22 caliber automatic

Browning Buck Mark, Ruger 22/45 or Mk III, or get a Sig Sauer 1911-22 if you are after something that looks like a regular gun. S&W also makes a .22LR version of the M&P. Beretta Neos is a great pistol, or the 21A Bobcat is unique with its flip-up barrel (easier to chamber a round than racking the slide). Walther P22 and Sig Mosquito are also options although I am not a fan of those.

An enthusiastic second for the Browning Buckmark Camper. Just hold one and you'll see why.

Browning Buckmark, Ruger MKII and MKIII, Ruger 22/45, S&W Model 22A, and the Beretta Neos are all decent semi-autos for the beginner. Definitely should have her try them all for handling, balance, and ergonomics before selecting one.

My wife just appropriates my big ol' MKII (stainless 10" bull w/peep sights) for serious rimfire shooting, but has a el-cheapo Phoenix HP-22 that she's in love with for plinking.

Whatever you do, don't let her shoot a Beretta 87 Cheetah. You will be out some cash if you do.

Ruger 22/45 or MkIII. High standard makes some sweet .22's if you have the $$$.

Another vote for the Ruger Mark III or 22/45.

I love my Beretta Neos , but I am tempted by the new Ruger SP-22! Kevin

Ruger 22/45 LITE or Ruger SR-22P

Great choice on the M&P22. I have nothing against the Ruger target models but the M&P22 is going to give her the feel of typical automatic that you are hoping she will transition to.

Look into getting her a S&W 422/622....rock solid reliable, available with 12 shot magazines, under barrel design for very little discernible recoil, aluminum frame for light weight easy 15 second takedown, excellent crisp triggers.

I have one with a 4 1/2 inch barrel and one with a 6 inch barrel, both have thousands of rounds through them with only primer related problems. The machining work on them is top notch and even though they are discontinued they can still be found ANIB for under $450.00

The under barrel design makes them excellent suppressor host pistols. Parts are available on gunbroker but I've never needed to replace anything as of yet. They are fixed barrel pistols and as such tend to be dead nuts accurate. I've never found any reason to complain about these fine little pistols.

Browning Buckmark very accurate and fun to shoot.

There's no good reason I can think of to look beyond a Ruger Mark II/III or Browning Buck Mark.

Nothing else is in the same league unless you're willing to step up and drop the coin for a S&W Model 41.

Watch out for die cast zinc alloy, big names are cheating their customers who don't know the difference. There is a huge difference!

There is also a big difference between those same companies of 50 years ago and now, today companies have no ethics nor morals.

I think the last 4 posts maybe didnt realize he made his decision and bought the gun already.

If you don't mind spending a little bit more than the Ruger and Browning offerings, CZ makes a standalone Kadet, it's built on the steel 9mm frame, so you could later get her a complete 9mm top end and some magazines as a gift that will allow her to turn the gun she's most familiar with into a centerfire.

The Kadet is accurate, mine was super reliable, haven't heard otherwise from other owners, it feels like a 'real' gun, it's got some good adjustable sights, and it's not bad looking. You can also get her a nice set of wood grips as a present, it's the neat thing about getting a weapon that can be added to later.

I have a GSG 1911 which is a .22.

Shoots very well. Initially had some issues breaking guide rods but they seem to have fixed that issue

Snaps said:

I have a GSG 1911 which is a .22.

Shoots very well. Initially had some issues breaking guide rods but they seem to have fixed that issue

Click to expand...

What is a GSG?

It's the name of the company, I think it's german sports group if I'm not mistaken.

http://www.americantactical.us/76/detail.html

These have been around for a couple years now.

EDIT: here's the one I have
http://www.americantactical.us/974/detail.html

was the first 22LR 1911 I ever saw so I bought it

A centerfire pistol.

In regards to the GSG...

The SIG 1911-22 is a GSG 1911 with different markings.
It's the exact same handgun. Just costs more because it's stamped SIG instead of GSG.

SIG contracted GSG to make certain .22LR pistols for them.
The SIG Mosquito was designed and made by GSG.
SIG liked the GSG 1911 and had GSG make them a copy.