Gun Owners - 1st gun opinions

[Daytona440]

My Class A LTC came in today.

Suggestions for a 1st gun? thinking about a .22 because the ammo is cheap and from what I hear they a good place to start.

I like the Sig Mosquito but have read some less than stellar reviews. The more recent ones seem to be getting better and better. I really like the Sig 226, but am looking to see what's a better starting point...

options? opinions? discuss...

[Kurlon]

If you're looking for a starter .22 pistol, I don't think you can do much better than a Ruger Mark III.

[TheIglu]

+1.

I love my Mark III Hunter.

[Doc]

A Walther P22

http://www.gundirectory.com/more.asp...087&gun=Pistol

I have one you can try. The next time you are up this way I will take you shooting.


People are going to tell you that you can handle bigger and suggest a 9mm but to get the good fundamentals of shooting down you should start with a .22.

[Kurlon]

A friend of mine used the Walther P22 for his concealed carry course, and was disappointed with it. Much more jam prone than the Ruger, and there were a few other quirks he didn't care for that I can't recall at the moment.

[Doc]

The jamming is from poor ammo I bet. I have not had problems with mine with the "hotter" ammo.

There is always the "limp wrist" factor as well.

[BillyVT]

I'm a firearms instructor (well, used to be). The Ruger MKIII Hunter or Comp are BOTH excellent firearms, and yes, ammo costs MUST be considered. Personally, I carry a mid-frame .45ACP (Taurus..long story but am happy with it), but practice much with my SIG Trailblazer. Just don't forget to spend the time and money training with your carry firearm.

[Kurlon]

Not that I'd likely ever carry, but I just love the look and design of the H&K squeeze cockers. The ME wannabe side of me just thinks they're great. One of these days I'll find someone with one at a range that'll let me go through a clip or three... : )

[Evil_Weasel]

i always enjoyed 9mm for my primary plinking guns at the range. ammo is still cheaper than .45 and the like. more pop than a .22 but easy enough to shoot all day. it's also big enough to serve as a self defense round as well.

[BluGixxer]

If you're looking for a starter .22 pistol, I don't think you can do much better than a Ruger Mark III.

+1 never had a problem with mine , ammo is cheap = lots of range time. can't beat range time..

[ChR1s]

+1 Ruger Mark III

Eats cheap ammo just fine, and it's way accurate. Kind of a bitch to tear down for cleaning the first couple of times, but not a detractor IMO.

[jcbell1007]

I've had good luck with CCI Stinger .22 ammo. Shoots clean and a lot less malfunctions that with some Remington stuff that I picked up. This was through my walther p22. I have the 3.4" barrel version in OD Green that I love. Super fun to shoot and a lot cheaper than my .40.

About $24 for a brick of 500.

[JRide]

Good thread, Tim. I've been contemplating the same thing. I'm taking my class in a few weeks.

I've wanted a P22 for a while now and thats probably what I will end up with. I haven't had any experience with any of the other .22's mentioned. I'll have to check them out.

[richw]

I have a Ruger mkII target solid barrel

many many upgrades available also can be tuned yourself if handy

Chris 1 hand or 2 ?

[dhuze]

I have a Ruger MKI and it is problem free. .22 are fun and cheap to shoot.

[13]

I have a p22 that's fun. The fiveseven is more fun, but a bit expensive. If you want to carry, something more powerful/reliable than a 22lr wouldn't be a bad idea. .32, .380, 9mm, .40, .44, .45, .577trex. Try them all!

[McBiggity]

My Class A LTC came in today.

Suggestions for a 1st gun? thinking about a .22 because the ammo is cheap and from what I hear they a good place to start.

I like the Sig Mosquito but have read some less than stellar reviews. The more recent ones seem to be getting better and better. I really like the Sig 226, but am looking to see what's a better starting point...

options? opinions? discuss...

uh-oh. timmy is getting a gun. Is that googly eye going to help or hinder your aim?

[Omahastylin16]

I have a p22 that's fun. The fiveseven is more fun, but a bit expensive. If you want to carry, something more powerful/reliable than a 22lr wouldn't be a bad idea. .32, .380, 9mm, .40, .44, .45, .577trex. Try them all!

t-rex ftw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQJSZs-euZU

[Currently]

Start with a Ruger Mark whatever or a S&W .22 or a Buckmark.

Go to a store and put all three in your hands, you will know in seconds which one "feels" the best.

When you can shoot .22 groups like that target above, then and only then go for a larger bore.

.22 is cheap and helps you build on good habits.

I can't count the idiots that go out and buy a whatever magnum and can't hit the broad side of a barn cause they flinch like hell or are scared of it.

Like motorcycles, start small and work up. It is your first gun, not your last one.

Don't ever get rid of it cause you will regret that decision for the rest of your life. .22's are an investment for your lifetime and your kids and your grandkids lifetimes.

Listen to those reviews about SIG Mosquitos ... they are pieces of shit. There are so many great .22's.
I chose the buckmark cause it felt good in my hand and I can add a silencer at a later date. I can move that silencer to another gun because there is no serial number on the barrel, it is on the reciever.
With the Ruger Mark whatever, the silencer is only for that gun because the serial number is on the barrel.

[Kurlon]

.32, .380, 9mm, .40, .44, .45, .577trex. Try them all!

Gotta catch'em all!

So, when's the next gun show? NESR invasion, could be fun.

[BillyVT]

You're getting good advice, regarding .22's. But, by all means, NEVER use a .22 as a self defense caliber. Yeah, as some would say, it'll kill the "bad guys", but you don't want 'em to die eventually. Bad guys need to be stopped as quickly as possible. Hence, the general consensus that 9MM is minimum for your carry caliber and .380 only as secondary backup.

[Doc]

.22 as a plinker and good habit maker

.380 as a noise maker/ backup

9mm when you can't shoot and want more rounds...

.40/.45 One shot drop.

[BillyVT]

Yep, Doc's "on target".

[Doc]

I also have to say... if you are carrrying a weapon you had better have some good training.

If you draw that weapon you had better be preparing to shoot someone. It is NOT a good tactic to draw a weapon to "scare" smoeone.

Just an FYI.

[BluGixxer]

I don't Know the who's and where's in your area, but you might want to check to see if any gun ranges rent differant guns, plus it looks like quit a few people would be more than happy to let you take a few shots with theirs. It is a life time investment. I like the ruger mark II target.