S&W M&P 22 or maybe Ruger Mark III as first pistol for wife

[mkm]

I don't think I can fire the S&W M&P 22 before purchase (maybe if I am serious they will let us try). Can you tell me what the experience is like firing the S&W versus the Buckmark?

Speaking for my myself, when I fire the buckmark, the recoil is so little I can hardly feel anything at all. The S&W is lighter, so I'm wondering what it is like. The only light 22 pistol I have fired is the Walter P22 and I hate it. The grip is tiny and it shakes a lot probably because it is so light (15 oz).

I can't speak from experience with the S&W; I've only shot a P22 and a S&W revolver.  However, I'm going to base my answer on my theoretical physics.  The lighter the gun, the more recoil there will be given the same projectile, powder, etc.  I believe the S&W, similar to the Walther, will be a little more.  The target type pistols you're thinking about don't have whole slides that move.  The Walther and S&W have slides that move like centerfire handguns.  To me, this will lead to an increase in muzzle rise/felt recoil.  That's good if you're wanting a training replicator for a larger gun.  It's not good if you want to put all bullets through as little a whole as possible.  Make sense?  Hopefully, someone with real world experience can chime in.

[Rastus]

........................... Can you tell me what the experience is like firing the S&W versus the Buckmark?

Speaking for my myself, when I fire the buckmark, the recoil is so little I can hardly feel anything at all. The S&W is lighter, so I'm wondering what it is like. ..........................

There's no recoil to speak of because it's a 22LR.  If there is more recoil, it is more than soaked up with the superior ergonomics of the S&W M&P grip.  I would not factor that into my purchase at all...it's a non-factor.

The S&W has an honest to goodness trigger reset like a centerfire and a grip that mimics centerfires...the Buckmark is thinner and does not provide as good a grip.  The Buckmark is harder to rack the "slide" on and has more failures to feed and jams...I have a Buckmark and a Challenger II (pre-cursor of better quality).  I have not run them side by side to see if but I doubt the Buckmark trigger can ever keep up with the S&W M&P 22.  I do know my Sig Mosquitoes and Walther trigger/action is terrible compared to the S&W for what that's worth.  Again, I don't think the Buckmark trigger can keep up with the S&W...maybe it is as good as the S&W in lbs of trigger pull, but without the reset feel and I really don't think it can run as fast (to mimic centerfire).

I saw a post about the Five Seven from FNH.  I have one of those too.  It is the primary defense pistol at home for my wife because the polymer tip bullet has far less penetration through walls than ball 9MM, 40 or 45 (.223/5.56 55 grain is overall from tests seen safer than ball in the primary pistol rounds on the basis of overpenetration potential and the 5.7 is the same, but lighter and slower by 60% or so bullet).  The 5.7 round is also effective on target.  A woman can easily rack the slide on the Five Seven and put multiple shots downrange quickly with the 5.7 round.  Regardless of caliber, you want to be able to put multiple accurate shots downrange so long as there is a threat because even though the threat may go away with one shot it might be after you are dead.  Since if threatened you will put multiple shots downrange then I think the 5.7 is fine.  If you have children at home the 5.7, in my opinion, is the self-defense round to have.....I want to minimize penetration to lessen the potential of exposure of family members to a self-defense response.

The 5.7 trigger is poor compared to other centerfires and clearly worse than the S&W 22LR.  The safety is forward for the trigger finger rest to flip and go straight to the trigger....a feature I really like (but you have to train using the safety to keep from falling back to searching for the safety with your thumb).  They generally go for $925 to $1,100 depending....about $600 to $750 overpriced for what  you get but no one else builds a pistol in 5.7 that I know of.  The 22LR cannot compete with the 5.7 as a self-defense round, as I see it, because of the energy the 5.7 delivers. 

The 5.7 will not penetrate steel unless it is black tip AP ammo and I have not had the 28 grain aluminum core from FN penetrate steel either.  The club I shoot at "bans" 5.7x28 from steel for everyone they don't know because of the AP.  There is an irrational fear or failure to put brain in gear that excludes the 5.7 pistol range from .223/5.56 AR targets even though the 5.7 is the same diamter, lighter and far slower.  Problem is that the AP is only available to LEO and they've been the ones caught doing what they know they should not have been doing....go figure...when they show up for training classes and bring the Five Seven they invariably bring AP ammo.  If I could get AP I wouldn't use it for self defense because it will laser right through like the "ball" ammo it is which will have less effect on the threat.

I think, from your posts, that you might want to consider sitting down and writing down just exactly what your primary usage and expectations are.  That may objectively help you get a clearer picture on what you need.

[TAB]

Another idea, marlin years ago made a gun, that was called something like " camp rifle"  anyways it came in 2 flavors  9mm  that took speacil  mags and 45 that took 1911 mags.    they were fairly light wieght and did not kick.   I have no idea what they are selling for now, but its an idea.   my wifes goto def gun is a 30 carbine.  Plenty of stoping power, lots of rounds and ez reload.    she still does not like hand guns bigger then 22s. But the 30 carbine she can shoot like a champ.   

[Majer]

Tab, The 9mm Camp Carbine used the older S&W 69XX series magazines

[Rastus]

Hey TAB.  You need to change that prologue thingey or whatever it's called.  Your avatar isn't stuffing anything.

[Sponsor]

[tombogan03884]

Another idea, marlin years ago made a gun, that was called something like " camp rifle"  anyways it came in 2 flavors  9mm  that took speacil  mags and 45 that took 1911 mags.    they were fairly light wieght and did not kick.   I have no idea what they are selling for now, but its an idea.   my wifes goto def gun is a 30 carbine.  Plenty of stoping power, lots of rounds and ez reload.    she still does not like hand guns bigger then 22s. But the 30 carbine she can shoot like a champ.   

I saw a pair of them in the local gun store about 3 years ago for $450

[TAB]

That sounds like a steal tom.   

[tstand]

Any comments on the Sig/GSG 1911 22, compared with other models we are discussing?