r/canadaguns • u/No_Amount_69 • May 02 '26
Feets / Collection / My build With a $1,000 budget, what kind of firearm would you build in Canada?
Hi guys, as I mentioned in the headline, I just got my PAL licence. I’m looking to spend around $500–$1,000 CAD on either a semi-auto or bolt-action rifle. I’m mostly thinking about a .22LR (maybe something like the RF 224). What would you recommend? My wife wont accept go over 1000 :(
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u/throwmedownthewel May 02 '26
Wives don’t know what this shit costs
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u/NEUMANN-METALWORKS Neumann Metalworks May 02 '26
You don't understand honey it's actually cheaper if I buy a 1100 round crate as opposed to 100 rounds of red box
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u/Ov3rReadKn1ght0wl May 02 '26
I'm cooked because my wife and I shoot together 😭😭😭
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u/King-Moses666 May 02 '26
Me aswell. But it has actually helped with some purchases because her response often is “cool when can we go check it out?”
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u/HappyCan7250 May 02 '26
Just hope they aren't home when the packages arrive, is the trick I've learned. Mine doesn't pay attention to what is in the safe, as long as she doesn't see the box itself arrive. It's just another black or wooden gun tucked in the safe! I've also started getting some just delivered to the UPS Depot and picking them up on my way home.
This strategy has almost backfired on me a few times though.
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u/throwmedownthewel May 02 '26
This 100% They all look the same to them, once it’s in the safe it’s home free.
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u/Eglitarian May 03 '26
Ugh, mine doesn’t but sure has an opinion on how much I can spend on it. First PAL purchase and she starts filter low->high and starts asking why I can’t just get a Scorpio bolt action .22.
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u/squishydonut16 May 02 '26
RF 224 has had some mixed reviews from what I’ve heard. If you want something tacticool out the box, get the TM22 pro, should be around $500-600 and you can mod it out, or get a ruger 10/22 which has crazy after market support, spend less than a thousand buying it and making some modifications and upgrading it in the future so the wife dosent get mad lmao
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u/No_Amount_69 May 02 '26
Is there anywhere i could find TM22 18’ or 16’ seems like everything is sold out 🥲🥲
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u/squishydonut16 May 02 '26
Bullseye North currently has some pros in stock. And the other comments are completely right about the 10/22, it’s an amazing gun that will probably outlive you, however making it look all fancy can be very costly ($1000+), so if you want a one and done and not worry about sleeping on the couch in the future, I’d say TM22.
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u/LumberjackCDN Gold'n Loan Outfitters & Pawn May 02 '26
As a first gun avoid the rf224 as you'll need to do things to it to make it run well. Stick to a 10/22 or a tm-22. Both have much more proven track records than an rf224.
Edit: but if youre open to a bolt gun get a savage b22 timber tactical or a ruger rimfire precision and throw a vortex triumph 3-9x40 on it. The triumph is 149.99, comes with rhe new vortex sport rings and would do fine as a rimfire optic on either one of the bolt guns
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u/No_Amount_69 May 02 '26
Is there anywhere i could buy TM22 18’ barrel ? Seems like everything is sold out
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u/LumberjackCDN Gold'n Loan Outfitters & Pawn May 02 '26
When north sylva snaked the derya contract from odell i think they discontinued the 18" ones for some silly reason. Theyre also feasf or famine though in availability
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u/TopLemon3678 May 02 '26
I think I heard Bullseye North saying they're expecting some in.
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u/LumberjackCDN Gold'n Loan Outfitters & Pawn May 02 '26
I was just on the website for them (im a retailer) and i couldnt find the 18" ones but ill double check
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u/TopLemon3678 May 02 '26
maybe it was an 18 in another model they were talking about and i got confused.
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u/LumberjackCDN Gold'n Loan Outfitters & Pawn May 02 '26
It could be. Im doing family stuff today but ill check tonight after i drop them off at the airport and let ya know
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u/TopLemon3678 May 02 '26
No worries, I'm not in a rush to get one, I've been eyeing something in a larger caliber.
