22 flying / Survival-vest pistol search

[Float Pilot]

For years I carried a S&W 22 AirLite revolver in my flying survival vest. But the accuracy was just not there and I sold it off a few months ago.

So I am back searching for a accurate and reliable 22 to carry in my flying survival vest. If I dump the plane in a remote lake I figure I would just need to shoot a couple protected ducks and the Fish and Game cops will jump out of the bushes and take me to a nice warm jail.

I tried a Walther P22 and it was a piece of junk.
I also tried a S&W model 22 and it was super ammo picky and spent lots of time being jammed up.

I have been thinking about the following.
I have never owned or shot any of these.

Browning Buckmark
Ruger 22/45 Lite
Sig Mosquito

Any owners thoughts????


Any other ideas ???

 

[gotime242]

The Ruger LCR comes in 22 and 22 WMR

http://www.ruger.com/products/lcr/models.html

 

[Float Pilot]

I need to be able to consistently hit something the size of a Ritz cracker at 15-20 yards. So adjustable sights would be nice.

 

[<*(((><]

My vote is either the Buckmark or the 22/45 Lite. I don't think you could go wrong with either as I think they are both proven designs. I've heard the Sig Mosquito's are a mixed bag as to what people get reliability wise with them.

Or how about a Springfield M6 Scout, not 'vest pocket' duty per se, but built with a downed pilot in mind.

 

[SleazyRider]

It is impossible not to like a Buckmark. It accepts any ammo under any conditions and is remarkably accurate. I'm not sure I'd call it a "vest pocket" gun, however, as it's a bit larger than some of the others you mentioned.

 

[Jaywalker]

You didn't mention a price range, so I choose to guess you're flying a Cessna 208 and can therefore afford the best...

You can try to find a Smith M34 Kit Gun, or the modern equivalent, though I had a very unsuccessful couple of years with a nickel version back in the 1970s - I could not see the sights, and eventually sold it in favor of the

Beretta 70S (similar to this: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=384608262) Mine was much more accurate than the Smith and had both 3.5" and 6" barrels. I think I only sold it because of the somewhat funky looks. I was a callow youth.

I replaced it with another Beretta, the M87BB: this one: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=384964172 (In fact, I'd sign off and buy this one now.)

Alternatively, you could buy a bigger more accurate pistol, like the Buckmark or a Ruger.

Finally, you could completely avoid firearms and just stick a deck of cards in your pocket. When you start to play, someone will show up and tell you to put the red jack on the black queen, and you're saved! All without having to go to a nice, warm cell for harassing the rare ducks...

 

[Float Pilot]

Or how about a Springfield M6 Scout, not 'vest pocket' duty per se, but built with a downed pilot in mind.

I already have a modified Marlin Papoose in the aircraft survival kit. But since I teach float-plane flying and also do remote location wildlife photo guiding, there is always a big chance that all of my aircraft survival gear will be on the bottom of an ice-cold lake, inside the sinking plane, while I flounder my way to the shore.

I should say that I can always attach an external holster to my survival / flying vest.

Beretta 70S

I used to carry one when I was a plain clothes cop. It was a last ditch backup up in the armpit of my body armor. It had the bad habit of ejecting its magazine while holstered.

 

[Seven High]

My vote would be for the Ruger 22/45 with the threaded barrel. They are ultra reliable and rugged. If noise is a concern, you could add a suppressor. They have adjustable sights.

 

[TimboKhan]

Browning Buckmark
Ruger 22/45 Lite
Sig Mosquito

Of the three, I would suggest the Ruger. Buckmarks are a good gun, but I think the Rugers are tougher and more reliable. The Mosquitos routinely get negative reviews for being picky.

You might also consider the Ruger SR22. My wife traded her MkII for one, and we both find it to be quite nice.

 

[timgd]

vest pocket 22

I also suggest the beretta 70s.I have had mine for over 30 yrs with no issues.
100% reliable with any ammo and very accurate.It has spent years in my back pack, tackle box or in a holster,I have never had a problem with the magazine.

 

[2wheels]

Definitely not the Mosquito...

 

[Mike OTDP]

That Beretta is a steal at that price.

