A gun just for fun

[Pax Jordana]

Well, I've learned my lesson. This time when I found a lady who struck my fancy, the first date was a trip to the range! :D :D

She loved every minute of it. Ate it up. On top of that, she's cute and very sweet. And that's all the text my conscience will allow me to spend in bragging.


A technical consideration, though: We shot a 1911, my (plastic stocked, short barreled) 870 and Wizened Grand-Elder's m1 carbine. These are the guns I enjoy, but I am 6 feet tall with arms to match and weigh ~220lb. So as much as she enjoyed it, I pretty much had to buttress her with my girth (I'd estimate her at 120 if she filled her pockets with sand) when she was shooting the 12 gauge, and she lacked manual strength and the requisite hand size to work the 1911 with any degree of comfort. EDIT: Also, she's a leftie. Baaagh.


This is a big deal for me, as all the guns I've had were picked for function. But obviously to a newbie they may all be a little big, loud, heavy kickers, etc. So I need to find something that's more for comfort and accuracy than durability, caliber or ease of carry.


I'd prefer an automatic to a revolver, perhaps no bigger than a 38 super. 9mm or .22lr would be nice. I'd like it to work every time and not cost a bundle. It would be kept clean and well-fed, with small enough grips to accomodate hands of all different sizes. Also, not costing a bundle is important.

The first things that come to my mind would be a SigSauer 'mosquito' (.22) or a Browning Hi-Power (9) with some nice target sights.

Anybody have a better idea?

[nero45acp]

A stainless CZ-75B 9mm and a Kadet (.22LR) conversion kit should meet your needs, and cover all of your bases.:D


nero

[Vern Humphrey]

It depends on where you're going. If you just want a fun gun to shoot, a Ruger .22 automatic is hard to beat. They are reliable and .22 ammo is cheap. In addition, they are accurate -- and as Townsend Whelen said, "Only accurate <guns> are interesting." (He was talking about rifles, but you get the picture.

If you plan to transition to the M1911 at some later date, the Ruger 22/45 is a good training gun.

Or you could go with a revolver. I'd look at a .38 special/.357 with a 3 to 4 inch barrel -- easy and fairly cheap to shoot with light .38 Special loads and a good defensive gun in its own right. You could also pick a .22 revolver and work up the defensive caliber.

[bpisler]

I would think about a 22lr conversion kit for
your 1911,should only be around $200.00
if you buy direct from the maker.

[Vern Humphrey]

There are several kits for the M1911 -- I lean toward the Kimber kit these days -- it's not all that expensive, and has better accuracy than the Ciener kit.

[Anna's Dad]

My wife is 4' 11" and her favorite gun to shoot is (believe it or not) my Ruger P345. She doesn't have a problem with the recoil at all, which amazes me.

If that's not for your lady, however, my wife is also very fond of my Sig Trailside. Very light, well balanced, extremely accurate and not much kick at all. I believe Sig sold the rights to the Trailside to another manufacturer, but you can still find them for sale NIB--its a terrific gun.

[omnivore75]

Hey whats wrong with being a lefty??:confused: :D I shoot a rifle darn good lefty if I do say so myself.;) :) I am actually what I call different handed and I have never met anyone else quite the same way. I do some things left handed and some right handed but I am not ambidextrous. For instance I shoot a pistol right handed and although I can also shoot a pistol fairly well left handed not nearly as well as right. I shoot a rifle left handed, however, and can not begin to shoot a rifle right handed. I write left handed and eat left handed, but I throw right handed and punch right handed and kick with my right foot. I shoot pool left handed and bowl right handed and none of these things can I do with both hands except shoot a pistol and you can't count that because I shoot better right handed with a pistol but could not even begin to shoot a rifle right so I am not what you would call right handed, left handed, or ambidextrous. I just call it different handed and I have yet to meet anyone else who is the same way. Luckily it does not effect me as I am and have always been a very good shot with any gun. Many people who shoot rifles left handed buy the STAG AR's set up for lefty but I am so used to shooting my Predator Customs built AR and shoot it so well I don't see the need for a lefty setup. I guess some leftys have trouble with the brass ejecting across their support arm or maybe it bothers their eyes but I don't have any problems at all. Also I have to second the 357/38 idea for a lady. I have a Taurus M627 DAO 7shot 2 1/4 inch barrel satin stainless finish .357 that I love. Load it up with light .38spl loads and the extra weight of the .357 frame makes it an imminently shootable and fun gun for the range or just in the back yard putting the hurt on a target or some cans and with the three HKS 7 shot speed loaders I have for it filled with some good Gold Dot 125 grain .357mag loads it is also more than enough for home/self defense. Granted I am likely to go for my Glock 22 with high caps and Ranger Talon ammo or my AR just because of the advantage of the tactical lights I have on them to say nothing of the added firepower, I would certainly not feel undergunned with my Taurus .357 and speedloaders in most situations.

