Newbie: first aquisition questions

[StevieK]

So I have yet to take my RPAL course but I am hoping to do most of my homework now to make the work lighter when I get my licence. I have had my PAL for almost 10 years, and after buying and selling a huge amount of rifles that I wasn't completely satisfied with for one reason or another I've decided to try and minimize my buying mistakes when starting from scratch with restricteds. I've found with rifles it's best to buy qualioty from the start, so I don't mind spending money where it's well spent on quality guns. So Here is the list of what I will be looking for from the start. Feel free to comment on one or all components. I'm a specs freak when it comes to guns so please list and pros AND cons even for guns that you are suggesting as good options

1. 9mm semi auto - Something compact with a comfortable grip. Reliable action and a good trigger. Ideally I'd like a model that has an identical, or scaled down .22 version, but if there is a gun that is above and beyond the rest of the field without this then that is fine.

2. 1911 45 acp pistol - I know there are a hundred different makes of this gun. I love kimber refles so I am partial to the kimber 1911 pistols, but open to any option of a great gun.

3. 357 revolver - from my research it seems like the S&W 686 is the popular choice, and I assume it is the most customizable with grips etc since it's so common. Is it's functioning that great? I like the idea of the colt python, is it worth the price? Is it still manufactured? Also, a 357 revolver that has a scaled down frame version in 22 would be great but not essential

4. If the 9mm and 357 options don't have similar 22 models, are there specific guns in either semi auto or revolver .22 that are better than the rest?

I know this is a tonne of questions on a broad spectrum of guns, but hey, this is why we're gun nuts

 

[haim]

That is lots of question but I will try my best.in my humble opinion any of flowing semi auto and revolvers should serve you just fine .

1.Sig 226 or CZ75 b with a.22 conversion upper(I like my CZ Kadet in .22)

2.On 1911 ,personally I prefer series 70 better than series 80's firing pin block safety or Kimber's Schwartz safety and yes I do own a kimber.also when it comes to 1911 I

think forged slides and frames are better than cast slides and frames .try to stay away from metal injection molded (MIM) parts if it is possible.

3.357 revolvers :I do like S&W 686 but I also like Ruger GP100.I think you will get a bigger bang for your buck with Ruger's revolvers. For .22 revolver I suggest Ruger's

SP101.

Again this is my opinion and I am sure not everyone will agree.

Good luck

 

[enefgee]

1) As far as 9mm's go I'm a huge fan of the S&W M&P - there is a 22 version (slight differences, but works in the same holster) as well as a 45 version. The ergonomics are good, the gun is simple and reliable, parts are available and you don't have to mess around changing the sights. Additionally, the range kit comes with a useable holster and mag pouch for a very good price. This is a gun that while not perfect, is perfectly useable out of the box.

2) 1911's - they are an enthusiasts firearm, there's no right answer - but I'd try to avoid all of the pointless firing pin safety guns, maybe a Ruger. Kimbers rifles and Kimbers 1911's are 2 totally different things - not comparable

3) Smith revolvers are truly excellent, Smith has 2 warranty centres in Canada. What's not to like? Ruger GP and SP revolvers are built like tanks - you can't go wrong. As far as the Python goes, they're gone, no longer made, but they are very, very nice.

 

[Yukon1911]

So I have yet to take my RPAL course but I am hoping to do most of my homework now to make the work lighter when I get my licence. I have had my PAL for almost 10 years, and after buying and selling a huge amount of rifles that I wasn't completely satisfied with for one reason or another I've decided to try and minimize my buying mistakes when starting from scratch with restricteds. I've found with rifles it's best to buy qualioty from the start, so I don't mind spending money where it's well spent on quality guns. So Here is the list of what I will be looking for from the start. Feel free to comment on one or all components. I'm a specs freak when it comes to guns so please list and pros AND cons even for guns that you are suggesting as good options

1. 9mm semi auto - Something compact with a comfortable grip. Reliable action and a good trigger. Ideally I'd like a model that has an identical, or scaled down .22 version, but if there is a gun that is above and beyond the rest of the field without this then that is fine.

