New and Impressed

[TaylorJamison]

Hello Everyone!

I just want to say first off how impressed I am with this gun. I am 23 years old and this was my first gun purchase. Honestly, I have always have felt uncomfortable with guns but for some reason I got this.

This gun is so comfortable and easy to shoot. I was so surprised how everything worked so easy.

I went ahead and ordered this UTG 4.0 Red/Green Dot and a grip. Love it!

I just wanted to say hello and I look forward to learning about different guns and eventually owning more. Its become an addiction.

 

[raver]

Welcome to the ranks of BRD infected!

 

[TheMaineEvent]

Welcome to the board. Embrace the sickness that AR ownership brings and let them multiply!

 

[TaylorJamison]

Welcome to the board. Embrace the sickness that AR ownership brings and let them multiply!

Should I join NRA?

 

[raver]

Should I join NRA?

That is entirely up to you. Do I think it's a good idea? Yes, as without the NRA there's a very good chance you wouldn't be able to enjoy owning ANY modern rifle, even one in .22LR, or any firearm at all, for that matter.

However, as a free person, only you have the right to choose how to spend your money. If you feel the fee isn't worth it, or is beyond your means at the moment, then that's ok too.

 

[thebeamanater107]

Should I join NRA?

The NRA is simply a political organization that lobbies and protests for a number of freedoms, but their biggest issue is gun ownership and carry rights. If you join, all you're doing is donating money to the cause. I would say join and send that $35-ish off to the group of lawyers and lobbyists to fight gun control laws. But it's your money and your political beliefs. I don't judge the man who doesn't join.

They'll send you an "official member" card that you can show the gun store and the gun stores and ranges in my area give NRA members a 20% discount.

the original point and click interface, by Smith and Wesson

 

[NJDevil72]

Congrats on your rifle! I'd say join the NRA, it can't hurt. There are people who bash the NRA, although I can't see why. I was first a member as a teen in the late 80s. You could also look into Gun Owners of America I've been hearing more and more about them. I'll be joining myself in another week. Looks like we need all the help and organization we can get.

One tip I would give you as a fellow 15-22 owner: buy as much ammo as you can when you can for a good price and try to keep at least 500 to 1000 on hand. Why, you ask? Because the gun is so much fun to shoot! With .22lr being hard to find at times, you don't want to run out and not be able to shoot.

Good luck and happy shooting!

 

[TaylorJamison]

Well I went to the range the other day.

Noticed when I try and quick fire, It got jammed several times. Is there a reason for this?

 

[bemisgt]

Well I went to the range the other day.

Noticed when I try and quick fire, It got jammed several times. Is there a reason for this?

Some guns can be a bit finicky about the ammo you feed it. I like CCI, Federal, and Winchester M-22 the best, but my gun runs on most anything. What were you using?

 

[TaylorJamison]

Some guns can be a bit finicky about the ammo you feed it. I like CCI, Federal, and Winchester M-22 the best, but my gun runs on most anything. What were you using?

Federal, im not sure the specific one though. Its in my car and Im at work. But when I tried to rapid fire, It couldn't hold long.

 

[RedNeck Jim]

Noticed when I try and quick fire, It got jammed several times. Is there a reason for this?

Gun cleaned per discussions on this forum?

Magazine loaded properly so that the rounds are always staggered?

Did you hold onto the magazine or magazine well when shooting?

 

[gdnagle]

Gun cleaned per discussions on this forum?

Magazine loaded properly so that the rounds are always staggered?

Did you hold onto the magazine or magazine well when shooting?

`+1 here, You will need to check different brands of ammo to see which you firearm likes best. Most you will read, will eat anything but some are picky. Make sure the bolt is lubed as per the instructions.

As for joining the NRA that a decision you have to make it sure wouldn't hurt as that one more documented member they have on their side.

And a warm welcome from "wild and wonderful " West Virginia at least that's what they tell us.

 

[bemisgt]

Gun cleaned per discussions on this forum?

Magazine loaded properly so that the rounds are always staggered?

Did you hold onto the magazine or magazine well when shooting?

This ^^^^.

 

[TheMaineEvent]

Make sure you stagger the rounds in the magazine. If they're not staggered it can lead to jams.

As far as joining the NRA goes, I think it's important to support a group that is active in teaching AND fighting for our rights. Both are important for the survival and health of this sport. The NRA is just one group, and it's a good one, but there are other choices.

Given the times we're in, and the low cost to support a group, there's really no reason not join one.

 

[TaylorJamison]

Gun cleaned per discussions on this forum?

