Reg

S&K Thumbhole in Forest Camo

That article would have you believe that the Turkey Creek and Walker Springs stores removed guns to provide more space for exercise equipment, softer lighting, and upscale furniture.

That pretty much sums it up. Without going exotic (Smith & Wesson 41), the Ruger MK series or Browning Buckmarks both have longevity as being among the best for quality, accuracy, and retained value. I've had both, along with some of the more modern alternatives (i.e. P22, Neos). Although right now I'm partial to my Brownings, I would recommend either the Ruger or Browning. They are both good enough to where the decision should be aesthetics and/or personal fit.

As stated by others, the Browning or Ruger will be very reliable. If this is a defensive gun and you're concerned with rimfire FTFs, then an alternative to a pistol would be a revolver. She could quickly squeeze off another round without clearing a jam or FTF. S&W and Taurus both offer .22's with at least 8-round cylinders.

My wife has snake phobia and demanded that I have this identified. Any guesses?

10/22 - I got my first one in 1983 and it shot well out of the box. Even if you don't plan to customize, the urge may hit someday. You can't beat the aftermarket support for the 10/22.

Exactly. Whichever you want to fondle and admire. I like the black Nitron w/ rosewood grips.

The grips are Pachmayr wrap around finger groove grips for the full sized 1911 frame. There is a fellow on the RimfireCentral forum named Rusty22 that manufactures the adapter plates to accommodate any 1911 grip on the Buckmark. The plates mount using the existing grip screw holes. The 1911 grips then mount to the frame. Shoot me a PM or visit the Browning section of Rimfire Central for his contact info.

Thanks. I plan to add a trigger overtravel screw. While it's out, I may Duracoat the trigger black.

Excellent!

I've had several .22 pistols over the years, but my best shooting ones have been my Brownings. I bought this one a few months ago from a fellow TGO'er and added a few accessories.

I originally purchased a 5" then traded it back in on the 3". For whatever reason, I shot better with the 3".

The holsters from pocketholsters.com or similar allow you to carry it like a wallet. I wouldn't mind having the Crimson Trace laser, but I would have to swap holsters.

The Kahr P series offer a more premium finish over the CW series, but both are great. My P9 never hiccuped once during the "break-in" period and is most natural pointing handgun I own (I know this is a personal preference). As for the long DAO, I prefer it also, I never felt 100% comfortable with the XD or M&P with one in the pipe. Tell me I'm old school, untrained, stupid, whatever, but that is just the way it is.

I think this cartridge would be fun in a lightweight bolt gun for target shooting.

I had a HiPoint 995 carbine for a while. It looked decent after I beadblasted and Duracoated the receiver, added an ATI stock plus a top rail and other accessories. It was fun to shoot but still a bit crude compared to others. Here is a photo I took when I sold it: What I really like are the Marlin Camp 9's.

Never.

I sold mine to a fellow TGO'er a few month's back. I wonder if you got mine?

In Knoxville? Where?

CZ75 for a standard size, Kahr P9 for compact (most naturally pointing compact for me anyway)

Right. I can live with the polymer trigger housing, I just wish they would have maintained better finish on the receiver. It probably wouldn't be too bad to bead blast and Duracoat. That being said, I located a donor gun (pre-'08), so I'm good to go. It cost a bit more than a new one.

Probably not soon, there are alot of polymer handguns in service. Whether these become heirloom guns to get passed down who knows? The first thing to go on cars, boats, or anything else is the plastic. I know it gets better all the time, but even Corvettes had problems with their carbon/composite springs and Boeing had some issues with space-age plastics too.

Yes, I have a few including one with an aftermarket receiver.

They may be stronger initially, but I wonder how they will do over time? At any rate, the finish on the newer models is marginal - especially the crinkle finish on the receivers.