[The KG9 Kid]

"I can think of a couple of others like the Walther P22 with the target barrel or the Sig Mosquito or the Browning Buck Mark."

There's really only one suitable training pistol in those three you mentioned.

I'd stay away from the Walther P22 to prevent a brand new shooter from expecting that all target pistols will have such a rotten-assed trigger as the Walther does. It's also a problematic gun as far as reliability and manufacture is concerned. It's not half the .22LR target pistol the Ruger is. I don't have anything very good to say about the Sig Mosquito, either.

Get something *good* for a first-timer unless you expect them to unlearn a lot of bad education. The Browning Buckmark is a very good target .22, as well as the Ruger.

[The KG9 Kid]

Sorry to come down so hard, but I really just don’t like the P22. My apologies. :)

[ExSoldier]

Actually, I love the trigger on my Walther P22 Target Model. I've never fired one of the Sigs but I like their "feel" from what I've gathered at the gunshows. Both the Browning and the Ruger are superb target weapons, but I personally didn't like the trigger creep on my Ruger MKI Bull Barrel.

Actually, IMHO the "best" first gun for plinking or target work is the Ruger Super Single Six SA revolver with a 6" bbl and the spare cylinder in 22WMR. That is what I use for the folks to whom I teach the class for the FL ccw permit as we begin our day at the range. From there I work up thru the 9mm, 38sp and if they desire the 40 and 45.

[ExSoldier]

When I was the XO of the 9th Division composite Bullseye pistol team in the 1980s we used the Smith & Wesson M41 semiautos (IIRC) in 22LR and a High Standard Olympic target model. We also used Gold Cup 45's specially tuned by the factory for military competition in the precision bullseye arena, rather than combat competition. All triggers had over travel stops and were set at right around 3 pounds clean break, no creep.

Hey it's FRIDAY if this thread is still alive we should get some gun porn going here.... or start a new thread.