What .22 would you choose?

Buy new or get a used .22?

  • Mark III

    Votes: 20 37.7%

  • Walther P22

    Votes: 10 18.9%

  • Browning Buckmark (used)

    Votes: 22 41.5%

  • Get a magnum or shotgun instead...

    Votes: 1 1.9%
  • Total voters
    53
Status
Not open for further replies.
Mastrogiacomo

Mastrogiacomo

Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2002
Messages
2,414
Location
Boston
As stated in a previous post, my father has been taken by the design of the Mark III after a feature on the Luger on TALE OF THE GUN. We have this gun new in my state, including the Walther P22 which my father has also expressed interest in. The Browning Buckmark, which doesn't resemble the design of the Luger much is also a choice for ease of cleaning but we can't buy it in my state new (we also can't buy a Luger online due to the gun list). What you would buy?
 
What you would buy?
Click to expand...

It partially depends what you want it for. For fun and instruction of new shooters the Walther P22 is an excellent choice. I think they are generally a bit less than the Ruger. If you want to move up to some competition at a beginning to intermediate level then the Ruger is a better bet.

I have a Buckmark which I am holding for my step-son and while it looks nice I am not aware of any shooting qualities which would make it a better buy than the Ruger.

I don't recall any discussions about your father's shooting experience, but my recommendation would be the Walther first, then perhaps the Ruger.
 
He's still very much of a novice (my shooting could use improvement as well), and he likes the .22 since he's realized that they can be used as a tool for improving. To be blunt, I'm not inclined to get the Browning because having seen it, I know that he'd much prefer the Ruger design easily. In fact, the Walther P22 and the Ruger are the only two he's spoken about. If I showed him the Browning, I doubt he'd be interested in getting a used gun because he tends to look down on them and said he wants new. That narrows my options. Maybe I should just buy both as I suspect neither will cost that much.... :cool:
 
Greeting's All-

Laura my friend, I sell all three of the .22's that you mentioned.
Ranking them in order of sales, goes something like this: 1) Browning
Buckmark, 2) Walther, and 3) Ruger. Not many people are willing to
"annie-up" $439.95 for the new MK-III "Hunter" from Ruger. We do
sell a lot of the Ruger MK-II's; particulary the P-512's, and KMK's-
512 and 678. The latter two (KMK's) are being blown out, at the
discount price of $369.88 per unit. Probably if I were in the market
for a new .22, I most likely would choose the MK-II KMK 512; but
that's just my opinion.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
I'd probably agree with you Ala but we can't get those new in my state so it would leave me still with the Walther and Ruger Mark III choice. I'd probably prefer the Mark II myself but my father wants new; one of the reasons he bought my type M Beretta from me was because it was like new condition, including a Tripp Chrome finish and a Langdon Tactical level II trigger job as a bonus. ;)

BTW, I'm not sure the Mark III would cost that much in MA, especially in the blue version, which is what my Dad likes. I hear it's in the $2-300 price range.
 
Laura, I'm not sure what a new MK-III (standard blue) Ruger would run
here in DixieLand; as people are buying the MK-II (NIB) stainless KMK's
like pancakes at the Waffle House. Heck, we even discounted the old
model Ruger Vaquero's about $50 per unit; but all we have left are in
.45 LC.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
A lot of folks love their P22s but I still think of them as soft of toylike. Best real use I can see for them is a backpacker that wants a gun as small as possible while maintaining quality and a decent price.

I think for a day of 200+ rounds of shooting, the Ruger or Browning are better choices in my opinion and I tend to like the balance of the 5.5" heavy barrel Rugers.
 
I already own a Browning Buckmark Target. I have bought and sold many .22 caliber handguns from single shot to revolver to semi-auto and the Browning is by far head and shoulders above the rest. I will not ever sell this one.

I am probably reaching the 5000 round mark and the gun just gets better. The trigger is now like running your finger through water and accuracy can only be described as better than guns costing twice as much.

I have used this gun for competition target, handgun sillouette, plinking and my favorite, hunting for small game. Topped with a Burris 2x scope it is deadly and open sights are top pf the line.
 
I bought one of the first buckmarks, kept it for years, and shot thousands of rounds through it. The gun was always accurate and reliable. I foolishly sold it with the intentions of buying a new one (the adjustable sights one the newer guns are much better than those on the originals).

When I think back on what I paid for it and the years of good service I had, I am once again reminded that I should never sell a gun.

I don't think you will be sorry with the buck mark. The Ruger although and excellent little gun has really nothing in common with a Lugar except maybe grip angle.
 
If the gun appealed to my father, I'd buy it. But the Ruger Mark III is just closer to the Luger style. Besides, we can't get the Browning new and my father hates used.
 
I like the Browning Buckmark and have one myself. But I hate method of attachment of the rear sight. If you disassemble the gun, you have to test fire it again. I voted Ruger.

However, if I had the ducats, I'd go with the CZ-75 Kadet. Full size grip frame, DA/SA mode and voila! Instant 40 S&W or 9mm.
 
MG,

I think that you are not only answering your own question, you are answering it with the same gun I'd answer with, the Ruger MkIII. Your father likes it, you can get it new, which is important to him (a mistake), and it is a great gun which will always be usable on targets and as a learning tool. Except for dropping in a pocket, it is difficult to improve significantly on the MkIII, especially at the price.

JM.02

520
 
I've had problems with the used guns I've bought, so my father has seen some of the issues that can happen first hand. Obviously, it could afford to buy both the Walther 5" and the Ruger, I would -- we'll have to see what happens in the next couple of months.
 
Problems with used guns comes from not knowing what to look for in that particular model. In time you will get better as you get to know more about firearms. While you most likely will get a good handgun by buying new, most older models are of better quality.
With your limited selection of new models due to your state laws I would look closely at the used market. You should have far more choices of models already in state for sale. Search the net for stores in your state and the various local or regional sales papers.
 
Well someone near me is offering the Mark II 50th anniversary model, assuming they still have it, for $250. Seems a little high but I'm assuming it has to be in very good condition to sell it at that price. What do you think?
 
I own a Mk II and have really enjoyed it...a shooting buddy has a Buckmark that I've had many opportunities to shoot as well. Both are fine guns & will serve you well.
 
All I have is the Ruger in the 6 7/8" Bull barrel. While I'm not crazy about the trigger (I feel it is inconsistent, even after work) it is highly accurate. I can bench rest it and put 10 rounds into the space of a dime at 50 ft. It has also been very reliable and normally if I have a malfunction it is the fault of the ammo, not the gun. Around here (Hartford area) I've seen similar to mine NIB for ~ $400
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Mastrogiacomo
  • Locked
Ruger Mark III -- is cleaning possible?
2
Replies
25
Views
4K
Spare
S
P
  • Locked
.22 luger clone for first gun?
Replies
15
Views
3K
BluesBear
B
rs525
Should I get a Walther P99 instead of a Luger or Walther P38?
2
Replies
47
Views
1K
dh1633pm
dh1633pm
E
  • Locked
Choosing a .22 Autoloader
2
Replies
40
Views
2K
browningguy
B
D
  • Locked
What Semi-Auto would you buy for ~$750?
2 3
Replies
62
Views
3K
Fenris
F
Back
Top