Author Topic: A .22 for the Boss (Wife) (Read 1073 times)

Chris · « **on:** January 04, 2004, 03:54:23 PM »

Guys:

Got the better-half to an indoor range for the first time yesterday. It was a bit of a struggle to get here in the door...and almost as big of a struggle to get her out! Boy, can she go through the picnic shells...thank god they come in those easy to dispense milk cartons! :eek: If not, she'd be dipping into my Wolf or RWS ammo!

Anyway, she was shooting from a bench with my tricked-out Ruger Govt. Model and as you can guess, the only comments she made was that the pistol was a bit heavy, it was hard to load the magazine and EVERY pistol should come with a red-dot sight. I tried to explain the use of iron sights...that didn't get me anywhere. :?

I could load mags for her and/or buy one of those cute little thumb-savers, HOWEVER, I can't help but think the "right pistol" is out there with her name on it. Doesn't matter how hard is is to clean or breakdown...that's my job. All I know is that if this works out, I'll get to go to the range more often AND have a hot meal when I get home! I need to strike while the iron is hot! :-D

Soooo, what are your ideas for a nice light .22 semi-auto, that is EASY to load, won't chock on picnic shells, and is well-balanced for small hands? Don't have much experience with anything other than target pistols...so I'm open for suggestions. And yes, I'll package it with a red-dot sight, in her choice of fashion colors! :-)

Thanks guys! ...Chris

Savage · « **Reply #1 on:** January 05, 2004, 03:32:48 AM »

Chris,
I'm waiting to hear the answer to that one! Light weight, no problem! The 22/45 with the tapered barrel, or one of the Sigs or "B" guns with the polymer frames. BUT easy to load magazines! Don't know of any that are easier than the Ruger. I'm thinking a loading tool may be in order, unless you want to buy a couple dozen mags and load them prior to the range trip!
Savage

jgalar · « **Reply #2 on:** January 05, 2004, 05:21:23 AM »

Take her to the gun store and let her pick one out. If there are any complaints about weight or balance after the purchase she has to accept some of the blame. There are lots of 22s autos out there. Show her some revolvers also - no problems loading them.

Chris · « **Reply #3 on:** January 05, 2004, 02:42:34 PM »

Hmm?

The Sigs do look good.

Has anyone monkeyed-around with the S&W 22A's or the Neo. I've handled both a while back...but I wasn't looking for a plinker at the time. They seemed "lighter" and look like they are better suited for smaller hands..at least smaller than mine.

Thanks! ...Chris

Chris · « **Reply #4 on:** January 06, 2004, 05:36:53 PM »

Spent a few minutes at the gun shop this evening. Took a look at the Baretta Neo and the Sig Trailside. Boy, are they proud of the Sig ($)...and rightfully so...it's a nice handgun. But, the Neo...doesn't seem too bad for what is was designed for I guess. It does have some nice features and looks a little "futuristic" compared to other handguns in its price range/class. It seems a little "small" for me, but it seems like it's a nice gun for a small hand.

BTW, you can accessorize a Neo like a wardrobe...with colored inlay handgrips, sights, etc. Looks like it is targeted toward younger shooters on a budget...perhaps the "Matrix" set.

So guys... :agree: or :noway:?

Remember...it's a fun gun for my wife!

...Chris

jgalar · « **Reply #5 on:** January 07, 2004, 01:42:40 AM »

Since you are going to put a red dot sight on it...look at the 4" barreled guns. They should balance better, and be lighter than the target length barrels.

les hemby · « **Reply #6 on:** January 07, 2004, 03:15:48 AM »

I dont have one so cant say for sure but Shooting Times review the Beretta was not very accurate( at all) just a thought

Graybeard · « **Reply #7 on:** January 07, 2004, 04:35:59 AM »

Sig Trailside is very accurate and has the Weaver mount rail build in for ease of mounting that red dot sight. Trigger is nice and light. Grip might not fit hands tho. Better let her try that if considering it. Don't over look the Browning Buckmark Standard. Nice and light with good trigger and grip should do fine.

Also don't over look revolvers. Might slow down her use of ammo also and easier to load than semiautos but slower over all to put a lot of ammo down range with.

GB

Chris · « **Reply #8 on:** January 07, 2004, 05:07:29 PM »

Hmm. You know GB, I should have her look at a Browning too.

I took a look at Browning's website this p.m...the Micro looks interesting. Do you know if all of the browings are set-up for rings standard...or would I have to flip for a base to mount a red-dot?

Thanks guys! ...Chris

Shane in WI · « **Reply #9 on:** February 10, 2004, 06:13:39 AM »

I just bought a used Buckmark 5.5 target model. The bull barrel has the full length scope mounting rail. I'm not sure which other models have this, but some do. Would make the mounting of a red dot pretty simple.

The Shrink · « **Reply #10 on:** February 11, 2004, 01:18:32 AM »

Review problem with the Neo was the trigger, not just heavy but highly inconsistent from shot to shot. I've not heard of a fix yet.

Wayne

dpastor · « **Reply #11 on:** February 13, 2004, 09:56:23 AM »

Chris

Don't forget that loading a semi-auto clip is going to be the critical part. Not to mention how "hard" it is to rack one into the chamber. After breaking a finger nail, my wife decided that my 22 autos were not fun to shoot (unless I spent the afternoon loading clips and getting it ready to shoot).

Think revolver - not a single action. That ejector rod will cause her grief. A nice double action .22 revolver will digest anything you throw at it, if there is a stoppage, just pull the trigger again. Great for building confidence.

I ended up buying a used (try to find a reasonably priced .22 revolver here in CA- after submitting to an expensive CA "safety test" they are not reasonable anymore so are not in the stores) SP101. A bit heavy, but easy to shoot.