Magazine loaded properly so that the rounds are always staggered?

Did you hold onto the magazine or magazine well when shooting?

Well prior to the range, I had only shot the gun with 5 rounds. So I didn't think I needed to clean it.

I will have to pay attention to the rounds being staggered next time I go shoot, is there a way to make sure they stagger?

I hold on the fore grip I purchased. You should be able to see it in the picture.

 

[RedNeck Jim]

Well prior to the range, I had only shot the gun with 5 rounds. So I didn't think I needed to clean it.

You should ALWAYS clean a new weapon prior to use. I suggest you search the forums for cleaning tips.

I will have to pay attention to the rounds being staggered next time I go shoot, is there a way to make sure they stagger?

Yes, you load them one at a time. Pull down on the load assist button enough to get one round in & then let go. The bullet should point up slightly. If it doesn't look right, pull down on the assist & let go a few times until it loads properly. Might have to remove the problem round & load again. There is a gap in the back of the magazine where you can see the stagger on the first few rounds.

I hold on the fore grip I purchased. You should be able to see it in the picture.

Just because a new shooter has an accessory (fore grip) doesn't necessarily mean they use it. I have seen plenty of shooters hold their gun by the magazine or the well... even with a vertical grip installed. I hope you didn't mean your comments to sound snarky... but they do. Folks here will help you with issues but only if you don't come with an attitude.

 

[TaylorJamison]

You should ALWAYS clean a new weapon prior to use. I suggest you search the forums for cleaning tips.


Yes, you load them one at a time. Pull down on the load assist button enough to get one round in & then let go. The bullet should point up slightly. If it doesn't look right, pull down on the assist & let go a few times until it loads properly. Might have to remove the problem round & load again. There is a gap in the back of the magazine where you can see the stagger on the first few rounds.



Just because a new shooter has an accessory (fore grip) doesn't necessarily mean they use it. I have seen plenty of shooters hold their gun by the magazine or the well... even with a vertical grip installed. I hope you didn't mean your comments to sound snarky... but they do. Folks here will help you with issues but only if you don't come with an attitude.

Oh no, no attitude at all, I just wasn't sure if he saw the picture. I'm new, I don't know everyone's bad habits nor the stories of what people do, but I've always thought holding the magazine was a no no . Sorry for the tone if it seemed that way though I'll be sure to watch that, I forgot how easy it is to miscommunicate online.

 

[TaylorJamison]

Make sure you stagger the rounds in the magazine. If they're not staggered it can lead to jams.

As far as joining the NRA goes, I think it's important to support a group that is active in teaching AND fighting for our rights. Both are important for the survival and health of this sport. The NRA is just one group, and it's a good one, but there are other choices.

Given the times we're in, and the low cost to support a group, there's really no reason not join one.

you are right, I'm going to join. I've done some research on it and I want to support.

 

[RedNeck Jim]

I forgot how easy it is to miscommunicate online.

Ain't that the danged truth. I have to really watch what I type because I have a tendency to come across too strong.

Welcome to the addiction.

 

[RedNeck Jim]

I do hope you will read up on cleaning. IMO it is critical to the proper function of the 15-22. I clean mine after every 500 rounds or so and have almost zero failures of any kind. Best tip I learned here was to place a straw over the ejector during cleaning. You bend that part & problems will come your way.

 

[OldEagleEars]

TaylorJamison - You've made a good choice for a first firearm. The 15-22 is both fun and relatively economical to shoot and is easy to accessorize as your experience and interest grows. The fact that it is so similar to what are commonly referred to as "AR"-type rifles (the most popular long-arm in the nation) will allow you to familiarize yourself with a form of gun that is popular in both hunting and shooting sports. That it can also be an effective home-defense tool has also to be considered. A whole lot of little-bitty bullets can be as much of a deterrent to a criminal as one or two big ones if applied properly!
Keeping your rifle clean is vital to it's health. Twenty-two-caliber ammunition is by nature rather "dirty" and leaves a lot of deposits on and in your rifle. By taking the gun apart to clean and lubricate it you also familiarize yourself with the working parts and their relationships to each other which will make you better able to analyze the gun's performance and your own. Dirty guns don't shoot as accurately as clean ones and you might blame yourself for missing shots that were really the fault of a dirty bore or bolt.
As for the NRA; while it does lead the charge against insidious and tyrannical attempts to crush our rights as Free Citizens, only about 25% of it's budget is used for political efforts, the rest goes to youth and adult training, firearm safety education programs and sanctioning firearm sporting events all over the nation. I'm a member and while I sometimes don't agree with everything they do or say, the core of their mission is so important that I maintain my membership. The fact that they also establish the standards that my concealed-carry and advanced defense class instructors meet for certification also help with my decision to be a member.
Good luck with your 15-22; I know you will enjoy it!