[longeyes]

Glock 17.

[gbran]

20 ga Mossberg Bantam pump, short stock, barrel, works for lefties, low recoil.
Taurus, Rossi Model 62 pump, .22 or .22wmr, short, light, ambidex.
Makarov is small, lite, accurate, cheap and fun.
Ruger Mk II 22lr pistol.

My grandson and my very small daughter-in-law shoot these.

[DWARREN123]

Bersa .380, fine little auto.

[telomerase]

Youre going to have to let them try the feel of a lot of grips. Browning HP is a good place to start, though. Long trigger reach is bad for a lot of small people, so a good SA like the HP is worth trying.

Beretta used to have good small single action autos, but new models have DA triggers. Doesn't CZ have smaller autos that can be cocked&locked?

[Matt Dillon]

Have you considered a CZ83 in.380? Hardly any recoil, in a nice medium size package.

[desert gunner]

To me all guns are fun especialy since I just target shoot. But to me the most fun gun to shoot is the HK USP Compact 9mm. I say this because decent power, low recoil, fast targeting, and just smooth!::D

[AirForceShooter]

Ruger .22

AFS

[bdutton]

Any .22 rifle or pistol will do. Ammo is cheap and recoil is light.

[CajunBass]

Take her to a gun store, or a range that rents guns, and let her pick out what she likes.

[10-Ring]

As 22's go, I like the Ruger or the Browning. Both are fun, inexpensive & easy to shoot. As for something a bit bigger in caliber...I have fallen in like w/ the Steyr M9-A1....short trigger pull, accurate, okay sights and not that expensive.
I am not a big fan of 22 conversion kits (YMMV). The few I've tried on a Glock, 1911 and 92fs were ammo sensitive & a little finicky...not a good combo if you're out to have a good time ;)

[Muncus Agruncus]

How about a Beretta 87 Cheetah (not the target model)? Other suggestions from me, would be a CZ-75B or a Bersa Thunder 9.

[Dusty Rusty]

How about a Beretta .22 Neos? Nice feel, reliable, cheap ammo and the grips are great for small hands. I love plinking with mine. I have used it in competition (bowling pin shoots). Then she can work her way up to one that is more powerful if she wants. Let her pick the one that fits the best.

[Newton]

Ruger .22

Either the new (ish) Mark 3 or my personal favorite, the stainless 22/45.

[Vern Humphrey]

I have a Ruger MK II -- replacing an older MK I that I foolishly traded off. They are great guns.

But I also have a Colt Officer's Model Target -- Colt's top-of-the-line target revolver at the time it was made. And there's something about a revolver . . . :)

[rbernie]

Browning Buckmark Micro 4". Still made of steel, feels real, handles well, easy to shoot - what's not to love?

[steelhead]

Firestorm .22lr.

http://www.hunt101.com/img/389110.JPG

[salthouse]

Steyr S9 or one of the Walther .22 autos. Ruger also makes a nice .17 revolver, lots of fun and accurate, not to mention the loud bang you get from 17 HMR.

[depicts]

I vote for the Browning Buckmark, Steel and Wood, or a Ruger Mod II or III.

Both are dependable, accurate and a lot of fun

[Pax Jordana]

Fellows,
Perhaps I should've bolded my edit. She's a leftie.


Anyway, I think the Walther P22 (It's a link, LOL!) ((http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=51893121)) is going to be my choice. Truly ambi, adjustable sights, also it comes with a couple of different backstraps (I believe that's the term) for different hands.

[JohnKSa]

Ruger Bearcat
Walther P22
Browning Buckmark

[S&W620]

Glock (19, 26), CZ compact, Browning Hi-Power, or a new Smith & Wesson Sigma (not a bad gun at all and the price is great)

[sugarbritches]

Hey, just keep in mind us lefties are the only ones in our "RIGHT" minds. Don't let this one get away!:D

[lionking]

Agreed with the Ruger auto,my Mark1 almost always goes with me to a shooting session,no matter what else I take.

sugarbritches,Im a lefty also,hand that is,not politically lol!

[Tropical Z]

The first things that come to my mind would be a SigSauer 'mosquito'
Anyway, I think the Walther P22

A Beretta Neos is a much better gun for less $$$

[hub]

my girlfriend loves to shoot my trailside. its her favorite pistol to shoot. i've been thinking about getting a .22 pistol she can call hers. a buckmark standard or camper seem to have a nice price.

[evan price]

I bought my Walther P22 brand new for $239, where will you find a Beretta Neos .22 for that price let alone "For less $$$"...???
Plus the Neos is as butt-ugly as a Beretta CX4 Storm carbine..!

