Opinions on new shooters & .22's

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Gurnard

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Hey gang,
Quick question: Any experience/recommendations on a .22 semi-auto handgun?

I’m trying to get my wife & kids into shooting too. The boys did sorta OK with my P239 (.40) but I did see a lot of flinching in anticipation. Took the wife today & she really didn’t like it. Didn’t like the weight & (although she wouldn’t admit it) I don’t think she cared for the recoil either. I was kicking myself when we left because I had really hoped she’d enjoy herself & I kinda set her up for failure on that one, unintentionally…I just underestimated difference that an additional 100 pounds and knowing what to expect would make. STUPID.

So, I’m reading up on the idea of starting people out on a .22 and looked at the P22 (looked too much like a toy she said), but I liked it and also looked at the Sig Mosquito. The Sig was a little steep for a plinker but the similarities to my present gun may be a benefit.

So that’s all we looked at but it was just a quick look. Opinions?

Thanks in advance.
 
Browing Buckmark or Ruger MKIII. My preference in that order. 2 solid performing .22's at a reasonable price.
 
I just bought a P22 for my son to shoot.

This weekend he put close to 400 rounds through it and it never missed a lick.
It even ate the bulk Federal stuff I got at Wal Mart.

Not sure how it looks like a toy, it looks like the other guns Walther sells.....
I'm extremely happy with it, and the kid is loving it!

He's on me now for a holster and some more magazines......

I looked at the Mosquito too (of course, since I am SIG man) but I didn't read too many happy things about it so I skipped it, especially for that price.
 
Yeah, I was a little surprised by the "toy" comment too.

She thought it looked too much like a toy & that "If the boys are going to shoot it, it needs to look like a real gun". She's thinking along the lines of >if it looks like a toy, it might be treated as a toy<. The boys are 14 & 16 so I'm sure they know the difference but I didn't argue the point...she needs to feel comfortable and she is "the wife", if you're married you'll understand that some things just aren't worth the trouble of arguing about.

Thanks for the suggestions, I will check them out.
 
Might want to run a Search on the THR search engine for past reviews of the Walther P22. I was considering buying one, but changed my mind after reading very mixed reviews.

I currently have a Ruger MkII, and it's outstandingly cool. The 22/45 variant would be a little more lightweight if that's an issue.

The Browning Buckmark also has quite a following on THR. I'd buy one of those if I didn't have the Ruger.

I'll avoid passing on hearsay on the Sig Mosquito and Walther P22, but suffice to say the reviews on THR turned me off of both of those models.

Good luck in your purchase, a .22LR does indeed make a world of difference for new shooters. Plus it's still really freakin' fun even for experienced shooters. Nothing quite like a quiet day at an empty 100m rifle-range with a Ruger MkII and 1,000 rounds of .22LR for $12.

-MV
 
Everyone who shoots should have a .22 rimfire, especially if he shoots handguns. My favorite alltime gun is the 1911 .45, but I shoot .22's much more just because it's cheap, fun, and good practice. Rugers and Buckmarks seem to be among the most popular, but pick them up at a gun shop, or better yet, borrow and shoot some to see what you like.
Anyway, by all means, get a .22!
Marty
 
If you are not averse to used a guns, a Hi-Standard (those that were made in Ct.) target .22 is a good choice, Very accurate good ergos, appreciating in value, make great hand-me downs for the boys. My shooting partner...my daughter has asked me to leave mine to her:)

If new is your choice, I like the browning.

976401062-1.jpg


This one has the bull barrel, should give it the feel and heft of a larger caliber. Target sights..........or not? Handsome, looks like a gun. What ever you get, buy some extra mags.
 
Hey, thanks for the replies.

Sharp gun there Furncliff.

Just left a Sig forum, they don't seem impressed with the Mosquito. Now, of course, the wife is leaning toward the Mosquito because it's sorta like mine...Guess I'll break it to her later.

Thanks again, very helpful info here.
 
i have a Ruger mk III pistol. its 22 caliber doesnt recoil hardly at all. after shooting your 40 it will seem like shooting a bb gun.
 
I like the 22/45 with a bull barrel. Accurate, doesn't need cleaning too often, grip angle translates practice to centerfires, no recoil to speak of.

Not pretty, but very well made, blueing is top-notch, and it's not too expensive for a gun you can keep forever with no complaints.
 
guns that will last forever:

get a ruger, itll last forever. i recommend a ruger MK II in either the standard grip or 22/45 grip configuration. Stay away from the MK III's, too many lawer approved modifications.

my second choice would be a Ruger Single Six .22LR/.22 Magnum cylinders. its good for slow, practiced shooting, and they wont burn thru ammo really fast.
my collection
362262.jpg


these Rugers are built to last. you grand children will be able to shoot with these guns, possibly even your great grandchildren.

best of luck! -Eric
 
Borrowedtime69 was talking about "guns that will last forever."
Many WILL if taken care of. Aside from my Marvel conversion unit, my .22's are a Colt Woodsman built in 1956, a HiStandard GB my dad bought in 1950, and a Stevens #10 target pistol built in 1919. Sometimes it's hard to pick which one I want to shoot!
Marty
 
I have a feather 22 that makes a great plinker. I bought mine about 13 years ago. I don't know how easy they are to find now.
feather221aq.jpg


But, I think that my Kimber Rimfire Target is a great gun to get someone accustom to full size centerfire guns. I love that it gives me the same feel (except somewhat lighter) as firing my 1911. I should also add that I also have a Sig P239 in .40 S&W and I don't find my shooting with my Sig effected negatively by using my Kimber 22.
kimber3resized2kn.jpg
 
MatthewVanitas said:
Might want to run a Search on the THR search engine for past reviews of the Walther P22. I was considering buying one, but changed my mind after reading very mixed reviews.
-MV
Click to expand...


There seem to be 2 designs of the thing, and older and a newer.

I don't know the differences or when any changes occurred, but everything I've read on P22's purchased within the last year or so have been very positive.

Mine feeds every kind of ammo I could get right out of the box, even the Federal super cheapo wal mart stuff.
 
I bought a first run P22, right out of the box it was great! I dont like the sights that much, not the most accurate design, but it is a VERY good gun for my money. I suggest it to anyone that asks.
 
1. if you like the look of a non-.22 semi-auto, then the Mosquito or the CZ Kadet are nice; I have the Kadet and it is superb

2. you could always get a Glock 9mm and then the .22 conversion and let the child grow into the 9mm while shooting the .22

3. if it is just a plinking gun, the Ruger MK series are nice...if you want to have an easier one to clean etc, the Neos or the S&W 22A are nice, accurate, cheap etc.; I have had the 22A and it was very nice; have the Neos now and when you add a cheap red dot you are a range king :)
 
I like the buckmark and trailside, probably in that order. I think part of learning to shoot involves stripping and cleaning your guns, and the Ruger can be a little tricky, but that's just my opinion. I learned how to shoot handguns on a Ruger Single Six, and if you don't mind revolvers that is what I would go with.
 
Another possibility I didn't see mentioned above is the Beretta Neos. My teenagers love the look of the thing. The trigger isn't quite as nice out of the box as a MkII/III, but can easily be made nicer. Neos is a lot easier to take apart for cleaning than most other .22 semiautos.

pax
 
another vote for the browning buckmark. 1000's of rounds thru mine, doesn't fail, accurate, very good trigger.
 
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