Ever since my wife and I retired back in 2020, we have been going to our local indoor range every couple of weeks…. ( My wife is a retired LE officer of 43yrs )…. Would love to go shooting every week, but we both shot 100 rounds and even though the price of ammo has come down over the last three years it would be a little pricey shooting 200 rounds of 9mm or 40s&w a week. I have made the proposal to her that we should pickup a couple of 22LR pistols just for the fun of shooting more often. ( at a considerably low cost )…. She thinks it’s a big waste of time practicing with a 22LR…. But I think it would just be something fun to shoot…. SO SHOULD I JUST GO And PURCHASE A COUPLE of 22LR PISTOLS and HOPE to CHANGE HER MIND or JUST BE HAPPY SOOTHING EVERY OTHER WEEK?
22 LR Pistol Good or Bad Idea?
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Just buy 1 at first, then when she sees you having fun and constantly "borrows" it, you can get another one.
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If you want one get one. If she says she doesn't want one, don't get her one yet.
Is there a 22 conversion kit available for your or her pistol? Is there a 22 version of the same gun? Or are you thinking of getting something completely different? There are merits to both. You could get a 22 for cheaper practice or you could get a 22 to cover a completely different shooting niche. If your range allows rifles, you could get a little backyard varmint rifle , for example.
Is there a 22 conversion kit available for your or her pistol? Is there a 22 version of the same gun? Or are you thinking of getting something completely different? There are merits to both. You could get a 22 for cheaper practice or you could get a 22 to cover a completely different shooting niche. If your range allows rifles, you could get a little backyard varmint rifle , for example.
. The wife has quite a collection… she has in 9mm a S&W 5906, a S&W CSX… in 40cal. She has a Glock 23 and a 27…. In revolvers she has ( 2 ) S&W 38 special, a S&W 357, and a H&R 32s&w (which was her father’s )…. My collection consists of just a 9mm S&W m&p full size, a Taurus Gx4, and a S&W m&p 40 shield performance center
PS; There is still a lot of room in the gun safe….. LOL
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Yes!
I don't know what you both use to shoot, but I suggest the Beretta M9A1-22. It is the same size (and I believe same weight) as the M9 (or 92 or 96) so it is not like firing a little plinker but almost like the real thing. I assume there is less kick, but I've never fired a Beretta 92 variant in a larger caliber.
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I love .22LR Pistols.
I have a Phoenix Arms HP22a which is a very good gun for the money as well as very fun to shoot. I highly recommend it.
I also have a Heritage Arms Rough Rider 6 shot single action revolver with a 6.5 inch barrel. It is really fun to shoot and mine is extremely accurate. I also have the .22 WMR Cylinder for it if I want or need some extra velocity.
Both guns above are relatively inexpensive and have good warranties.
I have a Phoenix Arms HP22a which is a very good gun for the money as well as very fun to shoot. I highly recommend it.
I also have a Heritage Arms Rough Rider 6 shot single action revolver with a 6.5 inch barrel. It is really fun to shoot and mine is extremely accurate. I also have the .22 WMR Cylinder for it if I want or need some extra velocity.
Both guns above are relatively inexpensive and have good warranties.
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If I were in that situation I would NOT buy her a 22lr pistol if she didn't want one. If I wanted one for myself I'd get one for myself. If you're buying one for the fun of shooting, that's a different situation than buying one primarily for defensive practice. With your wife being ex LE she maybe has that more in mind than merely shooting for the fun of it.
As for myself, I shoot my G2C not for the fun of shooting, but defensive gun use practice, as it's one of my carry guns.
I do have a 22 lr though that I shoot for the fun of it.
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I've never met anyone who doesn't enjoy shooting a 22, regardless of whether it's a good training tool or not. I'd get one and the worst that happens is your wife continues to shoot 9 and 40 so you only save half the higher priced ammo. Chances are if you get the right pistol she'll probably warm up to the idea.
I guess my biggest problem is that I just purchased my S&W shield 40 a couple of weeks ago, so if I were to purchase another handgun this quickly I could be in the doghouse…. On the other hand if I were to purchase a new gun for her ( even if it is a 22 ) I might be safe
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While I generally do not support waiting periods, you may be wise to hold off. Of course, if you could rent a few at your local range...
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I guess you should know your wife better than anybody and whether she would like a surprise gun. Although I would love to get a surprise gun, I know my wife would not like getting a brand type and caliber of gun that she doesn't want. So in my case there's no way I would get my wife a gun unless I knew exactly what she wanted.
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Or, he could give her one that he wants, knowing she won't want it. Of course, that is, assuming she won't figure out what he did.
I have several semi-auto pistols in various calibers and wanted to introduce and teach my Grandkids to shooting pistols.
Conscious of centerfire pistol ammo prices and that it would be for Range use only, I decided to get a 22LR pistol.
I held off buying after seeing most 22LR pistol prices that are comparable to centerfire models.
While at my local sportsman/gun shop I saw the Phoenix Arms Model HP22A Range Kit for $210. After examining the pistol and kit I read many reviews and watched several videos. I thought it fit my requirements, so I bought it.
Except for the quirky safety and just a couple of misfires (ammo?) I was happy with the purchase. So I went ahead and bought three more mags from Phoenix Arms.
Conscious of centerfire pistol ammo prices and that it would be for Range use only, I decided to get a 22LR pistol.
I held off buying after seeing most 22LR pistol prices that are comparable to centerfire models.
While at my local sportsman/gun shop I saw the Phoenix Arms Model HP22A Range Kit for $210. After examining the pistol and kit I read many reviews and watched several videos. I thought it fit my requirements, so I bought it.
Except for the quirky safety and just a couple of misfires (ammo?) I was happy with the purchase. So I went ahead and bought three more mags from Phoenix Arms.
I never go to the range without at least one 22lr pistol or revolver. In fact, I am pretty sure I own more 22lr guns than all other calibers combined. Why not pick up a TX22 or TX22 Compact and take it along next trip. I think when she sees how much fun you are having with it, she'll want one of her own.
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I shoot .22 a lot. It's inexpensive for one. But more importantly, I am able to practice the 5 fundamentals without breaking the bank (Stance and Grip, Sight Alignment, Sight Picture, Trigger Control, and Follow Through). These fundamentals are necessary to make a good and accurate shot irrespective of gun and caliber, and translate to a rifle as well. In terms of the fundamentals, the only difference in technique between rifle and pistol is the sight radius. So, were I in the catbird's seat, I would get a couple of decent .22lr pistols and shoot to your hearts content. You can purchase a .22lr pistol which is about the same size as full frame duty gun.
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