Anyway, P22 is a good gun. Just make sure if you get a new one, lube it and dry run the action a few dozen times before shooting it, it will loosen up quick.

[Tropical Z]

I bought my Walther P22 brand new for $239, where will you find a Beretta Neos .22 for that price let alone "For less $$$"...???
I bought my Neos for $229.99 and the same store sells the P22 for $269.99

[hnk45acp]

an HK P2000 or P2000sk is ambi, reliable, has adjustable backstraps and very comfy to shoot in 9mm.
but strictly for fun, Why not a single action in 38/357 a colt or ruger would be lotsa fun. She could start out in mild 38 and graduate to the 357

[3 weelin geezer]

My vote goes for the Ruger mark II preferably with a suppressor. :what: :uhoh:

[alawsin]

+1 for the P22

Every girl I show my guns to like it the most. Attach the walther laser and a can if you have one and its the funnest pistol to shoot at that price range. The laser makes aiming a breeze and the can adds weight to help with the muzzle flip.

[1 LT MPC]

Jordan, you mentioned shooting an 1911. Was your girl friend able to rack the slide? In my experience, females have difficulty charging semi's, due to their small hands and reduced grip. I normally start new shooters on revolvers. Easy to load, no confusing buttons and whistles, and accurate. I never start newbies on sa/da automatics, no matter the brand or caliber.
Good luck.

[DWARREN123]

I just picked up a Ruger SP-101 stainless with 4" barrel (DA/SA) in .22LR.

But then I consider all my firearms fun!!!:D

[Jorg]

As far as fun handguns, my Beretta Neos with a Bushnell Trophy red dot on it is considered by my friends and family at the top of the list. Nothing like bouncing cans across the desert with it.

As far as the Walther P22, I found it a bit on the small side.

[xiphur]

never thought about calling it that. I always considered my self a lefty in that i shoot left handed, eat, drink, write and play pingpong left handed. I can strike with both hands but my right hand is stronger. I shoot basketball, play racquette ball and throw with my right hand. Cant shoot a rifle for beans with my right hand but i can atleast hold a pistol comfortably with my right hand. Oh! I can only throw a frisbee with my left hand. for me left hand = dextrity right hand = power. Hope this isnt too of topic, just want to let omnivore that he/she isn't alone.:p

[Lew]

You're buying a gun for a lady you've just met :scrutiny: Hell, she must be something else. Congratulations! Hope she stays around :)

[Lurikeen pew pew]

Don't tell the girl that you bought a new gun just for her to shoot it.
No matter what she will probably take it the wrong way. First she will
ask you how much you paid for it.

If you give a high price (in her mind) then she may feel pressured
or whatever or think you are "moving too fast". If you say a low price she
will think you are cheap or something hehe.

In the end I think you should purchase a gun that YOU would like to
shoot even if she isnt around. Sorry if I am coming off like a jerk.

[BluesBear]

My first choice for any new shooter is always the same.

A good .22 revolver with GOOD sights and trigger pull.

No wondering if the chamber is loaded or not.
No worrying if the safety is on or off.
No sore fingers from loading magazines.
No hot brass in anyones cleaveage.
No big noises.
No jamming.
No recoil.

With the ability to use everything from bb caps and Colibris to Stingers and 60gr SSS you just can't go wrong.

And you won't go broke shooting it.

Plus it's a gun you'll never outgrow.


As much as I love my .45 autos and my N-frames.
I still love to shoot my lowly H&R 999.
Mine is almost 30 years old and it'll still place all shots into one ragged hole all day long with just about any ammo you can find.
The older ones are even better shooters.

[Vern Humphrey]

No hot brass in anyones cleaveage.

Just who is your range partner?:D

[Pax Jordana]

This is the one thread so far in which the second page informs more than the first, so far as I've seen here (in, what, all two months I've been reading, if that..)

1 LT MPC:
Nope, that was one of the biggest problems. She hossed the recoil and even made OK followup shots (by the third mag she'd picked up a wicked flinch though :uhoh:) but couldn't charge it.

Lew:
She's a knockout, alright. But I find myself reaching out to my fellow [wo]man a lot more than I merely go on dates. She will be, I think, the fifth person I've taken shooting in the year or so that I've been proselytizing. The one fanatic I've bred so far got most of his fun from the challenge. So I'm thinking that, on the philosophical end, I'm going to focus from now on more about the plinking and the 'fun' than the threat neutralization and defense.

Same for Lurikeen Pew Pew.. it's for more than just her. *I* shoot more often than I bring friends anyway :D

And to BluesBear: For the record, hot brass in the cleavage was perhaps the best part of the afternoon! But the K22 is definitely coming along next time.

[BluesBear]

:D