My choices would be:
Walther PP series - old production only. Not the new potmetal lookalikes.
Ruger Single-Six or Bearcat
S&W Model 34
High Standard Sport King (or any of the old HS pistols)

 

[witchhunter]

How about a S&W 63 or better yet a 651 in .22 WMR. I have both, love the magnum.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I would get a Ruger MKII and then have it modified to what I want . I dislike all the newer Ruger 22 's I still think older non PC are better made pistols

 

[Cloud]

Did you think about the ruger 10/22 takedown .It would not take up to much space in the plane. And I would keep the ruger sr22 in my vest.

 

[Float Pilot]

Did you think about the ruger 10/22 takedown

I already have a modified Marlin Papoose in the aircraft survival kit. But since I teach float-plane flying and also do remote location wildlife photo guiding, there is always a big chance that all of my aircraft survival gear will be on the bottom of an ice-cold lake, inside the sinking plane, while I flounder my way to the shore.

 

[Jaywalker]

Float Pilot: I used to carry one when I was a plain clothes cop. It was a last ditch backup up in the armpit of my body armor. It had the bad habit of ejecting its magazine while holstered.

Drawing down on ducks with a single-shot could be a problem. I understand Mossad used them successfully retaliating against Black September - I wonder if they ground down the mag release, or maybe their holsters shielded it. It's hard to argue against a good .22 Kit Gun, assuming you can see the sights.

In the 1970s, all the Air Force ever gave me was a two-inch M15 Smith 38 Special with 130 gr metal case ammunition for any possible walk back after a nylon letdown in the North. (I carried flexible copper wire for snares, instead of a .22.) Wadcutters would work on ducks, though, and be better for signaling.

 

[Float Pilot]

I could never hit a duck at 20 yards with the one I used to own. I just carried it in case I lost my Sig 220 and my alloy bodyguard ( an old nickel one I got from the evidence locker on my ankle.)
I figured 3 or 4 stingers into the groin at point blank range was better than a knife.

 

[Onmilo]

The 317 snubbies with fixed sights do seem to be a bit erratic where the bullets hit.
The 317 Kit guns do quite a bit better.

My wife bought this one for me one Christmas, funny how she uses it more than I do,,, anyway, She routinely breaks claybirds up into tiny chips banging away at 20 meters.
The chips she regularly dusts are about Ritz cracker size.
Neither of us liked the ramp front that came on the gun and the new ones have a fibre optic front that is just plain atrocious.
I put a patridge blade front on ten years ago, superb.
We lucked into a large lot of Federal Champon standard velocity solids that have proven uniformly excellent in all our .22 pistols hth

 

[frankmako]

ruger mkII got my vote.

 

[danez71]

While I prefer the BuckMark, I would choose the 22/45 because of weight... less weight in your plane and less weight in case your swimming to shore.

I like the SR22 a lot too but I'd rather have the longer barrel of the 22/45 in your potential situation of needing it to be able to eat.

Not the Mosquito.... the M&P 22 before that.

 

[HexHead]

An older S&W Model 63 Kit Gun. 4" barrel with orange front sight will give you the accuracy you're looking for and be reliable with any .22lr ammo.

 

[mac66]

I've had a MkII Ruger for decades, nice gun. I would opt for the 22/45 light version (23 ozs) however for your use. I recently picked up a Ruger SR22 (17.5 ozs). Nice little gun and pretty accurate, pretty light weight and has become my walking around in the woods gun.

 

[meef]

I hate that I sold mine years ago, but.... the Smith Model 63 is a great choice.

I'd look very closely at the Ruger SR22 as a reasonable, affordable next choice.

I like mine....

A lot.

 

[Gtscotty]

I currently have a Ruger SR22 (similar to the Walther, but with fewer issues) and a 22/45 lite (the gold colored first gen). The 22/45 lite is definitely my favorite of the .22 handguns I've owned. The 22/45 lite is, as the name would suggest, quite lightweight, but is also very accurate, reliable and easy to shoot. One thing to be mindful of is the 22/45 lite's size.... it's not terribly small, so I'd make sure that it fits in your vest pocket before taking the plunge.