Getting into the world of firearms

Townhall.com ^ | September 27, 2005 | Mike S. Adams

[MarkL]

I am thinking of getting a .22 pistol (maybe a Walther P22) for my first gun and to learn about shooting together with my son.

Any recommendations or feedback from all of you gun experts out there will be appreciated.

Well, I've never shot a Walther P22, but I won't let that stop me from giving out my uninformed opinion! It's never stopped me before! lol

Walther makes a really fine firearm. However, there are many others that are terrific too. In .22, you might want to check out the Ruger Mk2 or Mk3. You might also want to check out their 22/45, which is quite similar in feel to a 1911 (.45 Auto). It seems that these are the "universal" .22 semi-auto handguns. Simply EVERYONE I know has one. They're relatively inexpensive, rugged, and seem to work forever. Interestingly enough, mine is extremely reliable EXCEPT immediately after cleaning! I've found that it will jam two or three times during the first 100 or so rounds fired through it after cleaning, but after that, it's completely reliable.

Another .22 that some people LOVE is the Browning Buckmark. And used Colt .22s are highly prized as well.

Generally, you shouldn't be put off looking at and buying a used .22. Just take a knowledgable friend with you to check it out beforehand.

Mark

[MarkL]

And even though the 10/22 is my son's favorite rifle, not everybody wants to shoot that one (my daughter likes the Garand.)

I've got a friend, who when his daughter was about 15, and the little boys in the neighborhood and from school started spending some time at their house, was always cleaning his shotgun in the kitchen when the little boys would come over... Sounds like that's simply not necessary at your house! She could be cleaning that Garand herself! Sounds like the perfect "daddy's little girl!"

Mark

[Tijeras_Slim]

I had some real problems with a Walther P22, to the point where Smith refunded my money. I'd reccomend a Ruger first if economy is a consideration (I've had many of those and they all worked great)

[Squantos]

6.5 grendel is our do it all round for my local needs these days !

I have a Bull barrel bolt gun and a AR upper from alexander arms for that caliber and it is a very good stable long range tool !

[rightwingreligiousfanatic]

Thanks to both of you! I'm checking out Colt and Ruger websites right now...

[MarkL]

Everyone should have enough ammo to last a lifetime in a pinch.

In a shooting fight, many people DO have enough to last them the rest of their lives... For a while, when I was shooting in practical shooting competition, I was using a 9mm, and 17 round mags. I still carried 4 full mags on my belt, because the one time that I thought that I'd only need 1 extra mag (due to a mandatory reload), I managed to fumble the reload and had trouble finding the magazine... I do have to say that it was interesting keeping my pants up with an Ernie Hill Speed Leather holster and 4 mags and pouches holding 68 9mm rounds on my belt!

A favorite line from a movie is "I don't want to get killed for a lack of shooting back!"

Mark

[PoorMuttly]

I am so glad to hear about that! Seems like an excellent round, and I deeply hope that our fighting troops get their hands on it soon.

[MarkL]

Thanks to both of you! I'm checking out Colt and Ruger websites right now...

I don't think that Colt makes the "Woodsman" any more, but you should be able to find them used at gun shows, and they're popular enough so that you can find magazines pretty easily.

But I do have to say that I really LOVE the Rugers. They just feel good, are relatively inexpensive, rugged, and reliable (except for what I said in my case for freshly cleaned). I really have no explanation for this: And other's I've spoken with (but NOT everyone) have had this happen as well.

Mark

[PoorMuttly]

9 out of 10 Safety Experts agree...Belt AND Suspenders wins the day.

The other guy hasn't been released from The Center yet....but when he is.....

[PoorMuttly]

I think the Browning Buck Mark pretty much is a Woodsman. It's offered as an amazing rifle configuration too....shoulders and points like lightning, and has Hi-Viz sights.....and a hi-viz price tag, too!

[yarddog]

Most of us have guns we wish we still had. One of mine is a Colt Woodsman. I bought it at Jimmy's pawn in Fort Walton Beach when I was in college. I think he felt a little sorry for me because he took an H&R revolver and $55 for it.

That was the best .22 pistol I have ever had. I traded it to a dealer who was also a coon hunter. He traded me a Springfield 03A3 with a Redfield Receiver sight and sourdough front blade. He also threw in 1000 rounds of Lake City match.

I may have gotten the best of the deal but would love to have that gun back.

[Uri’el-2012]

The first thing Mike should recommend to anyone is a good NRA safety training course.

[1Old Pro]

Thanks to both of you! I'm checking out Colt and Ruger websites right now...

Also look at the Beretta .22

[MarkL]

Most of us have guns we wish we still had.

I know exactly how you feel... Every now and then, I'll get asked by someone if I'm interested in selling my S&W 629 Power Custom Grand Master. When I'm a bit short on cash, sometimes I'll get a bit wobbly on it, but then I remember that I bought it used for less than $400, and I would NEVER be able to find another one of these. Besides, if I ever do want to sell it, I feel a moral obligation to go back to the guy who sold it to me in the first place. He deserves the first option to buy it back.

BTW, here's what it looks like, although mine's based on a 629, in .44 Mag, so mine's bigger and heavier.

Mark

[longtermmemmory]

don't they make a mini-14 which is for 7.62X30?

which caliber is better?

[yarddog]

don't they make a mini-14 which is for 7.62X30? which caliber is better?

You probably mean 7.62X39. It is probably better for deer hunting or if you have access to a lot of that ammo cheap.

For self defense I would probably rate them about equal.

It is called the mini-30.

[Tijeras_Slim]

The Woodsman is a great gun, and you can also find economical High Standards used with some frequency. I really like the Rugers, and the only thing they have going against them is the somewhat byzantine disassembly procedure. On the other hand, there are tons of aftermarket drop in parts to turn them into true tackdrivers.

[Zeroisanumber]

When, somewhere down the road, you feel like handling a very powerful handgun, this will provide some great entertainment with the .454 Casull rounds.

Should have recommended a good wrist-support while he was at it. Hell of a powerful gun, but it'll sprain your wrist if you're not careful.

[xsrdx]

Benelli Nova 12-gauge.

Cheap junk but not horrible.

?? Eegad- How would you describe Mossberg then?

Never heard anybody call a Benelli cheap junk, but there's a first time for everything.

[Tunehead54]

Bump for reference!!!! ;-)