Hi all,
Thanks for all the advice, unfortunately, GBO wouldn't come up for me yesterday, so I didn't see it until tonight, but I'm saving the page for future reference.
Longwalker, unfortunately, right now, time was important. Long story, but hubby turned 40 a few weeks ago, and I didn't get him a present, just fixed a nice dinner because his sister and I have planned a surprise party for him next week, while she's here visiting. Hubby is VERY hard to buy for, so until we started shooting the past few weeks, I was pretty well clueless what to get him that was FUN, instead of the usual clothes and books. (Between college and work, he has about 10 free hours a week, and he usually spends those watching our kids play soccer, working in the yard, etc, doesn't have any hobbies, has every piece of sports memorabilia he could ever want for his favorite teams, LOL, you get the picture)
Anyway, we recently bought a rifle for hunting and a .45 for bear protection while hiking (the .45 is for me, he'll be carrying a .300 win mag) here in Alaska, and then my dad wanted to take my son to the range, so we bought a 9mm for him because we thought the .45 would be too much for him. Both the pistols are Hi Points (yes, I know that debate, LOL, but I like them both, the .45 being my favorite because of the larger grip). He's a soldier, so he shoots regularly at work, but I hadn't fired a gun in 14 years, and then it was one shot from a 12 ga. and one shot from a pistol, I have no idea what caliber, my dad was messing with me at dared me to fire it, most likely a .38special.
We went to a couple of ranges for me to learn how to shoot the guns, load them, etc, and we had a BLAST! But, we went through a couple hundred bucks in ammo very quickly, so thus the thought of getting the .22s. Figured we'd get them in a few months, then I talked to his sis, mentioned how much fun we'd had at the range, and she said, hey, get him one for his birthday! So....
2 weeks ago, I had a chance to buy a Mark II for $200, the NRA edition, and I didn't do it, now, of course, I'm kicking myself, but, too late now, someone else bought it.
I ended up buying the Ruger KMKIII512, got it for $340 after some coupons I had for that store, it was originally $390.
Bought the Beretta Neos for $215.
I went to a few gun stores, most in the area stock next to nothing, and couldn't order in for it to arrive before the party. One, though, i was very impressed with, they wanted $500 for the KMKIII512, they had a used Mark II in stainless for $350, I thought long and hard about it, because I know the mark II is a favorite for target shooting, but finally decided I'd rather have a new gun (the Mark III) for about the same price, that way I will always know it's history, that it's been kept clean, etc. (I don't know enough about guns YET to be able to tell in a store whether they've been taken care of). Anyway, the guy there tried to sell me the Browning Buckmark Camper model, told me it was miles ahead of the Beretta because of being metal, etc. I'd read that the Buckmarks were4 good for target, but I didn't know whether the Camper was the right model, so I left that store, went and bought the Ruger, and then went to the sporting goods store that had the Beretta.
They'd told me the day before that one of their employees shot his Neos in a league, and as luck would have it, he was there when I went in yesterday, and he told me he would recommend the Neos over the Camper because it's sight-ready, spare magazine, and a couple of other reasons I forgot. He didn't feel that they polymer frame really took anything away from it, he told me where I can get the trigger job done on it locally if I want, and told me anytime I have any questions or need help with it, to come in and talk to him. He did tell me he found that the Neos performed better with high velocity ammo, and showed me which he uses for his league. (Don't remember what it's called, I have it hidden upstairs right now where hubby is sleeping, LOL), but it was only $1 more a brick than the cheapest stuff they had.
Arch, one day I will own a Single Six. It wasn't in my price range this go round, but I love the idea of a revolver, since they are easier to tear down, LOL.
Tallyho, I did get the 6", but it's solid black. My plan is to give my husband both of the guns, with a note he's to pick the one he wants. I was hoping that he'd pick the Neos, since I think I'm the more likely one to join a league, but........now that I've held them side by side, and played with them briefly, I really like the way the Neos feels in my hand. Obviously we haven't shot them yet, and probably won't until a week from Sunday, but just from feel, I'd pick the Neos for myself. Hubby will get the guns next Friday, and since Saturday will be his sister's last day visiting, we probably won't get to shoot until Sunday.
Corbanzo, We're headed your way this weekend, going to spend the holiday at Miller's camping and going on a day cruise :-)
Anyway, sorry for the long post, I REALLY appreciate everyone's assistance. I'm sure that like most "gun folk", we will be buying many more in the future, and if we do get involved in competitive shooting, your advice on guns will be of great help to us.
