My first Rifle
 

Hi everyone!
I planning on buying my first rifle in the coming weeks. I'm looking for a reliable all purpose hunting/self defense rifle that will hold it's value. I've got about 500 for the rifle/ammo. Any suggestions?

Re: My first Rifle
 

Remington 870 shotgun with additional rifled barrel. Any place that sells guns will have this.

Re: My first Rifle
 

QUOTE: reliable all purpose hunting/self defense rifle

Even at today's inflated prices, the Saiga in 7.62x39 is still available for under $400, and I need to add, IF you are right-handed/right eye dominant. In 7.62x39, it is an effective self-defense weapon and you can hunt deer with it. That still leaves $100 for a few spare mags and ammo...

EDIT: the SKS is also a fine option, but I have seen them running about $400 at recent gunshows. The upside is you don't need mags...just a few stripper clips.

Re: My first Rifle
 

I don't think you can buy any decent self-defense/hunting rifle for $500 these days, let alone have any money left for ammo.

Re: My first Rifle
 

If this is your first and only long gun, I would agree with going with a Rem 870, or Mossberg 500 shotty. But, if you have the shotgun already, my choice would be a Marlin 336 in .30-30, or a Marlin 1894 in .357 Mag or .44 Mag, your pick.

Re: My first Rifle
 

Remember, you get what you pay for. The longer you hold out and save a few more $$$, the better firearm you'll be able to pick up. To answer your question though, the best deal for something that's cheap and somewhat reliable would be an SKS. Look for a Russian or Yugo model, never buy a rifle that was made in China.

Re: My first Rifle
 

I think one of the best values in a bolt rifle is the Savage. Bolt guns are not really self defense guns....but are a nice rifle.

If I could only have one rifle it would be a 30.06 = it can do everything from varmit to grizzly bear.

I like the Remington 870 combo (shot + rifled barrel) idea. I kill deer with the 870 out to 100 - 150 yards with slugs.

If I could only have 1 long gun ....it would be an 870.

Re: My first Rifle
 

Hold out for some more money. Or get the Saiga as mentioned. You won't be able to get much ammo with what you have left though.

Re: My first Rifle
 

What kind of advice is that?

The Chinese AKs are some of the best. Certainly better than the eastern European models. The Norinco AKs have a double hook trigger and the receivers are made of thicker metal.

I own several Norinco MAK 90s that are NIB. I can get more for these than any European AK.

If you're interested in a bolt action rifle. Dick's Sporting Goods has a Remington bolt action with scope on sale for $500 this week. Your choice of .223, 22-250 or .308.

Re: My first Rifle
 

How about winchester 30-30 SE???

Re: My first Rifle
 

You can get a Field Grade M1 Garand from the CMP for $495.

http://www.thecmp.org/m1garand.htm

Re: My first Rifle
 

Re: My first Rifle
 

Wow, didn't know Mossberg made a .30-30. Nice price, but wonder how it stacks up against a Marlin.

Re: My first Rifle
 

I have a savage .270 that I have had since I was a kid, have put a lot of rounds through that rifle and it has held up wonderfully, excellent all around hunting/sniper rifle if you have it scoped properly. And you cant beat the price.

Re: My first Rifle
 

If youre going to go for a 30 30 get a model 1894, IT WILL HOLD ITS VALUE and that is one of the things you asked for, it is a winchester 1894, one of the best and most popular rifles ever made. Now the Marlin 30 30 which is basically a copy of the 1894 is a damned good rifle and you can probably get one a bit cheaper than you can a real 1894 but it will not hold its value like a real 1894 will, those are collectors items, but dont get me wrong, the Marlin is built like a tank and a damned good rifle, but if holding its value and being a gun that is sought by collectors and will always be, is important to you, then a winchester model 1894 is what you want and preferrably one made before 1970, the older the more expensive of course.

For the 500 dollars you have I would get a nice used Remnington 870 and use whats left over to try and find a nice used semi auto handgun, you could probably come in real close to 500 for both if youre thrifty and know how to bargin. But if hunting is a main priority then youre going to need more than a shotty, although a shotty with rifled barrel and slugs is a fine hunting weapon.

Also, as has been mentioned if you shop around you might be able to get a remington 870 AND a Marlin 3030 or a savage bolt action rifle for around 500, that would be an EXCELLENT package for the money. Cant go wrong with those two.

Re: My first Rifle
 

Winchester quit makeing rifles so I would look at something in current production.

Marlin 30-30 is a good 1st. Its not a long distance rifle but do you need that? In Missouri woods you can't even get a 100yd shot reguallary. I'm not saying you shoud under gun just that you should look at where you would use it. Are you out west with sweeping 600yd vistas then go for a bolt action. If your in the Urban areas look for sks-ak on your budget. In the woods and fields of Midwest levers make sense.

That my advice --hope its helpful.

E-A

Re: My first Rifle
 

Best answer.
Too bad he may be running out of time.....

Re: My first Rifle
 

+1 for the Saiga 7.62x39.

Re: My first Rifle
 

If you don't own yet get a 12 Gauge (I like 870's) if you want a good hunting rifle I am a big Savage fan and I have 6 of them and will continue to get more.

Re: My first Rifle
 

Marlin 336 .30-30. Ammunition is everywhere and will be around forever. It can also be a very effective defensive rifle. Put in Hornady's LeverEvolution .30-30s and you will have a longer range if need be. Also, any new anti-guns laws that come out will most likely not affect a .30-30.

Re: My first Rifle
 

The advice is that the Chinese are notorious for skimping on quality in order to make a buck. The original author stated that this was going to be used for self-defence and hunting. If I had only one weapon where I wanted to be sure that it went bang every time I pulled the trigger, I wouldn't want it to be made in China.

I knew a guy who bought the knock-off version of Springfield Armories M1A and he said the quality in workmanship and materials wasn't there compared to SA. It was cheaper than the SA, but again you get what you pay for.

I agree with most people here. The original author stated he was looking for a rifle; but you really cannot beat the Rem 870.

Re: My first Rifle
 

at THIS point in time... I may be tempted to go for the AK first....BUT

my first defense/hunting gun would be the remington 870. Just buy a regular 870 express with 26" barrel, and buy a spare 18" barrel for close quarters.

I'd also purchase a 22LR. (don't care what anyone says...it can be used for suppression fire in tandem with larger support)

I would get my hands on a few pistols for side arm capability.

Once you get this line, you can work on a bench rifle to reach out and touch far out, or simply get something cheap to feed that will allow you to place shots out to 200-300yds.

I can attain 200 yd shots open sights all day with my AK.

Re: My first Rifle
 

I would also say the Marlin 336 30-30 (I have one!!). However, I do have a .357 pistol and it sure would be nice to have the same caliber in the rifle.........

I'm also in the thick midwest where anything above 100-150 yard shots are extremely rare.

Re: My first Rifle
 

So for rifles that share ammunition with pistols, do they always have the range limitations?

Is the extra powder what makes a rifle round, a RIFLE round?

If I am sharing ammo on a pistol and a rifle, am I always going to be limited in range?

Re: My first Rifle
 

Yes. A pistol round being fired from a rifle isn't the most ballisticly efficient round. It's more a matter of convenience.