New gun owner - Walther P22?

[nullvalu]

I have never had a .22 handgun, but really like my Ruger 9mm.

.22 definitely rocks for the cheap ammo. It may not have the stopping power of bigger guns, so just get good enough with it to put their eyes out. I think a .22 can make a fine self defense weapon, and you don't have to worry about having your carpets and walls cleaned afterwards.

LMAO nice assessment

 

[1000-points-of-fright]

Holding my G19 with only my thumb and my middle and index finger on the trigger, i can't make it jam. I don't know what you have done to yours...oh, wait, i do: you've never owned one.

Don't believe everything you read on the internet. They take so little effort to hold correctly you should never have a limp wristing problem.

You're right I've never owned one. But I have shot them before and I don't like them. Therefore, I choose not to own one. Don't know why you didn't think of that...oh, wait, I do: You were too excited about defending your precious Glock and couldn't wait to be a condescending internet douche.

 

[Richard in Austin]

A few random thoughts:

- I've limp-wristed a 9mm Glock. I didn't know that was a possibility until it happened. I like idea of a Glock, but they don't feel right in my (small) hand. I like 1911s.

- Those Walthers are cute little pistols. I admit to lusting after them at the gun show.

- Sign yourself and your wife up for a gun safety course - hopefully this will help her to feel confident with guns, and once she shoots, chances are she'll be hooked.

 

[youngbuck]

Holding my G19 with only my thumb and my middle and index finger on the trigger, i can't make it jam. I don't know what you have done to yours...oh, wait, i do: you've never owned one.

Don't believe everything you read on the internet. They take so little effort to hold correctly you should never have a limp wristing problem.

He is correct. I have a Glock 23 and it is really finicky. The magazine will just randomly fall out, and if they get a little dirty they easily jam. Plus they rust easy... a high maintenance gun. Oh, oh.. don't forget about that limp wristing. You hold that grip wrong and the thing will jam 50% of the time! Seriously, you have to think about how you hold it each time you should it if you want even average reliability from them. I seriously wonder why so many police departments have Glocks as standard issue. Even the FBI!!! Same with various special forces groups and the Austrian military. Whao!

On a more serious note, all this crap about Glocks being unreliable is utter hogwash. It's always repeated by someone who doesn't have a Glock, prolly never shot one, doesn't know much about guns in general, and got the information from someone else that meets the same Criteria.

FWIW, my G23 has never failed me (not a single hiccup), EVER (4-5k rounds) and that's while using the original 2 factory magazines.

 

[mad212]

Get your self an smith and wesson m&p, then you can change the grip size to suit both of you.

Very low recoil on the nine, same for the .40 but it does have more snap to it, but less perceived recoil then a glock due to the high grip nature.

 

[rePAULblican]

The Walther P22 is a great gun. I love my P22, it's a fun gun to shoot. It's looks good, reliable, accurate and all around good to go. I have shot over a 1,000 rounds through mine and it works great. My wife also loves to shoot it and she is deadly accurate with it, that is the only gun she can shoot with with accuracy and confidence. I would recommend using Stinger ammo, the cheap stuff (Thunderbolt) is dirty and may cause some cycling problems.

 

[MarcS]

You're right I've never owned one. But I have shot them before and I don't like them. Therefore, I choose not to own one. Don't know why you didn't think of that...oh, wait, I do: You were too excited about defending your precious Glock and couldn't wait to be a condescending internet douche.

I'll have you know i'm a condescending douche in real life as well.

 

[1000-points-of-fright]

Ah, well that's where we differ. I'm just condescending.

 

[weslinder]

I have a Glock Model 19, I've probably put 5000 rounds through it, held it every way possible, and it's never jammed. My Para 1911 is a more accurate and more comfortable gun, but it generally jams once or twice per box of ammo (oddly it does better with aluminum casings). I have more fun shooting the 1911, but the Glock has to be the most reliable gun I have ever shot.

 

[youngbuck]

I have a Glock Model 19, I've probably put 5000 rounds through it, held it every way possible, and it's never jammed. My Para 1911 is a more accurate and more comfortable gun, but it generally jams once or twice per box of ammo (oddly it does better with aluminum casings). I have more fun shooting the 1911, but the Glock has to be the most reliable gun I have ever shot.

Yea, exactly, I'd have to agree with that. While I don't own a 1911, and probably never will, I like the way they feel and am generally (though still, highly subjective) more accurate with a 1911. I've just had so many jams with them. I know you can do some mods, like smoothing the feeding ramp, and some other things to make 1911s more reliable, but my Glock has NEVER jammed. If I'm going to trust my life to a gun that I own, reliability must be paramount. If I were to give a handgun to my inexperienced mother or sister, it'd be a revolver. IMO, the Glock is the revolver of the auto-loader world.

 

[ubuntuham]

The brand and model recommendations here are all great guns. I would suggest you also consider getting a bolt action .22 rifle. Every sane law abiding american should be familiar with operating a rifle. I taught my son at 8 years old and my daughter is about to get her first lessons.

Speaking of children I think that was a valid concern you brought up. I married my wife and inherited a great 5 yoa son. He was a weapon fanatic (mutant ninja turtle fan) which made me nervous having guns in the house. The trick with me was to educate him about firearms and take the mystery out of it. Whenever he wanted to handle a gun or go shoot we would. Since the gun was no longer mysterous and I would let him handle one (under my supervision) whenever he wanted he did not feel the need to sneak, he just asked. This doesn't work with everyone but it is a good method.

 

[Razmear]

That Walther is really big for a .22
I have a Taurus PT22

that would be better for carry, and it shoots pretty nice too.

The one issue I have with the Ruger 22s (at least the ones I've used) is a really light trigger pull, its easy to squeeze off two when you only want to shoot one, or even accidentally fire it if your shaky.
The Taurus has a very long trigger pull, which makes it safer for carry, even in your back pocket.

You might also want to consider a Taurus 9shot .22 revolver with a 2 or 4 inch bbl. They shoot great and are better for a new owner in a tense situation.

eb