Decent .22

[rholmes69]

I'll also say that while the Walther P22 looked like a cool gun, I bought it and thought it was a piece of crap. Cool features, but felt cheap, felt like a toy, inaccurate, and unreliable. Not something to bring a new shooter into the sport with, IMO.

My P22 has been awesome and my wife really likes it. It seems like these were hit or miss, and I don't know if there was a serial number range or import date, etc. AMaybe some internet research could help... A lot of people say their's only likes one type of ammo, I ca mix and match an entire magazine with every round from a different maker and it will go bang every time. Dunno...

[JimBianchi]

My Buckmark is amazing.

One of the best trigger I have ever seen on a standard pistol.

Very accurate and 100% reliable.

[paul34]

Ruger MK III.

A real bear to take down and put back together, but good news is, you rarely (if ever) have to do that. Women also love it, and makes a great beginner's pistol (whether for men or women).

[Tinman507]

Wow! Thank you all for the really thoughtful suggestions. Gonna go do some shopping today and checking out a few of the suggested weapons.

I know it's been said a lot on here, but this forum is really unique. Many times newbies and our "dumb" questions are treated with disdain on other forums. Here I really feel like the general feeling is one of helpfulness and education. It's very appreciated. It has the true feeling of fraternity. That welcomes new folks to explore your world. This is most important when our 2nd Amendment rights are under so much assault. A fence-sitter might be turned off and believe the press about gun owners being wing-nuts if he's blown off or insulted. This forum is a pleasant surprise. For that I truly thank each of you.

[BuckeyeBlast]

Hey neighbor BB, mind my asking why you recommend the shorter barrel on the 22/45?

Balance. The poly frame w/ the long barrel of the front just doesn't point as naturally, at least not for me. The shorter barrel just feels like I could remove the sights and still be on target, the longer barrel requires more deliberate aiming... at least for me. I do most of my pistol shooting within 50'

[JFootin]

Yes. Balance. The P-38 always had that. It is genius, actually. It has a longer barrel, but it is a light weight barrel, making it a very pointable weapon.

[Thunder71]

I'll second, or third the Beretta Neos - it's the most underrated gun in my opinion. Mine fires whatever I feed it and is very, very accurate.

Much easier to field strip too!

[TominCA]

Although not a target pistol the Walther p22 has really been liked by women I have taught to shoot. It is small, light and fires both single and double action. It comes with two backstraps to change grip size and the small one is very good for small hands. It is a LOT of fun to shoot and has a blazing fast trigger reset so you can make the thing shoot like a little machinegun. Now that's Fun!

Women seem to like small and light guns when learning (don't we all) in my experience.

[CJB]

Rugers can be found all over the place used. The 22/45 is a favorite.
Dont rule out the older Beretta 76 or the new Beretta if you come across one.
Stay away from Sig Mosquito, other zinc alloy (ZAMAC) frame and/or slide guns, like all the .22 versions of the 1911 that are floating about out there lately.
The old (weird) S&W 22 auto was an interesting and fun gun too.

[rwblue01]

I like 22LR rifles and pistols. I think it all depends on what you want.

S&W makes a great target 22LR revolver. It is good for single action and double action.

Ruger makes a great semi-auto. I have a MKII slabside with scope. When I do my part it is a tack drivers. I am actually looking for a second MII heavy barrel. I don't care for 45/22.

I also like conversion units. I have them for the Glock, 92, AR-15, 45LC.

[LuckyGunner]

Depending on your budget.

Small budget - S&W 22A - I have around 14k rounds through mine and it's only getting better with time. Tear down and cleaning is pretty easy.

If you have a bit more money I would look at a used MKII or MKIII. Browning Buckmarks work also if you prefer them.

__________________
rimfire ammo

[jeepster09]

If you can afford it, get a Smith & Wesson Model 41, you will not regret it. It is a quality LIFETIME purchase. Just remember as the saying goes: "you get what you pay for".



http://www.armslist.com/classifieds/...earch=model+41

[Barth]

If you buy new you may want to concider the threaded barrel version of the Ruger 22/45.
Never know when you might want to run silent run deep.

[rwblue01]

If you can afford it, get a Smith & Wesson Model 41, you will not regret it. It is a quality LIFETIME purchase. Just remember as the saying goes: "you get what you pay for".



http://www.armslist.com/classifieds/...earch=model+41

What do you get with your S&W 41 that I don't get with my MKII slabside?

[JFootin]

What do you get with your S&W 41 that I don't get with my MKII slabside?

Besides a much lighter wallet?