.22 handguns

[jlucke69]

For $375, you can't go wrong with a stainless Single Six. I like my automatics, but the flexibility of a revolver in 22 just can't be beat. I have a Browning, GSG and Sig in 22 autos, but I prefer my Single Tens (still trying to find a good used Single Six.) If I am going to reach for a gun to take hiking or fishing, the stainless Ruger is the first on the list. Only thing that would make a difference to me would be barrel length. I prefer 4 5/8". If the barrel is longer than 5.5", I think it would be too big for carry.

 

[22-rimfire]

Price is certainly an issue. I would suggest you get either the Ruger Mark III or Ruger 22/45 depending on the grip you prefer. Both oare excellent. Get one with the heavy barrel. My favorite semi-plinker is a Mark II with 5.5" bull barrel. I highly recommend these pistols.

Get a Single Six later after you shoot a while and want to try something different.

 

[el diablo]

Browning Buckmark camper with the bull barrel. Tack driver. Spits out everything I feed it.

 

[USAF_Vet]

.22 Magnum is so much more than just a louder, more expensive .22lr.

One plus on the .22lr cylinderis the ability to shoot .22 shorts, which are still about the only .22 ammo left on the shelf.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

^ I read that the .22 SP-101 has an extremely heavy trigger pull. I think that's because of rimfire casings being less reliable than centerfire.

It's heavy, but it's a DA revolver. It's supposed to be heavy. Personally, I find the complaints to be overstated. "Extremely heavy" describes the triggers on my Model 1895 Nagant revolvers, not the triggers on my Ruger revolvers. Heavy as they are, I can still shoot my Nagants in double action. And when it comes to a revolver, I appreciate the option of firing double- or single-action.

 

[monotonous_iterancy]

^The ability to shoot shorts and other .22 rounds was a definite plus. I like the idea of having some ability to still shoot during panics buying sprees. I doubt this is the last one.

.22 Magnum is so much more than just a louder, more expensive .22lr

If that's true, then what are .22 magnums good for?

 

[USAF_Vet]

If that's true, then what are .22 magnums good for?

Short to medium range varmint hunting, small game hunting, a little more defensive power to those who are recoil sensitive. It's useful in any and all situations as the .22lr, plus some others where the .22lr or the .223 are either too little or too much.

Granted, a .22 magnum does perform better through a rifle rather than a handgun.

These days, considering the cost and availability of .22 LR, I wouldn't mind having as many options out of a single gun as I can.

 

[GCBurner]

When I turned 21, I got a .22 revolver as a birthday present to myself, just bacause I could. Get a good quality one that will last, I've been shooting my High Standard for 30+ years, and it still shoots fine.

 

[Paladin7]

Get the Ruger Super Single Six with the 22 Magnum Cylinder...

This is an awesome gun that is extremely well made, strong and will last a lifetime. It is also very versatile... You can shoot all styles of 22 ammunition and 22 magnum (which is like having a 22 rifle on your hip) reliably.

The gun is slower to load, true, but it makes you concentrate on the fundamentals of sight and trigger control to actually make every shot count.

This gun is a lot of fun to hunt with as well. I have a stainless 5.5" model and love it...it's a tack driver.

Other good choices are the Ruger MK series, Browning Buckmark in semi-auto pistols. DA Revolvers - the best are the older S&W Model 17 or 18's. I have a S&W Model 18 which is real quality.

Hope this helps...

 

[RTR_RTR]

I love my 22/45, but it's a tad heavy. Great for the range and around camp. I'm contemplating an SR-22 sooner or later. More for a fun gun than anything.

Very happy with mine, though I don't have too many rounds out of it yet due to lack of availability. Double action trigger isn't great, but not bad enough to mess up groupings. Everything else is great

 

[SaxonPig]

Don't believe I've met a 22 handgun I didn't like. Handle a variety and decide what appeals to you. Nobody else can tell you what you'll like.

Just hope you can find reasonably priced ammo for it.

 

[weblance]

Heres another one to consider thats very well made, and relatively cheap to purchase... Bersa Thunder 22. I have twenty-four .22 handguns, so I have a pretty good insight into what is good. The Ruger Mark series(22/45 included) Ruger SR22 Pistol, Beretta Neos and the Bersa Thunder are my favorite autoloaders. The Ruger Single Six/Ten, Ruger SP101-22, S&W 317, S&W 617, and S&W 63 are my favorites for revolvers. Any of the ones I listed will serve you well for many, many years.

 

[hey_poolboy]

The only .22 handguns I own are the Ruger single six and SR22. Love them both. I picked up the single six with the mag cylinder used because it was what my dad taught me to shoot with and got a good price. The sr is recent. I wanted something for my girls to shoot and the mkIII that I really wanted was just a little big for their hands.
I really don't think you can go wrong with a .22 handgun unless you buy a walther p22.

