22 For The Mussus!

[C5rider]

Wifey-poo has begun going to the range with me quite regularly. We've taken the opportunity to try out several 22 caliber guns for her to see which ones she likes. I really do want to get her a gun of her own and I think she would like that too. She now has a pink gun tote for when she goes to the range. I told her SHE's going to have to carry that one!

She's shot revolvers and semi-autos and she's gravitated toward a semi-auto. We looked at a Ruger 45/22, a GSG/Sig 1911-22 and the Baby Browning 1911-22. She likes the Sig 22 and the Browning.

I've shot the Ruger and the GSG/Sig variants but not the Baby Browning. We really dig the Baby Browning but of course, the cost is considerably more than the others and the chances of seeing one used are much less as they're not that old. They are cool though.

In full disclosure, we DID look at other guns and these are the three that kept rising to the top in her eyes. Hey, it's HER hands that are connected to HER eyes so whatever fits 'em, right?

The down sides:
The Browning DEFINITELY has the looks and being a little smaller will probably fit her hand quite well but, I was left wanting with a few items. First, if she does want to customize it a little, does anyone make grips for it (85% smaller) and, I was lukewarm on the amount of plastic used in the construction of the magazine. The others use it as well, but they just didn't seem as "frail" as the Browning. Has anyone heard of any issues with these? I asked about Browning's warranty but the guy at the LGS didn't know and we couldn't find anything in the paperwork with the gun.

We looked at the Ruger SR22 but she didn't like how light it was. I'm wondering if the Browning has more felt recoil because it's smaller/lightwieght. For reference, she's getting used to shooting my Dan Wesson 22 revolver so, there's some substantial weight there and very little recoil. I know we're talking 22s, but she's not used to shooting 357s either.

If any THR members have one of these Baby Brownings, I'd love to hear your thoughts or if you have any insights or experiences to help sway our decision, feel free to reply. I'm loving that she shoots with me and would love to keep her enjoying it as well.

thanks!

 

[Naybor]

I think Ruger has started to make their SP101 .22 again. If you can find one, try it. She may like it. Also it would be good for practice if she ever wanted to go with a SP101 .38/.357.

The 101 in stainless .357 is what the wife went with and loves hers.

I use a Ruger LCP .380 and love it for both size and easy concealment. Maybe she should try one.

Whatever you get try before you buy.

 

[viking499]

What about a Browning Buckmark?

 

[C5rider]

Thanks guys. We have looked at the Buckmark, Camper etc. She's gravitating toward a semi-auto so I'm not focusing on revolvers. The heavy barreled 45/22 Ruger didn't settle with her so I've thought about the Lite version. Just need to try one out first.

Mainly, it keeps coming back to the Browning 1911-22 and the GSG/Sig. If it were as simple as deciding which one to pick up, I know where I'd be reaching but, the price difference is making the decision more complicated. :banghead:

 

[ku4hx]

My wife tried several, mine and others, and then she bought a Ruger Mark III Target. Shortly after that she competed in and placed first in a women-only .22 shoot at our gun club.

Needless to say she is very pleased with her purchase. Me too.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

I love my little Browning 1911-22. It has become the one gun that I always take to the range. It's a sweet little plinker and I really like the aluminum construction (vice the zamak full-size 1911-22s on the market.) I'm not aware of any aftermarket grips for it. Haven't heard about any magazine issues (other than that Browning only includes one with the gun and extras are expensive - not unique to Browning, of course.) I wouldn't worry about recoil; sure it's light, but it's a .22. I know recoil is subjective, but my wife's P238 weighs the same as the Browning and she can shoot that all day without issue (and she doesn't like recoil.) The only concern I might have is the tiny sights, but they're usable, just small.

When I brought mine home, my wife liked the way it looked and felt so much that she asked if it could be her house gun. She was very disappointed to learn it was a .22. She still thinks it's the cutest little thing next to my .45.

Gotta run, today is range day and the Browning is waiting.

 

[chris in va]

Our range officer adores his GSG 1911. He likes to hit steel plates at 300 yards. No, that's not a typo.

 

[aarondhgraham]

What style or type of pistol does she want?

What style or type of pistol does she want?

That's really the first decision you and she should make,,,
Then choose the make and model from that type.

What I mean is,,,
Does she want a Single Action target style pistol?

• Ruger Mk II or Mk III
• Ruger 22/45
• Beretta U22 NEOS
• Browning Buckmark
• S&W 22A

Or does she want a duty style pistol?

• Bersa Thunder 22 (Very nice gun)
• Beretta Model 87 Very expensive gun)
• Ruger SR-22 (Too new to tell yet)
• Sig-Sauer Mosquito (Zamak slide)
• Sig-Sauer Classic 22 (Excellent gun)
• CZ-75B Kadet (Excellent gun)
• S&W M&P (very nice gun)

SA Target style pistols are great shooters,,,
But are range toys and not understudy's for centerfire duty pistols

If she wants a .22 for possible self-defence,,,
Or to give her practice for a centerfire duty pistol
She would be better off to choose one that emulates duty pistols.

Just something to consider,,,

Aarond

.

 

[C5rider]

Hi Arrond!

We have looked at many in your list, save for just a few. She shoots my revolver only because that's what we've got for her to shoot. She wants a semi-auto. At first, we looked at the Beretta 22, they were too small for her, the NEOS (didn't like the look of it at ALL). Tried the S&Ws and various Browning Buckmarks, Campers, etc. We checked out the Rugers MkII, 22/45s, and SRs. Too light, too old looking or too heavy on the barrel (didn't balance well with her).

