Possible Pistol Dilemma!

[Eightball]

*Please read before voting/posting*
As it sits, I now have 2 "itches" for a potential pistol to buy in the next few months (funds are a wee bit tight right now, so it'll have to wait a bit). The other day, at work (at an FFL), a guy brought in an old single-action .22LR for us to see if it would function (it wouldn't, out of time)--after handling it, I now have the itch to own a well-built, single-action .22 for the sake of spiffy fun, cheap shooting, etc; that, and I don't have a single-action revolver (and I LOVE revolvers, and sorta "need" a single action). However, most people seem to never want to sell these things if they own them, so it'd probably have to be "new."

On the flipside of the coin, is a Browning Hi-Power. I don't own any automatics yet, it is ergonomic and points like my finger, and feels just as awesome in my hand as a revolver (a claim many autos cannot stand up to). That, and it's a metal-framed firearm, and I've heard of this little place called "Cylinder and Slide" that can take an aweome firearm and make it better (once I'd get the money, of course). As an added bonus, 9mm is decently cheap to shoot (as compared to other centerfire cartridges), and there's a ton of older/used models I can use as a base (to eventually be sent off to our friendly pistolsmith), as well as new production.

Considering all of that, and considering I'm a college student on a budget who wants something spiffy to be able to shoot a decent amount, and who already owns one .357 revolver but no autos, what does the wonderful guru of THR say would probably be the best thing to buy? (And please, explain why, as well as what options in the case of the SA .22, since there ARE other companies than Ruger).

And before anyone asks, they'd be "fun guns", please do not vote based on "carry" prefrences--it would be a range/"out and about"/fun gun, not being purchased for HD duty/concerns thereof.

EDIT: And for the record, I have 9mm dies, so I could take up reloading that caliber (they came with the press, second-hand). So, price of ammo isn't that huge a consideration, though it is still there.

 

[kennyboy]

I recommend the BHP. It has already made a name for itself for being reliable and easy to point. Additionally, you can fire a lot more shots at further distances and more accurately than a .22. Loading an automatic's magazine is easier than loading a revolver cylinder. Also, magazines are readily available. If need be, the BHP is also a better choice than a .22 revolver for a defensive weapon.

If you do decide to go with the .22, I recommend either a Ruger Bearcat or a S&W.

 

[skinnyguy]

For a fun-gun, get a .22. Take a look at the Browning Buckmark. For me, I find it fits my hand than the Ruger pistols, and just feels better overall.

Let us know what you decide!

 

[mavracer]

i'd get the 22 first then save for the hi power.and ruger may not be the only manufacturer just the only good one

 

[Jack19]

Buy the .22.

I've owned lots of Hi-Powers. Many of them custom jobs from some VERY serious shops. The Hi-Power was the first gun I was handed to use in self defense and I will love the BHP until the day I die; it saved my life once or twice. They are spectacular pistols, even in their factory form. That said.....

Buy the .22. Better yet, buy yourself a decent double action .22 revolver. Find a good used Smith 617 and shoot shoot shoot.

The BHP is sexy; but you'll shoot more with a 617 on the college/.22 budget.

This may not be popular advice. But, I wish I had, had a forum to ask when I was your age.

 

[ZeSpectre]

If funds are that tight (boy do I remember my college days) you'll get to shoot a .22LR a lot more than any other kinds of gun just due to the cost of ammo.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I shoot a lot more .22 than .45 or .38 Special, or .357 or .45 Colt combined. If you have a defensive weapon, go with the .22 -- you'll get plenty of use and pleasure out of it, and improve your shooting, too.

 

[yhtomit]

While I enjoy shooting .22 for its low recoil, low noise and low cost, my first gun (not old as guns go, I bought it used 7 years ago) is a Browning BPM -- similar in many ways to a Hi Power -- and it's also the most accurate one I own, I think. (Which may have more to do with the grip than the barrel or the precision of its mechanics -- people all have different grips.)

To get past the high cost of ammo is one of the reasons I have a reloading press on the way -- even reloaded centerfire ammo will cost more than .22, but it feels more satisfying to shoot

timothy

 

[denfoote]

Everyone needs to have, at least, one BHP!!!

 

[elrod]

I own both of the guns you are considering, (currently have a Heritage Arms .22, but have owned a Single Six). I enjoy my BHPs much more than the single action .22. It gets to be such a chore to reload the SA. A double action would cure that, but the auto is just so much easier for me. Still in all the .22 cost about $200 (new) compared to $400-800 for an untuned BHP. The dollar votes! Have I finished confusing you?

