Which .22 LR Pistol for a New Shooter?

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I have a S&W 22a that has a bull barrel that I'm planning on putting a red dot sight. I also have a 22 revolver, a heritage arms. Either one would be great for a beginner.

Personally plan a budget and get a good deal. This is a first purchase. Buy for what you're planning to do. You'll end up with more than one 22 because they're fun to shoot and have less recoil than some of the bbguns that have the blowback.
 
Grampy, I have had many different .22 pistols

Once I got my Browning UDX, I let family and freinds get the others as gifts. I use it exclusivly for all my target shooting, plinking etc. and cannot be happier. Plus, Browning customer service is excellent. I lost a spring to it. They sent me a new one free of charge within one weel. They took great care of me and fixed for free something that they could have charged for. Great guns and great service means I am a Buckmark fan now and nothing else will do.

Get one and I am sure you will love it as much as I do.

Take care

Shooter429
 
Did I mention excellent accuracy and ergos

The UDX fits my hand better than any other .22 out there and it shoots single hole groups with CCI mini Mags, Velocitors and Federal match, to name a few. Plus they are very easy to take apart and clean-much easier than the Ruger Mk3, for example.

Shooter429
 
Grampy,

I am going to recommend a Revolver for your first handgun.

I am old school and some of what I believe in, is (a) gun fit to shooter, and (b) learning to shoot with a .22 revolver in double action.

The guns I like for this are the S&W K frames, such as the Model 18. The reason being, is the next step I prefer to do, is transition to a .38spl using a light target load in a K frame.

I am convinced, lessons learned from shooting a revolver double action, will allow one to become a better shooter, period as lessons learned transition to semi auto handguns.

Because my next thing after Med frame in .38spl is to go back to a .22 semi-auto. Then go to 9mm semi auto platforms.

After all this, the student knows about gun fit. They choose some guns they have narrowed it down to , then shoot Mr. H's drill.
Five shots at 5 yards onto 1/4 sheet of typing paper.
The paper does not lie. It will reveal what platform, what caliber, and what ammo a persons shoots best

I will NOT use a heavy gun, or target gun , or onewith optics.

I am wanting to assist the new person with correct basic fundamentals-period.

I do not want to overwhelm them with a more refined or complicated firearm.
I do not want a gun too heavy, as the new person does not have the stamina, and muscle strength built up to hold a gun for periods of time and not get fatigued.

Fatigue means no fun for one. It also leads to ingraining bad habits and impeding getting the correct basic fundamentals down.

Yes I know revolvers are more expensive, even good used ones. I am also a big proponent of gun fit, and today nobody is making .22 revolvers like they used to.

See, I and mine had a variety of makes and models for folks to actually try, to see about fit, and even the same gun with different stocks. Revolvers allow for tweaking the stocks for fit , a bit better than semi's.

Older Hi Standard, H&R revolvers can be found for less monies.

Then again it might be worth it to you to find a good used S&W, Colt revolver.
I respect budgets, and I respect a person's likes and dislikes.

Semi's.

Again, Less is More.
I prefer fixed sights and 4" barrels.

Focus on the target, not the equipment - Will Fennell

These guns are not as heavy, which leads to fatigue. Fatigue leads to not having fun...

Keep in mind a lot of my experience is with dealing with single ladies, single moms, kids, elderly and physically limited.

Trust me, when a person has arthritis flare up, it hurts to hold, much less shoot a gun.
Trust me when I share when a healthy and fit 24 year old man, falls on ice and breaks a wrist, he cannot shoot his center fire. With Physical Therapy, he is not allowed to shoot anything other than rim-fire.
Not really a 'No Recoil' order, but darn close.

That nice bulls eye .22 a friend has is too darn heavy to shoot.

Now a old Ruger Standard, that does not have a bolt open after last shot, and the mag only holds 9 rounds, he can shoot.

