Looking for tips on my first .22 handgun.

st1264 said:
I agree... he's looking at $400 pistols, so I don't think he'll get anything "premium" at this price point. I think the biggest thing for him is the fit and feel of the gun. Something that fits him will be the one he most likely will shoot the best. If he wants to spend a lot more, I am sure there are competition pieces for him.
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Okay, I missed the $400.oo price stipulation but I did talk of being guided by budget restrictions. With the his mention of wanting to get into competitive shooting is why I recommended settling on his affordable quality. Trying to help him from going my route of Erma Lugers to Walther GSPs and everything in between.:p.
 
Sounds like you have more experience than me with 22's. I've shot a GSG, Ruger Target and a Sig 226 Classic. I absolutely hated the Ruger, the grip was so small and awkward for me, liked the GSG, but the Sig ergonomics were superior for ME. Each individual has to see what is good for them. It's best to try another gun club member's pistols and see what you like best. The 226 is great due to the possibilities for expansion. I am sure it's not for everyone, price wise and fit.
 
I've started a half dozen new pistol shooters on my Ruger MK II with 5.5" bull barrel. It is accurate, easy to hold steady and new shooters seem to enjoy it a lot. The polymer frame .22 with the same grip angle as the 1911 is a close second, especially if you're interested in picking up a full size 1911 in the future.
 
st1264 said:
Your M&P 22 is made by Walther by the way...
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I am aware of that, but it is not a P22 and/or others they make with pot metal tops and other issues. The M&P 22 although made by Walther, was designed by S&W and built according to their specifications.
 
st1264 said:
Sounds like you have more experience than me with 22's. I've shot a GSG, Ruger Target and a Sig 226 Classic. I absolutely hated the Ruger, the grip was so small and awkward for me, liked the GSG, but the Sig ergonomics were superior for ME. Each individual has to see what is good for them. It's best to try another gun club member's pistols and see what you like best. The 226 is great due to the possibilities for expansion. I am sure it's not for everyone, price wise and fit.
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I would say, that would be a great step #1 for him.:cheers:
 
johNTO said:
Anyone know what exactly is pot metal and is this a bad thing in the construction of a .22lr HG?
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There's a wide variety of possible metals used in its composition. Probably the quickest source of info on it is to google Pot Metal. Weak in strength and poor wear characteristics suggest it may not be an 'ideal' choice for the manufacturing of component parts of a firearm.
 
No reason to step up the calibers once you've established good form with the .22. Jump right into the .45 of your choice when you're ready. For me that was a matter of weeks. Shoot with a friend and video yourself. It's amazing - what you think you look like and what you actually do look like. Shooting with a partner is good because they can give you immediate advice. The video will help with things like - are you blinking when firing, do you jerk when you pull the trigger, etc.

Join a club and take lessons if you can afford them. There are a number of good sites that will help, look up Bruce Gray, Brian Enos, Dave Sevigny.

Tru-Glo sights on my .22 and Tritium night sights on my SIG 220 made a big difference. One of the fundamentals of shooting is THE FRONT SIGHT. My Ruger 22/45 had standard sights and I wasn't getting the front sight like I should of. I put a set of Tru-Glo's on and that changed everything. The front sight popped out. At our clubs "Young Guns" shoots where we invite kids out for an intro into shooting my 22/45 is always a favourite, because of those day glow sights.

There is a natural progression to shooting. Start close, from a rest and work your way out to longer distances.

As for what to shoot? I shoot a stainless Ruger 22/45, 5.5" bull barrel, boring it's so accurate. The controls and layout mimic a .45 so the transition from .22 to .45 is seamless. My .45 is a SIG 220 SAO. Again it's far more accurate than I'll ever be. And the Single Action Only aspect makes it a sweetheart to shoot.
 
Wow, thanks for all the insight. i Just ordered the GSG 1911 with some extra mags, now all i need to do is find a way to sleep through the nights while i wait for it. i went with the 1911 because I've already handled other 1911's and they felt great in my hand, also I'm pretty sure I'll be moving onto bigger 1911's in the future. I love this website! I've learned a lot from this place in the last month, you guy's have been a great help.
 
Great choice. It's a fun little gun. Good way to get use to the platform as well. This way when you get a .45 you'll already be comfortable manipulating the safety, mag release, etc. The only thing is that take down is a bit different then the original 1911 but that's not really a big deal in my books.
 
Joekingnf said:
Wow, thanks for all the insight. i Just ordered the GSG 1911 with some extra mags, now all i need to do is find a way to sleep through the nights while i wait for it. i went with the 1911 because I've already handled other 1911's and they felt great in my hand, also I'm pretty sure I'll be moving onto bigger 1911's in the future. I love this website! I've learned a lot from this place in the last month, you guy's have been a great help.
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Good choice! While you're waiting for it read up on tips on breaking it in and how to maintain it. There are little tricks that will make it run well....at least it worked on mine. Google is your friend
 
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