Revolver or Semi Auto

[revshooter]

If you were buying a .22 would you buy a revolver or semi automatic? I'm wanting something for my daughter to shoot in our back yard and also if I get it in time I may even use it next week to take my CWP course. I was looking at the Taurus .22 mag revolver or the Baretta .22 semi auto. Could anyone give me any advise on either of these guns? Thank you.

 

[twoclones]

I think revolver vs semi-auto is strictly personal preference. I use a S&W 617 .22 lr for target shooting but bought a Ruger Mark III .22 lr for my daughter to shoot with.

One consideration might be hand strength. Double action revolver is likely more comfortable to stronger hands.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Welcome to the forum...

The revolver or semi-auto choice is totally subjective IMO. I happen to like revolvers a lot. I also have several .22 LR semi-auto pistols too. It all depends upon what you like and the intended use of the handgun.

A .22 Magnum revolver is a totally different handgun than a Beretta semi-auto pistol so it's very hard to compare the two.

I own a H&R M949 revolver and a S&W M63 revolver. I also own a Clark Custom Ruger Mark II and a customized S&W Model 22A. I like them all and use them for different reasons.

 

[PotatoJudge]

I generally prefer revolvers, but I prefer the Ruger 22s for one reason: the Ultimate Cliploader. It's about $25 shipped and will load your Ruger magazine in just a couple of seconds.

Aftermarket trigger parts are also a huge plus for the Ruger.

 

[Oro]

I generally prefer revolvers, but I prefer the Ruger 22s for one reason:

Value. A good S&W will set you back almost double a good Ruger 22. I love my wheel guns, but the Ruger .22 is a great training tool.

These are much more fun for shooting, plinking and practice than the little Beretta or Taurus (I had a beretta a long time). They are a good carry piece if you need a really small piece, but that's about it.

 

[aHFo3]

I'd assume you're talking about the Beretta Neos and not the Bobcat. I don't know much about them, but what I have heard is good.

I love the Ruger semi-auto handguns for all the reasons stated above. Also, check out the Ruger Single Six, or even a Bearcat depending on her size/age.

I would skip the 22 magnum if its just for plinking. Compared to .22 LR, they're much more expensive, and quite a bit louder.

 

[revshooter]

Yep....I'm talking about the Beretta Neos. The price was $259. How is the Ruger price compared to that?

 

[SavageMOA]

I can't speak to the Ruger but I have the Beretta Neos. I LOVE mine. It has NEVER had any jamming problems and it pretty darn accurate.

Also, it is extremely easy to take down, which makes cleaning a BREEZE. I also love the position of the mag release, which is operated by your trigger finger on your right hand (assuming you're right handed).

 

[1SOW]

Your daughter's age might make a difference--your judgement.

The revolver is inherrantly safer.
The auto is easier to shoot, but it's also easier to be unsafe handling it.

I taught my 10 yr old son to shoot with a target auto with a light trigger, but I was very/overly careful about gun safety.

P.S. We shoot in a USPSA league together now (25 yrs later) and he wins every time.

Enjoy this good time together, and remember she'll never forget it.

 

[RON in PA]

When it comes to 22 rim fire i always recommend autos, the Ruger in particular. It's quite common for 22 revolvers to have sticky chambers when ejecting. Twenty twos can be very fussy about which ammo they shoot accurately, even more so in revolvers in my experience.

 

[jad0110]

I would skip the 22 magnum if its just for plinking. Compared to .22 LR, they're much more expensive, and quite a bit louder.

Agree. And out of the shorter barrel of a handgun, it really doesn't have much more oomph than a 22 LR either. Some maybe, but not usually enough to justify the difference in ammo price, IMO.

As for 22 autos, my sister picked up a very nice used Ruger Mk II a couple of months ago for $199. And my mom picked up an early '60s era Hi Standard Citation for $450. Both are nice, but if I were buying one of the two I'd go with the Hi Standard. Take down is stupid easy, and the trigger is super smooth. Sweet 22 pistol, if you ask me. Browning Buckmarks are another good choice.

In 22 revolvers, you have a choice between Single Action and Double Action. I really like both, but prefer the DA overall because it makes for good trigger practice for my other DA wheelies. The S&W K-22 Model 17 or 18 is my favorite. They run about $350+ (average price probably in the high $400s) these days, which is still less than a new S&W 617. Very well made and a joy to shoot. Mine is worth many times more to me that the $430 I paid for it.

On the SA side, the Ruger Bearcat (small frame) and Single Six are highly praised. New or used, they usually run about $275-$350.

 

[MaterDei]

if it is for her, why not let her decide? You're a good dad.

