Best .22lr Handgun around $500 or Less

[SullyVols]

First post - Just bought my first handgun and joined a range last weekend. I got a used Taurus model 66, most likely from the early-mid 90s but it works great and I fired 100 .38 special and 50 .357 rounds without a single problem.

Since it can cost about $25 to fire 50 rounds of .357 I'm looking for a .22lr handgun to practice my aim.

I'm open to an auto or revolver, I was looking at some Taurus revolvers and a couple of Walthers at my local gun shop all in the $350-$450 range.

For future reference - I plan to buy a 9mm later this summer or early this fall. I want it to be a high quality piece (Maybe a Browning HiPower?), so any recommendations for that would be welcome as well.

Thanks

 

[spotch]

Ruger 22/45 or browning buckmark, depending on which one feels better in your hand.

At least one of these should be standard issue for every gun owner IMHO.




If you're really worried about practice for the longer/stiffer trigger on a revolver, Ruger lcr 22.

 

[Furncliff]

If you are looking at a 9mm on down the road, consider a cz75b along with a Kadet conversion kit. The swap takes 15 seconds and you will be practicing with cheap .22 ammo on a gun with the same trigger pull,nearly the same weight and the same grip and controls.


Love mine.

 

[silicosys4]

the ruger MK series isn't user friendly for a novice, unfortunately. Despite owning two of them, I can't recommend them for anyone that isn't mechanically inclined, let alone firearm friendly. I'd put money down that more "i just took it apart to clean it" guns-in-a-bag taken in to be reassembled by gunsmiths have been ruger MK pistols than any other. I haven't owned one, but from what i've read I'd say a buckmark is my next .22 handgun purchase

 

[silicosys4]

the ruger MK series isn't user friendly for a novice, unfortunately. Despite owning two of them, I can't recommend them for anyone that isn't mechanically inclined, let alone firearm friendly. I'd put money down that more "i just took it apart to clean it" guns-in-a-bag that have had to be taken in to a gunsmith to be reassembled have been ruger MK pistols than any other. I haven't owned one, but from what i've read I'd say a buckmark is my next .22 handgun purchase

 

[buck460XVR]

Buckmark....best bang for the buck. Tons of aftermarket stuff for them also.

 

[BCRider]

The Rugers are not that bad if you study some of the videos found on YouTube on how to strip and re-assemble them. It's a trick more than it is a difficulty.

For the money the Rugers are an excellent way to go. And you can take them as far as you wish for modifications and tuning thanks to a healthy number of aftermarket suppliers that cater to the Ruger design.

I'd stick with a semi auto. The GOOD revolvers in .22 are not common and they cost a bundle when they do come up. In contrast it's relatively easy and inexpensive to get an equally good shooting semi auto.

 

[foghornl]

If you want to go the "Cowboy Handgun" route,{Single-Action revolver} Ruger Single-Six. Can be obtained as a 'Convertible', with both the .22LR and .22Mag cylinders. Although .22Mag ammo isn't cheap, either.

I have a Ruger MKII auto, and a Single-Six. Both are waaaaaaaay up on the "Fun Gun" list. If you want a double-action revolver, Ruger SP-101 in .22

Smith & Wesson makes a darn fine double-action .22, but it is ahhhhhh 'spendy'

 

[hddeluxe]

I have to go along with the Ruger Single Six recommendation. It is a good revolver for not a lot of money, and will last forever. It is great for getting sight picture and sight alignment drills down pat. The semi autos can be finnicky about what types of 22 ammo they like. The Single Six will eat anything. I have an older Single Six 3 screw model as well as a S&W Model 617 (10 shot). Go with a revolver and you will be glad you did.

 

[CharlieDeltaJuliet]

I have to agree with the Ruger Mk series or the Browning Buckmark... Both are very fine shooting pistols.

 

[langenc]

Ruger Mark III. If you cant disassemble and reassemble then you ought to sell all your guns and just forget it.

