Posted on 07/04/2017 7:01:30 AM PDT by A Cyrenian
I'm thinking about buying Smith & Wesson SW22 pistol to start target shooting. I've thought this could be fun for a while and now have the opportunity to join a local gun club.
What advice can you give me on owning a small caliber pistol?
Thanks.
Start cheap or money to blow?
Your choice is about as good as any.
Join the club and seek out advice from knowledgeable shooters.
A 22 cal is really only good for target shooting. Why not get a pistol useful for self defense too, like a 9mm?
Buy a .357 mag and shoot .38 special in it.Then you have a really useful weapon.>38 has low recoil and is easy to shoot,then move up to .357 loads.
Consider getting some instruction first and also do your research and talk with other shooters. Your opportunity to join a local club will facilitate this immeasurably.
You may think you want the model gun you state here but upon talking with others at the club and even having an opportunity to fire other handguns, you may decide on something else.
For a 22 caliber pistol I think the new easy to disassemble Ruger Mark 4 as excellent and as a 22 rifle the Ruger 10/22 is fantastic, there is so much aftermarket stuff for it.
it’s hard to go wrong with those two.
later if you get a shotgun the Remington 870 is fantastic, affordable, durable as before lots and lots of aftermarket stuff for it.
and if your state allows for it, I would consider getting an AR-15, there’s not a lot of recoil to it.
I leave off a recommendation for a full size pistol because they’re so many excellent choices these days and many people will jump on me for whatever I say so, I’ll remain quiet.
Shoot it often.
L
Start with a small caliber and work your way up. When you have them all start on long guns, and again, work your way up. Finally, buy lots of ammo!
Sarcasm, just another of my fine qualities.
Someone else will ask I’m sure but first, are you a male or female?
and second, I mean to ask in a totally non Trump type of way but, do you have big hands..?
Rimfire ammunition is ridiculously dirty. Clean after every use if you want maximum reliability. Even if your pistol is meticulously clean, you’ll still have periodic misfires with most rimfire ammunition, even with top shelf Eley tenex, albeit significantly less than say...Remington’s bucket o’ bullets.
Also, consult your medical professional before use. All forms of competitive shooting are highly addictive!
Suggest a S&W revolver. No tricky “safety’ to mess with, even decades old Smiths continue to work. The “K” models are worth having in your collection if you’re just getting started.
***A 22 cal is really only good for target shooting.***
Wanna bet! I remember back when more people were murdered with a cheap .22 revolver than any other weapon.
Should be a good choice to learn fundamentals. Save some pennies for a center fire down the road.
Use eye and ear protection, a baseball cap is helpful, buy a cleaning kit and learn to use it properly for your handgun. Don't let your wife wear a low-cut top when you take her shooting.
Take other people shooting who are trustworthy...
Buy a .357 mag and shoot .38 special in it.Then you have a really useful weapon.>38 has low recoil and is easy to shoot,then move up to .357 loads.
Ditto this, but go full fun and buy something like this - http://www.taylorsfirearms.com/hand-guns/cartridge-revolvers/1873-single-action-revolver-series/1873-s-a-cattleman-charcoal-blue-walnut-grips.html
22s are a hoot. Don’t listen to anything negative about them. Use it, enjoy it, keep it forever. There’s always a place for a 22 pistol.
It’s the oldest fixed cartridge for a reason.
Agreed.
The Mark 4 looks like a good improvement from Mark III.
I love to plink shoot with the small caliber stuff.I use the Mark III. Kinda sets you up for when I bring out the big boys...
I've got a Ruger MKII 22 that I really like though.
They're fun to shoot and the ammo is finally getting back to regular price so you can shoot all day if you want without refinancing your house.
While a 22 is not the gun I'd chose for HD, it'll work. I know a couple of guys that have been shot with a 22 and neither of them had good things to say of the experience.
Watch yourself though. It's a real easy hobby to spend a ton of money on.
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