Local to Pottstown, New to Firearms. Have some Questions?

[BigAndy3624]

I'm 19 and I'm new to the Forum, I've lived in Pottstown "Sanatoga Actually" for my whole life and am looking to get into firearms for recreational and possible law enforcement/security career purposes. A couple of people i know have suggested I start with a .22 rifle to start but I'm unsure of what rifle to start with, Anyone got any suggestions for a good but not overly expense rifle and off all the sporting good / retail stores which one would be best to buy from. My last question is if anyone can suggest a good rifle range within the area. I know its alot to ask but I've been looking around this site and everyone seems to be very helpful. Thanks in advance for all the help you guys can offer.

[str8shooter]

You've got French Creek Outfitters right down the road, so I'd start there. They're a pretty friendly bunch and most of them know what they're talking about so they can help with some questions. Just don't get to feeling because they've been helpful you have to buy from them. Wait until your comfortable in your quest for knowledge and have tried a few guns before spending any money. They also have a range and I think they'll let you try various guns (for a fee) to see what you're comfortable with.

Personally, I don't think at your age you'd be happy with a .22 for too long. For sure it's a good starter rifle, cheap to shoot and can be great fun for target shooting and small game hunting, but it can get boring real quick if it's your only rifle and you don't have something else to take it up a notch with a little more oomph. I'd be more inclined to recommend a .25-06 or .270 over a .22 for an adult so you can still get a lot of practice in with somewhat cheaper ammo than the big bores, but you'll have a gun you can take down a deer with when you're ready for the hunt.

Two places I can highly recommend if you're interested saving some money by buying a used gun are Gordons Sports Supply in Eagle, about 8 miles South of Pottstown on Rt. 100. The have a small selection, but some of best prices on used guns I've seen in the area. Another place not too far from you is King Shooter Supply, down 422 in to King of Prussia, than a few side streets off 202 North see www.betterbullets.com for more details. They also don't have a large selection of used guns, but what they have is nice, and a lot of it is consignmnent sales, so they have the sellers asking price on the tag, but the bottom line price on file. If you see something you like on consignment, make an offer, but don't reneg if they accept it and try to go even lower, that's just bad form.

[m16secoda]

A .22 would be a good start and it is about as cheep to shoot as you can get. Also I think everyone should have a .22 in their gunsafe.
You really do not have to spend a lot of money. A bolt action can cost as low as $150. Frech Creek will give you a wide variety and at a good price becuase they buy and sell so many .22's.

[soup]

I picked up a cheap little Mossberg plinkster from Cabela's for $100 new not that long ago. I don't think they have anything there new at that price now (was up there 2wks ago) Walmart on 100 has some cheap 22's to get you started. They are around $120 with a scope (Believe they were made by Savage last I checked) Dicks also has a few but they are a little higher priced but offer more models than Walmart.

French Creek Outfitters is a nice place. The people are generally friendly but their prices aren't always the lowest. Gordon's as mentioned in the previous post is also a nice place. You can buy used there for a decent price. There is a show coming up (I think) at valley forge in sept, you can get a good deal on something used there. You could always take a trip to Cabela's and see if you cant get something decent thats used...... sometimes you get lucky

As for ranges... You could always go to the free one at the French Creek State Park (If it is open yet after the lead reclamation) I'm a member of Kimberton Fish & Game. Its a nice place but does cost a bit to join but I like shooting in a safer place. I'm sure there are cheaper ones out there so look around. I even think there is one in Sanatoga.

Like stated before, the 22 will be a good start and will be fun and you can shoot all day for only a few bucks but eventually you'll want something more.

[seoulstice]

My first rifle was a 22 and it is great start for a first rifle. Cheap to shoot and very versatile and you can hand it down to your kids someday as their first gun. I recently got into shooting as well and I got lots of advice from hunting/shooting friends that rimfire is where one should start off. I bought a CZ 452 American for around ~$400 and spent $150 on a quality scope, in my opinion CZ makes a great, highly accurate rifle which bridges the gap between low-end 22s and high end Coopers/Anschutz/Kimber. You can get a 10/22 for really cheap but you will spend a lot more money trying to make it shoot accurately and being that it is semi-auto it is not legal to hunt with here in PA. Another option would be to get a Savage .22, they are pretty accurate as well and reasonably priced. I bought the CZ because I thought it was a much more beautiful gun and had heard great things...so far I have no complaints.

[snuffy19608]

check your p/m's

[PisnNapalm]

You can buy a .22 at the Pottstown Walmart. Get yourself a Ruger 10/22 or a Marlin 60. Maybe a Savage MkII. All of them are great .22 rifles.

You can trick out the Ruger more than any other .22 rifle though. www.rimfirecentral.com will help you spend your money.

A .22 rifle is the best place to start. My .22 rifles get the most range time simply because they are the cheapest to shoot. I enjoy them alot. Plus as you get older and maybe settle down with a wife and kids, a .22 is perfect for teaching kids how to shoot.

Kimberton Gun Club is not far from Pottstown.

Welcome to the forums.

[BigAndy3624]

Thanks for all the help and information, I'll have to take a couple of weeks and do more research but you guys have given me a good starting point to go on. By the way I was amazed how quickly I got answers. Thanks for everything again.