Newbie.

[Skiprr]

If you get a chance, go up there on a Sunday afternoon and look for Marty.

Is that the Marty? If so, trig, you have a unique opportunity. Some folks bemoan the state of advice you can get in retail stores these days, but if this Marty is the Marty I think it is, the store has the benefit of a true firearms expert.

As Crossfire said, seek him out. Don't settle for anyone else.

For my two cents, the Neos is a very good pistol. It's great for inexpensive target practice. It, along with other .22 caliber pistols, are great starter guns for folks new to shooting. Remember though, as Crossfire said, a .22 can't be used to qualify for the CHL range portion.

I hate to say this because jbirds1210 will hold it against me forever, but if I were asked to recommend a defensive pistol for someone unknown, unseen, and for whom I have no personal information, it would be a Glock G19.

The Neos is great for inexpensively and accurately punching holes in paper out to 25+ yards. But it is not a defensive handgun. The G19 isn't going to be so precise, and it's not going to be a featherweight pocket concealment, either. But it is a good compromise among cost, size, reliability, defensive effectiveness, accuracy, and expense to practice.

[trig]

If you get a chance, go up there on a Sunday afternoon and look for Marty.

Is that the Marty? If so, trig, you have a unique opportunity. Some folks bemoan the state of advice you can get in retail stores these days, but if this Marty is the Marty I think it is, the store has the benefit of a true firearms expert.

As Crossfire said, seek him out. Don't settle for anyone else.

For my two cents, the Neos is a very good pistol. It's great for inexpensive target practice. It, along with other .22 caliber pistols, are great starter guns for folks new to shooting. Remember though, as Crossfire said, a .22 can't be used to qualify for the CHL range portion.

I hate to say this because jbirds1210 will hold it against me forever, but if I were asked to recommend a defensive pistol for someone unknown, unseen, and for whom I have no personal information, it would be a Glock G19.

The Neos is great for inexpensively and accurately punching holes in paper out to 25+ yards. But it is not a defensive handgun. The G19 isn't going to be so precise, and it's not going to be a featherweight pocket concealment, either. But it is a good compromise among cost, size, reliability, defensive effectiveness, accuracy, and expense to practice.

I didn't see a Marty when I went there last time, but I'll look next week when I go back. I was thinking about the Neos again, and if I buy a .22, I will probably just get the Sig Mosquito or the P22. I can never make a decision, and I'll probably end up buying all three, lol. I want the .22 for cheap ammo so the GF (she'll be doing the class and CHL stuff with me also ) and I can get lots of target practice. I work down the street from Winchester Gallery ( I dunno if they still have a range ), but I'll probably end up there everyday, lol. After we get plenty of practice and decide to carry, we'll probably pick more sutable weapons to carry based on our attire and stuff.

I wear full gear on my motorcycle, so I'm still not sure how I will conceal it then, I may just have to carry it in the tank-bag if I get a larger gun. I wish open-carry would be passed just for that reason. I would conceal everywhere else, but I have a feeling trying to conceal on my person on the bike will be a pain.

[starrbuck]

Congratulations on your impending birthday! Make sure you take a look at XDs while you are shopping too. That's what I carry. I got my CHL training at Texas Handgun Academy. They have weekday classes, which was more convenient for me than a Saturday class. They are just north of 635 on Plano Road in Dallas.

[jeeperbryan]

i also did mine at Texas Handgun Academy.

i wouldn't recommend the neos. i'm sure it shoots fine but i don't like it because it looks too much like a paintball or airsoft gun to me. i'd much rather get a walther p22 or sig mosquito. those are much smaller and good plinkers.

as far as your carry weapon, like everyone else has stated.....22 is not sufficient. IMHO you need at least a .380 caliber. the best thing to do is to go to an actual shooting range that rents guns. pick all of them up, feel them, grip them, then try out the ones that you like. yeah it's a little expensive to do this, but you'll save yourself time and money in the long run. alot of us jump from gun to gun for years looking for that perfect fit when it could really be done in a few weekends of gun rentals.

i know for me, the most import factors in my carry weapons are 1) Reliablity 2) Safety. if you can't trust it then you shouldn't carry it. also for me, i wanted something that had multiple safeties.

[Crossfire]

I didn't see a Marty when I went there last time, but I'll look next week when I go back.

The Marty has been AWOL out of state for a few days, but he will be back on Sunday afternoon. He hangs out mainly in the reloading area at Cabela's, but will come to the gun counter to help out when asked. (BTW, he is also a fellow Haslet resident. Y'all could be neighbors!)

Winchester Gallery DOES have a range, actually two of them, and is a fine place to shoot indoors. Good people there, and a good facility. If you really get into shooting and want to do IDPA sometime, that's where it all happens.

[waynev]

I've got a Beretta 22 Neos. For the price, it's a great little plinker. Who cares if it looks like a raygun from Flash Gordon. It's a plinker.

Like most have said, look at a lot of different guns before you buy one. Buyer's remorse sucks. Hold them, see how the weight feels in your hand, make sure the grip is the right size.

[Mike1951]

There is model of the Ruger 22/45 that sells for around $250-$275.

I have the Neos, but bought it mainly for the non-existent carbine kit.

I would recommend the Ruger over the Neos anyday.

But I agree that the decision should be based on what feels right.

I just think you should add the Ruger to your choices.

I seem to recall posts where the Sig Mosquito can be finicky when it comes to ammo, but works fine when you find what it likes.

[LedJedi]

hey man, welcome aboard.

I was in the same boat as you not too long ago. this is a GREAT place to get info. Folks here are great.

I did about six months of research in my spare time deciding what weapon was right for me. This should save you some time. Of course your mileage may vary. I hope it helps.

New Pistol - Taurus 24/7 .45 12+1 - vol 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgTGOmayiok

Taurus 24/7 .45 12+1 pistol - vol 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhMpWRPMM98

Taurus 24/7 .45 12+1 pistol - vol 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPz30RQXJ9g

Comparison on various models:
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fusea ... =409874694

Not that i'm biased or anything :)

Let us know what you decide to go with, and ultimately the important question is WHY :)