Firearm help...

[unlurking]

Well, after spending a year trying to get my marriage to work, the wife and I are splitting up. She has decided she wants a lifestyle change, so I figured why not have some fun myself? There are a lot of things I have always wanted to do but didn't because of family priorities (motorcycle, hunting, boating, flying lessons, etc.). I have decided one of the cheaper things I could do would be target shooting. I always loved going to the range with friends who had handguns or rifles, or even renting them at the range.

I'd like to see if I couldn't get recommendations on an affordable (but not crappy) handgun. This would not be for home defense or hunting, but purely used at ranges for target shooting. Every time I've gone, it's been an absolute blast, but I never seem to improve when using a wide range of weapons.

I know the Planet has an abundance of gun owners, so I thought this would be a good place to ask for opinions. Like I said though, I do have a spending limit. I don't know firearm price ranges outside of the sale items in sports store newspaper ads, but I'd like to keep it below $500 if possible.

Thanks,
-UL

[MOhillbilly]

input on the rock island 1911-A1

http://www.gunsamerica.com/classifie...976865142.aspx

[Simply Red]

Originally Posted by PastorMikH

Look it up, the .222 is one of the most accurate calibers ever created. The Contender is also extremely accurate and I had a 24x scope on it for load developement. A group of 1/3 inch with that setup is rather easy for serious shooters to beat.

I had a pic of the group somewhere but the only ones that I can find on the computers right now are of the 222 carbine (just a tad over 3/4 inch with a 9x scope at 100 yards). The others are on a disk in a box someplace still waiting to be unpacked since the move.

Ya see Programmer is like Mecca, only he is more "worldly." He can't see the roses due to the weeds -> Regarding all topics (not just sports.)

[Iowanian]

What Fraz said.....

Even assuming everything is legit in your intentions, it wouldn't look good.

Maybe try the hair dye and the convertible first.

Originally Posted by frazod

I'm thinking the midst of a divorce is NOT the appropriate time for you to become a first time gun owner.

Very bad idea. Bad bad bad

My brother had a Walther P22, and it was a jamming, piece of shit.


If I were buying a handgun, I think the next one would be a S/W 1911 .45

[bringbackmarty]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

My recommendations for pure target shooting:

Ruger MK-II (might be a MK-III now) .22 caliber pistol. I would recommend a KMK-512 (5 1/2 in barrel, nickle plated). Make sure you get the kind with a bull barrel. It's heavier but it kills all the recoil. This gun is stupid accurate. A buddy of mine has used the term "accurate enough to drive nails" so we decided to put the Ruger to the test. We could literally drive nails with that stupid thing from about 15 feet with consistent success. It doesn't sound all that impressive, but you'll understand it once you try it with a pistol that isn't that accurate.

Another solid option is a Browning Buckmark.

I shoot Remington Gold Bullet with my .22. It's about $7 for 550 rounds. I've probably put 20,000 rounds through my MK-II and it's misfired once and I've had one dud. Whether it's a reliable gun or reliable bullets I don't know, nor do I care. It's a combination that works. If you get a different gun, try different bullets for awhile, eventually you'll find a brand/type that your gun eats just a little better than others.

A little bigger gun I would recommend a 9mm. The best, IMO are the Barretta 92F. Better still, for the money, go with the Taurus PT99. The Taurus is built by a brazillian company that bought the rights to Barretta's blueprint. It is a carbon copy of the Barretta except that it has the safety on the rail instead of the slide and the barrell isn't chrome lined (neither of these things really matter).

The Taurus shoots and feels like the Barretta but costs about $200 less. A very nice gun for the money.

P.S. Having now read the thread, I second and expound upon the "don't get a Walther" advice. Not only should you steer clear of the .22, steer clear of Walthers in generally. They have a great feel in your hand at the store and a lousy feel once you get out to a range. The .40 caliber is a dog. It has a 2 stage trigger that makes accurate shooting extremely difficult (some S&W models have similar features, but nowhere near this bad). It's a very long and 'squishy' trigger pull. The balance is bad with a clip in. In short, the gun sucks.

I agree about the walther, The one I shot jammed three times in an hour.

[bringbackmarty]

Originally Posted by Radar Chief

Yea, yea, I know. And they’ve been the choice of assassins for years. The Navy SEALs use a version that is silenced to the point that the only sound it emits is that of the slide going back and forth.
Having posted that, I’ll still stand by my statement with one modification. Unless your are a supreme expert in the use of one, don’t draw down on someone with a .22.

