So my wife and I both took the Rpal and we are waiting for the card to come. So I am busy looking at pistols to buy. I would like a 22 to start with. My question is do you try to get one that is the same as your future bigger guns or just buy whatever. I see a 22, her gun and my gun in the future and not much else. For now.
Pistol familiarity
- Thread starter toebako
- Start date
Just stay focused on the basics. It takes time to learn and 22 is the best and cheapest way to accomplish this. Buy something that fits both You and Your Wife. Most of the look-alike 22's are just that - look-alike guns that have not much in common with their bigger brothers.
A simple inexpensive .22 and boxes and boxes of ammo is always a good start. Try a Ruger MkII for example. Work on your sight picture, hold, trigger press and follow through. Do that right 5,000 times in a row and you're well on your way.
Pistolwhiptricks
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Mississauga
I went with a Sig P226 Classic .22lr for my first firearm and then bought the 9mm x-change kit for it when I was ready. A CZ Shadow, 75/85 would be another good option with a Kadet kit to shoot .22lr. If your not concerned with training on a specific firearm look at the GSG 1911.
For 22's I really like the Browning 1911. I have not handled a ruger 22 other than a single six. I would like my wife to handle a few but she pretty much leaves it up to me to figure out. The only 22 I have shot was an old buckmark. It had some features lacking if I was buying new but it was a nice old pistol.
machinerydoctor
Regular
- Location
- Fraser Valley BC
I purchased a Browning 1911A1 .22 for my wife before I purchased one for myself. Since she was a priority having not grown up with guns and being afraid of them I thought the light weight and slightly smaller frame were a good fit. She put about 1500 rounds through it over the next 6 months and got comfortable enough to try a magazine through my son in-laws 1911 .45 and also tried a few 9mm. She asked for and is now the happy owner of a Glock G17 and the Browning still gets lots of use by people we take to the range or want to try it. A few weeks ago we let a 5 year old try it putting 3 magazines through it with his dads help and supervision. That kid just beamed the whole time it must have made his day and several to come.
If she has smal lhands she might like an M93. Dirt cheap, reliable and fun. I would second a Ruger as well. I have a MKI target, but a 22/45 has a grip angle that would allow you to better switch between it and other pistols more easily.
Yeah... right.....
A Ruger 22/45 or a Browning Buckmark has a grip angle that is more akin to the majority of 9mm and other semi auto guns. So likely one of those would not be a bad way to go at all.
The GSG 1911 .22 has lots of happy owners but they simply have not been around as long as the Ruger and Buckmark. But they do see to be solidly on their way so one of those would not be a bad choice either.
If you're anywhere near Edmonton or Calgary then go into Wild West at WEM or Pheonix. In Calgary I gather there's the Calgary Shooting Centre.
Try out a bunch of guns for yourselves rather than ask us what WE like and what fits OUR hands the best. Instead spend some cash and time trying out a bunch and find out what YOU and your wife like best.
And don't pass by the revolvers. For some of us they just click and become our favourite.
I have a pic of me just moments after birth and my thumb and first finger are sticking up and the other 3 are curled. Looks like a shooter to me.
Yes if we can we will get training. Just for the record back in the FAC days I had a 6 gun in 44 mag. I even had a RCMP say he would get me a ATC for work. I wish I kept it up.
If you expect to place when you compete or even come close to being competent, you need professional training. Hate to burst the male ego bubble, but no one is natural born shooter(lover or driver for that matter). Some people learn faster than others or have a natural talent for shooting. However, your natural ability will soon reach its limit and you will require professional training. Being one of those who was naturally a decent shot, I can assure you that training will improve your skills dramatically. I thought I knew how to shoot, then I took some training. The reality is you don't know what you don't know. Videos and text discussions are not training. Until you learn what to do and how to do it properly, you can't self critique.
Here's my litmus test for "shooters". If they can't explain and demonstrate what reset is, they need training. If they can't explain offset and how to compensate, they need training. If they can't explain the difference between sight alignment and sight picture, they need training. When it comes to rifles its a similar set of questions. What is MOA, what is your max PBR, what is your max ordinate with your current zero? If you can't answer those questions, you need training and a lot more trigger time. Additionally, if you look at your rifle to operate the safety/selector, you need training. Same deal for holsters.
Why more people don't seek training is beyond me. Yes it isn't cheap, but its a wicked fun time and you improve your skills, what's not to like?
TDC
- Location
- nanaimo, bc
Exactly. If you do this for fun, you don't need training, just respect for the gun. The key the big post about training is that if you do ever plan to compete then yes it's a good idea to get trained, but I'm sure competitive shooters are a small percentage of gun owners....
We don't even need training for competing unless we're so focused on winning over all else that it's a driving force. For every shooter in IPSC or IDPA I know I seriously doubt if more than 1% has taken any actual classes or 1on1 involving a professional instructor.
The rest of us do just fine with learning on our own or seeking some free time from better shooters than us during range sessions. Or attending sessions such as Slavex's "Skills and Drills" where a shooter that is having trouble can get some help from those which are better.
If it were CCW then sure. But in Canada shooting handguns and other restricted firearms is a SPORT. One can take on a sport at whatever level they wish. From going it alone to paying for professionals. But paying for professionals is hardly required.
The rest of us do just fine with learning on our own or seeking some free time from better shooters than us during range sessions. Or attending sessions such as Slavex's "Skills and Drills" where a shooter that is having trouble can get some help from those which are better.
If it were CCW then sure. But in Canada shooting handguns and other restricted firearms is a SPORT. One can take on a sport at whatever level they wish. From going it alone to paying for professionals. But paying for professionals is hardly required.
