2 Handguns needed - reliable, durable, cheap to shoot

Check out the PARA-USA PXT 1911 18-9 Limited, have not shot one. In handling it is very well made, with great balance. For the .22cal i recommend the Ruger Single Six, it will serve your grandchildren well.

Ruger mark III 22lr
Ruger SD 9

Can you buy a CZ 75? You can get a .22 conversion unit for it and (perhaps, depending on German law...) it would only count as one gun. The CZ comes in stainless and is a fine firearm.

In 22LR revolvers you may want to consider one of the older Colt Officers Models, S&W K-22 or current S&W 617.
For an all stainless gun in 9mm there are several choices:
One of the older S&W 3rd generation autos such as the 5906.
The current Para Ordnance PO18-9.
CZ-75 with 22 conversion unit
My PO18-9LDA has been very reliable and much more accurate than the S&W 5906. The CZ-75 is also an excellent gun and has an all steel 22 conversion unit available which would allow you to purchase a second handgun. My CZ-75 has been totally reliable with a wide variety of ammunition but slightly less accurate than the PO18-9LDA. The CZ 22 Kadet conversion unit is picky with respect to ammunition but functions well with SKJagd and Wolf Match Target ammo.

If I could only have two, I'd probably look at a Glock 19 and a Ruger Mk3.

I'd go with a Browning Buckmark URX or Ruger 22/45 and a Sig P226

Glock 19 or S&W M&P9 for the 9mm and a Ruger Mk II or III for the .22. Steer clear of the Para recommended earlier, Para is crap.

Also, look into Walther's new PPQ in 9mm. They may be more available over there than the M&P but I don't know for sure. I haven't shot one yet but they look promising.

Another vote for Stainless CZ75b with the .22 kadet conversion.
Also, is Glock making all metal stainless guns now? Learn something new every day.

Sounds like a CZ 75 and a Kadet kit would be perfect for one of those.

Or would the Kadet count as a separate firearm? Here, only the frame counts as the firearm, so the Kadet doesn't count unless you buy the version that's a complete pistol.

Another vote for Stainless CZ75b with the .22 kadet conversion.
Also, is Glock making all metal stainless guns now? Learn something new every day

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No but all metal frames don't really serve any purpose other than to add weight so there is no point in them.

You can also get a 22cal conversion for the Glock if that is a factor in what you decide.

Sig 226R with a Sig P226 22LR Slide Kit for the 22Lr plinking might be the best bet.

But you should forget all metal.
Go Polymer.
(Go Plastic and Get a Glock 19 9mm or a Hk P30 9mm.)
(Get a Ruger Mk3/45 for 22Lr Plinking.)

PARA IS CRAP. If you want a reliable, durable gun, do not buy anything from them. It will be a HUGE waste of one of you extremely limited gun purchases as well as your hard earned money.

Well CZ is known for some pretty good-looking stainless pistols, just sayin'

Well CZ is known for some pretty good-looking stainless pistols, just sayin'

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Yeah. I think modern polymer pistols are a far more PRACTICAL gun, but having said that, out of 10 handguns I own only 2 are polymer, so I guess I'm a bit of a hypocrite .

If you are set on a metal framed gun I'd look at CZ or SIG. One of the nicer stainless 1911's might be an option too. I'm not a huge 1911 fan (have owned one in the past but sold it), but for range/home defense it's not a bad choice.

Stainless CZ 75B 9mm with CZ 22lr Kadet Kit.

The stainless 75B has an upswept beavertail for a higher grip than the standard 75B. 16 + 1 standard mag capacity with SPO1 mags has 18 +1 capacity.

The Kadet Kit has a good reputation for being accurate and reliable.

Only two pistols huh? I'm curious as to why that is, but that is another thread for another forum for another day.
Simple solution:
1) Satisfy the plinking side of 9mm/.22LR with a Sig 226/228/229 and the factory conversion kit for .22
2) Satisfy the stainless steel craving and home defense - Smith & Wesson 686 (.357 mag) 629 (.44 mag) or the S&W500. If semi-auto is necessary, the SS 1911 models are a dime a dozen. Good quality ones are expensive but worth the money. All pistol handling requires proper training, but IMO 1911's require special training.

Good luck!

The Kadet Kit has a good reputation for being accurate and reliable.

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And it lives up to it, as far as mine was concerned. If you are limited to two pistols, and conversions don't count against your total, to me that would limit choices to 1. a gun with a great .22 kit, like the CZ (best reputation of any conversion kit I have ever seen), and 2. a gun that can be converted to other calibers with a simple drop-in barrel, like the Glocks.

Since you know what you want and stainless 9mm it is, the stainless 75B would be a no-brainer for me. Sigs can do both, but they cost more and personally I like the CZs better anyway. Best grip I've ever felt.

629 (.44 mag) or the S&W500

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Terrible, terrible advice on a home defense revolver. This

Smith & Wesson 686 (.357 mag)

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partly makes up for it, but really, the .500 as a home defense gun? Against what, rampaging bears? He lives in Germany, not the northern Hudson Bay.

NG VI,

I was kidding about the .44 and .500. I know he wasn't hunting buffalo.

They have "LOTS" of SS was the point.

You mean something on the internet wasn't 100% serious?

My bad, yeah they do seem to like nothing but stainless now don't they? Even their black guns are almost all stainless.

depending on the size your looking for either a Sig P226 or a P229 with a 22 LR conversion package added

For the O.P.: where are you buying these handguns?

SInce the .22 LR conversion kit doesn't count as an additional handgun.

Doesn't the German army use the SIg Sauer P226? Most are Stainless
frame and slide -AND- a .22 Conversion kit is available. This model would be or have the most support in Germany I would think. Mag cap. = 15 in 9mm Parabellum.

CZ75B in SS w/Conversion kit would be a less expensive option.
However 75Bs in stainless are not made in great quantity, so you may
have to look for one.

I've fired the sig and it's a fine weapon. I own a CZ 75B and prefer
it in terms of the grip, trigger and it's DA/SA w/frame mounted thumb safety
for SA first shot. It is very accurate and I just shoot it well.

2nd Choice - S&W makes a lot of stainless steel revolvers - the L-frame
686 with a 4" BBl. or 6" Bbl. in .38 SPecial // .357 Mag numb would be a more powerful platform - a lightly used one would be a good value. .38 SPecial shouldn't be that much more than 9mmx19 but I don't know ammo prices in Germany. a 6" Ggl. in .357 would also have extended range over
a 9x19 semi-auto.

Best

Randall