I would say if you are not a good to expert marksman, and you are in dangerous situations often - a .22 is not a good choice for self defense.
People shoot differently when under serious stress, and radar has a good point.

It is however a good conceal and carry weapon if you shoot well and hone your skills often at a range.

If you are defending your home 12 gauge is obviously the way to go.

Most criminals are total pussies once shot. If you are concerned about
blood splatter getting on your stuff, jury trials for excessive force, ammo cost, low visibility underneath clothing, and you need to do someone real quiet like, the .22 could be your gun.

If I was a cop, a glock 40 with a high capacity magazine, my 12 gauge in the cruiser, AR-15 in the trunk, and a .22 as a backup, (hidden on my person, or in the vehicle) would be my equipment of choice.

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by frazod

You'll have to admit, it sounded bad.

Hey, I'm getting divorced.... got any recommendations for a gun?

If you're going to do it, do it right....

[unlurking]

Well, went to the store today with a friend who does target shooting (and cowboy action shooting, though I'm not quite sure what that means). She helped a newb pick out a target shooter for a novice, and she was in step with most of the replies here. I picked up a Ruger MK III Competition.



I appreciate all the comments regarding 45s, shotguns, sniper rifles, anti-freeze, etc. This is however, a target shooting hobby only. I'm not worried about home defense or anything of that nature. Just something to use at the range and work on my marksmanship.

Thanks All!

[ChiefaRoo]

Originally Posted by kcnut

get a glock 9mm those thing are lightweight and get some good shooting there.

I've got a Glock 9MM. It's fun to go out and plink steel targets and bowling pins with. Easy gun to take care of and I like the feel and balance better than a Beretta.

[Slick32]

Originally Posted by ChiefaRoo

I've got a Glock 9MM. It's fun to go out and plink steel targets and bowling pins with. Easy gun to take care of and I like the feel and balance better than a Beretta.

I like the Sig Sauer 9mm. Fits my hand and the last time I fired for score I scored very well. I fired a Glock a few times and it just didn't feel right. The Beretta was the most uncomfortable handgun I ever fired.

[gblowfish]

Chris Rock once said the way to stop gun violence in America is to make bullets cost $5,000 each.

That way, you'd really really really think about it before you took a shot at someone.

Good idea, IMHO...

[Slick32]

Originally Posted by gblowfish

Chris Rock once said the way to stop gun violence in America is to make bullets cost $5,000 each.

That way, you'd really really really think about it before you took a shot at someone.

Good idea, IMHO...

That bit of almost comedy tends to go right along with the move to outlaw owning hand guns.

I read an article that talked about the gun control that has happened in the past century and in each case they ended up with higher crime rates due to the fact that the criminals with guns had no fear. They also talked about the countries that enforced the gun bans and what happened in those countries.

Expensive bullets just mean that you and I can't buy them but the criminals will find ways to have them and they will use them with out any regard.

[unlurking]

Almost a year, and the wife is now officially an ex, and still living.

Got another toy to play with!

Ruger GP-100 .357

[Rain Man]

You should buy a spear. People who carry spears don't get messed with.

[Misplaced_Chiefs_Fan]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

P.S. Having now read the thread, I second and expound upon the "don't get a Walther" advice. Not only should you steer clear of the .22, steer clear of Walthers in generally. They have a great feel in your hand at the store and a lousy feel once you get out to a range. The .40 caliber is a dog. It has a 2 stage trigger that makes accurate shooting extremely difficult (some S&W models have similar features, but nowhere near this bad). It's a very long and 'squishy' trigger pull. The balance is bad with a clip in. In short, the gun sucks.

Well, I have a small objection to this comment.

I love to go out with my Walther P-38 and kill some paper commies. It's got a good feel and in the 13 years I've had it, I think it's jammed once (?).

Of course, the gun was made in 1959 and I'm the second owner of it. (Hell, the magazines I have for it were stamped 1959 and 1961. Things as old as I am - just in better shape.)

I can't speak for Walther's gun making abilities now, but they used to make a fine weapon.

[03pilot]

do the flying lessons. pilots are the coolest.

shooting at the range is a much cheaper and also fun hobby.