Reminisces of Old Guy and 15-22

[Gaius]

My first rifle was a single shot Glenfield 22. I was ten or eleven years old. Over the next fifty years or so I have participated in and enjoyed all of the shooting sports both for recreation and competition. I hold instructor ratings in multiple disciples and often times am at a loss as to where to store stuff as the gun vault is more than overflowing. I am sure there are many on this forum who can say the same. However, somewhere along the line I lost my way.

When asked "what caliber of firearm do I own" my typical reply was "Yes." All except perhaps a .22. It seems that over time I had gotten away from this rifle. I don't know why or how, but it happened.

This last week I bought an MOE 15-22. Owning three other AR platform rifles, it was an easy choice to make. Two range trips later, I stand in awe. I totally forgot how much shear fun this type of rifle is to shoot. I thought back to my childhood days and how proud I was of my little .22, and you know what? Today, I have a bit of the same pride in my new little 22.

One thing I have learned in my sixties is that I am either going to have fun, or I am not going to do it at all. Frankly, I don't care about "this X brand is more accurate" or other such arguments right now. All I know is that I have had a ball with this riffle, and say thanks to all of you who recommended it to me and S&W to making it.

PS: I have a Nikon scope on the the way.

 

[RedNeck Jim]

One thing I have learned in my sixties is that I am either going to have fun, or I am not going to do it at all. Frankly, I don't care about "this X brand is more accurate" or other such arguments right now. All I know is that I have had a ball with this rifle.

Amen to that. I'm in my late 50s.

Funny, just yesterday evening I was loading up my mags, getting ready for the next shooting. While loading, a thought popped in my mind about how danged tiny this ammo is and that it ain't real "manly"... compared to my .223. Then I quickly wiped that thought away and said "F" it... I really like shooting the 15-22 best. Just like you, I have a ball with this rifle.

 

[micocyco]

Us old guy's got to have fun ; )
I don't mind saying I am 62 & trying to back out of the rat race & spend more time with family. Sharing this fun gun with my Grandson is one of if not the most fun things I do now.

 

[sithlord]

I don't believe that feeling is limited to the 'old guys'. I'm 40, and like you, started with my dad's bolt action 22. Unlike you, it's the only caliber I shot. Oh, I've had the opportunity to shoot other calibers, but tended to shy away from them.

A little under a year ago, I was listening to the radio and the announcer was talking about his new 223 rifle he picked up. It hit me (call it a mid-life crisis). I hadn't fired anything in better than 10 years, and I wanted to start again. I did the research and picked up a 15-22 in Feb '13.

With my son (10) in tow, we went shooting (once I found some ammo... lol). I had the 15-22, the old bolt-action, a marlin lever action 22 (again, from my youth), and a buckmark... Teaching my son to shoot has been extremely enjoyable. But for me, in less than a year, we've fired about 9-10k 22lr downrange through the 15-22. When my wife first shot it (first time shooting), she had a blast. Now she owns one as well.

I've picked up a M&P 15 to compliment, but I haven't shot nearly as much through it ($$$ for one). The 15-22 ALWAYS goes to the range with me.

The biggest difference between my youth shooting and now is the red-dot. Up until that point, I had always used iron sights. I told my dad that it felt like cheating by shooting with the red dot. I had the opportunity to take him shooting a few months ago, his first time with a red-dot. 50 yards, 4" clay, no problem. And that's without his corrective lens range glasses.

It's gotten me into thinking of competing (haven't found much local, 3 gun doesn't interest me as much).

Anyhow, if you've read this far, I appreciate you listening to the navel-gazing. Bottom line, I agree with everything except the 'old guys' part. The 15-22 is fun no matter how 'old' you are.

 

[Rundover]

I am in my late 50s also and I have many guns but by far the most fun is with the 15-22. I also started out with a single shot 22 and moved away from it into 9, 45, 223,556, and now back to 22. Funny isn't it, the circle of life.

 

[cajunfirehawk]

Another 50's cat here too, glad you enjoy it. Lets face it, at our point in the game, its all about having a good time.