Guns for under $200

[93 FORD BRONCO]

What kind of experience (if any) do you have with firearms at this point?

A used 10/22 would be an ideal rifle to get you started.. Cheap and stupid easy to work on and change out parts as you get more into it.

The Mosin Nagant is likely THE biggest bang for your buck out of ANYTHING on this planet. I have both an M44 carbine and the 91/30 rifle and they are a hoot to mess around with. They are crude, kick like a mule, and can be fairly accurate. Ammo used to be cheap but it's slowly creeped up over the last several years... When I got into them I could get 1000rds for under $90. Pretty much all the surplus ammo out there is corrosive which requires a special cleaning regiment. You must flush out the bore and the bolt head with a water based cleaner or just plain hot water to neutralize the corrosive salts left behind or it will cause nasty rust and permanent damage.

A lot of old bolt action .22LR rifles can be had as well and are never a bad idea if you're more into slow paced plinking or a little target shooting.

I've been shooting since I was a little kid. My moms a cop so
She used to take me to competitions and just to the shooting range. The largest gun I've ever shot was a .45 Glock. I had really never shot rifles although I have on several occasions. I really can't get myself to buy a .22. To me it just seems like a big bb gun. If I'm going to buy a gun I want something that if I ever need to shoot at a person Is sure to put em down. You just can't do much damage with a .22. IMO. I think I'm going to stick with the nagant. Been doing alot of research and it seems to be a really great gun for the price. I also don't plan to use surplus ammo. I had read about the corrosive properties of it and I immediately decides to just buy the new ammo. It's not that much more expensive. To add on the what I've shot before I've shot many shotguns before. How does the nagants recoil compare to say a 12 gauge. I've heard it's a pretty hard punch but I'm really not to worried about it. If it gets to much to handle I can just buy a rubber butt plate. Also. I noticed a few people suggesting handguns. As I said I'm only 18 and I know in Florida at least I cannot legally own one.

 

[slowngreen]

A .22 is my favorite caliber. You can do so much with a .22 and actually afford to shoot it all day.

 

[HARDKNOCKZ]

I'll say this much...for a CHEAP gun...Hi Point hit the mark all the way around. I personally would save the money & buy a better weapon. My father in law gave me a Hi Point 45 & to be honest...Im afraid to put a round thru it. I did the research on em & they've had WAY too many issues. Im glad their customer service is great because from what Ive read...it gets used often.

As far as takin a Hi Point over yer Glock...you must have 1 clapped out Glock. I own several Glocks & while I'll gladly take 1 of my Springfield XDs, S&W M&P's or Kimbers over em...I'd NEVER grab the Hi Point over a Glock. In ALL HONESTY...I'd grab my very 1st pistol...a Ruger Single Six over the Hi Point because I know it wont fail.

We all have our opinions but in my 30+ years in shooting & owning firearms...the Hi Point just isn't something that I would spend dime 1 on.

J.D.

 

[GySgt Hartman]

7.62x54
600 rounds of russian surplus ammo $124
100 rounds of Winchester new ammo $122

22lr
550 rounds Federal $22



I think you may need to rearrange your priorities kid.

 

[RiceBurner]

When a Gunnery Sargent gives you gun advice its probably not just an opinion. Hi-point is SH#T. FACT. Ruger, one of the best values on the market.
Mosin Nagant, I would'nt mail order. Have someone knowlegdeable(gun owner not salesman) look it over good. Usually 200 will get you a wall hanger.

 

[HARDKNOCKZ]

Did he just say that a .22 wont do much damage to human flesh??? TRUST ME kid...Ive seen more than one victim of a .22 GSW. You say yer moms a cop...ask her what someone whos takin a .22 to the ocular cavity looks like. Besides...you're WAY too young to think about shooting another human being. I blame it on the video games.

Bang for yer buck...a good 12ga. Fun to shoot. Clay ammos cheap & if you feel the need to shoot an intruder...will DEFINITELY do work.

