Took the wife to look at .22s this morning...

[Magoo541]

So we looked at the Walther, Ruger SR22, Ruger 22/45 w/threaded barrel and SIG Mosquito.  I looked at the Ruger 22/45 Lite last week at another gun shop and I'm leaning towards one of the 22/45s.  The SIG would be number 2, followed by the Walther and SR22.  The wife liked the SIG, then Walther, the 22/45 and the SR22 last.  We also looked at the Beretta space gun and the grip angle was too steep for me and the wife didn't like it either.

I know the 22/45 has been around forever, magazines are relatively inexpensive and available and it has good aftermarket support.  SIG magazines are not as easy to find and expensive and I've read reviews here that really make me hesitant to get one.  Can anyone give me a any other arguments for the other guns mentioned above, for or against?

Thanks,
Bryan

[Timothy]

My daughter has a Walther P22 that has always been a problem.  Others here have the Sig and I'll let them say their piece about that.

The Ruger 22/45 I've shot but don't own.  It worked well and was accurate enough.  I'm unfamiliar with the SR22 but it's a bit like the SR9c which my SIL has and it works well for him.  I've put a few downrange with that.

Don't forget the Browning Buckmark.  It's made in the USA and is a fine little plinker.  They may be a bit more money but they're well worth a look.  You may also take a look at some of the fine little wheelguns in .22lr.  They're fun to shoot and more than accurate enough.

Good luck!

[alfsauve]

I got the Buckmark myself.  The 5" URX one with the rail on top.    For smaller hands look at the Beretta Neos.  I know a number of ladies who like it.

[Magoo541]

I got the Buckmark myself.  The 5" URX one with the rail on top.    For smaller hands look at the Beretta Neos.  I know a number of ladies who like it.

I think that was the one neither of us liked, space aged looking pistol with a really steep grip angle?  It might be for her to shoot but its still my gun 

[Timothy]

I think that was the one neither of us liked, space aged looking pistol with a really steep grip angle?  It might be for her to shoot but its still my gun  

They have about twenty or more Buckmark models.  

Edit...looks like they're down to 15...

[Sponsor]

[DaverZ]

Gave the wife a Sig mosquito a couple years back and she loves it,we've never had any problems with it,but then again we only shoot the mini magd out of it.

[CJS3]

I picked up a GSG 1911-22 a few of months back. Same weight as a full sized 1911, but without the recoil. I got the ATI version, but the Sig and Colt are also made by GSG. The Sig and the ATI versions use the same mags. Very accurate and just a buttload of fun to shoot. Unless you're looking for something light weight, a 1911-22 might be worth checking out.

[les snyder]

look at the Mark III or older all steel pistols, and compare with a 22/45...have her shoot both if possible... start with the bolt locked backed... see if she has the strength to release the bolt using the bolt release button with the 22/45... and compare it to releasing the Mark III  by pulling back on the charging handle

[Rastus]

Hard to go wrong with the Ruger...it is debugged.

Have a Walther and it is OK.  Have two Sigs...the older one I bought is a POS and the new one I won works.  Also have the Buckmark.

If you want to add barrels (maybe a Tactical Solutions, etc.) and customize it is hands down the Ruger...2nd the Buckmark.  I have a Buckmark with a Tacsol barrel with a hush puppy for yard work and love it.  Easy to disassemble and easy to clean.  Buckmark is my choice for just a 22LR with no other concerns.

HOWEVER....if you train or may train might I suggest the new Smith & Wesson M&P in dedicated .22 LR platform.  It beats all of the above for trigger and feel of a "big boy" real pistol.  We train with one.  Side by side with the Walther and Sig there is no comparison...the S&W is in a class by itself....far superior to the Walther & Sig.  The Ruger and the Buckmark fall short on centerfire rifle feel and controls...not really close.  

So...if you're going to train cheaply get something like the M&P or a dedicated upper for the centerfire pistol (not revolver) you have or will acquire.  You'll be so much the better off whether you train or not if you have a centerfire pistol of virtually any size or make for defense.  My son & I went through 200 rounds of 9MM in class yesterday for about $45...then he practiced draw, getting off the X, etc. for another 200 rounds in the M&P 22 for $7.50.  

A special bonus..if you use centerfire pistol for self defense switching from a centerfire to a 22 during your training will help you to identify and correct bad habits like flinch, closing your eyes, clutching the trigger, pushing for recoil, etc.  This alone is worth the price of admission and should boost your centerfire accuracy quickly and cheaply beyond what most think is possible.

Just my 2 cents......

Ken

PS  M&P has 12 round mags.  Just push the pin to slide the base off the 10 shot mag and remove the blank to convert it to 12 reliable shots.

[red364]

For just going out shooting and having fun, it's pretty hard to beat any of the MK's. They feel good and are just a blast to shoot. For the smaller side I have a Berreta 21 Bobcat. It's so cute!!  Under 5 inches, like 15 ounces, I can carry it in my purse or pocket, no problem. It feels good in my hand, and I like the tip up barrel. It's not as pretty as my MKII, but it's still a great little gun.