Hi, looking to purchase my first firearm I am 18 so it would have to be a long gun. From what I have seen 10/22 seems popular but I’m open to suggestions and tips for new owner. As for budget it’s around $1000 max for the gun and accessories (magazines, optic, etc.) thanks in advance
With that budget, I’d go with a classic 22 bolt action (Marlin 25N for example) or a Ruger Precsion Rimfire. You can learn to shoot on a 10/22, but the impulse for mag dumps may override prudence. Learning on a bolt action will slow you down and encourage better concentration.
The rule of thumb for optics is; A scope should cost as much as the rifle, maybe even more than the rifle. If you buy a $1000 rifle, don’t put a $200 scope on it.
Can’t argue with this much. Though if you want something ‘convertible’ you could get yourself a low cost AR and a .22 conversion kit. Swap the bolt/mags between .22 and 5.56/.223. A gas gun will not be as accurate as a bolt gun though so depends what you are looking to get out of it.
Regarding optics, you could start with open sights. Optics are nice to have, but if budget is of concern you could start with open sights and add an optic later on.
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Being 18 I would suggest any rifle chambered in 22lr, ammo is cheap and you still get to have some fun. I would suggest a Henry H1 tracker, you are young and your eyes are still good, this is a great, fun gun. If you want an optic option go with a Henry H1 sporter, comes with a rail installed giving you the option of a red dot or scope.
10/22 is a good choice as are the other suggestions. Lots of aftermarket accessories available for the 10/22.
Bolt actions are more accurate compared to semi automatics.
If you just want to go out and learn to shoot and not get involved in precision .22, a semi automatic is fine and a little more versatile.
By the way, did you ever apply for your FID card or take the hunter ed class?
Yes already applied just was doing some research so I know what to look for. As for hunters ed I have my firearm portion booked.
Yeah saw these too when I was looking around. Looks like a fun gun to have I was inbetween that or the 10/22 mostly.
I was looking at some bolt actions too. I plan to small game hunt out of state in the near future. I imagine a 22 bolt is better for hunting over a semi. Any other specific models I should check out
What would be the pros of getting a convertible AR style rifle? I assume it would be a decent jump in total price if I go this route
If you really want to learn the fundamentals (especially breathing, trigger control and follow through) get a spring powered air rifle.
The longer lock time (time between breaking the shot with the trigger press and the projectile leaving the barrel and no longer being influenced by anything you do) will force you to learn consistency.
For this to work best, it should be a spring powered air rifle, not a precharged pneumatic.
The way the gun works is the trigger releases the sear, which allows the spring to push the piston forward in the cylinder. This builds air pressure which will become high enough to force the projectile through the rifling and out of the barrel. The piston will come to an abrupt stop before the projectile clears the muzzle so you have to maintain your hold for this as well. Compared to a firearm, this takes much, much longer so you must maintain your technique for longer for each shot.
Some advantages are the pellets are very inexpensive so you get to practice much more for a given cost. It is also much quieter so you don’t need hearing protection if nobody else is shooting firearms at the same time. Also, you may be able to find places to shoot more easily as the backstop requirements for an air rifle are easier to achieve - a few straw bales are sufficient. If you live in the countryside, you may have a big enough back yard to practice at home. However, check you town ordinances as there may be a no discharge ordinance and NJ considers air rifles to be firearms - dumb, but true.
If you do go this route, be aware that air rifle scopes are designed differently to regular rifle scopes as the recoil impulse is very different and quiet violent - a scope designed for .22LR will get shaken to pieces by a spring powered air rifle.
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I would recommend looking at the CZ 457 LUX in 22lr.
Absolutely lovely to shoot. It is a gun you would never want to sell and would pass down to your grandkids.
Sorry, poor choice of words. You could use a .22 conversion in most ARs though CMMG doesn’t guarantee compatibility with .223 Wylde chambering:
Pros of going this route is a rifle that you can shoot .22 rimfire and also a full power cartridge (.223/5.56.) Full disclosure, they do recommend shooting full power after a session of rimfire to blow out the gas tube. I don’t want to give the impression you could primarily shoot .22lr (1000s of rounds) and once in a while run some full power loads. Doing so could clog up the gas tube to a point that you start getting malfunctions. Either that or you get a face load of carbon on the first few full power shots.
Ruger AR-15s list around ~$600. Conversion kit ~$240. Leaves a few bucks for an optic. Could start with ~$100 red dot or pickup a used LPVO.
You may be satisfied with a dedicated .22lr platform being a .22 bolt action or 10/22. I like variety is why I recommended this route. That said buy what you like. If you can, either rent or if you have a buddy’s that you can try before you decide.
That really is a good looking rifle. It has the classic lines of a larger caliber hunting rifle.
Or skip the conversion kit and get a bolt action for practically the same price: https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1170974888
Really for $1k you could get bolt action .22, semiauto .22 and a shotgun or AR 
Or blow it all on 1 really nice 22. Depends what you like/are going for.
Forget all this 22lr nonsense. Go right for a 5.56 AR. You can get a nice S&W M&P Sport 2 or a PSA, or any other basic AR platform for under 1k. They are easy to learn to shoot and operate. And you will have the most versatile platform on the planet.
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How would I go about making it NJ legal I assume I have to pin stock then 10rd magazine limit. Also this means I have to get a optic too what would be good?
No NJ gun store is going to let you walk out the door with an AR that is not NJ compliant. They do this all the time. No worries.
You do not need an optic to start. It comes with irons. Optics are also very subjective. I run Primary Arms SLx-md25 red dots on my AR’s.
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Oh ok good to know. Do you have any recommendations for a gun store with good selection that I should check out near Hunterdon county?
I don’t have any recommendations for that area as I’m up in Morris County. I’m sure someone will chime in with recommendations.
But if you want to come to Morris County, I recommend FSS Armory in Pine Brook.
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Try Heritage Guild of Branchburg or Lou’s Firearms in Raritan. There’s also Jim Flynn’s Truck Repair on 31 in Glen Gardner (very small shop, not a large selection on display, but let them know what you are looking for and they might have it just not on display.)