J.D.

 

[dkf]

I just bought a new synthetic stock/stainless 10/22 the other month for $175 shipped to my FFL. I own plenty of rifles, .22 rifles, pistols and revolvers but I wanted a 10/22. It is a very versitile weapon and is still a somewhat viable gun for SD if someone breaks into your house. The Ruger BX-25 mags are very reliable and they hold 25 rounds.

I would recommend a 10/22 and several bricks of ammo.

 

[jetboat]

10/22 is prolly the absolute best starter rifle out there. Cheap ammo so you can shoot all day and get good. Very very well made so you dont have repairs. Low/no kick so you dont build bad habits and become trigger shy.

The Nagants are ok, the rifle itself is cheap but, new ammo is hard to find so you end up with surplus stuff thats corrosive. If you dont clean them right away the barrel can pit bad quickly.

I have had 2 hipoints in my hands, they both rattled like kids toys and failed to fire more than they fired.

 

[Jus]

I've been shooting since I was a little kid. My moms a cop so
She used to take me to competitions and just to the shooting range. The largest gun I've ever shot was a .45 Glock. I had really never shot rifles although I have on several occasions. I really can't get myself to buy a .22. To me it just seems like a big bb gun. If I'm going to buy a gun I want something that if I ever need to shoot at a person Is sure to put em down. You just can't do much damage with a .22. IMO. I think I'm going to stick with the nagant. Been doing alot of research and it seems to be a really great gun for the price. I also don't plan to use surplus ammo. I had read about the corrosive properties of it and I immediately decides to just buy the new ammo. It's not that much more expensive. To add on the what I've shot before I've shot many shotguns before. How does the nagants recoil compare to say a 12 gauge. I've heard it's a pretty hard punch but I'm really not to worried about it. If it gets to much to handle I can just buy a rubber butt plate. Also. I noticed a few people suggesting handguns. As I said I'm only 18 and I know in Florida at least I cannot legally own one.

You do know it's O.K. to own more than 1 firearm, right? "thumbsup" Especially with the ammo prices of today, at least one good .22LR is almost mandatory. For a first firearm I still think it's a sound choice.

As for *shooting at a person* I'd choose my 16" 10/22 w/ 25rds of CCI Velocitor before I'd ever want to try and use a Mosin... Heavy, extremely crude action (just try working it fast, and add under stress!) and the recoil and muzzle blast would be very distracting, and in low light the basketball sized muzzle flash would blind you) The recoil isn't bad, I can shoot 30-40rds without much problem.. It's stout though.. I'd say much worse than the average 12 gauge... Maybe compare to a 3" slug. One of the only advantages of the Mosin is the availability of surplus ammo, buying new commercial stuff you might as well just buy a bargain bolt action hunting rifle in .308 or something.

Your 1st gun isn't going to be perfect for everything. You gotta figure out what the heck you REALLY want out of it.

 

[00racer]

I picked up two 10/22's last Christmas one for each of my kids, great little rifles and at $125 for the rifle and $20 for 500 rounds you cant go wrong. I still have my 10/22 that my dad gave me 30 years ago when i was 10

 

[HARDKNOCKZ]

Heres my 10/22 "Tactical"...yeah yeah...nowadays EVERYTHINGS tactical but its a GREAT squirrel slayer & plinker. The Hogue grip & Ruger bull barrel just make it a VERY comfortable & easy gun to shoot.

J.D.

 

[93 FORD BRONCO]

7.62x54
600 rounds of russian surplus ammo $124
100 rounds of Winchester new ammo $122

22lr
550 rounds Federal $22



I think you may need to rearrange your priorities kid.

I found new ammo for alot cheaper. Looks like you need to find a new place to buy

Did he just say that a .22 wont do much damage to human flesh??? TRUST ME kid...Ive seen more than one victim of a .22 GSW. You say yer moms a cop...ask her what someone whos takin a .22 to the ocular cavity looks like. Besides...you're WAY too young to think about shooting another human being. I blame it on the video games.

