on a rifle and find out it's a piece of garbage.

What you need to do is find somebody that has a rifle that will let you shoot it a little bit. See if you like a pump. See if you like an automatic. See if you like a lever.

Guns are a lot like cars - "I'm a Ford man! You couldn't give me no damn Chevy!!"

It's the same thing. It's what you like, not what I like. My recommendation would be based on what I like.

Great advice! Renting a few at the range first can save one from buying something that just doesn’t feel right later on.

 

[Shooter308]

I run 308 bolt actions for Deer Hunting. 5.56 AR15 for 3 Gun Matches or 9MM AR for USPSA Carbine Matches. Home Protection I run 9MM Pistol. Rifle Rounds will exit a home unless made or cement and block and pass through many layers for drywall.

 

[A-300 Dave]

I agree - A hard question to answer!! There are good rifles considering their low cost and there are good rifles considering their high cost. Also to be considered is the rifles purpose and that would influence the caliber selection, no matter the cost.
The Ruger American Gen 2 rifles are pretty accurate for the cost and it goes up from there. Would like a little more information, then maybe I could be more specific. Good luck.....

 

[ablediver]

I’ve never had a long gun before but I’m ready to dive in and make my first purchase. I’m hoping to find something that’s good for home defense and also enjoyable for recreational shooting. What should I consider?

I've got a Ruger 9mm PCC. Less than 500 rounds through it. Glock magwell. I can include some Glock mags. Very good condition. $400. North of Jacksonville.