A nit and a suggestion:
NIT: you are actually asking for SEMI-AUTOMATIC handgun, not an automatic. Semi-automatic means the gun is ready to shoot again once you release the trigger and press it again. Automatic means the gun continues to fire while you hold the trigger down.
Suggestion: The best forum site I found for gun questions is thehighroad.org. While your question is welcome here, you’ll find an amazing amount of facts and opinions about all things that go bang on that site.
J.
Through the magic of the internet, 9mm Makarov ammo is easy to find and not particularly expensive. Even less expensive, no shipping, if you go to a gunshow and pick up a case of it. A friend and I periodically split the cost on a 500 round case. Last time we picked one up, it was about $80. The Makarov is an accurate, reliable gun. I find it fun to shoot, but I know people who complain about the recoil with the standard issue hard plastic grips.
When you can shoot a .22 for 2-3-4 cents a round, I just don’t see why it makes any sense to use a bigger caliber for target and plinking. Sure, it’s a kick to fire one of those big cannons, but when your going to go out, on a regular basis, and burn through a couple hundred rounds, the .22 can provide just as much pleasure at a fraction of the cost.
The OP was looking for a semi-auto. .22 is a rimmed case. A good gun, with possibly some attention to the magazine lips, and these can be made to feed fairly reliably from a stacked mag, but (Ruger Mk II, Browning Buckmark, High Standard) will still jam occasionally…every 50-100 rds IME. Rimless cases tend to be far more reliable.
Not that I disagree about the fun/$ factor of the mouse gun. This is how I would avoid jams…same capacity as typical .22 autos, and easier for my big fingers to load.
Why shoot a .22 when I can shoot a bb or pellet gun for oh… 3 dollars a thousand rounds? Which… lol I actually do, and yes thats fun, but I want to know im shooting a gun.
I appreciate all the responses and I have a lot to think about and I thank you. I still dont want to spend half a grand on a gun… just not worth it in my opinion. If I was a gun collector or enthusiast that would be different. I dont mind spending a couple hundred to have fun but its not THAT big of deal. IE the only other gun i own is a Yugo SKS…
all that being said you all are right… I dont want to buy a gun that is known for malfunction and injury!
For years all we had was a Beretta .22 Bobcat . It’s boring to shoot. My Glock 17 is much more fun. I don’t really know how to explain how much more I enjoy firing a 9mm over a .22, but I’d rather spend the extra money for 9mm rounds.
Oh, my husband found a site that sells police firearm turn-ins. It’s called summitgunbrokers.com. What they sell will vary depending on what he gets in, but he’s heard good things about them on the Glock Talk forums.
Llama made a nigh exact copy copy of the 1911 in 9mm and .45. It is not as well made as the Colt, but is an excellent value.
Look for a good quality used gun, in a good name brand but not one of the top collectable brand names.
I highly recommend a used Beretta 92 in good condition. I’ve owned a 92FS for almost thirteen years, shot thousands of rounds through it, and it is still in great condition. Had to replace the trigger spring a couple of years ago, but no other mechanical problems to report. It doesn’t like the really cheap ammo, though, and will jam with it on occasion. Never had a problem with reliable ammo.
Ruger and Glock are good brands as well, and easy to find. You may look at Kahr. They make some great pistols and are not too expensive for a new gun.
You know, I own both a Buckmark and a High Standard, and I have never had a feed malfuction once with either gun. We are talking thousands of rounds here. Most of my jamming problems came from rimless ammo in one of the .45s. (Cheap magazines, basically.)
Just another data point.
I’d also take a look at Taurus. My experience is that they make good firearms at a reasonable price.
Bad url, should be: summitgunbroker.com (singular, not plural)
Thanks for the correction, Kevbo.