I do not like the Ruger MKIII, the trigger and some other things are the reason.
Keep in mind, I recall when one could mail in the order form from a Field & Stream for a brand spanking new Ruger Standard , the gun was $24.50.
The postman delivered your new gun to your front door C.O.D.
Many of these guns had really nice triggers out of the box.

Unless you want a new gun, don't. I like the old guns better, and being honest, after the first shot, a new gun is a used gun.

-Ruger Standard, the old nine shot
-Ruger MKI
-Ruger MKII

-Smith & Wesson 422 (blue) , 622 (steel)

These guns are almost too light, and again I prefer the 4" . The gun totes so easy, one will forget they are wearing one holstered.
Kids can handle this sight radius and not tire out. Adults recovering / recovered from hip, back, and similar surgeries can tote this gun.

This gun is one of the most simple to take apart to inspect and maintain.
Which is great for arthritic hands, or those getting over injuries, or surgeries.

I look at things a bit different than many. One might be stropping and fit, and in the blink of an eye, not be.
Hence the reason I harp simple guns to not only introduce new shooters, also for individual use in case they get down, or someone in the family does.

-Hi Standard Duramatic.
This one again is easy to take down with its thumb screw.

-Hi Standard has some other offerings, I would get with some Bulls-Eye shooters that use the higher end guns, to assist with the field , plinker versions.
These are nice guns, and they fit hands.

-Colt Woodman.
This one is going to run more money. I will warn you, once you shoot it, you will be spoiled .
http://www.colt22.com/


-Browning Buckmarks.
I forget the names of the more basic, still Buckmarks tend to have better triggers out of the box.
Good used ones can be found.

Suggestion:
I would check to see whom traded in any .22 rim fire guns, to fund ARs, and EBRs

I know folks are trading in "old antiquated" guns for these ARs, and EBRs.
You might find a Model 18 that was passed to a nephew by a uncle. Or Ruger MKII that was a high school grad gift, or....
 
SM---Thank you so much for your detailed advice. It is very much appreciated, and although I was intent on a semi-auto, you have shed some new light on what I may do.
 
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Ruger 22/45 - MKII Stainless 5 1/2" Bull Barrel

Hey, Grampy, I hope we're not overwhelming you.

I have to agree that if you're new to handguns, a revolver might be the better way to go, but if you're going to go with an auto anyway, I'd recommend the Ruger. I have owned at least one for the last 35 years, and no complaints after thousands and thousands of rounds through each.:D

I have nothing bad to say about the Browning Buckmark. I would own one if not for the Rugers. I like the MKIIs because in my OPINION, having yet more safety devices and in particular a mag safety simply isn't an interest of mine:cuss:.

My 22/45 has the feel and controls sort of like a Government M1911. The theory here is that if you love the original GI .45, you'll get some good out of practicing with a 22 that is similar. I personally don't care - I'd like this pistol even if I didn't for some odd reason:scrutiny: like the M1911.

If you look through the older posts, you will see that when asked which 22 auto pistol should someone buy, the Ruger takes fully half of all the responses. The Buckmark takes the majority of the "everything except Ruger" category. That level of popularity should tell you something about both pistols.

Good luck, and stay safe.
 
Grampy;

A single action semi-auto and a single action revolver have markedly different operating systems.

The single action revolver has to be manually cocked for every shot. The single action semi only needs to be manually cocked for the first shot.

It can make a real safety difference when inexperienced shooters are on the firing line. If a distraction happens and the shooter turns to see what it was, with the semi it's very possible to bring a cocked & loaded gun to bear on someone or something other than downrange. Not that it can't happen with the revolver, but it's certainly less likely.

900F
 
Since this is a training pistol for a bigger SD gun somewhere down the line, I’d prefer the Mosquito or Walther P22. I bought both of ‘em in order to cut down on ammo costs when practicing, and preferred guns that are similar in style/handling/operation as my SD guns (one of which is a SIG P229R in 357 SIG). While great for target practice, I’ve never cared for the ray gun style, preferring something closer to my actual SD sidearm.
Not that familiar with CZ’s as they’re just not in my neck o’ the woods, but it sounds like a nice option AFA training for a future SD gun.

