I think there are two approaches: (1) get a .22 cal pistol which is fun and cheap to shoot with low recoil or (2) get a center-fire pistol which can also be used for home- and self-defense. Until recently, .22 ammo has been hard to find and costly, but that's finally changing, .22 rounds are now well below .10 each and cost .04-.06 in bulk in normal times. The cheapest center fire round is 9mm, which cost about .20 each in normal times for practice ammo.
>From what I've seen, .22 auto-loading pistols use zinc or aluminum slides (it's a mass issue) so they aren't as durable as steel guns. I have a Walther P22; it's a decent gun but there are a series of owner "tweaks" that should be done to fix several design/production issues (Google Walther P22 Bible). Ruger us well known for several target pistols in .22 cal. There are several newer .22 pistols from well-known builders (like S&W) but I have no first-hand knowledge. In general, rim-fire ammo is less reliable than center-fire ammo and doesn't feed as well from box magazines because of the rim. For target shooting, that is not so important. If here is interest in a .22 pistol, check out the site "Rimfire Central." In center fire pistols, there are MANY options. I would stick with a major US-made brand (like Ruger or S&W). The way the gun fits the shooter's hand is critical so I think it's best to start with a trip to a gun store that carries a good selection (or gun show) and try several to see how they feel in the hand. For a first gun, a full-size (vs subcompact) gun will hold more rounds, be easier to shoot well, and will have less recoil. The compact and sub-compact models are a compromise intended for concealed carry but they are less desirable under all other conditions (like home defense or target shooting). "Handgun Forum" is a decent source of online information here. Finally, go online and check out your local state gun laws. Laws for handguns are generally different than for long guns. Scott > -----Original Message----- > From: Dan Penoff via Mercedes > Sent: Monday, October 27, 2014 10:07 AM > > ... > > At the risk of going further off topic, for those of you who shoot > pistols for recreation, what would you recommend for a good beginning > pistol? My youngest is very interested in pistol shooting on a range, > and I would like to be able to provide some guidance. I suspect > something in a semiauto, not a revolver, would be appropriate. He's > 22, 6'4", and weighs about 160 if that, if it matters. We're not looking for power, just basic handling and learning target practice. > > Thanks! > > Dan _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com All posts are the result of individual contributors and as such, those individuals are responsible for the content of the post. The list owner has no control over the content of the messages of each contributor.