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u/SandySpectre May 02 '26
I was just on North Sylva’s site and they’ve got a bunch of 18” TM22s. Most are the cadet models but there’s a couple of others too.
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u/LumberjackCDN Gold'n Loan Outfitters & Pawn May 03 '26
Tm-22-al, like the ones similar to the pros in build quality? Or just cadets and feathers cause those we werent talking about.
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u/SandySpectre May 04 '26
I don’t remember. They have a barrel length filter and they had a bunch of models in stock with 18” barrels.
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u/AluminumGold May 02 '26
Just wondering what do you recommend to do to rf224 to make it run well? Thanks
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u/LumberjackCDN Gold'n Loan Outfitters & Pawn May 02 '26
We just stopped carrying them because the frequency of problems was too high. Supposedly you need to run hv for a 100 or so rounds to break the gun in and do a deep clean but my customers had mixed results. Theyre just unfortunately a dice roll
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u/Batsinvic888 Bats888 on YouTube May 02 '26
This is my recommendation * Find a ruger 10/22 base model or sale (FOC has one for 365 right now) * Get the SBI ST-22 receiver (299) * Get the Feyachi V30 red dot. I have used 3 of them, and put thousands of rounds of 9mm, .223, 7.62x39, and .22lr and they still hold up. Nothing fancy, but perfect entry for 22lr (90 on amazon) * You can leave it here if you like the original stock, total would be (754 + tax). * If you want to upgrade the stock, you can searcha round for one in your budget. The ATI Strikeforce should be about 200, so 954 + tax.
You're gonna get an excellent gun that can be upgraded in the future. Plus you'll learn how 10/22s go together. They are incredibly simple and there are so many guides online on how to put one together.
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u/Traditional-Pop-8748 May 05 '26
Great comment. Since the ban I put my Sitemark M spec I had on my S&W FPC onto my stock 10/22 and it's been fun. I had a 3-9 on before but just more fun with the Sitemark.
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u/Zealousideal-Hat5814 May 02 '26
Either a decked out Ruger 10/22 lots of after-market mods you can slap on that thing, not to mention grab that SBI mag with 20+ rounds. Or a citadel levtac lever action with a nice sight .
DO NOT GET the Adler, that gun was a waste of money, especially when I compare it to what I get from my Ruger . It’s just pretty furniture on a knock-off Turkish almost-ruger base. What’s worst, is that while a lot of the parts look similar to a 10/22 they aren’t and will mess up your gun.
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u/Iokua_CDN May 02 '26
Upvote for the Citadel Levtac!!! Comes all ready space cowboy ready.
I did some minor fixing on mine when I got it. Smoothed the loading gate a bit, tightened some screws, stuffed plastic in thr hollow stock to get rid of the Hollow feeling. Added a leather butt cuff for a nicer feel on my cheek. Added some paracord on the lever. Throw on a cheaper red dot, and you got a great budget gun!!! There is enough things to do to make it feel like you've built it yourself, but in reality, most of the expensive parts are all there when you buy it.
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u/Whispers69420 May 02 '26
Hmm I'd go for a maverick and a 10 22 I reckon
Or an sks
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u/Iokua_CDN May 02 '26
22 and a pump shotgun definitely seem like the best most economical choice! Let's you do shotgun sports like skeet and also target shoot.
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u/Due_Statistician1679 May 02 '26
I stuck to a $1000 dollar budget for a few of my firearms and their accessories. Mossberg 590, CZ 457 in 17hmr, 10/22, Ruger Ranch in .223. You can find great deals on gunpost.
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u/Iokua_CDN May 02 '26
My whole collection has been under 1k each! Tons of great guns to be had for under that price point. You might even be able to get 2!
