Ruger revolvers are good guns, the Security Six is similar to the mid-size K frame S&Ws while the GP100 is closer to the N frame. The mid-size frames from any manufacturer can loosen up with a farly steady diet of hot .357 loads while the large frames were made for the heaviest .357 rounds. I am not an authority on Rugers but have been around them a bit. I thought the Security series triggers were capable of being fairly easily worked on but the GPs were much more difficult. Used S&Ws and Security Sixes will run about the same and are probably the best buy around. I wouldn't look at any other comparably priced brand as I think one can not do better. Both S&W K frames and Ruger Security Sixes can be found rather inexpensively for under $300. The GP 100s are a bit more and I think $300-$350 would be a fair price.
As for your original question, for a .22 I like the Browning Buckmark and to a lesser extent the S&W 22A. They are both a pain to take down to clean but fortunately they are pretty rugged and can go a long time between cleanings. the Ruger .22/45 is another good pistol with a more "conventional" grip angle.
If I were starting from scratch, I would look at a centerfire pistol model that has a .22 LR conversion unit for it. I like a .22 for training and practice as $10 buys you 500-550 rounds of ammo to shoot vs $18-$20 for 50. The minimal recoil, muzzle flash, and noise of a .22 LR makes learning the basics and developing proper form much, much easier and quicker. Learning all this on the same frame, action, control placement, and with the same trigger as your protection gun is hard to beat. Just make sure you also run a box or two of centerfire ammo through it regularly too.
In the centerfires you mention, I like both the Walther P99 and SA 1911. I bought 3 S&W 99s (the Walther with S&W badging) in .40 S&W from a police trade in and they were good guns. They were more than adequate for a HD role and are actually rather accurate. The SA 1911s are the best buy in a single action Colt style auto. I personally would spend a little more and go with the Loaded series as I feel there are some features that make for a better shooting gun but there is nothing wrong with a Mil-spec or GI.
The cost of .45 ACP and .40 S&W have really narrowed recently and it is tough to say which one is cheaper; $2 per hundred at Wal-Mart seems to be the norm. Choosing between the two becomes more a matter of gun fit, the 40 is a little shorter providing for a slightly smaller grip while the .45 is a little longer and maybe fatter. The most economical centerfire is a 9mm and it is an acceptable defensive arm. Surplus ammo is down right cheap and with good expanding bullets it gives up little for protection. Considering the lesser recoil and noise compared to the .40 and .45 ACP, it may be a better choice if you are going to be able to practice only a time or two a month.
In any event, a gun should not be your first line of defense. Adequate outside lighting, elimination of hiding spots near the house, not leaving items like bikes, lawn mowers, trimmers, etc laying around in the yard, good locks on doors and windows, and actually USING them will go much further than a gun. A yappy dog is also a good deterent regardless of size as noise is the enemy of any intruder.
As for your original question, for a .22 I like the Browning Buckmark and to a lesser extent the S&W 22A. They are both a pain to take down to clean but fortunately they are pretty rugged and can go a long time between cleanings. the Ruger .22/45 is another good pistol with a more "conventional" grip angle.
If I were starting from scratch, I would look at a centerfire pistol model that has a .22 LR conversion unit for it. I like a .22 for training and practice as $10 buys you 500-550 rounds of ammo to shoot vs $18-$20 for 50. The minimal recoil, muzzle flash, and noise of a .22 LR makes learning the basics and developing proper form much, much easier and quicker. Learning all this on the same frame, action, control placement, and with the same trigger as your protection gun is hard to beat. Just make sure you also run a box or two of centerfire ammo through it regularly too.
In the centerfires you mention, I like both the Walther P99 and SA 1911. I bought 3 S&W 99s (the Walther with S&W badging) in .40 S&W from a police trade in and they were good guns. They were more than adequate for a HD role and are actually rather accurate. The SA 1911s are the best buy in a single action Colt style auto. I personally would spend a little more and go with the Loaded series as I feel there are some features that make for a better shooting gun but there is nothing wrong with a Mil-spec or GI.
The cost of .45 ACP and .40 S&W have really narrowed recently and it is tough to say which one is cheaper; $2 per hundred at Wal-Mart seems to be the norm. Choosing between the two becomes more a matter of gun fit, the 40 is a little shorter providing for a slightly smaller grip while the .45 is a little longer and maybe fatter. The most economical centerfire is a 9mm and it is an acceptable defensive arm. Surplus ammo is down right cheap and with good expanding bullets it gives up little for protection. Considering the lesser recoil and noise compared to the .40 and .45 ACP, it may be a better choice if you are going to be able to practice only a time or two a month.
In any event, a gun should not be your first line of defense. Adequate outside lighting, elimination of hiding spots near the house, not leaving items like bikes, lawn mowers, trimmers, etc laying around in the yard, good locks on doors and windows, and actually USING them will go much further than a gun. A yappy dog is also a good deterent regardless of size as noise is the enemy of any intruder.
