[rhodostom]

Hey All,

My wife and I currently have two 357 revolver handguns, but I have always wanted a semi-auto handgun.

Any suggestions on brand/caliber? Anything I should look for or stay away from? Keep in mind, I haven't researched this at all yet.

My only requests would be that
1) it is something my wife could learn to shoot (nothing too big)
2) it could be carried concealed if we ever wanted to get the permit (MO just passed it)

Thanks,
Michael B.
rhodostom

PS- Nice site Rich.
PPS- My leucistic pines finally hatched!!!

 

[rhodostom]

Thanks all for the replies.

I'll head out to some of the shops around here soon and take your advice to see how they feel.

I have also read some of the other threads around here that have been helpful. I'll probably being posting questions in those threads to try and learn a bit more.

Adam: why don't you like autos for CC? The revolvers we have Ruger 357 long barrels are great, but a bit big to carry for me...

-Michael B.

 

[rhodostom]

Adam,

Thanks for the reply. It was most helpful.

What you had to say rings true for me. I thought about it, and I probably will not apply for the CCW permit, simply because at this point, I don't feel I need it. Hence, the gun will be more for plinking around, and learning how to accurately shoot a semi-auto. Maybe in a few years I'll get the permit, but who knows.

So, I had a few moments last night, and stopped by a gun shop close to work. I took a look at a Walther P22, and a Ruger MKII.
I have to say that I liked the way the Ruger felt. My other guns are mostly Ruger's and they have never given me any problems. In fact, my wives 357 is from her father who had it for years, and I believe it is just an older model of mine (GP160).

I also talked to a friend up here with a few larger semi autos as well (a .40 cal, 9mm, and .38 I believe). Over deer season he is gonna bring them all down and let me give them a whirl to see how they feel and shoot.

As for the $$, I'll have to admit that I've shot my wad on animals this year, hence price is a factor. The MKII was listed for $225 at the one shop I looked last night.

-Michael

 

[rhodostom]

Adam,

Thanks again

It looks like a nice gun.

One question:
SA=single action
DA=double action. Right?

What is the physical difference. I know my GP160 is a double action, but I guess I've never really paid any attention to it...
Course I haven't shot it in a while either.

-Michael

 

[rhodostom]

Actually...

I just got a Ruger 22/45 Blued, bull 5.5" barrel.

I put about 200 rounds through it last weekend shooting at old pop cans, spent propane cans, and little plastic wedding bubble container thingeees. While I'm not a sharpshooter by any stretch, I was impressed at how accurate this gun was right out of the box.

After reading a bit more on the web, I learned how to fully disassemble the gun and promptly did so, cleaning all the internals of the factory lube.

Hopefully the rain will die down over the weekend so I can go out and shoot a few more rounds through it. Then I need to setup a paper target, and see how close I can get my grouping.

I haven't done any modifications to the gun yet, but depending on how frequently it jams on my after 500-1000 rounds or so, I believe I will get a VQ extractor for it, and maybe something to lessen the weight of the trigger pull.

It's a great little gun though, and I am really happy with it!

-Michael

PS- As far as concealed carry, it is still in a court battle in my state. I'll start thinking about a permit for that after all the legal battles are over with.