Newb First gun/s Help?

Rupert

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Peterborough
So, I am a probationary shooter at a local club and just entering into the world of pistol shooting. I have shot airguns all my life and am now making the transition into powderburners. My dilemma is what to buy when I complete my probationary shooting and become a member (possessing an ATT so I can bring them to the club). I need a .22 and something larger for experience/fun and was thinking of getting a Ruger Mark III and a ??????. However I am also a go hard or go home kind of person and was thinking of buying a Kimber 1911 with a .22 conversion kit!!! The latter will run about $1800:eek: a tad much for a newb such as myself. So any suggestions on a solid .22 (Ruger Mark III???) and should I go with the Norinco 1911 (cost efficient) or look at something different all together for a larger calibre pistol.

Thanks guys!
 
I started out with the Ruger mark II. They are great starter guns. Foar a larger caliber guns start out with a .38 or .357. You should be able to find a Ruger GP 100 or S&W 686 or something similar for a good price here on the EE.
 
Ruger Mark III is fine. For larger caliber I recommend Glock 17 or if you like the 1911 go for STI Spartan. Don't bother with Norincos.

:cheers: Kazimier
 
I strongly suggest the separate .22 and centerfire. Shooting a magazine of .22 and then immediately picking up the center fire is a great training method to learning to kill any sign of a flinch and to learn better trigger follow through. But much of this flow is lost if you need to break down and convert the gun a number of times per shooting session. At least I know it would for me. Besides, I'm there to shoot, not to swap gun parts. I don't care if it only takes about a minute, that sort of stuff is what I'd rather do at home. YMMV though since a lot of folks are in love with conversions.


While those Rugers are nice options I'd suggest the 22/45 instead of the more angled grip of the Mk II and III. That way it'll be more consistent with whatever centerfire gun you get. And the Browning Buckmark is also a great pistol.

.45 ammo is pricey but if you're intent on a 1911 I'd also suggest the Spartan over a stock Norc. Or go for one of Armco's tarted up Norcs.
 
Ruger Don't bother with Norincos.

Only avoid the Norcs if you are adverse to solid, high-value guns that function as well as guns costing 2x the price or more. An Armco tuned 1911 is a superb gun that will last for many years and shoot with the best of them.

I will second the Ruger, I have a 22/45 and a Mk.II. They are excellent pistols in all respects. I also have a Norc NP-29 and an NP-34 that function 100% and will not be sold any time soon (if ever). I expect to add a Norc Police model 1911 in 45 when CanAm gets them in stock again and an HP-9 shotgun when those become available, as well.

Mark
 
The Glock (Advantage Arms) centrefire to .22LR conversion kit is a remove the slide /
install the slide deal and with little practice become a sub 20 second procedure. It can be done safely on the firing line (if your club allows field stripping on the line).

On the glock the process is very simple almost as easy as changing a magazine.

The Kimber, and CZ (cadet) require slide manipulation/alignment and pin (slide stop) removal for field stripping. This complicates matters.

The Sig conversion kits should be very similar to the Glock maybe easier. (I have no actual experience with it yet ;) )

Arguably, the AA kit is a good training tool because you use exactly the same mechanics (the frame size, sight picture, and trigger is the same) the only difference is pistol weight and recoil.

Unfortunately it is, like any conversion kit, as expensive as a Ruger MkIII.

The G17 with an AA kit is a great way to introduce new shooters to a fun new sport/past time. I love mine for that! Even newbies seem to like the "cool" factor. < he he >
 
Go with the Glock 17 and AA kit.
For a G-note you're set up with the 9mil and .22cal.
You'll have these for life and never get bored.
Welcome to the sport.
 
+1 on the Browning Buckmark.

I received mine today. $510 delivered. Feels very, very good!

IMG_2258a.jpg
 
I found out that whatever calibre I want to fire unsupervised (not on probationary nights) I have to fire 20 rounds consecutively into a standard target at 25 meters. I completed this challenge with a .22 but I'm thinking its a bit presumptuous to think I can do the same with a .45 at 25 meters. So I think buying separate pistols without conversion kits would be best. What would be a good caliber to work my way up to .45? Should I buy a .357 so I can use .38's and get some practice before using .45's??? What would you do?

Thanks again guys! :)
 
I found out that whatever calibre I want to fire unsupervised (not on probationary nights) I have to fire 20 rounds consecutively into a standard target at 25 meters. I completed this challenge with a .22 but I'm thinking its a bit presumptuous to think I can do the same with a .45 at 25 meters. So I think buying separate pistols without conversion kits would be best. What would be a good caliber to work my way up to .45? Should I buy a .357 so I can use .38's and get some practice before using .45's??? What would you do?

Thanks again guys! :)

If you have good enough trigger control and are steady enough to do it with a .22 there is no reason you should have problems with a .45 unless you are very recoil sensitive. This is assuming slow fire, rapid fire is a whole different ball game.

Pistol shooting is all about grip, trigger control and follow through. It is not like rifles where big magnums can hit so hard that you can't get a decent shot off for fear of the recoil. Even a .45 isn't that hard to hang onto and it doesn't physically hurt to shoot. A full house 44 mag may be a problem for you, but not a 45.

Edit - I forgot to add that lots of practice with a .22 is the best way to improve, with a bit of centerfire thrown in to get used to bigger bangs and recoil. I would suggest 9mm as a first centerfire, simply because ammo is so much cheaper than 45. If you have your heart set on a .45 and can live with the cost of feeding it, it is no worse than a 9mm to learn to shoot well. Build good habits with the rimfire and they will transfer to any centerfire with no problems.

Mark
 
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