Looking for a reliable .22

[Catsailor]

I am trying to get my wife more interested in shooting. She has shot with me using a .22 revolver I borrowed and seemed to like it. She shot my .380 PPK and nearly threw it down (didnt like the recoil at all) and has never fired my .45 for that reason. I am looking at buying a .22 auto for her but since I understand that many of them are paticular about ammo I am looking for advise. needs to be reliable and pretty acdcurate so she does not get turned off. The final decision will be what she fells comfortable with I am just looking for input on the above mentioned items. BTW she is left eye dominate and right handed but semms to handle that well with the smaller caliber. ANY SUGGESTIONS???

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I bought a S&W Model 22A with a 7" Fluted Bull barrel. I shoot CCI Standard Velocity .22LR rounds through it without a problem. There are a lot of different M22A's on the S&W site, I suggest Product # 107437 http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...angId=-1&parent_category_rn=15710&isFirearm=Y

 

[skeeter1]

Affordable .22 autoloader

Take a look at the Browning Buckmark series and Ruger MKIII and 22/45 models. All are affordable and quality handguns. I'm partial to the Browning, but let her go to the shop pick out which one she likes best. Better yet, If you have a range near you that rents them, let her try them out.

 

[jlbraun]

CZ Kadet. Will run a brick of cheap .22LR without hiccuping.

 

[Bearhands]

a Revolver.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

but let her go to the shop pick out which one she likes best

No doubt about it.... You can't pick a gun for someone else. The shooter has to like the feel of the gun or it will never be shot.

 

[Old 112]

Catsailor, You mentioned in your message that your wife seemed to like shooting that revolver. Mabe that would be a starting point for her to try handling different sizes and weights of 22 revolvers. Just a thought. My wife picked her own gun, it was a medium frame 38spl, and she still enjoys it. She picked it because it felt right in her hand(s), and it was pretty. Both good reasons. Old 112

 

[tnieto2004]

I like the S&W 22A... been good to me

 

[DWARREN123]

I like the Bronwings due to the grip angle.

 

[kevin387]

I prefer the Ruger MKII but that or a MarkIII would be a great place to start. There are various grip options to get the feel that she would like, they are accurate and about as trouble free as a gun can be and most don't really care what kind of ammo you feed them.

 

[PX15]

It you just want a pleasure plinker I've found the old Standard Ruger 22 to be about as good as you could ask for. Very reliable, accurate, priced reasonably, durable, Lifetime warranty.... What's not to like?

But, if you have any interest in potentially getting your wife not only into just "shooting" but self defense I recommend the Firestorm FS22.. The Firestorm FS22 is designed (from what I read) around the fine Walther PP/PPK series of pistols. My FS22 was $227 otd, and it is amazingly accurate at any reasonable self defense distance, and has been 100% reliable. The pistol has a "de-cocker", windage adjustable sights, and a sweet trigger. Low recoil, and fits the hand perfectly.. This is the same pistol as the "ladies favorite" Bersa Thunder 380, and makes a perfect "pistol to learn on"... Later on when she is happy, and confident with the FS22 if she so desires you can ease up the caliber ladder to the BT380 and she will feel right at home.

Even tho most folks put down rimfire pistols, I think 10+1 rds. of CCI Stingers or CCI MiniMags actually make for a pretty good personal protection pistol in a pinch.

Just have you wife hold a BT380 (FS22's are hard to find), and if it fits her hands and seems to be something she would enjoy having then have your ffl order you an FS22.

I loaned my buddy's daughter (22yrs old) my FS22 one day when we were shooting out behind his house (we live in a rural area), and she fell in love with it.. It really is a lot of pistol for a reasonable amount of money.

It seems that the folks in Argentina who should be marketing the fine pistols in the U.S. are asleep at the wheel. Bersa/Firestorms are highly thought of by those folks who have acutally owned or fired them.

I believe there is a very complimentary test on the FS22 (and the BT380) on www.GunBlast.com (archives section).

Just another option.

Best Wishes,

J. Pomeroy

 

[varoadking]

Ruger MKII bull barrel...

 

[Guy B. Meredith]

Revolver would be my first recommendation for reliability.

I had two new shooters using my Ruger MK512 with CCI MiniMags doing 1" holes (i.e. taking out the X) at the end of a couple of hours. Then I discovered the rifling was defective in a big way. Feedback like that is an excellent way to guarantee new shooter interest.

Wonder what they'd done if the rifling had been correct.

The Ruger did require a dab of Lubriplate on the bolt to be reliable.

 

[doc2rn]

I shoot 2 reliable .22's a Colt 21a and a Ruger Mk I. I shoot them both monthly with CCI stingers and Matchgrade shells. I have never had a true problem with either. I would choose the ruger for cross dominence.

 

[obxned]

The .22 is one of the worst calibers for self defense. However, if it was the only caliber available to me, I would buy a Firestorm.

With such a gun and a little practice, you can have nearly bumper to bumper bullets flying accurately to that place where they are needed.