 

[Mello]

revshooter

Revolver or Semi Auto
If you were buying a .22 would you buy a revolver or semi automatic? I'm wanting something for my daughter to shoot in our back yard and also if I get it in time I may even use it next week to take my CWP course. I was looking at the Taurus .22 mag revolver or the Baretta .22 semi auto. Could anyone give me any advise on either of these guns? Thank you.

If you have in mind which firearm you are going to get for personal defense (your concealed weapon), I would get the 22 of the same sort. If you plan to use a semi-auto as a personal defense weapon get a semi-auto 22 rimfire. If you have decided to use a revolver for personal defense get a 22 rimfire revolver. That way you practice with the type that you will be possible betting your life on. You do as you train under stress. So train the same way and train smart.

An additional benefit of this could be that your daughter would also be training skills and gaining muscle memory to use the weapon you eventually buy for personal defense.

 

[BlindJustice]

I started in my early teens with a Hi-Standard
Dura-Mattic. Semi-AUto blow back 10 shot mag.
I learned to shoot it but the rapid fire was always
tempting to a teen. The first hadgun I bought was
a S&W Model 18 K-22 Combat Masterpiece. My other
teen gun/hunting friends all had less expensive
SA or H&R break open. The S&W with the 6 shot cyl.
made me a better marksman.

The used S&W .22s hold up their value and are
a great quality item to pass along.

Look for a used Model 63 Kit gun with a
3 1/2" or 4" Bbl. Model 18s are out there as well
but are a little heavier, approx. 10 oz. more.

I had a friend in H.S> who had a beretta .22
semi-auto, lots of fun and decent accuracy for
a small auto.

R-

 

[revshooter]

You guys have been a great help. A lot of good advice and info. THANKS!

 

[MikePGS]

Yep....I'm talking about the Beretta Neos. The price was $259. How is the Ruger price compared to that?

Believe it or not, the S&W .22 autos are pretty inexpensive. Gander Mountain had the 22a (basic model) at 250 so you can probably get it for like 230 anywhere else. Of course i don't know what the quality is in comparison to say Ruger.

 

[gazpacho]

+1 Ruger Bearcat

First of all, the double action trigger on most 22lr revolvers is VERY heavy. That would probably be a big turn off for your daughter. The heavy DA trigger also makes the SA hammer pull heaver.

Safety is also a concern. The trigger pull on a semi-auto is fairly light. It is easier to pull the trigger, and fire negligently. God forbid she should trip and accidentally fire the handgun.

A single action revolver will not fire unless the hammer is cocked. When the hammer is down, it is VERY safe for your daugter to handle. The Ruger Bearcat is a smaller scaled revolver well suited to a child's smaller hands. It is an excellent platform for teaching handgun skills.

Edit: I just assumed your daughter is a young child. Silly me. However, for any new shooter, a single action revolver is a good choice.

 

[makarovnik]

Probably a revolver. Easier to understand and get the hang of for new shooter plus you don't have the jamming issue to deal with.

I love my ruger 22/45 but it does jam occasionally.

 

[RippinSVT]

I tend to lean towards the revolver, but I own and shoot both. A revolver can often be shot SA or DA, the chambers can be checked visually at a glance, and if she's young, the revolver is much more user-friendly and works GREAT as a training tool for trigger-control and such (one round in a random chamber, good drill for working out a flinch or whatever). Also, in my experiences, .22 autos tend to jam, FTF, and FTE often, even with the best of them due to the rimmed case. This isn't all the time, but malfunctions are much more likely with the autos.

 

[skoro]

Both of my 22 handguns are Rugers. The semiauto is a Mklll 22/45 and the revolver is a Bearcat. They're both excellent plinkers and a lot of fun. That said, I prefer the Mklll. And in general, I prefer revolvers, at least in centerfire calibers. But the Mklll just has "it."

 

[revshooter]

Well I went out today and bought the Ruger MKlll. I LOVE IT! Can't believe how good this gun shoots. And my daughter just loves it.
Thanks for all the advice.

 

[Bezoar]

try a heritage arms 22 revolver? you can get a nice 9"barrel with the opticalsight for about 300. that comes with 22lr and 22 mag cylinders. id love to have that. and it would be good for squirreltoo.

 

[JImbothefiveth]

When the hammer is down, it is VERY safe

You still have to follow all safety rules.

 

[ArmedBear]

I love my ruger 22/45 but it does jam occasionally.

Send it back to Ruger. It's broken.

I have a 22/45 and a Mark II, and neither gun has ever jammed. I'm not kidding. Most reliable autoloading firearms I have ever, and probably will ever, own.

 

[Pilot]

Send it back to Ruger. It's broken.

I have three MK II's and none of the jam, but it may something as simple as changing mags. Try giving it a thorough cleaning, light lube and use a different mag. If it still jams, then get it fixed.