.22 Target Pistols

[The Wiry Irishman]

I am a college student, and am working the NRA pistol qualifications through my school's rifle and pistol club. The club's pistols are all over-used and under-maintained Smith & Wesson 41's that are older than me. I'm getting far enough through the qualifications (I'm half done with Expert) that constand light-strikes and failures to extract really get in the way me producing good enough targets, especially in timed and rapid fire. I am turing 21 in a month and considering buying a handgun, but I don't really know what's out there in the way of .22 target pistols. I need something semi-automatic, preferably with a ten-round mag, but five would do (every .22 pistol i've ever seen has a ten-round mag, but I thought I'd jsut throw that out there) but besides that, I have no other requirements. Price isn't an issue, I would like something I could buy now ($400 to $600 range) but I'm willing to save up for something that's worth it. What would you guys recomend?

 

[P95Carry]

If findable and price not a barrier - see if you can find a Walther GSP - it was my prime bullseye gun way back when I could do OK at bullseye. Five round mag's. I also had custom grips with palm shelf.

Hi-Standard Citation is another that comes to mind.

I do think too - tho in a lower class category perhaps - even a Ruger MkII or 22/45 with Volquartsen trigger and extractor mods can do well - with a bull barrel. Cost will be less. In fact not bad to start with one of these and look around for better as you get shooting and practicing.

BTW - welcome . Another member, Standing Wolf, could well give you some good advise too.

 

[BobCat]

A new Model 41. You are used to it, it will serve you long and well, and it will hold its value should you ever decide to part with it.

I've seen them new at the gun showfor $750. I fell into a new-condition, 20 year old one for not much more than half that (but it was a fairly rare deal). It prints better than any other .22 pistol I've ever shot.

A Buckmark or Ruger will do just fine, for about half the price (new). I'm sure there are others that I'm too old to know about, but those two are very good choices. Or - a .22 conversion kit for your 1911, if that suits you... there are several, the Bullseye shooters can tell you all about them - I think a lot of them like the Marvel.

Anyway, in your position I'd look for a Model 41, or "adopt" one at your club; keep it very clean, put springs in it (on your dime), make it clear that whoever else shoots it needs to clean it afterwards - and you may find it functions very well.

Just my 2¢ - maybe worth even less, depending.

Regards,
Andrew

 

[P95Carry]

Following seeing BobCat's post - I didn't mention M41 - tho a fine gun in principle - I know one guy at club who uses his for pin shooting and it has been back to Smith rather too many times for my liking!

When they run they are indeed good shooters - just not top of my personal list.

 

[The Wiry Irishman]

Also, If you know about how much a gun costs, could you add that, too?
I was also wondering if anyone new any quantifiable accuracy data, or where I could find it, as well as trigger pulls.

 

[P95Carry]

I'm afraid I am well outa touch with prices on the good stuff - all i use for .22 these days is 22/45 - I think that will cost approx $250 - ballpark.

Go browse Gunsamerica.com or Gunbroker.com - auction sites - very likely you'll see what we have mentioned and gain some price info for current market.

 

[Tacoma]

Guns in that range that could put you at the top of your local leagues.
Ruger MK II or MK III target (with $20 volquartzen sear) . $400 will get you one with 4 mags and a dot sight.
S&W41 (used with trigger work) $500-$600 will get you a nice used one. $750 new but the trigger will need work and you'll need mags

Want to spend a bit more for a more specialized gun?
Binelli 95- $650 will get you a nice one. with extra mags and dot. A new one is still under $1000. It's a ISU style gun with different "feel". $35 mags
Pardini SP- $1000 for a nice used one, $1300 new Awsome! $45 mags
Walther GSP- $1200-$1500 used. EXPENSIVE accesories!( $65 mags)

 

[P-32]

Funny, My 41's trigger out of the box is as about as good as it gets, a hair over 2 lbs. Only need 2 mags as well.

41's like to run wet. I would guess you schools pistol could use a good cleaning as I bet there is carbon buildup in the chamber.

 

[The Wiry Irishman]

Oddly enough, they seem to work worse after they're cleaned, sometimes, and that doesn't help with the light-strikes. The club is sending them back to S&W, but only one at a time and in long intervals. They tend to spend their money on the rifle team, which is quite good, instead of the pistol team, whose only consistant member is me. I commandeered a pistol for myself that no one else uses, its marked 7 out of 7 in order to send back to the company, becuase its in the best condition. Honestly, it's the only one that can function consistantly. Regardless of the condition of the club's guns, I would still very much like my own.

 

[Omega]

I love my russian IZH35m - amazing gun. It cost only $400-450. You can buy Walther made of its parts but will have to pay much more

Awesome gun!

 

[dam8]

I agree Omega,
the Ivan is in my opinion as good as Pardini, at half the price. good luck finding one for 450 though. I got mine for 650 But that included a tasco dot. DJprecission has many upgrades. Not so much nessesary but better than original. lots of info to read as well don Lewis, Pete Brunell etc. do a google search.

 

[yam476]

IZH35m

Another vote for the IZH35m. I also have one and love it for UIT. However, for NRA Conventional I use the Kart .22 conversion.

 

[bdutton]

The model 41 is a great gun if you keep it clean and find RELIABLE ammo.

The IZH is great for the price but a new one will require a trigger job and there are not too many gunsmiths that know how to do it right. Plus they have a tendancy to go full auto when parts wear out.

The high standard is a great gun (used) for the money. very accurate and great triggers. It requires finding the right ammo to keep it reliable. Magazines also need to be tweaked to make them more reliable.

