.22 pistol showdown

[wannabeagunsmith]

Hey all. I am still trying to decide on what .22 pistol to get. I have made a poll of all the ones I am considering because I just can't make up my mind....LOL

 

[skoro]

Another to consider is the Browning Buckmark. It and the Ruger MkIII or 22/45 seem to be the most popular and for good reason; they shoot very well.

 

[Grunt]

Check out the M&P22. I got one (as well as the SR22 and MkII) and it's my favorite. VERY accurate, completely reliable with everything I have stuffed through it to include Mini-Mags, Remington and Federal bulk Wal-Mart ammo and is an excellent low cost trainer for my full size M&P. Also, I get the 2-round bonus with the M&P rather than the regular 10 round magazines of the Rugers.

 

[SleazyRider]

Browning Buckmark, of course.

 

[ritepath]

You should be asking where to buy 22 ammo.

I haven't bought any ammo since late last year....good news is I learned from the last scare and stored up plenty for shooting.

The first 3 on your list are fun plinkers. I love my SR22 it's a fun gun for the whole family and makes a great fishing buddy.

The Mk's and 22/45's are more accurate and can be built to be way more accurate.

 

[USAF_Vet]

Other than the Mark and 22/45, I view the list as service pistol clones/ trainers.

Typically when I see this question, I ask what the shooter plans for. All of them are good capable guns for plinking. Then you have your target grade guns, like the Ruger Marks and 22/45, which can double as small game hunters.

I'm a fan of the S&W 22A. A little more affordable, entry level target 22. My experiences with the Sig were not that great (ammo picky and a few double feeds, FTE).

 

[BemidjiDweller]

My 22/45 is boringly accurate, lately it's taken up slaying beer bottles at 75 yards.

 

[bannockburn]

My choice would be a Ruger Mk.II with a 5.5" barrel in excellent condition. Great gun for target shooting or just plain plinking.

I actually think a more pertinent question here would be where are you going to find .22LR ammo for it?

 

[DAP90]

Browning Buckmark or Ruger Mark III or 22/45

Can't go wrong with any of those. If you can, compare them side by side and choose whichever feels better.

I much preferred the grip and controls of the Buckmark and went in that direction.

 

[dogtown tom]

While great LOOKING guns, the Sig Mosquito, S&W M&P22 and Walther P22 have "issues" that are well known and there are numerous threads on their problems.
I've shipped back at least three of each in the last year for repair.

The Rugers (MkI,II,III and 22/45) and Browning BuckMarks will outlive you.
I've yet to ship a Ruger or Browning back to the factory.


****And no I'm not a Ruger or BuckMark fanboy I don't own either at present...............I'm a Colt Woodsman fanboy.

 

[BLB68]

I'd vote for Ruger Mark III, Ruger 22/45 or Browning Buckmark. I think out of what's listed those would be the more accurate, and adding the Buckmark b/c I prefer its ergos over the Rugers. Gun to hand fit will be a very individual thing of course, but the Buckmarks are worth a look.

 

[beatledog7]

Unless you want to carry it concealed, Buckmark.

 

[CZ9shooter]

I voted Mark III, but it was by mistake. I intended to vote for 22/45. Either way, practically the same gun, I just prefer the "normal" grip angle of the 22/45. Browning Buckmark would be my next choice.

These are both rather large target pistols however. If you need something smaller, these are not good choices. I have little experience with the smaller .22 offerings. I have handled the SR though. And even though I am a Ruger fan, I dislike the SR22 because the saftey works backwards compared to most semi auto handguns. I assume it is a good shooter though. The others I dont know much about.

 

[rockhopper46038]

I have a GSG1911 that I've put 7or 8K rounds through and it is an awfully fun little plinker. It's plenty accurate enough out to 25yrds or so, I can run it for pinhead shooting without having to worry about whether it's me or the gun when I miss. It handles a suppressor very well, too. Aside from the pot metal barrel bushing cracking at about 5K rounds (which ATI replaced with a machined steel version without any drama) it hasn't given me any trouble at all.

If that doesn't float your boat, I have an S&W Model 41 which shoots exceptionally well and would be due some consideration by anyone looking for a very accurate .22 semi-auto pistol.

 

[C0untZer0]

OMG what do you have against Browning?

 

[sappyg]

The Buckmark. Needs to be on the short list.

I guess it depends on what the pistol will be used for. As for the ones I have experience with the M&P is nice. The SR22 is super fun (mine just took a trip to Arizona). MK whatever rugers are a top notch value. Buckmark comes with a better trigger than all the others and possibly has an accuracy edge over the Ruger marks. It's certainly easier to take down and clean.

 

[tuj]

You can even build your own "Ruger" without even using a single Ruger part now. I built this one using a Pac-lite upper and VQ lower and bolt.



The Buckmark is a good gun too and has a better trigger than the stock Ruger, but won't hold a candle to a VQ trigger on a Ruger. Both the Buckmark and the Ruger are more accurate than you are, provided you feed them good ammo.

 

[oneounceload]

My choice would be a Ruger Mk.II with a 5.5" barrel in excellent condition

I like mine, but the trigger could use some tightening up

 

[heeler]

I just went through all of this and my decision came down to this.
I was very tempted to buy the Buckmark because it is so much easier to break down and reassemble than the Ruger MK's.
But at the same time I had no want for two pound .22 pistol no matter what the benefits were according to MY needs.
A friend recently bought a Walther P22 that croaks on any ammo except CCI.
I chose the Ruger SR22.
Fabulous little pistol and except for the first twenty rounds ran through it which it failed to feed eight CCI Mini Mags after that I went through seven different types of .22 ammo for a total of 320 rounds in that one session and it fed and fired everything including the CCI.
Come to think of it one Aguila failed to eject as well as one Federal Lighting.
Took it out again Friday and put 80 more rounds through with out one single issue.
Although it will never be a Buchmark or Ruger MK in accuracy that really doesn't matter to me.
Pretty accurate though and very reliable.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

I am partial to the Browning 1911-22.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Ruger MK II PERFECTION cause I can't afford a Woodsman.

 

[918v]

I voted High Standard 106

 

[Phantom Captain]

All I have to say is that I absolutely LOVE my Ruger Mk III. Just an all around great, reliable and accurate pistol. Can't go wrong with one of these.

 

[wow6599]

I wish I had a MK II, but until I find one I'll stick with my Ruger Standard.
voted MK series. .....

 

[PRM]

I voted other. I own three .22 pistols not listed in the poll.

For target and field use, I have a vintage High Standard Double Nine that was my fathers. Sweet, simple and a real performer.

For carry on the farm and target fun, I've carried a Beretta 21A for years. Another great performer. Some folks say these are picky with ammo. I guess I got a good one. It runs with just about everything I feed it.

As of recent, I purchased a North American Arms NAA Black Widow in .22 Mag/.22 LR. This is one of my all time favorite .22s. The 2 inch heavy barrel with enhanced sights and over sized grips make this gun a pleasure to shoot even with the .22Magnums. At 15 yards it will print 2-3 inch groups easily. For something potent and reliable when concealment trumps, this little gun steals the show. Although, not my first choice of calibers, it is a gun that fits the pocket on ALL occasions.