Gun Crew: Recommendations for a cheap practice pistol

[Birdie2000]

Looking for something cheap to shoot. Probably a .22 semi-auto since that seems to be the cheapest ammo out there. This will purely be something to practice my aim with, so any factors other than accuracy and price aren't really concerns for me (unless they should be). I will not be carrying this, and it won't really be used for personal protection other than maybe when I'm in my shop at night, and even then I most likely won't have a problem, it'll just be there because it'll be stored on premises anyway. I don't need the cheapest POS gun I can buy if a few dollars more will go a long way, but I don't want to break the bank either. All I care about is being able to put a ton of bullets through at the range without going broke. Any recommendations?

 

[dudek]

a .22 is deff be your cheapest choice, im not very familar with any .22 pistols tho so i wont suggest anything

or you could also look at a glock 9mm and purchase the .22 conversion kit with it, have both worlds and both good platforms to practice on

 

[Wizeguy]

I had a Walther P22 that was accurate and economical..

 

[1BADAIR]

ruger MK II

 

[91Bird305]

Does it have to be a handgun?

 

[Birdie2000]

Yes, I specifically want to practice my aim with a handgun. I've had a decent amount of experience with a rifle in my youth, next to nothing with a handgun.

 

[91Bird305]

You could go with the P226 from Sig.

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/56481-55.html

Ruger also makes a number of different quality .22 hand guns. http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ItemListing.aspx?pagesize=1000&catid=1717

 

[mdhmi]

Here you go - and it's only $200.

 

[boosted gt]

i have a ruger .22, its been great

 

[Golden]

For the most fun:



http://www.ruger.com/products/22Charger/models.html

 

[OnyxSSS]

I had a Walther P22 that was accurate and economical..

ruger MK II

and a brick of bullets

 

[motorpsycho]

Any of the Ruger MK's, Browning Buckmark, or what I'm currently shooting, Beretta Neos.
I've not shot the Ruger, but hear its a pain to tear down and clean.
The Browning is a great gun, my Pops has one. Teardown and cleaning is simple.
The Beretta shoots every bit as good as the others, cost less, and looks like a space gun which I like.
All are inexpensive, accurate, reliable, and most of all fun. Pick one, throw a red dot sight on it and have a ball.

 

[robvas]

Ruger 22 pistols are great

 

[Foolsgold80z]

I've got a Ruger MK and it's very good.

 

[lab1702]

Whichever one you're going to carry.

 

[Birdie2000]

Don't plan to carry any time in the near future. Plus from the little I've seen .22lr ammo is much cheaper than the common calibers for a carry piece.

Not sure I'm a fan of the Ruger just from looking at it, but I'll wait to judge once I hold one in my hand.

Someone recommended me an M&P22, any thoughts? Seems a lot of people don't trust the build quality of Walther-made guns.

 

[robvas]

Don't plan to carry any time in the near future. Plus from the little I've seen .22lr ammo is much cheaper than the common calibers for a carry piece.

Not sure I'm a fan of the Ruger just from looking at it, but I'll wait to judge once I hold one in my hand.

Someone recommended me an M&P22, any thoughts? Seems a lot of people don't trust the build quality of Walther-made guns.

M&P 22 is pretty expensive. But the benefit would be it's similar to the rest of the M&P line if you carry one of those.

You don't want to shoot the cheap .22 LR in a semi-auto, stick with CCI Minimags. Not expensive but at least it won't jam like the cheapest stuff will.

 

[BB69]

My wife and I have a Ruger Mark III, and two different Buckmarks. I like the Ruger better for looks and build, but the Buckmarks are a ton easier to maintain and they have fewer malfunctions. The Ruger isn't really that hard to tear down, and Ruger even suggests not completely tearing it down too many times because it will loosen up.

For the best shooting, I would suggest the Buckmark.

Ken

 

[dave89iroc]

.22 is actually a good caliber to learn the basics on, but remember, gently squeeze the trigger, dont jerk, and dont fear recoil, you will notice none with .22

 

[Marc@AutoLavish]

Whichever one you're going to carry.

I understand wanting to get better and more familiar with a handgun, but I can't justify spending any amount of money on a pistol I'll never use to defend myself. A 22 rifle is one thing and can be used for better distance shooting and small hunting / varmints. A 22 pistol? eeeeehh....

I'd feel better handling handguns by putting 1,000 through a 9mm than 5,000 rounds though a 22 pistol. The closer you can use to what you might actually carry at some point the better. If you must choose a 22, I'd say get the cheapest used one you can find.