While your larger SD gun may be well down the road, and you’re too early in the game/learning curve to probably decide what you want, compare the Mosquito to other SIG’s AFA controls, operation, etc.

A couple of points to ponder:
· Conventional wisdom suggests early problems with the Mosquito & P22 have been (mostly?) ironed out.
· Did a lot of research before buying mine and word seems to be with the right ammo you’ll not have the problems many had-after breaking in both with MiniMags, many report good results with Federal 550 WalMart bricks.
· If you do have some ammo problems (FTF/FTE) is that such a bad thing? Learn how to handle ‘em on your 22 and you’ll be ahead of the game with your next gun.
· After you buy your larger caliber, might want to keep the 22 for practice!
· Beware those warning of “lousy” triggers (lousy needs to be defined)! There seems to be a problem with younger? shooters wanting a target trigger on a SD gun-at least until they shoot the cat (or, as with a recent football player, their leg).
· As one who learned to shoot on DA revolvers, I’ve never been particularly trigger sensitive-smooth and clean, crisp is nice, but heavier weight pulls never bothered me. Heavier trigger pull is advisable in a SD weapon.
· Price-you should be able to find a Walther and Mosquito for around $300-saw some wild price swings when I was shopping, but paid $315 for the Mosquito, under $300 for the Walther.

Finally, check out some good books, particularly anything by Massad Ayoob!

Good luck with your shopping/research!
 
I purchased a Ruger MK3 22/45 with a 4-inch slab barrel back in March. Lord knows how many rounds I've put through the thing. Haven't had a jam or misfire yet. Picked it up new for 300 and I bought some more mags for it. Good gun but better if you also own a 1911 as the controls are in the same location. The fixed 3 dot sights are nice although for more precision I would recommend the 6-inch with adjustable sights.
 
Grampy,

It is I that thanks you sir.

Great topic, and while it has been discussed before, this thread is different in many of the replies and the direction it is going.

Oh, hey, we all like spending someone else's money. *grin*

Here is something to remember and to consider.

It is a old tip to have a .22 akin to a center-fire firearm.

Examples:
The old J frame .22 revolver is excellent for inexpensive quality training for the J frame .38spl.
Ditto for Colt offering , and guns used by Police.

S&W K frame .22s for K frame 38spl, and .357. Ditto for Colt, and Ruger handguns.

Not just handguns, applicable to bolt, pump, and lever action rifles too.
Less expensive quality practice for correct basic fundamentals, without felt recoil , for center-fire guns.


-Now I happen to feel every person should have a .22 handgun, and a Revolver.
I don't care if they are into other guns or calibers, just I feel each household should have a .22 handgun of some kind, and a dedicated , medium frame , .38spl revolver.

--.22 handgun is what one will default to in the event they get down with detached retina, broken back, neck surgery, and injuries to hands and wrists.
These "No Recoil" orders are real Doctors and Physical Therapists issue.

All it takes is tripping over a family pet , or stepping out onto the porch and hitting "black ice" and down you go.

These guns are great for introducing new shooters, having fun plinking, but I do view these as serious tools for when a person is down.

I have seen it too many times over too many decades.

--.Dedicated Med frame .38spl.

Fixed sights.
If serious, get someone to put gold bead front sight on.

The original "point-n-click". Anyone can see it is loaded, unloaded, and safe.

Not dependent on magazines to run the gun, as magazines are part of the functioning firearm.

Not ammo sensitive to run the gun.

Designed to shoot Point of Aim/ Point of Impact (POA/POI) standard pressure 158 gr ammo. I prefer Lead Semi Wad Cutter.
These are also set up to shoot the 148 gr Wad Cutter.