 

[97catintenn]

Hey congrats on the 15-22! I also thought that the gun was good to go new from the store. Why would you clean a gun that had never been shot?? I still have my doubts, but the issue comes up every now and then with a new rifle that has problems. The owners then posts that he cleaned and oiled it, and now it shots everything and fast too.

Could just be break in thing as far as I know.

But yah, your gun should shoot as fast you can pull that trigger!

Welcome to the site!

 

[RedNeck Jim]

I also thought that the gun was good to go new from the store. Why would you clean a gun that had never been shot??

So that you KNOW your gun is safe. So that you KNOW there is no barrel obstruction. So that you KNOW the bolt operates freely & properly and that the rest of the gun is clean & lubed properly. After the cleaning do a safety check to verify the safety is functioning properly.

You NEVER assume anything with ANY firearm... but most assuredly a new one or one that has not been in your control.

As OldEagleEars wisely stated, taking the gun apart helps familiarize one with the intricacies of the weapon. That goes a long way toward a safe shooting experience... especially for someone like the OP who states this is his first firearm purchase.

 

[TaylorJamison]

So that you KNOW your gun is safe. So that you KNOW there is no barrel obstruction. So that you KNOW the bolt operates freely & properly and that the rest of the gun is clean & lubed properly. After the cleaning do a safety check to verify the safety is functioning properly.

You NEVER assume anything with ANY firearm... but most assuredly a new one or one that has not been in your control.

As OldEagleEars wisely stated, taking the gun apart helps familiarize one with the intricacies of the weapon. That goes a long way toward a safe shooting experience... especially for someone like the OP who states this is his first firearm purchase.

This is great, you are making me think about things I would have never thought about!

 

[97catintenn]

So that you KNOW your gun is safe. So that you KNOW there is no barrel obstruction. So that you KNOW the bolt operates freely & properly and that the rest of the gun is clean & lubed properly. After the cleaning do a safety check to verify the safety is functioning properly.

You NEVER assume anything with ANY firearm... but most assuredly a new one or one that has not been in your control.

As OldEagleEars wisely stated, taking the gun apart helps familiarize one with the intricacies of the weapon. That goes a long way toward a safe shooting experience... especially for someone like the OP who states this is his first firearm purchase.

I agree, and always take a new gun apart and check to see if everything is good inside. Every one has been clean, so I never saw the need to clean it. are you cleaning it to remove the lube that the factory used before shipping?

 

[TheMaineEvent]

Some factories coat the gun in a protective grease/film so it's protected. While it may not be obvious that it's present, like with cosmoline, it may indeed be there.
Aside from cleaning the firearm to remove any protective film it may have, you are also adding whatever product you will be using so that it's properly lubed/protected.
Of course, as has been mentioned, you are also ensuring the mechanics work properly, that it is safe to shoot, and you are also learning about how it works, too.

 

[RedNeck Jim]

Every one has been clean, so I never saw the need to clean it. are you cleaning it to remove the lube that the factory used before shipping?

Yes... and more. I just want to ensure everything is functioning properly before I tell the gun to go bang.

 

[Majorlk]

Hey congrats on the 15-22! I also thought that the gun was good to go new from the store. Why would you clean a gun that had never been shot?? I still have my doubts, but the issue comes up every now and then with a new rifle that has problems. The owners then posts that he cleaned and oiled it, and now it shots everything and fast too.

Could just be break in thing as far as I know.

But yah, your gun should shoot as fast you can pull that trigger!

Welcome to the site!

That's an invalid assumption. I can't count the number times I have cleaned machining chips and other manufacturing debris out of "clean and new" firearms. As for never being shot, that's also not true. Every firearm is function tested at the factory before being shipped. 99 percent of them are NOT cleaned before leaving the factory.

Also you do not know that it was properly lubricated before packaging and shipping.

You can have all the doubts you want, but that does not change reality.

 

[speedyquad]

you're in for a treat...

cleaning and lubing first has been covered so i won't add to that...

yes, it is an addiction...

NRA is a must(finances permitting) in my eyes for their training of future generations(youth programs etc)...and for the lobbying that they do in our favor is a plus...even though i don't agree 100% with everything they say...

and get one of these...i have one..."wirkz" well...Slick Loader by Skunkwirkz, LLC