It really kept coming down to the Baby Browning or the Sig/GSG 1911 variants. She is GOING to get a 22 for Christmas this year. I'm just trying to decide if the Baby Browning is worth the extra $$$$.

I also looked at the RIA 22s as the steel frame/slide appealed to me, but didn't feel the warm fuzzies there. So, the Sig and BB keep rising to the top. Now, to spend the extra $ or not? Hmmm?

As an added benefit, she DID say that if she didn't like the BB, I could have it!

 

[aarondhgraham]

Hello again,,,

I have one friend who owns that Browning 1911 in .22 LR,,,
The gun seems to perform very well for him,,,
But know that it's smaller than a 1911,,,
7/8 scale would be my estimate.

Is it worth the price difference?,,,
No way to answer that question for you,,,
If she is in love with it then it's worth the extra cost,,,
But I don't believe you will be buying and extra performance.

Did you know that the Sig 1911 is really not a Sig-Sauer?,,,
It's a GSG that is re-branded as a Sig-Sauer,,,
GSG stands for German Sports Gun,,,
It has some Zamak parts & slide,,,
That's a bad thing for me.

If you really want a true Sig Sauer,,,
Consider their "Classic 22" line of pistols.

These are three .22 versions of their standard line of duty pistols,,,
They are all steel construction and can be converted to centerfire cartridges.

I believe these are the only pistols that I know of that start as a .22,,,
Then convert up to 9mm, 40 S&W, or .357 Sig,,,
It's called the X-Change kit.

The Classic 22 pistols aren't cheap at around $550.00,,,
But I think you would be paying that much for the Browning 1911 in .22 anyways,,,
Why not consider purchasing a rock solid .22 pistol that can be a centerfire pistol at a later date.

Again, just some food for thought.

Aarond

.

 

[tuj]

All I can say is that the Buckmark has a great trigger and my wife loves my MKIII and both are super-accurate.

 

[weblance]

Take a close look at the Bersa Thunder 22. Its a real value, smaller than the Target style pistols(22/45, Buckmark) and a great shooter. Its accurate and well made. There is even a Crimson Trace Lasergrip available for it. That might be something to consider if she decided she wants a pistol to protect herself when shes alone. Its a great pistol in the low $300s

 

[Esoxchaser]

Mainly, it keeps coming back to the Browning 1911-22 and the GSG/Sig. If it were as simple as deciding which one to pick up, I know where I'd be reaching but, the price difference is making the decision more complicated.

I have the Sig/GSG, my brother has the Browning. If I had to choose between the two, I would opt for the Browning. I think the Browning is extremely high quality, is more accurate with a wider range of ammunition, and just has a pointability that works real well for me, despite it's diminutive size.

 

[Shadow 7D]

There are LOTS of .22, I personally like the 422 and 622 smith and wessons
There are LOTS of .22s on the market, I have a Norinco TT Olympia. which is a faithful copy of the Walther Olympic competition pistol. Point is find the features SHE likes, and find what floats her boat, be MORE than willing to look at local classified that list guns, brows gun shops, look on gunbroker.com etc.

 

[rskent]

It might be a little over the top but I love my 22lr setup. It's a colt 1911 lower with a 22lr upper. Its cheep to shoot (if not to buy) but still feels like a pistol not a toy.
The big plus is you get that sweet trigger. Also if you get tired of 22s you can always shoot 45s.

 

[kokapelli]

If she shoots the SR22 I bet she changes her mind about it and it has the choice of two different back straps that might be a big factor with a women's smaller hands.

 

[slidemuzik]

S&W 422/622/2206 series

I'd second the S&W 422/622/2206 series as a possibility. The first two being a lightweight alloy frame and the 2206 is solid stainless.

Excellent shooters. The style is 1911ish. Check out these images from Google> https://www.google.com/search?q=S&W...0MIWa8gS2_ID4BQ&ved=0CCwQsAQ&biw=1097&bih=518

I love shooting the 622. Worth doing a little research on them. Hard to find. Since production ended in the mid 90's you'll have to track one down, or trip across one. You will find that most that have them are not interested in selling and those that sold are sorry they did. Speaks very well for the design. Most feel that compared to the new .22 semi pistols in production today, the 622 represents higher quality than anything else at twice the pricepoint. People that have shot both say it compares very favorably to the S&W 41 target pistol that will set you back about a grand. As close as you'll get for a third the price is what they say.

It has been my experience through 30 years of marriage that my wife appreciates the time it takes me to find something unique. Check the weight of the 622 to that Browning she liked the weight of. I'd guess they're similar in weight.

After thinking about this, the question is does your wife see a gun as a handbag or jewelry? I've noticed it's cool to have the same handbag as her girlfriend, but not cool to have the same jewlery. I'd love to hear your wife's answer to that question. I'm guessing jewlery.

Any ladies reading this care to opine on this?

 

[C5rider]

Thanks for the S&W info. I will definitely look into that. There are some more gun shows coming up so, it'll give me a little time before Christmas to investigate.

This will be simply a range gun. She's not interested in any carry piece right now. I'm just stoked that she's interested in shooting!

I want to reward that with ANYTHING SHE WANTS!!!!!

 

[slidemuzik]

A wise approach grasshopa