How about a revolver? Some people prefer them for plinking. Easier to clean and not as finiky with ammo. Ruger GP series, S&W 617 9 shot, and even Taurus might be some good choices.
I have an old ruger single six, really helps you not to burn through so much ammo. And easy to break down and clean! And plus there's something to shooting a revolver that's fun.
+1 on everything in the quote above. I have 2 Buckmarks, a 10" Silhouette (which I shot in IHMSA competition) and a 5" Target. They are both good guns and I was very happy with them until a buddy bought a used MKII Government. That Ruger, with an unknown round count, is just stupid accurate. It turns average shooters like myself and several other shooters I've witnessed using it, into "grand masters". And it likes bulk-pack ammo!Browning Buckmark is nice as well as the Ruger MK series. A friend of mine has a S&W M&P .22 pistol. That seems nice too plus if you ever want to get a 9mm it will feel the same as the .22!
I have Ruger MKII. It is nice. Shoots well, built well and not hard to clean. Two or three times stripping it down with an instruction sheet and you will be able to do it blindfolded.
Don't let others scare you about field or even detail stripping a firearm. If you have some mechanical skills, you will be able to do it.
And if you are going to own firearms, you should be able to do that kind of work.
I have a Ruger 22/45 lite love it, if you have a 1911 you will love the it