2. 1911 45 acp pistol - I know there are a hundred different makes of this gun. I love kimber refles so I am partial to the kimber 1911 pistols, but open to any option of a great gun.

3. 357 revolver - from my research it seems like the S&W 686 is the popular choice, and I assume it is the most customizable with grips etc since it's so common. Is it's functioning that great? I like the idea of the colt python, is it worth the price? Is it still manufactured? Also, a 357 revolver that has a scaled down frame version in 22 would be great but not essential

4. If the 9mm and 357 options don't have similar 22 models, are there specific guns in either semi auto or revolver .22 that are better than the rest?

I know this is a tonne of questions on a broad spectrum of guns, but hey, this is why we're gun nuts

1) Glock 17 9mm and there is a kit to change the slide and magazine for the .22 version. I have one and it really works excellent. One gun, two calibers for saving money while practicing.
2) 1911 - Buyers choice here, Find one that you like and one that has good reviews
3) .357 Revolver, S&W seems to be much more chunky now in their action feel compared to the ones they made in the 1980's. I am looking at a Ruger GP100 currently as they have great reviews. The Colt Python, not made anymore and yes, it is worth every penny. Test this for yourself, Python action against any new action and they run like butter. Fit and finish is excellent and they are the top of the food chain for .357 revolvers, and yes they will set you back in the thousands, not hundreds
4) Take a look at a GSG 1911 .22, they run great on almost any ammo. I bought a Sig Mosquito, it only runs on CCI Mini Mags without failure, but is a 70% scaled down handgun that I bought to get my son shooting handguns.

Good luck on your quest!

 

[sunray]

For what purpose? Shooting games or target shooting? What's your budget range?
Don't worry about the trigger. All new firearms require a trigger job.
What's a 'refle'?

 

[BCRider]

Don't buy a scaled down gun. Your hands are not scaled down so how will it fit a smaller gun? I'm blown away by the idea that Browning introduced an 80% size 1911 in .22. It doesn't fit anyone other than kids, some women and some men that have small hands and can't hold a regular size pistol well. If you want a rimfire companion to the center fire guns buy full size "proper" fitting guns.

Consider the cost of conversion kits vs simply buying a good brand and reputation in a full rimfire pistol. Ruger, Browning, S&W and GSG all make very nice rimfire handguns that cost about the same as the conversion kits in many cases. Unless you plan to focus on only one frame for competition use the idea of using similar rimfire and center fire guns is a lot over rated IMO. And if you're into competition focus then you don't really want to mess with your focus by switching from a rimfire load to a center fire load and back again. For all these reasons I'm just not a big fan of the conversion kits. But think on it and come to your own thoughts on it.

Colt hasn't made DA revolvers for many years. And those that are out there are commanding very high collector like prices. Stick with S&W or Ruger. In the S&W line there's a few different option since they make a variety in three different frame sizes. Namely K, L and N frames. And of course the big hand cannon X frames. I'm partial to older K frame guns myself. But the L frames are the current models outside of their Classic line.

It's good that you don't mind paying for quality since a Model 17 or 617 S&W will cost a pretty penny. But they are not into the collector value like pricing and they ARE as good as everyone says.

If you go for a single action setup then it's pretty much Ruger all the way. Their Single Six is the icon of rimfire single action revolvers. And their Blackhawk and Vaquero lines are no slouch either. I've also had great results with Pietta and they too make both rimfire and center fire options in single action revolvers.

In semi auto pistols you'll need to figure out if you like the feel of hammer fired triggers vs striker fired triggers. Then you'll need to find out if you like polymer vs all metal. Each has its large fan base and no one option is better than the other in any intrinsic manner. So you simply need to figure out how to try before you buy. Opinions simply won't provide you what you need.

But if it helps I had a rental range to play at when I started. I quickly gravitated to all metal and hammer fired. But that's me. The Glock Gang isn't wrong either. I just found I liked the feel of all metal and hammer triggers. They like the other side of the coin. You say to-mah-to, I say to-may-to......