Which first pistol?

Includes .22 Standard, Mark I, Mark II, Mark III and all Centerfire Semi-Auto Pistols.
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LDB
Posts: 49
Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2025 2:58 pm
Location: Houston(ish)

Which first pistol?

Post by LDB »

So I'm 68 and I figure it's time I can finally get my first Ruger rimfire pistol. But which one?

It will be for going to the range and enjoying my time. I won't be doing any competitions with it, other than maybe against myself and my last outing. I won't be after any varmints, four or two legged. I won't be trying to impress anyone with it, again other than maybe myself if I have a really good day.

So I probably don't need a 12" 0.96" barrel or the Ultrawhiz 4oz. trigger. I don't like the super-tapered barrel though. I don't "need" it to but if it has interchangeable grips so I can put on either a killer looking Craig Spegel type set or a super-grip Hogue type set that's not a bad thing.

Anyway, curious what anyone (everyone) would suggest for a first, and hopefully not last, choice.
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A firearm without a round chambered is an expensive fancy paperweight.
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t.hinckley
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Re: Which first pistol?

Post by t.hinckley »

The Mark IV's are great, any flavor. I have the Target and love it. I bought my MIL a Lite and it is a great little pistol itself. Can't go wrong with the Marks.
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gunman42782
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Re: Which first pistol?

Post by gunman42782 »

If you can get a good used MK2 would be my vote. Ruger could have stopped with the MK2 and I would have been happy.
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JAYDAWG
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Re: Which first pistol?

Post by JAYDAWG »

22/45 LITE...................Very easy to shoot, and like it's name says, light. Very accurate and threaded barrel, if you ever want to suppress it, which I highly recommend!

JAYDAWG
I do not "own" these guns, I am but the next caretaker
Rickkling
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Location: Pelham, Alabama

Re: Which first pistol?

Post by Rickkling »

I’ll second the 22/45
I have representations of ALL of the MK’s, but
I shoot my 22/45 lite more than any of ‘em!
Unlimited parts, optics ready (with the rail), interchangeable
Grips, and all sorts of colors!
AND, threaded, so suppressor ready!
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LDB
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Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2025 2:58 pm
Location: Houston(ish)

Re: Which first pistol?

Post by LDB »

Thank you all for very helpful responses so far. Hopefully many more to follow. I really like the blue Lite but the price is killing me. All the colors really. When I check any of them on Gallery of Guns the best local selling price is at best only $20 discount from MSRP. On others, like my three 10/22's, the LCP MAX and the LCR, they were 20-25% off retail, not 3-4%. But this is prep for the jolly fat guy so time for studying, researching and saving up. Thanks again for the helpful replies.
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A firearm without a round chambered is an expensive fancy paperweight.
JAYDAWG
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Joined: Sun Nov 05, 2017 1:14 pm
Location: Olympic Peninsula

Re: Which first pistol?

Post by JAYDAWG »

Mine is Blue :)
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22 45 LITE.jpg
I do not "own" these guns, I am but the next caretaker
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