Approved permit!

[holbritter]

Lol! You guys are talking way over my head!

I'm taking notes though

 

[VanceMack]

Yea! I go to pick up my pistol permit next week. What I need now is some suggestions for my first pistol.
I want to start with a .22 because it was recommended for a first timer.
I'll be using to practice and become proficient before moving on to a larger caliber.
Since it won't be my 'forever' gun, I don't want to spend a fortune.

Any suggestions appreciated!

I'd look at picking up a Ruger Mark II. You can get a good used one dirt cheap and they are fantastic pistols for target shooting. You can spend more for a new Mark IV but honestly after firing both I see no real advantage to the IV over the II.

 

[apdst]

Yea! I go to pick up my pistol permit next week. What I need now is some suggestions for my first pistol.
I want to start with a .22 because it was recommended for a first timer.
I'll be using to practice and become proficient before moving on to a larger caliber.
Since it won't be my 'forever' gun, I don't want to spend a fortune.

Any suggestions appreciated!

Go ahead and pick out your forever pistol and starting learning how to shoot it.

 

[VanceMack]

Ok. See my suggestion about a "real" pistol with a 22 drop-in conversion kit, above. Or a Ruger 22 pistol.


One thing: Don't buy a little tiny pocket 22 auto as your first gun. Most of them don't shoot well and are not good for learning on. Better to learn on something a bit larger, like a full size or a compact, rather than a subcompact or mini.

Id agree with that but caveat it with the Beretta Bearcat 22lr. Great gun...ultra-reliable. Accurate as any short barreled 22lr is ever going to be (which is plate sized target out to 15 feet)

But DEFINITELY avoid the cheapy off brands...the Jennings, Davis, Lorcins, Phoenix, etc. All POS.

 

[TurtleDude]

I'd look at picking up a Ruger Mark II. You can get a good used one dirt cheap and they are fantastic pistols for target shooting. You can spend more for a new Mark IV but honestly after firing both I see no real advantage to the IV over the II.

other than taking it down that is true

and mark IVs are under a recall

 

[VanceMack]

every Ruger Mark 22 until the Mark IV, is a major pain in the ass to reassemble

I have 3 Mark 2s and a Mark 3 and had a mark IV briefly

Ive had my Mark II for 25 years and never done more than a field cleaning on it. And I have dumped thousands and thousands of rounds through it. My kids learned how to shoot with it. Dont know about the reassembly part though.

 

[Fledermaus]

Mine didn't have an adjustable rear, just fixed sights. Still, it shot fairly straight for a cheap revolver. On SA I could get under 2" groups at about 20m if I was careful.

Still, I remember the first time I shot a Smith and Wesson revolver, and thought "Oh, so THAT's what a good double-action trigger should feel like!"

Still, I had a lot of fun with that thing. Still have it, though it needs a new firing pin.

Had a Charter Arms Sentinel, .22 snub nose (don't ask)

Double action was like dragging an oar through gravel. My H&R was heaven after that. It's all perspective. I agree that a S&W is heaven after either.

 

[TurtleDude]

Ive had my Mark II for 25 years and never done more than a field cleaning on it. And I have dumped thousands and thousands of rounds through it. My kids learned how to shoot with it. Dont know about the reassembly part though.

the main spring usually dies before that and needs replacing. google Reassembling a Ruger Mark II :mrgreen:

 

[KevinKohler]

Get a revolver, then you can get a .22 "rifle" cylinder (very cheap ammo) for practice, and a cylinder for .22 magnum, for extra stopping power.

 

[Goshin]

Id agree with that but caveat it with the Beretta Bearcat 22lr. Great gun...ultra-reliable. Accurate as any short barreled 22lr is ever going to be (which is plate sized target out to 15 feet)

But DEFINITELY avoid the cheapy off brands...the Jennings, Davis, Lorcins, Phoenix, etc. All POS.

Yeah, but for the money she'd spend on a Beretta she could get something bigger and more accurate. You only get as accurate as you try for... aim small, miss small.

 

[VanceMack]

the main spring usually dies before that and needs replacing. google Reassembling a Ruger Mark II :mrgreen:

Like I said...mine has been rock steady. Maybe its due for something.

I dont shoot it all that much these days, but an in law has a plinking contest up in Idaho this weekend and I'm thinking of going up there and busting out the pistol and the 10/22s.

 

[Fledermaus]

Semi-auto

Best world situation.

Choose a trainer that shares qualities with that are shared with what you intend to move up to. Size, weight, position of safety and magazine release, etc.

OR

In the case of the Glock (and other models) there are conversion kits. $250 there is a conversion kit.

