Choosing which firearm to buy.

[Loafing Smurf]

I put some thought into it, and I'm interested to take up marksmanship this summer.

My primary interest is in long range shooting. I Want to start with a M-14, and if I get better I'd buy a Remington 700.

The plan is to buy an M-14 manufactured by Norinco. It is the cheapest M-14 available ($400). Although, I've read that

[ozzy72]

I'd start with a .22 'cos the ammo is cheap and that way you can brush up your skills. Then look at what you really want out of your shooting.
Personally I'm a pistol person and have a couple of nice pieces both .22 and 9mm. If I want to go out and play with rifles then my father-in-law (who is a collector) and I can play with everything from his WWI German snipers rifle (can't remember the name) to his AK-47 for those days when the water melon is asking to have its green rind kicked

[Woodlouse2002]

Personally I'm a pistol person and have a couple of nice pieces both .22 and 9mm. If I want to go out and play with rifles then my father-in-law (who is a collector) and I can play with everything from his WWI German snipers rifle (can't remember the name) to his AK-47 for those days when the water melon is asking to have its green rind kicked

The German WWI Snipers rifle will be a Mauser 98 or a varient of.

Loafing Smurf, if you're interested in long range shooting then you don't want an M14. You want a bolt action rifle of a caliber greater than .22. I would say a .30 or a 7.62. So, either a Springfield 1903 or a Ruger M77.

[Mobius]

I'd guess the only difference between the 9mm and the .45 is the size.  The .45 is a bigger gun, with more expensive ammo, but more powerful.  It depends on what you want to use it for, if you want a handgun just for sport shooting, I'd say go with the 9mm, if you want one as a bear-gun or something, go with the .45.

[RichieB16]

If you want to begin shooting (which is a great hobby by the way, I have done it for years), I would suggest something other than a .308 due to the cost.

[BAW0343]

As far as guns im not the best person to ask, however my dad owns some  (one is mine tho) He has a 9mm for household protection and fun shooting, a Blackpowder, i dont rember type, and for a rifle we have a Soviet Mosin-Nagant M91/30 7.62 mm (mine)  its a WW1 russian sniper rifle. I havent fired it yet beacuse we dont know of any ranges near by. Also my dad wants me to test fire it scince we bought it for $75 and we had to clean it ourselves so hes not shure about the safty of it. Its a nice looking rifle, missing the front sight but still.  I think its a nice rifle, am looking forward to shooting it but still nervous about its safety.  anyway i think it would be a good idea to start with a .22, then move up from there.

[ChuckMajik]

I've never been one to tell people what they should and shouldn't buy.
But in this case I'd say go with the Norc M14(M-305), and it's hit or miss with their Sig series.

While the quality of the M-305 won't be quite as good as the Springfield,
virtually all Springfield M14/M1A parts are fully compatable.
So you can can pretty much have a Spring. M14 for less than actually out right buying one.
As for their Sigs, I've heard mixed reviews about them. Some swear by them, while others throw them out.
Better safe than mamed.

I havent fired it yet beacuse we dont know of any ranges near by. Also my dad wants me to test fire it scince we bought it for $75 and we had to clean it ourselves so hes not shure about the safty of it. Its a nice looking rifle, missing the front sight but still.  I think its a nice rifle, am looking forward to shooting it but still nervous about its safety.

Take it to a qualified gunsmith and have him/her give it a once over to make sure it is safe to fire.
Better safe than maimed.

[commoner]

...My opinons on the owning and use of firearms for ANY purpose may or may not be known to you guys.....in a nutshell I hate anthing to do with the things. Still, live and let live..each to his own.......so might I suggest this little item as a safe alternative?............commoner
 ;D

[legoalex2000]

...My opinons on the owning and use of firearms for ANY purpose may or may not be known to you guys.....in a nutshell I hate anthing to do with the things. Still, live and let live..each to his own.......so might I suggest this little item as a safe alternative?............commoner
 ;D

Amen Preach it brother! i know what you mean EXACTLY.

Ramos

[Wingo]

...My opinons on the owning and use of firearms for ANY purpose may or may not be known to you guys.....in a nutshell I hate anthing to do with the things. Still, live and let live..each to his own.......so might I suggest this little item as a safe alternative?............commoner
 ;D

I'm with you commoner! Guns aren't meant for recreational purposes, they are deadly serious.

[Fozzer]

Like some of the Lads here, the very mention of the word "gun" always fills me with dread... ...!

My most dangerous weapon is my catapult for discouraging the local cats from crapping on my lawn... ...!

(It doesn't make a noise, either.... ....)...!



Paul... ...!

[Romulus111VADT]

First off, a 45APC has far more knock down and penetration power than a 9mm.

The Ruger Mini-14 is a 5.56 NATO round (.223) and is a great open field weapon. But it sucks in the bush, as it is easily deflected.

A 7.62 X 51 NATO (308 caliber) is a great all around weapon and the US Army M-21 (M-14 civilian) is one of the best sniper rifles. Effective range 690M (750 yards)



Just my humble opinion...

[ozzy72]

For stopping power I love the M107 http://www.barrettrifles.com/military.htm
Personal choice however will always be the SLR (FN FAL), Bren, or members of the H&K MP5 family.
For reliability you just can't beat the AK family however!

[Romulus111VADT]

The Barrett 50 Cal is the ultimate sniper rifle. Wounding someone with a 50 Cal is damned near impossible unless you miss them all together. The percussion of a 50 Cal going down range is enough to knock you silly if it gets close enough. But at last check, the rounds cost $4.50 USD each and are a bit expensive to "plink" with.....

[Omag 2.0]

I don't like the idea of people buying "heavy" guns for sports, but hey... it's a free world, just stay miles away from me with those things...

Now, if you would like something really good, I could advise you 2 Belgian specialities...

Handgun? The FN Five-seveN - very effective against... well... about everything except a tank...

Five-seveN

Rifle? Why go for those akward long things when you could use this submachine gun! the FN P90 ... again... very effective against almost anything!

P-90

Not exactly a good-looking gun, but people will stop laughing when they see the stopping and penetrating-power of this model!

Cheers,

Omag ... heading for the nearest nuclear bunker... just to be safe...  ;)