Good .22lr for a nubie?

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Hey folks, having just got my RPAL, trying to decide on what to buy as first handgun? Somewhere in the max $5-600 range? Maybe even a clean used?Also not sure to go semiauto or not? Would like to practice with this alot first before stepping up to something bigger. Thanks!
 
22 cal is an excellent and cheaper way to learn the fundamentals of shooting. I recommend get a quality used gun. You can apply for your equipment exchange access and then you can purchase from fellow members. There are so many 22 options out there. I will provide you with a couple of links to look at from previous people who have asked the same question. The best way is to go to a gun store and actually handle the firearm. What fits in my hand may not be comfortable for you. Especially when starting out its very important to get a gun that feels right to you. My fellow CGNrs will give you a lot of excellent examples as we.

In no particular order I recommend the following.
Ruger Mark 4 series
Smith and Wesson Victory
Browning Buckmark
Glock 44

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...for-first-handgun?highlight=first+22+hand+gun

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...-W-VS-Ruger-VS-Browning?highlight=choosing+22

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...First-Handgun-9mm-vs-22?highlight=choosing+22
 
Just had a quick look on the EE and found this High Standard for sale on page 6 -
WTS : High Standard Supermatic Trophy - Military $599
Started by Kelaw, 08-03-2021
It is in your price range. I have one just like it. Really nice, solid pistol. Very nice trigger, not fussy with ammo. If I didn't already have one, I would buy this.
 
silverfoxdj said:
Browning Buckmark
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I'll second this.. Browning doesn't even recommend that you take it apart to clean, only for repairs... You just clean what you can with the slide back, using a tooth brush, and a flex rod. I never had issues. I guess too many people were taking the upper rail off to take the bolt out and stripping the threads. So it is the ultimate newb pistol.
 
If you want a "trainer" consider SW M&P .22
For target, a SW Victory. Great Tandem Kross and Volquartsen upgrades if you choose, but it is very accurate with a great trigger out of the box.
Buckmarks are good, but a pain to disassemble.
 
Elkbooger said:
If you want a "trainer" consider SW M&P .22
For target, a SW Victory. Great Tandem Kross and Volquartsen upgrades if you choose, but it is very accurate with a great trigger out of the box.
Buckmarks are good, but a pain to disassemble.
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Read my post above. The manual tells you not to dissemble it and it isn't required for the gun to function.

Honestly I sold a tricked out Ruger 2245 for this Browning and it's way better. Did not need to upgrade the trigger, had a built in optic rail, super reliable, easy to clean.

I took off the optic rail once to file the slot wider, since it was designed for the old weaver cross bolt mounting style. In 3 years I've owned it.

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OkayShooter said:
Read my post above. The manual tells you not to dissemble it and it isn't required for the gun to function.

Honestly I sold a tricked out Ruger 2245 for this Browning and it's way better. Did not need to upgrade the trigger, had a built in optic rail, super reliable, easy to clean.

I took off the optic rail once to file the slot wider, since it was designed for the old weaver cross bolt mounting style. In 3 years I've owned it.

View attachment 515542
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I know what it says but I've never owned a gun I haven't disassembled. I said it was a pain, not necessary.
Here's my answer
Victory.jpg
 

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I only have 1 handgun so I cant say if it's better or worst than others. But for 500 dollars, you can get a gsg/sig sauer 1911 and the zrts upgrade kit for it.
 
You cant beat the ease of disassembly and cleaning on the Ruger Mark 4 and Smith and Wesson Victory. The Victory takes 10 seconds longer because you have to remove 1 screw.
 
alltieear said:
I only have 1 handgun so I cant say if it's better or worst than others. But for 500 dollars, you can get a gsg/sig sauer 1911 and the zrts upgrade kit for it.
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Second this, you can have a brand new gun for 400+ tax. Learning the 1911 disassembly and manual of arms is a good "handgun 101". And it comes very close weight-wise to its 45 cal cousin, so you could feel comfortable moving up to that. Plus spare mags are much easier to come by than say a M&P 22...
 
