What to Buy?

[jfarren2010]

My wife has decided she wants to learn to shoot and I'm taking this as an opportunity to buy a couple of .22s--a rifle and a revolver. Being retired, and on a fixed income, we can put a lot of rounds thru the above without breaking the bank buying ammo.

For the rifle I'm 75% sold on the lever action Henry .22 (I like the look and price, and a couple of friends swear by theirs). If you have other suggestions, I'm open to them.

I have no particular revolver in mind. I want something reasonably priced and in keeping with the western 'look' of the Henry.

Help?

Corollary question: Relative to target shooting and plinking, is there enough difference between the .22Mag and the .22LR to justify moving up to the Mag in terms of $$?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and opinions.

Jim

 

[Rey B]

Ruger Single Six or Bearcat would match nicely. With the Single Six you have the option of a second cylinder that allows use of .22 mag.

 

[mortablunt]

Thanks for all the information. I know someone who wants to try shooting and doesn't have the inclination or budget for a lot.

 

[dprice3844444]

no ruger 10-22?

 

[Ala Dan]

Rifle, I agree a Ruger 10/22. For handgun, Browning BuckMark, Ruger MK-III,
or an old High Standard "Victor" model would work well for the semi-auto~!

 

[95XL883]

For a cheap 22 revolver, an old Harrington & Richardson has a kind of western look. Depending on condition, from $75 to $250 for almost perfect with two cylinders (22 and 22mag). The trigger is a little heavy in DA. The trick will be finding one. (Sorry, mine is not for sale.)

Another DA 22 revolver is an old Dan Wesson but it will cost more. They're a little big for the western motif but they are great guns. They have interchangeable barrels in 2, 4, 6 & 8 inch lengths. If the internals are clean it should have a wonderful trigger and it should be very accurate. But it will cost you, $300 and up. I've got $650 in mine but it is great condition with an 8" barrel.

I haven't tried any of the Ruger 22 revolvers. They've got a good reputation but most are single action. Nothing wrong with SA, just know what you are getting.

For general target shooting, IMO, 22 magnum isn't worth the extra cost. If you were hunting with it, then maybe it would be.

22 ammo tends to be dirty. Periodically I have to clean the internals. CCI brand tends to be cleaner but it is more expensive. All are fun to shoot.

I've got a 10/22 and really like it but about every 3,000 founds are so, the firing pin has to be cleaned. Not a big deal. There are several different styles. There is a ton of customization that can be done to them. Some guys spend a lot of money on theirs trying to get one ragged hole at 100 yards. (I can't even see that far.) Mine is bone-stock except for the cheap scope. It's a lot of fun to shoot.

I really like the looks of those Henry levers. I've got no business wanting one, but I do.

HTH.

 

[Dueling1911s]

walther p22 is great for teaching ladies because it has all the features and controls of a full sized double single semiauto

 

[USAF_Vet]

If you are wanting the Western look, it's hard to beat the Henry lever gun. I'll +1 on the suggestion of the Ruger Single Six. A bit on the pricey side, but they will last and last. My old man has on from thr 70's or 80's that still looks like the day it was made. Fantastic gun. If you don't plan on shooting thousands of rounds a month, just the occasional range plinker, the Heritage Rough Rider is a less expensive option. Right around $200 at Cabela's and a few other retailers. They won't last as long as the Ruger, and it won't be as reliable, but as said, if it's just the occasional range gun that won't get heavy use, it'll fit the bill.

RE: the .22 Mag. If you get a conversion revolver (two interchangeable cylinders, one for .22LR and one for .22 mag) I'd pick up a box of 22 mag just to try it out. Personally, I don't see the justification for the .22 mag as a range plinker. The cost outweighs the usefullness in my opinion. I'd opt for the .22 LR for the range, and the .22 magnum for self/ home defense if you don't have something better.

If you have something better for protection, then I'd skip the magnum option altogether.

 

[chez323]

If your not completely sold on a 22 revolver, you should look at the Browning Buckmark or a Ruger Mark II (think thats the current version). Both are semi-auto's, reasonably priced, accurate and reliable and extremely fun to shoot. I purchased the Buckmark to help get my wife into shooting which she now enjoys. She does however like shooting my Ruger Blackhawk in 357 magnum too.

As for a 22 rifle, there are a ton of them out there. Marlin makes a very nice lever action 22, a little pricey. On the less expensive side there are many bolt action 22's out there at good prices with used ones popping up from time to time on this forum and many others.

Good luck with the search.

 

[J-Bar]

A different thought...

Buy a high quality revolver, like a Smith & Wesson model 18 or a Colt Diamondback. Enjoy the use of a fine instrument, and you will still be able to sell it for more than you paid for it in a few years.

I own a Ruger single six and love it, but it is not going to appreciate like a Smith or Colt.

Look at it as an investment rather than an expense.

 

[rule303]

The Henry lever guns are a great value, and the company stands behind their product 100%. The Ruger single-six is really the best reasonably priced revolver, it will last several lifetimes. There is the Heritage rough rider, which most people who own seem to like, at about half the price of the single six.

 

[spazzymcgee]

I'd stay away from Heritage arms. My rough rider shot 2 feet Low and left at 10 yards. I contacted Heritage to see what they could do, and they told me to either aim higher, and to the right more, or to bend and grind down the front sight. They have absolutley lost my reccomendations and business. I second the Ruger 10/22 and Ruger Mk II or III

 

[M2 Carbine]

Henry lever action and Ruger single six. Both are quality fun guns.
Both will shoot fine with WalMart $16.00 550 bulk pack 22 ammo.

Compared to 22LR the 22 Mag ammo is too expensive, unless you have a particular use for 22 Mag.


If you decide on semi auto I'd suggest the S&W M&P 15-22 and Browning Buckmark.

My wife has decided she wants to learn to shoot

Many females have shot my M&P 15-22. The ladies love the gun.


I use the rifle for introducing new shooters to the .223 AR 15. The ladies have a ball shooting the 16 magazines as fast as I can reload them.
A couple months ago when a new shooter (lady) was shooting at several steel targets she said, "Did you hear that?". I said, "Yeah, you didn't miss a target". She said, "No, I was playing Jingle Bells". So she did it again and sure enough it sounded like Jingle Bells.

 

[bearcreek]

I've never really seen the point of a .22 mag. Sure it's more powerful than the .22LR, but the ammo is almost as much or the same as .38 Special and it's often more than 9mm. Just skip it and go with a centerfire if you want something bigger than .22 LR.

 

[Canonsue]

I purchased a Browning Buckmark (semi-auto) and a CZ 452 bolt action .22 rifle. Same reasons as yours, ammo inexpensive, 22lr is great to learn on. I love both of them. both are very accurate.

Sue

 

[Kendal Black]

Another vote for the Ruger Single Six. This is a very tough and durable little sixgun and versatile as well, with its adjustable sights and spare cylinder for .22 WMR.