Sent from my Motorola Galaxy s3 using Tapatalk 2

 

[tuj]

buckmark or ruger.

buckmark = better trigger out of the box, plus heggis flip helps.

ruger = more options for aftermarket changes.

both will outshoot you.

 

[PT92]

I've got a single six, gsg-1911 (same as that sig but cheaper $350OTD w/ 2 mags last year)
MKII, SW 317 & NAA mini widow.

Single six is a lot of fun and i kinda like the challange of reloading it quickly.
The GSG 1911 is great also, functions well with bulk ammo and accurate.
Of course the market at the moment is generally +$100 than what guns were going for 3 months ago

Bingo! If you decide to go the Semi route, save close to $100 by getting the GSG 1911-22 as others have recommended--it's the SIG gun (SIG buys them from the German GSG manufacturer and stamps the SIG name on them--not knocking this as my buddy indicates that Sig has great customer service for the gun if needed and they stand 100% behind the gun). I can tell you mine has performed better than expected and allowed me to get lots of 1911 practice in absent emptying my bank account on ammo (which in the current environment is a HUGE variable). It is almost 100% scale to the .45 1911 in every way which means you are not compromising your 1911 skill by periodically using the .22lr version.

 

[bannockburn]

1) Ruger MK.II or MK.III
2) Browning Buckmark
3) Beretta Neos

 

[miles1]

Ruger Single, MK, or Browning Buckmark...Forget the rest.

+1.

I thought the SR22 was cool but nowwhere near as accurate.

 

[hey_poolboy]

You're right. The sr22 is not terribly accurate, but it sure is fun. My girls have fun with it and that's the important part for me. I wanted the mkIII, but the girls liked the sr.
Hey, whatever gets them shooting.

Sent from my Motorola Galaxy s3 using Tapatalk 2

 

[CajunBass]

Don't believe I've met a 22 handgun I didn't like. Handle a variety and decide what appeals to you. Nobody else can tell you what you'll like.

AMEN this. I've owned a couple of dozen 22 handguns. Smith & Wesson 17 & 18's, Dan Wesson, Ruger semi's and revolvers (old and new model), Colts, Harrington & Richardson, High Standard, and a few brands I can't think of off the top of my head. I've never seen one I didn't like.

My advice is to look for something used. You can get a LOT better price for a used gun generally speaking. Contrary to popular belief most people don't get rid of a gun because they have trouble with it, but simply because they get bored with it and want something else, or they need the money for one reasson or another. I almost never buy a new gun anymore.

Since the first of the year, I've picked up two old Ruger Standard semi-autos, for about $200.00 each out the door. I got a High-Standard, nine shot, DA/SA, Sentinel revolver for less than that. I bought a like new Ruger MK III, in the box, looked just like brand new for $299.00.

Think used.

 

[Sav .250]

To many good weapons out there for me to judge. I`ve got an old Beretta. Made to last...........and last some more.

 

[CB900F]

I beg to differ: "Bingo! If you decide to go the Semi route, save close to $100 by getting the GSG 1911". I got my SIG 1911-22 for the same price as the GSG's have been going for. I've typically seen about a twenty to twenty-five dollar bump on the SIG over the GSG, before negotiations start. However, if you only shop the big-box stores I can see a larger & non-flexible pricing structure. Support your LGS.

900F

 

[heeler]

This is a good thread because I have been giving much thoughts on buying a 22 handgun.
In fact I recently started a thread about the H&R 929 and the High Standard Sentinel.
Neither being made anymore but both seemingly priced close to a new semi auto of today.
So a new gun probably is more prudent.
Although when it comes to a double action it appears that anything of good quality that is new creeps up above the $500 mark,which to me is an awful lot of money for a 22 revolver.
I do like the Ruger SP 101.
One other thing the OP needs to consider and that's ease of break down and cleaning.
Some of the semi's are super easy to deal with and others like the Ruger MK.III I watched a guy dealing with on Youtube required a hammer and a punch to disassemble which seems a bit ridiculous compared to it's direct rival the Buckmark that handily uses two allen screws that requires a simple hex tool.
I really liked the looks and feel of the Browning 1911 22 compact I handeled at Gander the other day but got sticker shock at the nearly $600 price tag.
That Ruger SR22 is looking pretty good right now.

 

[22-rimfire]

Heeler, the Ruger SR22-P is a good little 22 pistol. They are not as accurate as the Mark II/III or 22/45. If you envision hunting with the gun, don't get the SR22-P, but if you want something to carry around in the woods and do some plinking, it is a great little 22 pistol. On pricing, nothing is going down in price.

 

[heeler]

Thanks 22-rimfire.
When I hunt I only use long guns.
A 22 plinker is loads of fun.
When you say they are not as accurate could you give me an example of group size differences?

 

[22-rimfire]

At 10 to 15 yds (or plinking distances), you are looking at a couple inch group with the SR22 or coke can accurate, and something in the order of 1" with the Mark III or 22/45 if you are a good enough shooter. You can research such things over at RimfireCentral where there is a specific forum for the SR22-P.