Anyone own a Browning 1911-22?

No but I want one for my little boy.

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Mini-me, you complete me

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This would primarily be for my wife for home protection

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no, no. Youth 20 gauge. Please.

I have one and love it. Its a sweet shooting gun with no jams yet with a couple hundred rounds through it. Its vert light and the only thing I don't like about it is the grips are plastic but I reckon I can live with that.

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This would primarily be for my wife for home protection. I looked at one today and I must say it was pretty awesome.

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Sorry Tide but that's a terrible home defense gun.

First of all, it's only about 2/3 the size of a full sized 1911 (I forget the exact scale). I've held one before, and while they seem fun, to look at one and trust my life to it is a bit crazy.

Again, we fall back to "is the .22 a man stopper?" And while it may ballistically be a "man-stopper," the terrible reliability of the rimfire cartridge is not negotiable. When you buy a box of .22, how many actually fire? 95%? 90%? 80%? Is your life worth that risk?

Granted you can buy higher quality .22 ammo, why not just get a good 9mm and call it done? You get 15-17 rounds (standard double-stack magazine), the recoil is very female-friendly, ballistically it's a proven and accepted defense caliber, and it's a full sized gun with a full sized grip.

Sorry if I come off strong but I hate to see people make the same mistake time and time again. Women can shoot a 9mm with ease and comfort. Hell, I taught a girl how to shoot recently on my 1911. They just need to get out and shoot to see how it all feels.

For the most simplistic design, the .38 special revolver is tops. You cannot beat a reliable little wheel gun, and it is simply more reliable than any semi auto ever will be. Tons of women buy these. My aunt has a S&W Airweight in .38 that she loves. Recoil is mild, and she feels much more protected than getting an unreliable .22.

But for $500 dollars (not making that price up!) there are SO many better options out there for a defensive handgun. I would suggest a youth 20 gauge (as suggested by another poster) as the ideal self defense weapon for a woman in a home. But if you want to stick to handguns, here are my recommendations in and below that price range.

Ruger LCR



Ruger SR9c (own one myself; fantastic firearm)



S&W M&P9c



All of these are well below the ridiculously overpriced mini 1911 (in .22lr) and are much better defensive weapons. The full sized versions of these guns are also recommended, but if you want to stay in the compact range, this is your area.

Hopefully I wasn't too harsh. Enjoy.