Bang for yer buck...a good 12ga. Fun to shoot. Clay ammos cheap & if you feel the need to shoot an intruder...will DEFINITELY do work.

J.D.

I'm not saying a .22 won't do damage. But compared to a 7.62 it's a bb gun. Not to mention as a round travels farther it looses velocity. So yes you may be able to kill someone at close range with a .22(if you are a good enough shot to hit the eye) at long range a .22 just doesn't gaurantee a kill. Also. I was not just thinking about killing somone. I said if a situation ever arose where I needed to I would rather have something larger than a .22 to make sure that person is not getting back up. Thanks for everyones input but I think I'm going to stick with the nagant. Mostly because I love that every rifle come with the history behind it. That history almost gives the gun a certain character. I've also always loved the look of old wooden rifles. I'm not worried about finding or buying ammo. I won't be shooting every weekend and it will be rare that I get to go shoot at all since all the ranges are so far from my house. When I do go to shoot though I want it to be a fun experience and TO ME a .22 just isn't as fun of a gun to shoot.

 

[hellbounder]

I have a Rossi .223 single shot that also came with a 20 gauge barrel . I like it a lot . It's killed about 125 hoggs over the years . You can also buy a .270 30.06 and other barrels for it. I believe it was under 200.00.

 

[93 FORD BRONCO]

Heres my 10/22 "Tactical"...yeah yeah...nowadays EVERYTHINGS tactical but its a GREAT squirrel slayer & plinker. The Hogue grip & Ruger bull barrel just make it a VERY comfortable & easy gun to shoot.

J.D.

Nice looking gun. I have to say I like bolt action more than semi auto though

 

[riflerockmafia]

Hold up you ask them for advice, criticize them, then don't take the advice?

 

[GySgt Hartman]

hold up you ask them for advice, criticize them, then don't take the advice?

...

 

[HARDKNOCKZ]

Well youngster...if yer anything like me...this will be the 1st of MANY so it doesn't have to be perfect.

As far as the fun factor...out of the 100 or so rifles, shotguns, carbines & assault weapons...& the 120 or so pistols that I own & shoot frequently...the 10/22 is in the top 5 fun guns. Not a whole lot better than takin a 2 or 3 hour walk around the hills with some friends & blowin thru a hundred rounds or so...& yer shoulder doesn't hurt after & it cost ya about 5 bucks.

Enjoy whatever you get.

J.D.

 

[93 FORD BRONCO]

Hold up you ask them for advice, criticize them, then don't take the advice?

Was not trying to criticize anyone. I asked for advice yes. I asked questions after people have feedback but in the end it is my choice as to what I buy. I respect everyone's opinion and I took there advice and listened avidly. However like I said from doing my own research I've decided I want a nagant. Yes the thread title is guns for under $200 but even the cheapest gun people have mentioned is out of my price range for right now. I found a nagant for $109 and have a buddy who can get me one for cheaper. As I said I mean no disrespect to anyone and I you took something I said that way I apologize. Thanks everyone or your advice but like I said in the end it is my choice and I've chosen to go with the nagant. I think for my purposes it is the best way to go.

 

[RiceBurner]

Don't apologize, people get carried away a bit, sift through, listen to what you want. It's your cash. Want big bang, don't blame you. All my shooting buddies got AR's, I got M1A (.308) It's old school but it's what I wanted.
To each his own. This is AMERICA, you have the right to disagree."thumbsup""thumbsup"

 

[riflerockmafia]

Sorry it just seemed a little silly to me. I didn't even put my input. I have a little Henry 22 lever action its fun but its still just a .22. Get what you want if you really want a larger heavier rifle get one heck if you want a .50 cal get one its up to you. There are many to choose from but go down to a gun shop look around there or auctions have guns occasionally too. It all depends on the kind you want whether it be a bolt action sniper or a semi auto assault rifle.