 

[MedWheeler]

The Taurus 94 can give you good practice that goes along with your M66 Like yours, my first handgun was also a M66, purchased in 1987 (and I still own it.) My second handgun, purchased a couple of weeks later, and for the same reason you seek yours, was a Ruger Mk-II. However, the two guns are not at all similar.
If you're not really wanting your rimfire to emulate your M66, then check out the Ruger SR22 and the 22/45. Lots of people like the Walther (I'm assuming the P22 was the one you looked at.)
Another fun choice might be the GSG .22; it's on a 1911 platform, though it has a fixed (blowback-action) barrel, not a locked-breech one like a "real" 1911. For "Glock-like" play, the ISSC M22 looks pretty cool too. It is hammer-fired, which makes it a little different than a Glock.
Happy hunting!

 

[303tom]

I was going to say I love my H&R`s, & copy a few links, but heck I searched for more than 30 min. & this is the only one I found, I guess no one is selling their H&R`s. I know I would`nt sell any of mine..............

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=297435516

 

[minutemen1776]

Buck Mark all the way. I've sold or traded away every other .22 semiauto (including four Rugers) I've ever owned.

 

[goon]

I agree that the Rugers aren't easy to re-assemble for cleaning, but with instructions in front of you it's possible.
For the $500 budget, I'd also choose a Ruger or Browing Buckmark. Spend the remaining money on a couple extra magazines, a bunch of ammo, and some targets.

 

[tguil]

Ruger Marks. I don't bother taking them down any more. Run a bore snake down the barrel, take off the grips, blast them with gun scrubber and then add a little good gun oil.

 

[Hotshot10]

I've never shot a Ruger, but my Buck Mark has about five thousand rounds through it without problems (aside from a few FTEs). My friend who convinced me to buy one has upwards of fifteen thousand through his, and it still shoots well. You can't go wrong with a Buck Mark.

 

[Blade First]

Please try to find a shooter-grade S&W Model 17. They are exceptionally well-designed and mfd. revolvers from decades ago, the likes of which we're not likely to see again in our lifetimes. My pre-17 from 1950 is the most accurate and fun squirrel gun I've ever owned.

Re: the modern production .22LR revolvers from Taurus...

They are well made and finished but the double-action pull is absolutely horrendous. If you're a target shooter who thumbs the hammer back on each shot, no problem. Otherwise...caveat emptor.

 

[beag_nut]

I have over 20,000 thru my Ruger Mark I, and it isn't even broken in yet. BuckMark isn't even in the same league, by design or execution.

 

[doc2rn]

Throw my hat in with the rest I prefer the Ruger Standard or MK II series, but there is nothing wrong with the Buckmark from Browning. Both are real good shooters. You might also like a S&W .22 semi-auto or Beretta's Neo but its just hard to beat Buckmark or MK II. Both will provide yrs of service. My Ruger Standard has way over 750,000+ rds and just had to be rebuilt last yr after 30 yrs of service.

 

[TennJed]

If you are looking at a 9mm on down the road, consider a cz75b along with a Kadet conversion kit. The swap takes 15 seconds and you will be practicing with cheap .22 ammo on a gun with the same trigger pull,nearly the same weight and the same grip and controls.


Love mine.

Good suggestion, but could you get this for under $500? If not I believe the EAA Witness series has the same set up

 

[Guillermo]

Bang for the buck...buckmark

No question.

The Ruger is accurate but stamped frame and prone to finickiness make it a second choice at best.

Of course, there are other options if you are willing to go used (sorry Old Fuff)

$406 plus shipping and FFL


$290 plush shipping and FFL

 

[Rusty Luck]

Ruger 22/45, put over 2000 rds thru mine, no problems, had nothing but great results, can be had for about $320 at Academy.

 

[holdencm9]

Buck Mark. Love mine.

 

[Pete D.]

Ruger

agree that the Rugers aren't easy to re-assemble for cleaning, but with instructions in front of you it's possible.

Possible?
I wonder, always, what difficulties cause some folk to have trouble with the Ruger Mk. II. Read the instructions; it is all there.
I can disassemble and reassemble my Ruger in way less than a minute. No reason to avoid the Rugers.
Finicky? A Ruger??? It eats anything that I put in it.
Pete