First gun ever?

[La Pistoletta]

Now, I haven't shot anything other than an air rifle before. Well, an AK5 (FNC) when I was 11, but anyway.

I know that to get a licence for a .22 here, you need to practice for 6 months, know the safety and such and pass a qualification test. Another 6 months to get a 9mm. To be 18 years old is also a requirement (I'm 17).

Not that I have any cash to spend right now, but if I was to make my way to a .22 licence, which model would you think would be the best for me? It would need to be affordable and cheap to shoot since I'd have to practice quite a bit. If it does happen at all, it won't happen until I'm somewhere in my twenties, but it would be interesting to know your input.

[Sunray]

Depends on the kind of shooting you want to do and what's available where you are. There are all kinds of good .22 target pistols though. If there are any gun store where you are go shopping. Ask the instructors on your course and if you can go to any matches there are near you. Match organizers are always short of help, so if you offer your services, even if you're just a gofer, you'll learn a bunch and maybe get to shoot some of the competitor's pistols. Shooters everywhere generally bend over backwards to help a new guy.

[La Pistoletta]

Well, gun stores, there aren't really any here. It's not impossible to order a weapon but of course you'd have to check with toll and have a licence.

Do you think it would be a good idea to start with air pistol shooting? There's a place in town for air shooting but they only lend out rifles. But since I wouldn't need a licence and air pistol works fine there if you have one, maybe that would be a trouble free way to begin?

[Tom Bri]

Air pistols are great, you can set up in your room to shoot safely and learn everything you need to know about how to hold and shoot accurately.

As for low cost .22s, the Rugers are good.

[P95Carry]

IMO ... proficiency with air weapons is not to be sneezed at. Agreed . recoil is hardly an issue but ... trigger control, breathing control and sight useage are just the same ..... and once proficient with these weapons, a transition to firerarms proper is way more successful.

I started off with air weapons .... about 50 years ago (sheesh!! ouch!) ... and it sure helped. .22 rimfire is indeed the most logical next progession. :)

[Plinkerton]

I know that to get a licence for a .22 here, you need to practice for 6 months, know the safety and such and pass a qualification test. Another 6 months to get a 9mm. To be 18 years old is also a requirement (I'm 17).

Wow... I guess I should stop complaining about the California gun laws! :eek:

[Valkman]

Where are you from? Those are some hellacious laws!

These guys know .22's better than I do, especially revolvers. But I've had alot of experience with Ruger Mk II pistols and they're great for beginners. When my wife handled lots of guns and then picked one for her first, it was a Mk II. Great guns!

[La Pistoletta]

Texas, couldn't you tell? :D

Actually, Sweden. Yes, the gun laws are strict here.
Anyway, thanks for the tips.

What do you think about .22 revolvers? Are they anything to be had over pistols, which kind is the cheapest?
Also, are there any "not" rimfire .22's?

[Wedge]

I thought you were in NY. It took my friends 6 months to get his .22 pistol here.

I see you want cheap. I was going to recomend one of the Freedom Arms rimfire single action revolvers...but they aren't cheap in the US and I bet any import fees will make them even more expensive.

[Hemicuda]

Hard to beat a good ol' Ruger...

I now have them in the

10/22 model (10 shot rotary magazine semi-auto)

77/22 model (same magazine, bolt action), and a

a Mk-1 pistol - 9 shot semi-auto...

iffin you're into lever guns, there's also the 96/22 - 10 shot rotary magazine gun...

they are a BIT pricier than some others, but accuracy is EXCELLENT, pats (though rarely needed) are cheap and easy to find, and dress-up and accurizing stuff is cheap and plentiful...

Personally, I think mI'm gonna buy a barrel and convert the 77-22 into a .17 Mach-2, but even aS A .22, IT IS darned hard to beat the accuracy, fit and finish of the thing...

as for air-rifles, I started out with a spring-cocked daisy bb-gun... (NOT an air rifle) and then got a .22 from dad... but you can be TOTALLY POSITIVE that I learned accuracy and safety on that ol' BB gun before I got the .22...

So, there is NOTHING wrong with air-rifle practice...

[Stand_Watie]

Another vote for Ruger autoloaders (although their revolvers are supposed to be tops, too. Here is my 22/45, I like it a lot

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=190&return=Y

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/images/Products/86L.gif

and here is the sp 101 if you think you like revolvers better

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=5745&return=Y

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/images/Products/132L.gif

I have no idea how the prices would be in Sweden. You might wind up discovering EU produced stuff is cheaper because of import duties?

[La Pistoletta]

Hmm. If I go there, buy it and bring it back home, there wouldn't be any extra fees, right? There'll be some hassle when crossing the boundries, though it shouldn't be impossible. Of course, the trip will cost way more but if I just happen to go there (say Germany?) anyway, maybe that would be a good idea.

Those guns seem nice by the way. I don't know about laws regarding clip capacity, but I'll check. It would be kind of dumb to restrict it to below those 10 rounds in the pistol. It's not like I'm going to assault anyone with it. So it makes a good target practice gun, you think?
Also, would you say that the revolver ("shown in 32 magnum" on picture, apparently) is worth those extra $190?

[drf]

Browning makes a nice .22 taget pistol called the Buckmark Camper,
I believe its cheaper priced than the Ruger ....

I have a Buckmark with around 300-400 rds through it and its so far been a very good gun with no problems.drf

[Stand_Watie]

Also, would you say that the revolver ("shown in 32 magnum" on picture, apparently) is worth those extra $190?

I don't think so. Particularly since this is going to be a target pistol (I assume), I'd think you'd prefer the autoloader.

[La Pistoletta]

Yes, it would be a target pistol. I guess I could use those $190. :)
How is the accuracy? Noise level? Had any feeding stoppages?

[Hal]

IMO ... proficiency with air weapons is not to be sneezed at. You can say that again.
Check this out:

http://www.pilkguns.com/aphp/comphis.htm

[La Pistoletta]

What about that suppressed .22 with the long barrel? Are there any legal difficulties with such, you think?
I'd like something that I could shoot around the cottage backyard. The less noise the better. I would always wear ear protection, but the neighbours won't. :)

[Magnum88C]

I like the Ruger Single Six.

.22 Caliber revolver, comes with a cylinder for .22 Short, Long, or Long rifle and a second cylinder for .22 Magnum.