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Approved permit!

holbritter

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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!
 

The Heritage .22 single action revolvers are inexpensive, but I wouldn't recommend them as a first gun.

Possibly useful reading:

3 Easy Steps to Help You Find the Perfect First Rimfire

The Ten Best .22 Handguns | Range365

Great Rimfire Pistols for Hunting and Plinking - Shooting Times
 

Do you like revolvers or semi-autos?
 

I think the good .22 have increased in price so much that for the same price you could get something like a .380.
If you just want to become proficient, many ranges rent guns for you to try.
find one that does the job you want, and feels good in your hand when shooting it.
 

Find a nice H&R 999 used. 9 shots. Top Break. Mine was accurate for everyone who shot it.

They are desirable so look at $300-400 for one in great condition. But the trigger pull is good single action, fair in double action. You will likely keep it after you move up to "grown up" guns. I have 4 .357 pistols and go back to this one for casual pinking.

 


Here at Rancho de Goshin, the go-to pistol for first time pistol shooters is a Ruger Mark I in 22 cal.

Mark II's are more common these days, found used at a pawn shop or gun store.

Now one caveat is those are single-action triggers, while most carry guns these days are double action.


One thing you could do is get a pistol suitable for carry or home defense (according to your preferences) that has a "drop in" 22 conversion kit. This gives you the best of both worlds... you can do a lot of practice with cheap ammo with low recoil, but convert it back to full caliber for serious purposes.

Pretty sure Glock has conversion kits of this type for most of their guns.
 


First gun i ever bought was an H&R revolver. Don't think they make them anymore. Hard to believe they've gone up to $400, holey hannah! Of course revolvers are stupid-expensive these days as they've become a "niche market".

But mine endured through thousands of rounds and shot straight, even if it was nothing fancy. DA trigger pull was mighty stiff though.
 

Not sure if I'm 'savvy' enough for that, but I like the idea. I have a lot to learn!
 
holbritter said:
Semi-auto
Click to expand...


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.
 

Thousands of rounds here too... Had two of the speed loaders shown. 9, 9, 9.... Pretty soon your box of 50 is in the wind.

Had to lok-tite the rear sight though.
 
holbritter said:
Not sure if I'm 'savvy' enough for that, but I like the idea. I have a lot to learn!
Click to expand...


I'm around, say my name and I shall appear. POOF! :lamo


Or PM me if you have any questions. Heck you can PM me from your phone while you're in the gun store if you want, be glad to help. I love to encourage new shooters in pursuing the Art.
 
Fledermaus said:
Thousands of rounds here too... Had two of the speed loaders shown. 9, 9, 9.... Pretty soon your box of 50 is in the wind.

Had to lok-tite the rear sight though.
Click to expand...


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.
 
Goshin said:
I'm around, say my name and I shall appear. POOF! :lamo


Or PM me if you have any questions. Heck you can PM me from your phone while you're in the gun store if you want, be glad to help. I love to encourage new shooters in pursuing the Art.
Click to expand...

Thank you! I just might do that. ��
 
holbritter said:
Semi-auto
Click to expand...

Would you be interested in going from this first rimfire to a larger caliber later, perhaps with the same form factor of handgun? You might look at getting something like the Walther PPQ .22 with the option of going to the PPQ in 9mm or .45 later.
 
holbritter said:
Semi-auto
Click to expand...

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.
 
Rucker61 said:
Would you be interested in going from this first rimfire to a larger caliber later, perhaps with the same form factor of handgun? You might look at getting something like the Walther PPQ .22 with the option of going to the PPQ in 9mm or .45 later.
Click to expand...


SW makes a copy of the MP in 22 we have a few. They tend to last 15,000 rounds before they need major work
 

that is why almost every member of the PPC 60X club shot Smiths. I was and I did
 
TurtleDude said:
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.
Click to expand...


Yeah that may be a better option. I have a Ruger MkI because it was a gift.
 
TurtleDude said:
that is why almost every member of the PPC 60X club shot Smiths. I was and I did
Click to expand...


Smith model 13 was my carry gun as a cop. I routinely outshot all the glock-guys at the range, including the police instructor, with it.
 
Goshin said:
Yeah that may be a better option. I have a Ruger MkI because it was a gift.
Click to expand...

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
 

Congrats! I’d advise you to take a safety class as well as a class on home defense. They’re interesting, fun and very informative.
 
Meh, don't let these guys talk you into a sissy gun, go straight for the Pfeifer-Zeliska .600 Nitro Express. :cowboy:

(This is a joke, please don't shoot me).

:lol:
 
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