Wife's first gun: 22/45 Lite or SR22

[bottlerocket]

My wife grew up around guns being from west TX but she was never really instructed in proper techniques on shooting. She got some basic how to hold and pull the trigger but nothing beyond that. I take her shooting often but I'm thinking her having a firearm to call her own would be more enjoyable for her. I want to get to the point to where she can carry concealed but I want her to work with a 22LR pistol first.

I have a Mk III target model. She likes to shoot it but its a bit heavy for her taste. I had initially thought about the 22/45 Lite since it could be fun for me too so I could use a suppressor on it, but beyond that I don't know which one would be better for a novice shooter.

I want to eventually get her into an LCP or LC9, or perhaps a PK380 but for now I want to start on one of these. Which would you guys recommend and why?

 

[el Godfather]

Your wife you decide.

Shoot em at range buddy.

 

[TAKtical]

Sr22. 22/45 Is a great gun but In a lot of ways its nothing like the guns you would expect her to eventually carry.

 

[bottlerocket]

@el Godfather: Im more looking for suggestions on what is the better gun to teach someone shooting fundamentals on. She likes the look of the SR22 more but if its a junker like the P22 or Mosquito then its pointless.

@TAKtical: I really am not concerned with that as much as I am teaching her how to shoot firearms in general and shoot them well. If I wanted something similar to what she is gonna carry, I'd get her a P22

 

[TimeIsRunninOut]

I love my 22/45, the lite model is sweet looking! Either way you would be getting a quality product.

 

[mdThanatos]

Question, is the Mk III you have too heavy or is it not balanced in her opinion, I am guessing it has a longer barrel and might be a little front heavy?

The only thing I have heard about the SR is that the grip is small but I haven't looked much into it for any other issues. I would get her to a shop and let her pick them up and hold them at the least to see which feels more comfortable. Have you considered maybe the Bersa .22? It is more like their .380 so it will have a shorter barrel and might be a little lighter, not sure on the weight specs.

 

[Mr.357Sig]

I'd go with the 22/45 Lite. The ability to add a suppressor would be a bonus for you down the road. I think it would make an excellent training platform for you bride. I also like the longer sight radius of the 22/45 vs the SR22.

 

[Wicked]

Have her hold each and let her decide.

 

[MedWheeler]

If my wife sent me out to "pick one" of those two, and wouldn't check them out herself, I'd go with the SR22, especially if self-defense was the ultimate goal of her handgun familiarization. It's the platform that most resembles a typical SD pistol (besides, I want one!)

 

[ritepath]

My wife loves the SR, but she enjoys shooting my MKII much more because she can get better groups.
At first she wanted an SR for SD, but after taking her CHP class she insisted on a 642 and that's what she bought. Now she want's a 22/45 target to plink with.

 

[mnrivrat]

No bad choice there. I have the same problem decidinmg between those two guns.

I would count on the SR22 to be much better than the Sig or the P22 . I can not say that as fact however. I have not looked close enough at the SR22 material . I would check to see what Ruger does to build the slide for that gun prior to making my choice.

The lite seems to be a great choice given that it is a well proven design and the accuracy will likely be better than the SR22. For carry, the lite is still bulky in comparison and has a larger grip frame. Smaller hands may like the SR22 , and for packing it around, fun plinking and learning the modern semi-auto center fire platform, the SR22 would be my choice.

For range shooting, target shooting, and plinking, as well as hunting - the 22/45 lite

 

[Paladin38-40]

KISS

As a teaching gun, the 22/45 Lite definately. She can move on to something else after she masters that one.

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

I would let her hold both at a shop and see what she likes better.