IN additon, and if one is on a budget, then skip the .22 and get a dedicated Med frame .38spl.
The ideal is a 3" , for home a 4" is great, the snub nose is harder to master, and learn.

The 3" has a longer extraction stroke over a snubby, it "points' and feel more like an extension of one. Fit to hands is a matter of changing stocks.

Quality practice is afforded with Speer Plastic Training Bullet. These are primer only plastic loads, reusable.

Bad weather, cold, rain, is no problem.
Just find a indoor place nice, warm and dry, and shoot indoors using a back stop to retrieve plastic bullets.

If you live in a rural , semi rural area, go shoot in the garage, the shop out back, the barn, the warehouse...
There are a lot of folks doing just this.

Dry fire with snap caps is a given.

Primer only loads with casings are great for new shooters, adding noise with "real" ctg casings.

Light loads (reloads) will allow quality practice, and are just fine for small pests on the property and small game hunting.

Now one is shooting that standard pressure 158 gr load, and the hands have a flare up of arthritis, or you bust a knuckle working on the car, of fixing the plumbing.
It hurts to shoot, well run the 148 gr Wad cutters.

Maybe one is down recovering and someone is staying to assist. Say a 15 year old grandson or grand daughter needs to answer the door, that grand kid was parented / grand parented right, correct?

Answering the door with a revolver is done everyday , and has been, long before many current mfgs , makes, platforms , and calibers ever came to be.

In bed or in a recliner, evil is going to have a hard time getting a revolver away from you.
Getting knocked out of battery is not a revolver problem like a semi.
Add, fabric, bed linens, pillows, are not going to cause the problems a semi might have.

I have no problem with folks having whatever they choose to have, just I feel every household should have .22 pistol, .22 rifle, single shot youth 20 ga shotgun and dedicated .38spl.

I am a 1955 model and just a product of my rasin' is all...

Grampy....
I dunno, I see a good used Model 64 , 3" RB , accenting your eyes, the highlights in your hair and not making your butt look big.

Wait, that is the line I tell them good looking sweet thangs...

*whups*


Steve
 
Grampy,

Everyone else has already recommended a boatload of pistols. Personally I'd go with the Ruger over the Buckmark as your budget allows for it and a Ruger Mark II / III is an extremely accurate pistol.

Second recommendation, when you learn to shoot, use one of these as your target as it will provide instant feedback on any errors you may be making while you shoot.

wheel.gif


Any time I am teaching marksmanship, this is the first target I reach for for the new shooter. The above target is for a right handed shooter. If you are a lefty it will be a mirror image. Ask your pistol range if they have wheel targets in stock.

Have fun and stay safe. :)
 
Thanks again, Gents, for all the excellent suggestions. I am still undecided with rentals at the range the likely deciding factor. Revolvers are a consideration now, but still leaning slightly toward a semi-auto.
 
I was at the same place you were earlier this year. I wanted my first gun and was planning on getting a .357 or .45acp, but my wife and this forum talked me into a .22lr. I went for a Ruger MkIII 22/45 with a bull barrel. I picked it up from a local shop for under $300.00. I absolutely love it, and have learned a lot about shooting with it. I don't anything about the Brownings, but from some of the falling plate competitions I've shot in against them, I don't see any problems with them.

I picked what I did because it felt right in my hand, find what fits you. Happy shooting.
 
I have a Buck Mark Camper and a Walther P22, and have lots of range time on the Neos and several Rugers.

If a semi-auto defense pistol is in your future, then the only two pistols worth considering are the Buck Mark and the Ruger. Both are incredibly accurate and durable, but the Buck Mark is significantly easier to clean and maintain. A semi-auto .22 will teach you all about the various malfunctions that you may never see in a quality semi-auto defense pistol. Practicing with a semi-auto .22 will prepare you for the unlikely event that your SD pistol malfunctions. A revolver can't do that for you. Also, most serious shooters hold a semi-auto with an entirely different grip than a revolver (google thumbs-forward or combat grip). You cannot hold a revolver in this fashion without the risk of losing a thumb.