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u/0DirtDiver May 02 '26
Ruger american target .22lr Love mine with the weather getting some nice I'm itching to take it past 300 yards this year. Budget leaves room for a scope to upgrade down the road
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u/DougMacRay617 May 02 '26
I would put a deposit on a makasi and once it became available i would have enough to pay it off, or an sks. 22's get boring quick. I enjoy building 10/22s more then i enjoy shooting them
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u/epnk420 May 02 '26 edited May 02 '26
Built a custom 10/22 for like $800 but that was a few years ago now it’s probably much more now and that was without optics just the gun, I’d stay away from anything Turkish 100% they’re garbage. For bolt action ruger precision rimfire. You will get an itch for something larger tho only reason I have 22s is the cost of ammo they get really boring fast unfortunately
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u/Previous_Search3122 May 02 '26
I would buy a 10/22 with scope combo and a Savage Axis combo when both go on sale. Chose a light caliber for the Axis, .223 if you just want to reach out and touch stuff, 6.5 if you want to hunt with it. You can buy a clamp on break down the road to help with recoil but either of those calibers are pretty tame, ammo is available everywhere, it's fairly inexpensive to shoot, and will be a good step up from the 22LR. If you go too big too fast you can easily develop a flinch or recoil sensitivity.
That will put you just under $1000 plus ammo and both are good platforms that you can slowly upgrade if you wish.
When there is room in the budget you can buy yourself a decent pump shotgun, Benelli, Winchester, and the 870 are reliable no matter what.
Once you have those 3 in your safe you can slowly start to specialize purchase for specific tasks.
However if your budget is $1000 walking out of the store, then buy a decent bolt 22LR with a great optic (this can be moved to a different gun later), a cleaning kit, a bucket of ammo. This is the most inexpensive and best way to learn how to shoot a rifle.
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u/Iokua_CDN May 02 '26
Wanted to throw one more suggestion out there, going for a Best bang for your Buck if you wanted to get multiple guns for that pricepoint.
1. Going with Intersurplus for a lot of these. Grabbing a 3006 bolt action rifle for 300 bucks. Used, wood stock, most have iron sights, some have scope mounts. Grab one and enjoy it with irons for now and add a scope later! Ammo is a but pricey. Some 308 bolt guns are also available but they all cost more than the 3006 ones.
Double barrel shotgun, also from Intersurplus. They have side by sides or over unders, tons in the 300-400 ,range to enjoy. Enjoy a whole new sport and shoot some clays. Totally different than target shooting.
Intersurplus again for a used pump action shotgun (they are sort of rare, break actions are more common) or just grab a classic Maverick 88! Same ad the double barrel, let's you try out shotgun sports, or just enjoy launching a big slug out at the range. Pump action of course has more capacity than the side by side, but some like the classic feel of the side by side better. Pick whichever you want. Eventually you will likely have both, like I do.
A 22 of some sorts. Lots of bolt actions, Savage bolt actions made in Canada, Intersurplus bolt actions from Europe. Ruger 10/22 and Winchestor Wildcat and the tm 22 for semi autos, maybe a few cheaper options. Honestly should have put this first. So cheap to shoot means a 22 will give you tons of practice. Plus they are fun at multiple ranges. Shoot them quick at 25 or 50 meters, or go a bit longer at 100 meters, or practice with drop and holds at 200 meters. My most fired gun is easily my 22.
With these prices, you can pick 2 or even 3 of these guns and have a wide spread of different kinds of shooting. My first three were a bolt action 22lr, a pump 12 ga, and an SKS when they were cheap. If I had to start again, I'd likely go:
1.pump shotgun like Maverick 88. 2. Semi auto 22lr like the 10/22, and then try for a cheaper bolt action. That way you still get both a semi auto and a bolt action. Likely the most economical way to go. Probably the only way to get all 3 under 1k
Or if you can get a good deal on an sks, go bolt action 22, Sks and pump shotgun. The Sks will be the most expensive of the bunch however. Likely over 1k.
Or if you have the desire and a bit extra money, swap out the Sks for a cheap 357 lever action like the Citadel Levtac. Pair with with a 22, bolt action or semi auto, or a Pump shotgun. Definitely will be over 1k for all 3 though, but lever actions are super fun. Could be an option of you plan to save and buy more guns next year.
Now last piece of advice, despite advising you to buy all these multiple guns.
It's OK to go slow. It's OK to buy a gun this year, and then wait till Black Friday to buy another one, and then get a 3rd next year. I went years with just 1 gun. Now I pretty much always buy one new one a year, almost always on black friday. A bit of waiting and checking prices as saved me hundreds. Like I can remember quite a few of my guns were all on sale, after I had watched them for months.