 

[aaronrkelly]

My vote......

 

[ugaarguy]

Neither at this point. There is great value to be had from a .22 LR that replicates your primary carry/SD/HD gun. The majority of my revolvers are S&W K-Frames. My K-22 is both fun and practical. Practical from a standpoint of replicating the manual of arms of my other centerfire revolvers, so practice time crosses over - breathing, trigger control, and sight alignment. Fun from a standpoint of being able to run four or five hundred rounds for a fraction of even what my .38 handloads cost - I guess that's practical too.

As to your original question the BHP is a fine gun, and a worthy candidate against semi-auto in or out of production. From what I've seen first hand C&S does some great work on them. I've looked and handled a couple Hi-Powers that the Smiths at Coal Creek Armory in Knoxville, TN have customized. Beautiful guns that are very well done up. www.coalcreekarmory.com

In a single action .22 the Heritage Rough Rider is a spectacular buy. It's neither as pretty, nor as slick as the Ruger offerings, but it works. We sell quite a few at the FFL where I work and I've yet to see or hear of one coming back for service. It really is a good gun for minimal coin.

Weigh the advice you get here and follow your gut. Best of luck and discretion in your search.

 

[tinygnat219]

I'd wait and get the Browning. This is the "do it all" handgun. It's probably the best automatic action ever made, so it's safe to say it's got a proven track record. 9MM ammo, while not exactly a song, is priced much lower than anything but .22 LR. You can use this as a plinking gun, home defense gun, Conceal and Carry gun, etc. It will outlast your grandkids.
I'd pass on the .22 Revolver. That's my HO.

 

[wanderinwalker]

As a fellow college student who also succumbs to those gun itches, I say get the .22LR revolver.

In the past 6 months I've gone from no .22LR weapons to 3, and am always on the lookout for the next addition to my growing selection. The pros are cheap practice, easy to shoot, good for beginners and reinforcement of fundatmentals. I can pick up my Glock 17 or S&W 629 and shoot them better now, and shoot them less than I used to.

Of course, I've burned up over 6000 rounds of .22LR so far this year, and have no intentions of slowing down...

Go for it. It's a cheap thing to shoot and you'll never have to worry about having enough money for ammo or whether you can shoot just "one more box".

 

[medmo]

A SA 22LR of course. You have to have at least one! For twenty bucks you can spend most of a day plinking away and having a whole lot of fun.

 

[Zen21Tao]

If you don't already have one, go for the .22lr. It will offer cheap fun when $$ is tight and ammo scarce.

Also, there is always plan C: Buy a S&W 500. Always loads of fun at an indoor range.

 

[bakert]

For a range and out and about gun it's hard to beat the Ruger Single Six, especially if you want a single action. With the dual cylinder Ruger you have another choice but in my opinion the .22 mag is quite a bit more expensive to shoot much since the ammo costs amost as much as cheaper 9MM stuff.
Yes, it does take a while to be proficient loading and unloading but it gets easier afer practice. A double action .22 would be a good choice too but probably a bit more expensive.

 

[clem]

Get the Browning HP, it's a great pistol!

 

[unreal45]

It may be easier to introduce new shooters to the .22 and you could afford to shoot more. That being said you need an auto, and 9mm is cheap( for A centerfire). Since you already have dies my vote goes to the BHP.
If you want a .22 for plinking I recommend a Ruger MK II, MK III, or a buckmark.

 

[philbo]

I'd split the difference and opt for a semi auto 22. My 22's have always been used more than any other pistol I own. Whether training or just plinking, I still put about twice as many rounds thru the 22's than anything else. If I could only choose from above... the 22 first as a training/fun gun to shoot. If you're like everyone else I know you'll still have it and still enjoy shooting it 20 years from now. Or better, you'll enjoy watching your kids, nephews etc learning on it 20 years from now.

 

[clem]

Conversion kits, (9MM to .22LR), are made for the BHP.

Get one and you can shoot both calibers.

 

[crebralfix]

You cannot reload 550 rounds of 9mm for $10.65...which is the price of 550 rounds of Remington Golden Bullets at Wal-Mart in my area. Get the fun gun...which will be the 22!

You already have a good self-defense piece in the 357 Magnum revolver. Spend your time on the range increasing your proficiency for an economical cost. After you get employed, then get a semi-auto gun and all the accessories (figure a few hundred dollars above the price of the gun for magazines (get 10), holster, mag holder, etc). Also consider reloading 38 SPL for your revolver and get proficient with that.