Best .22lr Handgun around $500 or Less

[1-UP]

Ruger and Buckmark .22's are usually considered the top two contenders in their price range (You can get nice models of either for under $500 or base models for around $300). Other versions have their fans but discussion almost always boils down to those two.

Disassembling the Rugers isn't too bad. There's one stupid trick (two with the Mark III due to a magazine disconnect) but it's dead simple to suss out what's going on and how to fix it. Bigger problem is the things are so tightly put together initially that new gun owners are terrified to apply a bit of force to knock it apart. They're great guns and Ruger has fantastic company service. Never owned a Buckmark but I hear glowing reviews from them - they supposedly have their own nuances with disassembly.

If you're looking for a revolver, the Ruger Single Six is darn near the only game in town for under $500. There are some budget editions but they tend to have mixed reviews and/or are out of production. You occasionally hear about a Smith at around that price, but I got a buddy that says there's a unicorn living in his backyard and I'm not sure which I'd bet on seeing first.

 

[mljdeckard]

I'm not sure what you mean,that a Ruger Mk isn't good for rookies. It was the first gun I ever shot, when I was four, today I had three boys, 10, 8, and 6 shooting it for the first time. You don't have to strip it that often.

 

[mauiglide]

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

+1
RTFM, watch a YouTube video, field strip the frickin gun a few times and it is all good. Read so many negative posts and feedback about taking apart the Ruger but when you look at all the available references on the Internet field/detail stripping is easy to do and understand.

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX using Tapatalk 2

 

[elano]

Ruger mark iii

 

[tuj]

Ruger or Buckmark.

Ruger has better trigger when upgraded, more aftermarket parts. Buckmark has a better trigger out of the box.

 

[Boomie]

You can get a darn nice Ruger Mk-whatever for under $500, even new. I've had a 6" Mark II since I was 16 and I still shoot it all the time. I could disassemble, clean AND reassemble it when I was 16 too - it isn't that hard (just pay attention to the manual). I've found my Mk II is quite a bit more reliable with cheap ammo than a comparable Buckmark. I've heard the /45 versions may have feeding issues but that is probably just hearsay.

Another option is a used H&R 999 Sportsman. It took me some time to track one down but they can be found for $400 or so. I love mine - balance is near perfect and a wonderful trigger. Rear sight is iffy but a little locktite makes is all good.

At one point I bought a Taurus 94. I regretted it almost immediately as the trigger is one of the worst on any gun I've ever shot and the sights are trash.

 

[academy]

Beretta U22 NEOS

 

[Captains1911]

Surprised at all the Ruger Mark bashing going on, anybody that owns them knows better. For a training pistol with the feel of a full size semi-auto, check out the S&W M&P 22.

 

[CajunBass]

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

Amen this. And that's from someone who did have trouble the first couple of times. But that was because I thought I knew more than the guy who designed it, built it, and literally wrote the book on it. Once I got the instruction book out, and actually READ the instructions, what do you know, it's not hard at all. WOW!! Whodathunkit?

But I admit that I'm lazy and tend to (1) don't clean it all that often, and (2) when I do, I spray it with gunscrubber and put a few drops of oil on it someplace and let it go. They just keep on working. Shoot great too.

 

[Tok9]

No one mentioned the Ruger Single Six?

 

[MCgunner]

The Ruger Mks are the standard all others aspire to, but there are better guns for a lot more money, like the Smith M41. But, we're talking plinker grade, right?

This baby shoots 1" groups with Federal bulk pack at 50 yards.

 

[jef2015]

I have to vote for the Ruger or Buckmark also. For $500 you can pick the one you want.

With the Ruger you actually have to learn about the parts of the gun to breakdown and reassemble. That's not a bad thing.

 

[narcoden]

The new Ruger sr22... it eats anything, is stripped down in 5 seconds and can be had for around $300. It's my favorite to take to the range. Super cheap practice.

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[bikerdoc]

For me
Ruger Mark II, and 22/45.
Ruger single six

And my most recent favorite, Bersa Thunder 22.

 

[MCgunner]

The new Ruger sr22... it eats anything, is stripped down in 5 seconds and can be had for around $300. It's my favorite to take to the range. Super cheap practice.

True, but my Mk 2 out shoots it, big time. Best my SR22 has done is 1.5" at 25 yards with RWS Target, 2" with Federal bulk pack. My Mk 2 shoots bulk pack into 1/2" at 25 yards. Part of that is the scope on the Mk 2, but it'll do 1" with my eyes and irons.

Can't knock that little SR22, though, fits in a pocket, danged reliable, and a fun plinker. If the category were "best pocketable .22", it'd be MY pick hands down, well, since few pocketable revolvers can outshoot it. 4" kit guns OTOH.....

 

[ActionJax]

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

I did this by ordering a Sig-Sauer P229 (mid-sized like Glock 19) in .22LR Once I got good with it, I bought the 9 mm slide and mags. It also has .40 cal and .357 Sig available. One gun for everything (almost). It is DA/SA -- both are pretty good.

It is not terribly cheap, though......


For small "near-pocket-sized", the Ruger SR-22 shoots fairly well, has very little recoil, and an external safety (if you care).

 

[Pilot]

I have four Ruger MK II's, but I bring my CZ-75B with Kadet Kit conversion to every range session. It is THAT fun to shoot, and rivals my Rugers for reliability and accuracy.

 

[jmorris]

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

I don't own any but it seems like a Tarus .22 revo is what you should be looking for.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Ruger MKII! I had mine since the early 1980's and I love it.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Colt Woodsman? I have a 1954 vintage Woodsman that is still in service. Dependability and accuracy still can not be beat.

 

[Snag]

Another Buck Mark vote. Had mine forever and love it.

Woodsman would be nice, but good luck on getting a nice one for under 500, same thing with a High Standard.

 

[momano]

Welcome to THR, SV! Along with the Buckmark and the Ruger; look at the Ruger LCR .22. Especially if you like revolvers- this is a great shooter and will help you with training with a DA trigger. I also love my Bersa T22. It looks like a Walther PPK and mine is both accurate and reliable. If your range has rentals, take advantage and experiment. Good luck!

 

[rdhood]

Another Buckmark owner here.


When I was looking several years ago, it came down to Buckmark or Ruger MKII/III. When I looked at what it would take to suppress them, Buckmark won out. I have not been disappointed.

 

[Kynoch]

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.

You honestly believe a Buckmark is more reliable than a Ruger MK? No way... The Ruger is less expensive too and its frame is not "stamped."

 

[Kynoch]

No one here has mentioned the S&W M&P .22 made by Walther in Germany. It's a 12-shot with a 4.1" barrel. It's been well reviewed. At under $350.00 it would deserve a look if you could live with a shorter barrel than I personally like on a .22.