.22lr or 9mm

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dispatch55126

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Given the two, and considering you could only have one, which one would you choose. I've been looking at either a Sig in the .22lr or possibly a Sig, Baretta or a S&W in a 9mm.

The .22lr is favorable due to ammo cost and my 10/22 uses the same ammo. It also is more useful when I go into the woods plinking or small animal hunting.

The 9mm is favorable in that it is much more powerful, ammo is relatively cheap and could fill the need if I ever need a HD or CCW sidearm.

In short, the .22lr is a much more practical choice, yet I know I'll want the 9mm later. The downside to the 9mm is it does limit my sooting options as I know I won't be shooting it as much as the .22lr

...And for those who say "the answer is obvious, get both", the wife is standing firm on one or the other.
 
Some pistols, like the Beretta 92, have the ability to accept a 22LR conversion barrel. It is rather costly, but an option nontheless.
http://www.shopberetta.com/e2wItemM...00100:008000219:008000017:008000062:008000133

Again, for what it costs you could just buy the second pistol, but if it is absolutely out of the question, this would be my solution.

Outside of that, I would go with the 9mm. The 22 is certainly fun for plinking, but if I needed the gun to defend myself and my family, I want a caliber up to the task, and the 9mm is by far the better choice.

If I were buying a 9mm, I would look at a Beretta PX4 storm if you don't want to spend more than $500. For a higher end non-polymer model, the Sig P226 is hard to beat.
 
hunting, plinking, general practice for markmanship = .22 lr in some platform with adjustable sights; It's counterproductive to these to get something with fixed sights. I'd recommend any decent .22 revolver with 4-6" barrel (get the 6" if you're going to hunt with it) and for the auto, I'd recommend a ruger semi-auto pistol or the Browning buckmark.

For Defense; 9mm period.

And if I was you, get the one you think you want/need the most now and then later get the other. they're really two different tools and someday you're likely to want both.

God Bless
Gideon
 
If you have the slightest thought in the back of your mind that you'll ever need a handgun for self defense, get the 9mm.

OTOH if all you want is the most fun for your money you'll be able to touch off at least 5 shots of .22lr for the cost of a single round of 9mm ammo. Buckmark, Ruger, Beretta Neos, S&W 22A are all great fun guns although none are "perfect".

Either way you'll get the other eventually :)

--wally.
 
I'm going to recommend the .22

The .22lr is favorable due to ammo cost and my 10/22 uses the same ammo. It also is more useful when I go into the woods plinking or small animal hunting.

It doesn't sound like you're too concerned with HD/SD at this point. In the unlikely event you have to use a .22LR for HD, CCI Stingers aren't exactly chump-change.
 
IF you have a .22, variety is the spice of life, so get something in 9.
 
The only thing I would have against the 22 mag is there isn't that big of a difference between it at the .22lr. If I'm going for a new caliber, I would like something substancial.
 
You can have the best of both for about $250 more....add a conversion kit. Best thing I ever bought for my Browning High Power.

BHP-3.gif
 
Another vote here for a 9 mm and a conversion kit. I took my 9 mm compact CZ PCR out the door at a gunshow for $411 and found a deal for a Kadet Kit with one mag at Gander Mountain for $150. In 9 mm or .22 this gun is perfect. With the Kadet Kit it rivals my Buckmark for accuracy and beats it for reliability. The Kadet kit normally goes with two mags and costs another $100 but it works with any of the CZ 75 series pistols. I don't feel I've compromised anything. You're right about .22s. If you're going to shoot a lot it's hard to beat.
 
A lot depends upon your wife's rationale for one gun. If its the cost, then figure out the max you can spend, and try for the conversion kit. Or even better, get her to agree to a Kimber 9mm, then you decide that you want a better deal and purchase 2 less expensive guns, having some money leftover to buy her a little knick knack.

From your description of the situation, I would go for the .22. You will definitely increase your shooting skills and experience. I'm pretty sure that within a couple of years you can negotiate the 9mm if you make sure of your generosity towards her. Listen more, foreplay more, and gift more. The easiest way to get what you want.
 
Yup, you will do heaps more shooting with a .22. As it's cheaper / there is no reloading involved. Everyone should have at least one .22 pistol (the world would be a happier place). :p

But what I don't think anyone has mentioned, is do not get the Sig Mosquito .22. It's just a horrible horrible gun that Sig should be ashamed of. You are better off looking at the Browning Buckmark range (great .22 for the money).
 
for about the price of a low-end 9mm you can buy a .22 that shoots much more accurately at a much lower cost per round. The sub-$400 list of good shooting .22's is long and each one is "better" than all the rest. My farovites are the Ruger MKIII's or the 22A.

I've shot with folks who have sniffed at my pop guns. They don't sniff quite as much when they notice I'm griping about groups they would be overjoyed to get. I have an S&W M&P9 that I can shoot reasonably well and a GP100 that shoots darned well. However my .22 rounds down range out number the 9mm, .357 and .38 by abou 10 to 1. It's a combination of cost and the fact that I enjoy shooting .22lr.

The easiest way to solve the problem is to get a 9mm and conversion kit for .22, or just buy one of each.
 
I think from what I'm hearing, something like a Baretta 92 w/ the conversion or a CZ75 w/ conversion is my best bet. Thanks for the help. Any preference between the two?
 
Conversion kits are not that much less than a complete .22 - buy the 9mm and a .22 - better yet a .22 and a .45!
 
My first handgun was a Ruger 22/45 semi-auto. This got me into the habit of regular practice. While I only make it out to the range once or twice a week now, when I first got the pistol I was getting out to the range 3 or 4 times a week. I don't know that I would have maintained that level of practice using more expensive ammunition. I paid less than $300 for the pistol, extra magazine (it came with 2, so a total of 3) and a brick of ammunition about a year and a half ago.

Whatever you decide, good luck and stay safe.
 
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