New to AP - five-shot and/or single-shot? Advice?

[robnorth]

Hi there. I shot a lot of .22 sporting rifle in my teens, and now want to get back into competitive shooting. I'd like to get into handguns, and I'd like to start with air pistol (because the laws on "regular" handguns here in Canada are pretty strict).

Anyhow, I see that there is both "traditional" one-shot air pistol, as well as a new up-and-coming five-shot discipline.

If/when I try getting into actual firearms, I'd like to get into .22 rapid fire. So I'm tempted to get a decent inexpensive (preferably under US$500) air pistol that can serve both as a five-shot and a one-shot pistol.

Questions:

* Is this a good idea? Would I be better off just starting with single-shot? I'd like to try both, if possible, and ideally with the same pistol.

* I'm left-handed. As well, I might get my kids into this (and they're all right-handed). For starting out, I'm tempted to get one pistol we can all use. (I don't want to spend $1000+ times 2 or more if we don't get "into it" sufficiently ... four girls are expensive to raise!) So the IZH-46M puts me off a bit, because (a) the grip is very hand-specific and (b) it'd be right heavy for the kids. Is there anything else out there that might be lighter and more ambi-dextrous?

Thanks!

[Fred Mannis]

Suggest you take a look at the Tau 7 pistol. Pictures and info are available on the Pilkington web site. A light weight cost competitive alternative to the IZH46M.

I also suggest that you start with a single shot AP. Good 5 shot models like the Steyr are expensive. From what I've heard, the less expensive brands are not reliable. Welcome back to the shooting sports.

Fred