The marvel conversion on a 1911 frame is a great gun but also requires a good trigger job on the 1911 lower.

The Pardini SPE used is a good gun, reliable. The newer Pardini SP is also great but more expensive.

The Hammerli trailside is a decent plinker. For more money you can get a competition model from larrysguns.com.

Walther, benelli, Feinwerkbau, Morini and used Hammerli 208s are all expensive mid-upper tier guns.

Ruger Mark III is a good pistol. Accurate and reliable. I don't like the balance though.

Browning Buckmarks are ok but thr trigger is a bit rough and too light for me.

Best bet is to go to club matches and ask people if you can shoot their guns. Find one style you feel most comfortable with and buy one.

Hope that helps.

 

[Q-Lock]

One note on the rugers: try and get your hands on a MK2 instead of the new MK3. You'll have to find one used but that wont be a problem at all. The MK3's have had some difficulties in the Bullseye world but the MK2's are highly regarded as a "lower" cost/high quality .22 Bullseye pistol. A simple trigger/sear/hammer swap with some Volquartsen parts would make it a wonderful piece.

Another thing, get the 5.5 inch barrel, not the 6 7/8 inch barrel(too darn heavy).

Regards,

 

[testar77]

I am a Bullseye shooter

And I shoot a Ruger MKII SS 6 7/8" slabside. It is extremely accurate, and easy to find (and afford) just about any upgrade you want. All I have done to mine is put a new Clark trigger, a Trapper Spring kit, and a little polishing of some internal components. I have not had any reliability issues as of yet, but hey there's only 8-10,000 rounds through it. I did put it in a ransom rest just to see how accurate it really was. The results were impressive in my book. From 25 yards I put 8 rounds into a target that made 1 hole about twice the size of what one .22 hole would be!!! So loosely translated, my gun shoots alot better than I do! There are 4 others out of the 8-10 people at our gun club that use the MarkII, and most of which are it the Expert or better range. So accuracy isn't an issue IMHO. I shot a Buckmark before this gun, and was very pleased with the accuracy, and the reliability. But you just can't buy aftermarket components for the most part, and I own very few guns that I haven't made "improvements" on. Other than that it was just fine for Bullseye. Anyway, the novel ends here.... Good luck with your decision

 

[bowfin]

Don't you DARE buy your own pistol! This is America, you deserve a decent education!

You march right into the next Board of Regents meeting and ask them what kind of New Age, commie loving, chicken spit outfit they are running here, where a student can't lay his hands on a decent handgun any time he so desires.

Tell those Regents to appropriate money from the Transgendered Native American with Disabilities slush fund and buy you some decent pistols, and a couple of pallets of "whatever Federal makes that costs the most" .22 ammunition, plus you demand full cheerleader coverage every time you shoot for record, and shooter sensitivity training for all staff and faculty.

(I put that last demand in as a bargaining chip, who cares what the staff and faculty thinks, or if they are liberal, how they "feel".)

 

[deadin]

I shoot a Benelli Mp95e and do quite well with it. The only drawback I have found is if you mount a dot or scope on it, you need to use high mounts or occasionally an empty will bounce back into the action causing a jam. Also if you center mount the scope, it has to be removed to strip for cleaning. (I use a pull through and only remove the slide/bolt when it really starts getting cruddy, so this isn't a big deal)
My back-up is a IZH35m. This is the most forgiving gun that I have ever owned when it comes to feeding. I don't think I have ever had a problem with it. If using a dot or scope, check the stablizing screws in the shroud often. They tend to loosen under recoil. Locktite helps.
The doubling or FA problem seemed to be worse on the early 35's (prior to 2000). Mine is a 2000 and I haven't had the problem.
Over the years I've had several 41's. Nice guns but a little picky on ammo. Years ago I had a Browning Medalist, great gun, but now falling more into the collector category.

Dean

 

[30Cal]

Get your coach to look into an FNRA grant to refurb or replace the pistols. Should be a slam dunk deal.

 

[The Wiry Irishman]

That sounds tempting, but we I've only seen my faculty advisor about twice. The club has been essentially student-run for three or four years now

 

[rchernandez]

deadin
I shoot a Benelli Mp95e and do quite well with it. The only drawback I have found is if you mount a dot or scope on it, you need to use high mounts or occasionally an empty will bounce back into the action causing a jam....

try this - cantilever the scope above the sights:

oops sorry about image size...

 

[deadin]

I tried that and for some reason just didn't like it. I don't know if it was because of a subtle change in the balance, the displacement of the dot to the rear, the idea that the scope was being held up by only one ring or what. Probably 95% mental. I also tried mounting it forward and that wasn't any better.
I will say it solved the problem of bounce back though.

Dean

 

[Ian]

FWIW, guys, I was on that pistol team (back when there were more people on it). The club is really much more rifle-oriented, and getting money for pistol stuff is like pulling teeth. Most of our good pistol shooters have traditionally used their own personal guns.

 

[bdutton]

I second the motion for requesting a Friends of the NRA grant. Lots of money available to get a grant for junior programs including the purchase of equipment like new pistols.

As it was put: 'It's a slam dunk'.

 

[BigBuckMaster]

I use a Walther M2 for tree rats, rabbit, and trying to win money at the range with my buddies.

 

[Harve Curry]

So how does the Colt Match Target Woodsman rank in this? I know they don't make them anymore, but there's still alot of them out there and still affordable around $500-$600.
I use to have one and was thinking of getting a 6".