Sure, not a problem. It has a 3" barrel with a 6" sight radius. I prefer my full size, but it is a lot easier to conceal the Defender.

I read # 23

as noted, no usage was mentioned, so....

40 cal. is a nice "intermediate" round

Yes, in post #15.

mentioned - should have said "discussed"

40 Cal. fits my hand better when compaired to the 9mm and that is the point as everyone has a different "style"?? or fit?? But I think you get the meaning. As 9mm go, the Browning in my opinion is only second to the Sig, but than again only for me and those that either of these "fit". My first exposure to a Belgian Browning was that it was a very impressive weapon, very nice build and very simple.

I think because OP mentioned .380, we (I, anyway) assumed carry was the object. Not much reason to get a .380 otherwise, is there?

you don't. It has 3 safeties though.

For accuracy, one of the best (and best value) guns around is a S&W 686 revolver shooting .38 It can shoot .357 but .38 are much easier on the ears and on the pocket. Did I mention accurate.

My wife sure likes the Sig 239, fit & less felt recoil. Weren't interested in carry, just points well, easy to handle in the dark & goes bang when you squeeze the trigger (quality). (tried Glock 17 (for sale), XD9, HK P7, Kahr). Really depends on you and intended purpose.

Like a Porsche, buy one that works, not something cheap. You'll regret the cheap purchase.

wow, that is a lot of good info.

to answer the a repeated question, Dual duty, its for target shooting and (if i can read the writing on the wall) Personal protection in the future. I guess i am shopping ahead of time and doing research. I have been told that many of the local Rod and Gun Club members would be willing to let us shoot their pistols to see what fits (every member has a "range ho").

The wife and I need more quality time, I said walks in the woods, and she said lets shoot something.

I will be focusing mostly on archery but who doesnt like guns. ;)

EDIT: We are going to start with a .22 (walther p220?) and after a few thousand rounds, we will make the upgrade to the 9mm's.

Australian Army issue Browning High Power. :D

Old School! Can't go wrong IMO but it was much maligned at the time by the 19 ish year old recruits.
Never understood that. ;)

Sounds like you've got yourself a catch! What's next? "Honey, can we buy more upgrades for the Porsche?"

For protection, I consider 9mm to be the minimum acceptable. Even with 9mm get the best ammo you can find and be ready for multiple shots. Your goal isn't to kill an attacker, it's to STOP him. Slow deaths can be acheived with a 22, but they do you no good.

For .22 target shooting with a relatively inexpensive yet decent quality pistol, you will want either a Browning Buckmark or a Ruger Mark II or III with barrel lengths of at least 5" to 5.5" long. Both basic models can be had for around $300 new or one can pay more for fancier versions, but both are capable of winning local friendly bullseye shooting competitions. If target/bullseye shooting at a pistol range is the intended use, trust me, the Walther P22 is not a desirable choice. Walther P22's are fun plinkers (when you get a good one that works), but even with thelonger barrel, they will not typically match the accuracy of the Buckmark or Ruger.


Browning Buck Mark MS Camper 22 AS $303.00 SHIPS FREE
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1285080824.jpg


Ruger 22/45 Mark III 22LR 5
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1285080787.jpg

For .22 plinking I love my Glock with a .22 conversion. Not an inexpensive option though. :D

We have a Walther p22. It is an OK weapon - have to use good ammo and it is a pretty small frame. I second the Buckmark for a .22. I didn't like the angle of the Ruger but ymmv. As Tim said, the Buckmark will kill the p22 wrt accuracy (pun intended).

The other option, noted above, is a 9mm (or other caliber) with a .22 conversion. Sig makes one for many of their pistols. You have a pretty high price of entry, but then you have two calibers in one frame. Frankly I'd rather have two pistols but if you want the same feel/ergonomics then it is an option.

For a .22 for plinking I'd get a buckmark, hands down. I love the P22 but the buckmark is a better weapon.

I have an Advantage Arms .22 conversion for my Glock also. I paid way too much for it last winter when everyone wanted them due to the ammo shortage. It makes for good trigger practice time for IDPA, but it is not very accurate even when I have fired it from a vise. (couple inch group at 25 feet vs 1/2" or less for a typical Buckmark or Ruger)

H + K USP Compact in 9mm, if you choose that caliber. Once you shoot/own one of these you will wonder why anyone would own a Glock.

Of course the Ruger can be had as either the 22/45 version which is more upright grip (as pictured in my earlier post), or it can be had in the metal framed version which is angled a bit more. I have both a Buckmark camper (bought it last year for my daughter) and a Ruger Mark II SS slab sided 6 7/8" barrel (with a Volksquarten (sp?) heavily modified grip). I do not really have any problem switching between my Glock, the Buckmark or my Ruger even though they are all very different. I have medium sized hands and typically use a thumbs forward high two hand isosceles grip.

Buckmark vs Ruger is a common point of argument between loyal owners of each. Both are great .22 pistols and I am of the opinion that they are equal in performance. That said, I prefer my moderately modded longer barreled Ruger with a sub 2 pound trigger to my daughter's slightly modded just under three pound triggered Buckmark.

It seems that there are a few more aftermarket goodies available for the Rugers than the Buckmarks, but both brands shoot fine right out of the box.

Well I seriously doubt I would want to switch from Glocks for defensive pistol type competitions....

I would however use another brand/type of gun for bullseye type competition.

Many of the top competitors at the national level in IDPA and USPSA choose Glock followed Springfield XD's because they are the best platforms for that type of shooting. The results are all the proof one needs.