Purchase of new guns

[Baldman]

This could turn out to be the best Christmas ever, the reason my wife is actually asking to learn to shoot since I've been talking about it for the last month or two. She asked me if she gave me a Glock or Sig for Christmas would I be happy. My first was thought was wahoooo! But then I realized that she had no clue the cost of each and since it's actually my $$ was a little too much to spend and that she really only knows these guns from TV. My thought process is this, I do have a rifle and a shotgun from my younger years I can sell / trade for some additional cash and was going to start my inventory from scratch. My thoughts are below:

Rifle 1 - 22LR semi-auto 10/22 or 795 type
Pistol 1 - 22LR semi-auto maybe a 1911 style or Beretta Neo
Rifle 2 - Lever action .357 Marlin, Rossi,etc
Pistol 2 - .357 revolver
A shotgun would be a later purchase probably 20 gauge but not adverse to 12

I've got good info from the forum before and I know "best" is defined by personal choice / experience and situation but any recommendations on the guns would be appreciated. I'm purchasing these to get back into shooting and home defense should the need (hopefully never) arise. I doubt I'll be doing any hunting. I thought the ammo would be reasonably priced and that my wife could also shoot each even if she uses .38's in the .357's.

Thanks,
Baldman

 

[NavyLCDR]

If you are also seeking home defense as well as recreational shooting, why not start with a gun suitable for both.

Such as Taurus PT-92. It's a 9mm but it is a heavy, all steel gun. Because of the weight of the gun, it doesn't have much more recoil than a .22. Sure, ammo is going to be little bit more expensive for plinking with.

I have a Ruger 10/22 that started out as the standard carbine model. A KIDD 2 stage target trigger, bull barrel and thumbhole stock later and I have a tack driver at 100 yards. Took second place in a 100 yard bench rest competition against 11 center fire rifles! It's $600-$650 total in the gun, now, though, but EVERYBODY who shoots it loves it.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Such as Taurus PT-92. It's a 9mm but it is a heavy, all steel gun.

Frames are aluminum.

Rifle 1 - 22LR semi-auto 10/22 or 795 type

Lots of good choices here. Don't forget about the Marlin model 60 and Remington 597. Or the Remington 552; They'll eat shorts, longs and long rifles.

Pistol 1 - 22LR semi-auto maybe a 1911 style or Beretta Neo

The NEOS is a nice little gun, I love mine. Another good option is the S&W 22A. Browning Buckmarks are also very nice, but a bit more expensive.

Rifle 2 - Lever action .357 Marlin, Rossi,etc

Find a nice used Marlin and don't look back.

Pistol 2 - .357 revolver

S&W 686 or Ruger GP-100 are the two frontrunners in this category. I prefer the Smith, but nothing wrong with the Ruger.

A shotgun would be a later purchase probably 20 gauge but not adverse to 12

Either will work fine, but there is a bit more versatility in the 12. A mossberg 500 or Remington 870 are the most popular by far. For a bit more money, I find the Ithaca 37 preferable to both.