My P22 lasted less than 7,000 rounds before the slide cracked and the hammer spring broke. Its a 2007 model. I've done most of the mods in the P22 bible, and its a really fun pistol to own. However, the grip is too small for any real crossover training and its accuracy is nowhere near the Ruger or Buck Mark. The trigger pull and feel is only fair on this pistol and cannot be improved. Mine's a safe queen.

The Neos has a very extreme grip angle and poor sights, but is reasonably accurate. Personally, the grip angle is so extreme and atypical that I couldn't replicate the combat/thumbs forward grip I use with my defense pistols.

My Buck Mark Camper (paid around $300) has over 25,000 rounds through it, and is still going strong. The grip angle and controls are relatively similar to my defense pistols, so it reinforces good habits that cross over between slightly different platforms. The stock trigger is excellent, and can be lightened by simply reversing a spring. Its as reliable as the ammo you put in it. In my experience, all semi-autos will have malfunctions if you venture into the realm of cheap ammo.

All of the Buck Marks share the same action and internals. The only real flaw with the Camper model is the plastic sight rail that typically cracks within 15,000 rounds. Mine lasted about that long, then I upgraded to a Tactical Solutions sight rail for about $80. This allows you to mount a Red Dot. My buddy's Camper with a Red Dot is so silly accurate that I don't really enjoy shooting it. Shooting a .22 with a Red Dot offers less carryover to my defense pistols without optics. Nevertheless, lasers, suppresors and Red Dots are fun to play with on .22s and add another dimension to their appeal.
 
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Thanks, HKIWB----I'm leaning very heavily to the Buck Mark, as I have now shot one and it fits pretty well.
 
My only objection is that it's not suitable for serious target shooting because you have to separate the sight rail from the barrel to field strip it, so you have to sight it in again after every cleaning, unless you just clean from the muzzle.
Click to expand...

There's really no need to clean the bore of a .22 rimfire. When you shoot it, bullet lube is deposited in the barrel and protects it from rust very well.

The Ruger and Buckmark are about a tie. I personally have a Ruger, and my only complaint is too much trigger backlash (movement after the sear releases.) But there's a simple fix for that -- go to the foot care section in your local pharmacy and buy some Mole Foam. Stick a small piece to the frame behind the trigger. Adjust until it stops the trigger just as the sear releases.
 
Mr. Humphrey,

Sir, I tried to skool ya, but ya won't listen.

You are supposed to buy that pad of Dr. Scholls Moleskin, cut pcs to fit trigger guard, blacken with a Sharpie marker, and get $5.95 each for them, or 2/$10.

What I am going to do with you?
Does your wonderful wife know you are messing up again?

*grin*


I hope all is well with you and yours sir,

Steve
 
Grampy brought up a good point

If you plan on graduating to a full sized revolver, a .22 revolver is probably a good idea. If, however, you are going with a semi-auto, the .22 semi-autos are probably a better bet. The Browning Buckmark UDX is by far the best value out ther, IMHO and is a perfect trainer for a 1911, because the controls, action etc. are the same not to mention it approximates the look and feel of a 1911 in the hand. If you decide to go revolver, there is one great choice the 617. It is the perfect double to the 686, which is the best .357 magnum value on the market, IMHO.

Shooter429
 
I'm going to the Harrisburg, PA Gun Show tomorrow with the buddy who introduced me to shooting. They'll have (1200) display tables there, so I'll have a chance to put my hands on lots of models for feel/fit.
 
Grampy - Tell us!

Well, Grampy, you've been good to listen to lots of what I consider pretty good advice, and for once we didn't really argue (much) :D.

Do let us know if you picked one up at the gun show, or if you're in one of those states that has a cooling off period :barf:.

I know several of us are curious.
 
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