Ruger MkIII or Kimber 1911/.22 Conversion Kit?

[Odin]

My wife has finally showed interest in learning to shoot, but limited past experience tells me she's not going to do it until I have something she's comfortable shooting. Every time she's tried shooting one of my handguns in the past she hated it due to the recoil and noise.

The smallest caliber handgun I currently own would be either a .38 lightweight snubnose (painful) or a P226 in .357Sig. Not exactly beginner friendly for someone who doesn't like the recoil.

So I figure I could always stand to own a decent .22 pistol and I'm thinking about either buying a Ruger MkIII or one of Kimber's .22 conversion kits for one of my 1911's. Both items are similar in price (around $250).

Which would you get, and why?

[Fosforos]

I would get the conversion.

I have a 22 conversion for my Glock 19, and using it has greatly improved my shooting skills. The gun works just like the real thing with the conversion slide, of course without the recoil and noise. It fits in my holster, so I can practise drawing with it. And of course there's the savings in ammo.

But I reckon you can look at it both ways. The Ruger might be a better choice for target shooting, might fit your wife's hands better, and few of us would say no to another gun in the collection...

[lawrnk]

I would get the conversion.

I have a 22 conversion for my Glock 19, and using it has greatly improved my shooting skills. The gun works just like the real thing with the conversion slide, of course without the recoil and noise. It fits in my holster, so I can practise drawing with it. And of course there's the savings in ammo.

But I reckon you can look at it both ways. The Ruger might be a better choice for target shooting, might fit your wife's hands better, and few of us would say no to another gun in the collection...

I'd go with the ruger ( I own one). Aside from being designed to shoot .22, it is very accurate. Besides, if something happens to your 1911, or you sold it, then you are out 2 guns. I think a conversion kit vs. a new weapon is a very easy choice for me.

[flb_78]

Since it's for your wife to shoot, I would just get the Ruger. If this was to improve marksmanship, I would go with the conversion. If you go with the conversion, you'll only have 1 gun to share between the 2 of you.

[Fosforos]

Since it's for your wife to shoot, I would just get the Ruger. If this was to improve marksmanship, I would go with the conversion. If you go with the conversion, you'll only have 1 gun to share between the 2 of you.

I think this brings up the excellent third option... Get the conversion AND the Ruger.
Everybody's happy.

[Odin]

All good points, thanks for the comments.

I like the idea of adding yet another gun to the collection.

I've yet to see anyone who is uncomfortable with the ergonomics of a 1911, but then the Ruger Mark series pistil I had years ago was a very good gun in the hand.

I have no shortage of 1911's, so even if I sold one I'd still have a 1911 to use the conversion on.

Best idea yet...buy both. Unfortunately, after putting $800 in new tires on the truck this month, and Christmas, and writing a $4600 property tax check today, I'm going to take this rare occasion to resist spending more money. I'm not happy about it, but I'll restrain myself and only buy 1 of the 2. Probably at the January Big Town gun show.

[DoubleJ]

I've yet to see anyone who is uncomfortable with the ergonomics of a 1911, but then the Ruger Mark series pistil I had years ago was a very good gun in the hand.
.

they make a Ruger with a 1911 grip. don't remember the name, but it has 45 in the name, ah buhleeve. like 2245 or something.

[lawrnk]

I've yet to see anyone who is uncomfortable with the ergonomics of a 1911, but then the Ruger Mark series pistil I had years ago was a very good gun in the hand.
.

they make a Ruger with a 1911 grip. don't remember the name, but it has 45 in the name, ah buhleeve. like 2245 or something.

yes, the 22/45

[CJATE]

I have the Browning buck mark with bull barrel, my wife loves it,

I sugest the bull barrel as we put ALOT of rounds through it in a sitting.

[rbraughn]

I say get the Ruger while she is interested in shooting and in agreement with you buying her a gun. That way if she loses interest later, at least you get another gun out of the deal.

I have a Stainless Ruger KMK 512 MK II that is awesome....probably the most enjoyable pistol I own.

It's funny, as a kid, I started out with .22 rifles . As I got a little older I bought the larger calibers (45's, 40's 357 sigs, 300 win mags, 7mm Rem mags etc)...now that I am in my early 40's, I am starting to enjoy the smaller calibers again (Ruger, AR 15).

Must be gettin old

[lawrnk]

I say get the Ruger while she is interested in shooting and in agreement with you buying her a gun. That way if she loses interest later, at least you get another gun out of the deal.

I have a Stainless Ruger KMK 512 MK II that is awesome....probably the most enjoyable pistol I own.

It's funny, as a kid, I started out with .22 rifles . As I got a little older I bought the larger calibers (45's, 40's 357 sigs, 300 win mags, 7mm Rem mags etc)...now that I am in my early 40's, I am starting to enjoy the smaller calibers again (Ruger, AR 15).

Must be gettin old

Yeah, something really enjoyable about the dead on accuracy of a ruger Mark series. The finest small cal pistol I've shot myself.

[Odin]

I went to a local shop and checked out the Ruger 22/45...the grip felt all wrong to me. I prefer the Mark series. They had a new Mark III (fixed sights, no frills) for $260 and a used (looked like it has never been fired) Mark II with adjustable sights and a heavy barrel for $240. They weren't negotiable on the price so I passed, figure I'll check out the gun shows in January first. But I'm leaning towards a Ruger Mark series pistol.