Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Tactical
Best Overall First Gun
- +Near-zero recoil teaches fundamentals without flinch
- +$0.05-0.08/round ammo lets you shoot 5-7x more for the same budget
- +One-button takedown makes cleaning trivial (.22 LR is dirty)
- +Threaded barrel means you can add a suppressor later
- +1911 grip angle translates to most centerfire pistols
- −Not a defensive caliber, you will want a 9mm for that role eventually
- −10+1 capacity trails the Taurus TX22's 16+1
- −No factory optic cut (Picatinny rail mount required)
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