inexpensive alternatives to .22 pistols

[Goozyman]

absolute newb here.
i checked this site and saw 9MM ammo is quite inexpensive.
I was looking at a .22 for around 500[new] , how much would a half decent 9mm semi auto pistol cost?
i know a lot of newbie questions, and i apologise in advance.

 

[m1grand]

9mm range from $99.00 to 5000.00 just check the ee forms to see prices .

 

[colinjw]

There are a numbers of factors to consider. The recoil of a .22 is far less than a 9mm and for some people is a lot easier to shoot.
.22 ammo is a lot cheaper than 9mm and a lot easier to find. The bulk packs of 500 .22's can be bought for about $ 15.00.

However, if you want a center fire handgun 9mm is a good choice.

My advice would be to buy used and you can always sell it later and break even or loose only a small amount.

Have fun

 

[takman74]

I very recently got into pistols and the very first gun that I bought was a ruger 22/45 MKIII hunter in stainless. It was on the high end of the spectrum for cost of a 22 handgun ($540) but it is really fun to shoot. I also bought an ultimate clip loader for it to keep it fast for reloads. Magazines for this gun are also reasonable. I would recommend the Ruger to anyone. I also have a S&W M&P9 that i just got and its fun to shoot too. I have about 300 rounds through it now and they are flawless. Any Ruger .22 would be a good choice to start though.... Have fun!

 

[NAA]

absolute newb here.
i checked this site and saw 9MM ammo is quite inexpensive.
I was looking at a .22 for around 500[new] , how much would a half decent 9mm semi auto pistol cost?
i know a lot of newbie questions, and i apologise in advance.

Centerfire, go with a 9mm, especially if you don't reload.

Great .22 semi pistols in the Ruger line-up.

You can't go wrong with a used/exc Ruger MkII 5.5" bull barrel .22lr IMHO.

NAA.

 

[BCRider]

The only alternative that is more inexpensive than .22 would be air pistols or buying an FPS computer game.

If you're after the cheapest center fire option than that would be 9mm.

However there's another option. Shooting .38Spl reloads from a revolver. Shooting revolver seems to be a slower paced sort of shooting activity so I tend to get more shooting time per box which means each box lasts longer.

Reloads? Obviously reloading is far, far cheaper than buying factory ammo. If money is tight you want to get into this aspect sooner rather than later. Or in the meantime look at buying commercially reloaded ammo. The price ends up somewhere in the middle between factory and home reloads. Who you get your reloads from would depend on what part of the country you're in. The closer options will result in slightly cheaper shipping or you may even be able to go and pick it up yourself.

 

[ian_in_vic]

+1 for the 38 Spl. - probably the easiest calibre to reload, and components are cheap and easy to come by. Factory 38 doesn't have the same tendency to get scarce (at least where I am) because it's not issued any more. With a decent 38/357 revolver the accuracy is fantastic. A target load of of W231 or Bullseye and a wadcutter bullet is amazingly cheap, easy on the gun (you can literally shoot hundreds of thousands of them without causing any wear) and will improve your shooting ability. In addition a basic reloading set up for 38/357 will set you back less than you would think (under $300), and gives you the ability to 'stage' your purchases for ammunition ($30 one week $40 the next etc.). When you want to step up the power, you just move to heavier loads and 357 brass.