22LR semiauto "101" help please?

[Batty67]

Okay, even though I'm waiting on a Sig 1911, I've recently gotten bit by the bug to shoot my Ruger 10/22...a LOT I also picked up a few thousand rounds for it (while I could still get it). This got me start thinking about a semiautomatic pistol in 22LR. Ruger jumps to mind (I mean, it IS 22LR).

But then it occurred to me: I can profit immensely by the collective wisdom of my fellow THR colleagues. So, what brands and models should I look into?

A few things: it will primarily be used for plinking/target shooting, but I do not need a match-grade tackdriver. I could do some small varmit "hunting" with it, but again, primary purpose is to hit those gongs with low cost and cleanup.

Oh, I realize there are LOADS of small caliber, rimfire rounds out there, are any of those worth considering?

Thanks!

 

[mbopp]

I like the MKI / MKII Rugers but the Browning Buckmark has a lot of fans.

 

[kokapelli]

For just plinking I love the Ruger SR22. It's compact, though not a tac driver still pretty accurate and shoots most brands of ammo without a hiccup.

 

[MedWheeler]

The S&W 41 is highly regarded here, though some people who have previously gotten used to guns with lighter front-ends, such as the BuckMark and the Ruger Mark-series have commented that the 41 is "nose-heavy".
You'd have a blast with my basic (4.75-inch, tapered barrel, fixed sights) Mark-II. It's what I bought to go along with my 10/22 in 1987. Throw a bull barrel and some adjustables on it, and you'd be even more headed for a near-addiction.

 

[jfrey]

Browning Buck Mark 'nuf said.

 

[dtsdave]

I would consider a 1911 in 22lr. Personally I have a marvel precision upper for one of my 1911's. Gsg sig and others have 22lr 1911's. It is a great training tool for your other shooting. Burn a pile of 22lr and the see how much better you are with 45acp.

 

[meanmrmustard]

For just plinking I love the Ruger SR22. It's compact, though not a tac driver still pretty accurate and shoots most brands of ammo without a hiccup.

This. Although, I've observed good accuracy and have shot squirrels DRT at and inside of 20 yards.

It likes MiniMags and really likes Stingers.

 

[Arp32]

I have a Kimber .22LR slide for my Colt 1911. I like that it handles just like the "regular" 1911, but it does require CCI Stinger high velocity ammo to properly work the slide (regular .22LR ammo makes it a single shot...), and even then it's only 95%-98% reliable. So feeding it is s little more pricey than you'd think for a .22, and it is somewhat fussy.

The Kimber kit has great sights, and is more accurate than I am, but unless you're looking to duplicate the feel of a 1911, I'd probably look into something designed from scratch around the cartridge.

 

[Kiln]

The Ruger MK series pistols are by far the least picky of any full sized .22lr pistol I've ever owned when it comes to ammunition, mine will fire ANY of the bulk packs with 100% reliability.

The Beretta Neos is great too and is much easier to take down to clean but it doesn't come with a lifetime warranty like the Ruger does.

 

[sappyg]

I have a bias toward the Rugar 22/45. Controls are very similar to OPs Sig 1911. For me it makes a great understudy for the 1911 which can't be overlooked. It's ready to go right out of the box but there are lots of aftermarket option for it as we'll.
The SR22 is a fun gun and a good option for most any day at the range. I might would choose it if I just wanted one 22lr for an all around 22.

Edit... About ammo. I have seen no bad bulk pack ammo so far in either of these two pistols. Today I fired 100 rounds of Blazer and 100 rounds of CCI SV with zero issues in my 22/45. My buddy ran about 200 rounds of Blazer through his SR22 with maybe 4 failures.... I think his gun is dirty....
As for me, at 12 yards accuracy was the same. I can feel the action cycling slower with the SV and at greater distance the SV will edge out the Blazer. Regardless of the ammo the 22/45 will spank the SR22 but not by much.

 

[Jim NE]

I was amazed by the accuracy of my S&W 22A after I first bought it. Reliability great, too. Not that finicky on ammo. I just use CCI, and no problems. Paid $199 for it new on sale a while back, but I think you're going to pay more like $275 now. Not a gun snob gun, just an accurate plinker that's easy to find.

 

[ryno31]

I just bought a Ruger SR22 and love it although I haven't had the chance to put many rounds through it yet. I originally bought a Walther P22 but luckily I was able to return it after I found out the slide was made out of a Zinc alloy as is the Sig Misquito, and from what I've read the S&W mp22 slide is also made out the softer Zinc alloy (Zamak) material but I'm not positive on the S&W. I would say watch out for those models but there are also lots of people who are very happy with them. The Bersa Thunder .22 has also gotten good reviews as well as the Beretta Bobcat but I didn't enjoy shooting the Bobcat. I'm not real familiar with match style .22's so I don't have much for you there but being as I just got done researching all of this for my own purchase I hope it helps you along with your choice.

 

[wrench]

Hold a Ruger MkIII, and a Browning Buckmark, then buy whichever one feels the best to you.
You can't go wrong.

 

[browneu]

Hold a Ruger MkIII, and a Browning Buckmark, then buy whichever one feels the best to you.
You can't go wrong.