My 308 bolt action was a 1k gun for clearance for 700.
My 7.62 x39 bolt action used to be 1400, got it for 990.
My pump shotgun and extra barrel would have easily been 600+ but I got it for 450 together.
My 22 was a 330 dollar gun on sale for 230.
My sks was a 400 gun (at the time) bought second hand for 200.
My lever action was a 1100-1200 gun bought for 800.
Just wait for the sales, research and check often. Using websites like almostprohibited can really help you compare multiple stores. A bit of patience can result in big savings. And that's not even taking in the Used Market and the potential savings you can get there.
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u/Flat-Dark-Earth Big Bore Specialist May 02 '26
$1,000 buys some ammo.
Going to have to up that for anything nice.
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u/HaasieM May 02 '26
I’m slowly doing a 10/22 build, id recommend doing similar. Started with a plane Jane 10/22 carbine and throw parts at it as I find them/they come available/I can afford them lol. Tons of options for these things and they’re just a solid gun that works. You could take a look at r/1022
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u/No-Night-48 May 02 '26
Don't tell her how much ammo costs. But, do tell her firearms retain their value very well.
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u/Iokua_CDN May 02 '26
Hmmm I'd be tempted to build an Sks.
Buy the sks, sadly about 700-800. Maybe you can snag a cheaper used one off someone. Either a normal stock or you might find one in an aftermarket stock
Magazine adaptor from TNA for 10 round pistol mags and do the install yourself to save money, probably about $150
Bad Ace rail for a red dot, or alternative. I know one fellow on reddit makes them for cheaper too.
All together, it's going to be rough to get it under 1k, but a bit of searching on the Sks can get you under. If you can get lucky and get one used for under 700, you'll have more room to build.
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u/Iokua_CDN May 02 '26
Another suggestion.
Grab a cz 600 alpha. The 7.62 x39 is on sale for like $750.
That leaves wiggle room for a scope or optic of some kind, maybe a nice leather buttcuff. Grab some of the aftermarket 12 round magazines as well and enjoy!
Cheap ammo, good accuracy, solid feel, all for under 1k.
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u/chillyrabbit May 02 '26
Consider all the other things you need to buy too.
A quick tally from my visual guide shows you need to spend about $500 on the other things besides the gun.
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u/AlonzoMosely88 May 02 '26
I would buy a bolt-action Savage MkII BV, BTV, or BTVS. For the scope, I would use something like the Bushnell Nitro with a MOA or MIL reticle to reach out a little further.
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u/Girthquake2654 May 03 '26
Im a big fan of the samson build 10/22s. Its a super clean, tight, and reasonably useful package that would come in at around your price limit. Currently saving for one myself. Toss on some mag couplers or dlask tuff 22 mags and it ought to be a soda can popping a monster
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u/Leading_Apricot8620 May 03 '26
For plinking sure, rf224 is probably good 10/22 would be better. Hunting ? Id reccomend an axis2 in the caliber of your choice (243, 6.5, 308, 30-06 ) are all great hunting round, even the 243 can take moose with a well placed shot
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u/bananahammock_69420 May 03 '26
I recently acquired a Derya TM22 and had it out for a really quick shoot yesterday, first impression was it's a great little semi 22 and the 25 round banana magazine is absurdly awesome.
Will do more in depth testing of it in the weeks to come but so far so good
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u/KalashnikovParty May 04 '26
1000 is kinda tricky for me because all the guns i want to build is either too expensive or too much under the budget
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u/Traditional-Pop-8748 May 05 '26 edited May 05 '26
I bought a CZ 600 on sale in 7.62x39 and put a Arken 4 -16 on it for around 1100. Cheap ammo= good times. Or just get a Ruger 10/22 which I also have for fun and inexpensive shooting.
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u/CheesecakeEasy8952 May 02 '26
Get a Silencer for her. I’m starting to love my TM22 pro 16” and it’s starting to shine in IPSC .
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u/FenderFanatic May 02 '26
I'd say 10/22. If you want more mag capacity than 10 you'll have to look elsewhere though.