An all steel .22 is not going to train anything except to be ready for the noise. As far as flinch or recoil training, forget it.
If it’s to save money on ammo, it will. There’s no free lunch though. Shooting a .22 compared to a 9mm is no comparison for me personally. Especially if you’re just shooting steel. If you’re content to print paper target groups with your .22 all day then all the power to you. It just wasn’t for me. Id suggest used in this case so you could recoup your costs when you get bored of it.
For your first, I’d suggest a used m&p9 or a surplus cz75. 1k rounds can still be had for $300 ish I think. It’ll last longer than you think if you’re just a casual shooter.
If you really get the bug, then you’ll know what you’re going to be spending your money on in the future.
As with most hobbies, investing time and money to feed them is how it works. If you’re the type of guy that can put a whole brick of .22 through a pistol in an afternoon and not get bored, then it’ll be cheap. I’d rather put a couple hundred rounds of 9mm on steel at different distances for marginally more money.
Save your brass just in case things really get out of hand…
 
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Some comments here are exactly my thoughts....so to repeat...

IMO get a Ruger MK IV

reason 1 - simple to strip for a good cleaning
reason 2 - easy to re-sell if you go a different route
reason 3 - very reliable firearm, i have never had a FTF or FTE with one ever
reason 4 - lots up upgrade kits available if desired for trigger/ sights etc

Some of those other pistols are a nightmare to strip (to the level I want to strip them to)
 
BigRobb said:
An all steel .22 is not going to train anything except to be ready for the noise. As far as flinch or recoil training, forget it.
If it’s to save money on ammo, it will. There’s no free lunch though. Shooting a .22 compared to a 9mm is no comparison for me personally. Especially if you’re just shooting steel. If you’re content to print paper target groups with your .22 all day then all the power to you. It just wasn’t for me. Id suggest used in this case so you could recoup your costs when you get bored of it.
For your first, I’d suggest a used m&p9 or a surplus cz75. 1k rounds can still be had for $300 ish I think. It’ll last longer than you think if you’re just a casual shooter.
If you really get the bug, then you’ll know what you’re going to be spending your money on in the future.
As with most hobbies, investing time and money to feed them is how it works. If you’re the type of guy that can put a whole brick of .22 through a pistol in an afternoon and not get bored, then it’ll be cheap. I’d rather put a couple hundred rounds of 9mm on steel at different distances for marginally more money.
Save your brass just in case things really get out of hand…
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It really depends on what you want to do. A .22 can be a fantastic trainer for IPSC/IDPA and it's clearly great for steel matches. Developing your natural point of aim and quick transitions is easily done with a .22. Moving to 9mm down the road is more about reinforcing a solid grip and managing recoil. Even if all you do is primarily bench shooting, introducing training concepts/drills that are geared to action shooting sports can help liven up a range day.
 
fire@will said:
Just had a quick look on the EE and found this High Standard for sale on page 6 -
WTS : High Standard Supermatic Trophy - Military $599
Started by Kelaw, 08-03-2021
It is in your price range. I have one just like it. Really nice, solid pistol. Very nice trigger, not fussy with ammo. If I didn't already have one, I would buy this.
Click to expand...

What he said; the High Standard would not only be a good gun to start on but would be a keeper too.
 
BigRobb said:
An all steel .22 is not going to train anything except to be ready for the noise. As far as flinch or recoil training, forget it.
If it’s to save money on ammo, it will. There’s no free lunch though. Shooting a .22 compared to a 9mm is no comparison for me personally. Especially if you’re just shooting steel. If you’re content to print paper target groups with your .22 all day then all the power to you. It just wasn’t for me. Id suggest used in this case so you could recoup your costs when you get bored of it.
For your first, I’d suggest a used m&p9 or a surplus cz75. 1k rounds can still be had for $300 ish I think. It’ll last longer than you think if you’re just a casual shooter.
If you really get the bug, then you’ll know what you’re going to be spending your money on in the future.
As with most hobbies, investing time and money to feed them is how it works. If you’re the type of guy that can put a whole brick of .22 through a pistol in an afternoon and not get bored, then it’ll be cheap. I’d rather put a couple hundred rounds of 9mm on steel at different distances for marginally more money.
Save your brass just in case things really get out of hand…
Click to expand...

I get what you are saying.....But the reason I want to start with a .22 is to used to a hand gun. This is all new to me, so less to learn all at once is my reasoning. And really its not a ton of money, so if I get something decent, I;'ll just hold on to it.
 
I am a proponent of the Ruger Mk IV. It is easy to clean, which will teach you a couple things about the internal workings of guns, and I found they felt more "solid" than the other pistols. That being said, Brownings, Smith and Wesson M&P .22's, etc. all make great guns. I always thought the SIG 226 .22 handguns looked cool, but never shot one personally. But the Ruger remains my ideal .22. One of those topped with a red dot sight is an excellent, accessible, accurate way to get into the pistol game, and makes it easy for kids too.
 
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