Best advice. You need to get the gun that best fits your hand. For me its the Browning. Other people prefer the Ruger.

Both will serve you well.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Batty67]

Thanks for all the input folks. After doing more research, I think a Buck Mark will amply fit the bill. Now I just need to find a few models and handle them.

How is the take-down, cleaning, and reassembly for these 22 pistols?

 

[Pilot]

You need a tool to disassemble the Buckmark, and some care is needed not to loose some parts, but other than that they aren't bad. The Rugers require no tools to disassemble, well maybe a paper clip to pull out the toggle in the handgrip. However, they do require you know how to read, and have the manual handy, and follow the instrcutions the first time or two.

If you picked the Buckmark due to the internet stories of how difficult the Ruger is to takedown, you're missing out on probably the best all around .22LR semi-auto made.

 

[ATLDave]

You need a tool to disassemble the Buckmark, and some care is needed not to loose some parts, but other than that they aren't bad.

I take it you mean an allen/hex wrench when you say "a tool." It's not some specialized or proprietary thing.

 

[Kiln]

I take it you mean an allen/hex wrench when you say "a tool." It's not some specialized or proprietary thing.

Lots of people prefer not to have to use any tools, regardless of whether or not they're specialized tools, when taking down a firearm.

I know I'd rather just push a button or turn a lever that way if I'm not in the comfort of my own home, I can still take the pistol apart.

 

[Batty67]

Agreed about not needing a tool. And who cleans 22s anyhow?

 

[tuj]

OK, I have a pretty big collection of .22 pistols and I really enjoy shooting them. Here is my rundown:

Ruger MKII / MKIII - very accurate, reliable, rugged designs. The MKIII benefits from the removal of the magazine safety via a BAM/Sam Lam bushing. The trigger is ok, benefits from the VQ sear and spring which you can install yourself along with the bushing. Some people like the 22/45 variant if you really like the 1911 grip angle. And while take-down and reassembly is not the easiest with the MK-series, it's not the nightmare some make it out to be if you follow instructions/videos.

Buckmark - Just as good at the Ruger but with a better trigger out of the box. Less mods, but that's ok. You can flip the sear spring to lighten the trigger.

Beretta 87T - crap trigger, ignore

Neos - not that accurate

S&W 22A - not as accurate as the Ruger/Buckmark and a little less reliable.

1911-copies - You generally get what you pay for here, the Chippa guns are cheap. The best 1911-22 is the Marvel Unit 1 conversion on a real 1911 frame. The Marvel Unit 2 and Advantage Arms and Kimber conversions all work, but none of them are as accurate as Marvel Unit 1.

High Standards - these are good guns, but they start to run into a price range where you can get better pistols.

Colt Woodsman - again nice, but you can get better pistols for the money.

S&W Model 41 - some people love these guns, but again, for what you pay you can get a top-flight used Olympic pistol.

IZH-35M - don't buy one of these Russian target pistols. I have two and I know all the problems they can develop. But they are wicked accurate and a great entry into dedicated Olympic target pistols.

Benelli MP-90/S (or the MP95). Very good target pistol with adjustable trigger. This is a top level shooter.

Walther GSP Expert. Great pistol, been made for a long time but is upgradable to the newest trigger and grips AFAIK. Top-level shooter.

Pardini SP. This is what I'm currently shooting. It's a top-level shooter, you will see them in the Olympics.

FWB AW-93. This is what Brian Zins (10-time NRA conventional pistol champ) uses for his 22. Again, top-level shooter.

Morini - You've probably never heard of them and their weird inline magazine pistol. Don't bother, parts are hard to get and they are finicky.

My take - get the Ruger or the Buckmark.

 

[Orion8472]

I tested out my mom's new [and "bare bones"] Mark III and found it to be very accurate. No issues with it in several hundred rounds. You just have to fight with taking it down for a cleaning when the time comes. Very stiff. Besides that, they are great guns.

I have a Mark II Government Target Model and it is incredibly accurate. Older, so comes apart much easier. Will never part with it.

 

[North Bender]

Tuj thanks!

 

[Pilot]

Benelli MP-90/S (ignore the MP95). Very good target pistol with adjustable trigger. This is a top level shooter.

Why ignore the MP95E? The trigger is also easily adjustable if you just remove the modular trigger unit and turn a few screws. The grips are also easily replaceable with the MP90 adjustable gripsif you want them, but I find the stock grips fine.

MP95E trigger adjustment

http://www.pilkguns.com/tenp/spben95e.htm

I take it you mean an allen/hex wrench when you say "a tool." It's not some specialized or proprietary thing

That would be correct. If I had meant "specialized, proprietary tool", I would have said specialized proprietary tool. Therefore, I just said "tool".

 

[hwmoore]

I have a rugger mark lll 5.5" bull in stainless. I've own several mark ll"s and traded them off for one reason or another one was a 10 " I wished I had back the other was a 5.5 bull just like I have now that my ex kept. The stainless bulls are for ever more tough, but now that they have come out with a light weight 22/45 I'm leaning towards it

 

[tuj]

Why ignore the MP95E?

I said that only because the MP90 is not that much more money and includes an anatomical grip. But you are right that the MP95E is the same basic gun, and a good one at that.