Glock Parts for Sale | Best Glock Accessories | GlockStore.com

Buy the Glock. Put in conversion kit. Shoot .22 like crazy. Swap back to original round when ready.

CAVEAT: From what I have heard not all conversion kits are quality products. I am ASSUMING the Glock kit for the Glock is of good quality.

 

[Winchester]

Semi-auto

I'd go for a Ruger Mark IV or one of the older models like a Mark III/II which can be had fairly reasonably used. I've have a Mark II that I can't even count the number of rounds through. The Mark IV's are a bit easier to tear down not that you can't figure out the older ones.

 

[Winchester]

buy a used Browning Buckmark 22. they are easier to maintain than the Rugers and since millions are made, parts are easy to come by.

I'm a fan of Buckmarks too, but I'm a Ruger guy at heart. :2razz:

 

[TurtleDude]

I'm a fan of Buckmarks too, but I'm a Ruger guy at heart. :2razz:

I have two SW 41s. Very accurate=now very expensive and finicky as hell

best 22 I have in semi auto is a CZ KADET which is a 22 version of the CZ 75. No longer available, you can buy a conversion kit for the 9mm Version. Not cheap-about 425 but they work great

 

[Winchester]

every Ruger Mark 22 until the Mark IV, is a major pain in the ass to reassemble

I have 3 Mark 2s and a Mark 3 and had a mark IV briefly

They can be a pain but there are videos on youtube. Some guy had a great website up years ago that I printed out, but I don't think it's there anymore.

Edit: Ha I think I found it.

http://www.1bad69.com/ruger/field_strip.htm

 

[Goshin]

Oh, you're gonna have so much fun learning to shoot.

Good place to start is with a simple bullseye target, a fairly big one, at moderate distance. You can see clearly where your shots are high/low, left-right and adjust accordingly. With a good instructor or a good chart it will show you any bad shooting tendencies you have and you can eliminate them one by one and start blowing out that bulls-eye.


Later, you could do some plinking.... soda cans are nice for that. When those are no longer a challenge, you can shoot at tuna cans, or bottle tops.


This might be helpful....

 

[zsu2357]

Yea! I go to pick up my pistol permit next week. What I need now is some suggestions for my first pistol.
I want to start with a .22 because it was recommended for a first timer.
I'll be using to practice and become proficient before moving on to a larger caliber.
Since it won't be my 'forever' gun, I don't want to spend a fortune.

Any suggestions appreciated!

I saw below where someone recommended(longview in fact) a gun range and trying out different types. People I know I recommend 9mm but that's me though.

 

[holbritter]

Oh, you're gonna have so much fun learning to shoot.

Good place to start is with a simple bullseye target, a fairly big one, at moderate distance. You can see clearly where your shots are high/low, left-right and adjust accordingly. With a good instructor or a good chart it will show you any bad shooting tendencies you have and you can eliminate them one by one and start blowing out that bulls-eye.


Later, you could do some plinking.... soda cans are nice for that. When those are no longer a challenge, you can shoot at tuna cans, or bottle tops.


This might be helpful....

View attachment 67223842

View attachment 67223843

I can't wait now!

 

[PoS]

Why start with a .22?

I agree. If its a semi-auto then get a 9mm for starters. If you get a .22 you'll end up buying another gun in a larger caliber anyway so why bother?

 

[holbritter]

I agree. If its a semi-auto then get a 9mm for starters. If you get a .22 you'll end up buying another gun in a larger caliber anyway so why bother?

I just thought it might be easier to handle for a newbie, plus I heard the ammo would be cheaper?

 

[Goshin]

I agree. If its a semi-auto then get a 9mm for starters. If you get a .22 you'll end up buying another gun in a larger caliber anyway so why bother?

Cheap ammo = more practice. lower recoil is easier for many new shooters.

 

[Goshin]

I just thought it might be easier to handle for a newbie, plus I heard the ammo would be cheaper?

It is. There was a shortage of 22LR for a while but I think that's cleared up now.

 

[Goshin]

I can't wait now!

Cool.

Just remember, always, the Rules of Safety:

Never point any gun at anything you don't want to kill.
Assume all guns are loaded, even if you know they aren't.
Finger off the trigger until the gun is pointed in a safe direction and you're ready to fire.
Always know what is behind your target and don't shoot if it isn't safe.

I made my kids memorize and recite the safety rules before they were allowed to handle firearms... abide by them religiously and you'll never have an accident.

 

[Rucker61]

I agree. If its a semi-auto then get a 9mm for starters. If you get a .22 you'll end up buying another gun in a larger caliber anyway so why bother?

Because then he'll have two guns, and that's one more than one.