r/canadaguns Jun 30 '26

Buy recommendations First firearm recommendations

Hey folks,

I’m new to firearms and thinking about getting a used lever-action .22 as my first rifle. I like the classic style, the ammo is affordable, and it seems like a good way to learn the basics.

For someone buying their first gun, is a used lever-action .22 a good idea?

What models should I be looking at?

What should I check before buying used?

Any red flags with older .22 lever guns?

I want something reliable, safe, and fun to learn on. Not trying to overcomplicate it.

Thanks in advance.

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u/NEUMANN-METALWORKS Neumann Metalworks Jun 30 '26

SKS is more suitable for learning "the basics" of gun ownership, especially cleaning and disassembly. It's price consistently goes up and there's always the ever-looming threat of it being banned. Better to get it earlier than later.

3

u/Feisty-Confusion-356 Jun 30 '26

True, that particular reason is motivating me to start my "collection".

1

u/Crimbosus Jun 30 '26

I would go either with a Henry or Browning Bl22. A lever 22 is usually only tube fed and no sidegate feeding, so if your looking for that you might have to step it up to 357