Which .22?

Well, I'm new to the shooting world and planning on getting two handguns- the first is a .22, and the second a 1911. Anyway, I am on a pretty tight budget, so I'm looking for an affordable .22 pistol to practice on. What would you recommend and why?

Thanks in advance!

Ruger 22/45 is what I'd suggest as your first, if the 1911 is to be next.

--wally.

I like the ruger mark Ii my self but the 22/45 has a grip angle close to a 1911

How about a 1911 and a 22 conversion kit? :cool: Then you'd be practicing on the same trigger w/ the same grip ;)

I'd do that, but I'm not very handy, and I heard it would cost as much as just buying a separate pistol. Correct me if I'm wrong, though, as that's a pretty good idea.

Don't rule out the Beretta Neos. Radical and modular design, inexpensive, accurate. Very nice pistol.

Beretta Neos is a good choice.

But the Ruger 22/45 is called 22/45 because unlike the other models that were something like the Luger rake angle, these are the rake angle of a Colt 1911 45 ACP.

So planning on getting a 1911 the 22/45 is the one.

Yes, a conversion kit would indeed cost as much as buying the 22/45 or close to it. The advantage is you will be using the full size gun exactly including the trigger. Just depends, really can't go wrong with either choice.

10 Rings suggestion is what I would have suggested.

That's also an excuse to get BOTH at the SAME TIME. :D

Look into a 1911, something like a NRM Colt Government, and then get a Marvel .22 Conversion Kit.

Scroll the classifieds section on www.1911forum.com for some good deals.

Good luck. The most fun .22 pistol to shoot is a .22 1911. Hands down. :D

I thought the same thing too - why buy a conversion when you can get a whole gun? So I got a 22/45, and it just wasn't the same as my .45. The difference in trigger pull was the biggest thing for me, because the Mark II trigger operates differently than a 1911. Plus, the magazine well angle is funky (minor, but when you're supposed to be substituting it for a 1911...). I got a Marvel conversion and I'm happier. It's EXACTLY like my .45 because it IS my .45 only lighter and with less recoil.

It isn't any harder to install the Marvel than it is to field strip the gun. Takes me about a minute to swap top ends.

Several months ago I looked at nearly every .22 pistol on the market. I ended up buying a Browning Buck Mark Bullseye. Accurate, dependable, GREAT trigger, and, if you look hard enough, affordable. Its also a beautiful pistol.
I'd also take a look at the Sig Trailside. Many people make these two pistols their "finalists" before they buy.
Good luck,

David

I have both a Trailside and a Buckmark and MkII. For plinking and for range work when I was a similar heft and feel (without the cost or recoil) to a 1911-pattern pistol, I use the Buckmark.