I need advice for .22LR Pistols

[Archibald Tuttle]

I'm in the market for a reliable .22lr pistol but I'm wanting to know how you all feel about these choices and if you know of any that might be a better investment. So this is what I've chosen:
-Walther P22: my favorite so far but still a little unsure
-Beretta M21A: just a little too short for me
-Smith & Wesson 41: Fine I just don't like the grip
-Walther PP22: Amazing just hard to find

Let me know what you think and if you have any recommendations.

 

[Shipwreck]

I recommend this - although that S&W is one of the best ones, assuming U don't mind paying the extra money...

 

[solvability]

Consider the CZ Kadet and the Browning Buckmark.

 

[birdv]

the p22 is my favorite pistol.
Any one can shoot it and it does not cost me an arm and a leg.

P.S.- Buy one used; the spring will be broken in and you can use the cheapest of ammo with out any problem.

 

[Majic]

The S&W M41 is the best of the bunch and a great investment. You can also buy all the others for about what you will pay for the Smith.

 

[mrcpu]

My W's Browning Buckmark URX is just great...

 

[deputy tom]

Archie,what about a Ruger MKII Bull Barrel? I have one that is ultra reliable and boringly (is that a word) accurate.And they are priced right on the used market.Look around very hard before you choose and buy.YMMV.tom.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

What do you want it for? I wouldn't advise buying a .22 rimfire for personal protection, which means extra-compactness isn't really an advantage in this caliber. That being the case, I'll assume you want it for plinking, woods carry, small game, and so on.

The S&W 41 is the best of the four choices for those uses.

 

[LoadedDrum]

My favorite is the CZ Kadet or Beretta 87

 

[Tomcat47]

Too many good Guns..Not enough pockets!

Archibald,

All the guns you mentioned above are excellent firearms. If you are looking for a self defense firearm, I would suggest you rethink your choices. I am a fan of the baretta 21, but like you it is a little short in the hand. Taurus has a good 2nd choice to the baretta 21, It is a model 22B. It fills the hand a little more. The Walther 22 is a very nice piece and you can also get a longer barrell to go on it. I have shot one recently, impressive to say the least.

If it is for slf defense carry, I would not go below a .32 ACP. Baretta has a very nice firearm that fills this niche with impressive results. It is a 3032 Tomcat. Ballistically this is not a bad carry gun. The Tomcat 3032 is also a larger thicker version of the Baretta 21A. Nice feel!

Here is a website to inform you on self defense carry. In depth coverage of all the issues concerning self defense. A lot of reading, but it is like self defense 101!

The site is www.internetarmory.com

If it just for plinking I would agree with deputy Tom.The Ruger 22's are hard to beat. I posted pics of the MK3 versions plain & Bull Barrell

here are a couple pics...
The black pistol is the 3032 Baretta.. it also has tip up barrell and the other pic with inset is Taurus 22B

 

[obxned]

What about the Firestorm???

 

[bestseller92]

Get a Ruger.

 

[shamus]

From your list I'd choose "none of the above".

The Ruger Mark IIs/Mark IIIs are good.

The Buckmarks have a pretty solid reputation.

 

[ADKWOODSMAN]

If you want to hit what your aiming at buy the best with the best trigger pull!

Trigger pull is the most important thing in pistol shooting.

 

[Onmilo]

I own a Walther PP in .22 L.R. and a Smith Model 41.
What can I say?
They are the best of the best when it comes to .22 autoloaders but I must admit I also keep a S&W 422 and a S&W 2214 around as beater pistols.
All are great choices in my biased opinion.

 

[ZeSpectre]

Going outside the boundaries of your list I'd vote for a Ruger MK III Hunter or one of the shorter models with a bull barrel.

I had several issues with not just one but a series of Walther p22 pistols so although they look cool I simply cannot recommend them. Others have had no issues but sadly that was not the case for me.

 

[shooter1]

Of the ones you listed, the mdl 41 hands down. The others don't belong in the same zip code! Second choice, Ruger MKll, followed by the MKlll. The Buckmark isn't a bad choice either.
Enjoy
str1

 

[Onmilo]

I have to say the Walther PP.22 does belong in the same zip code as the Model 41, at least out to 30 meters.
The Smith will outgroup the Walther at 50 meters and a Walther GSP or Pardini will out group the M41 at 75 meters.

Most PP.22s in good shape will more than hold their own against the pistols listed 'not in the same zip code.' and do that to the 30 meter mark too.

As the original thread starter Mr Tuttle is quoted about the PP.22
"Amazing."

 

[JoeHatley]

I have to say the Walther PP.22 does belong in the same zip code as the Model 41

No, it really does not.



In fairness, comparing 3 plinkers to a target pistol is, well... not fair.

Joe

 

[gazpacho]

Your list shows 3 plinkers and one target pistol. By this, I would assume you want a plinker.

The P22 will work fine, but make certain that the barrel code is either AG or AH (AH preferred). Check the barrel at the ejection port. These guns will be of the latest manufacture with all the upgrades. CCI Mini-Mags seem to be the ammo of choice.

I would say that the classiest plinker would be the Beretta 87.

Investment is a whole new ballgame.

My favorite plinker is the Firestorm FS22. Nothing fancy about it. It's just fun. My Taurus 94 (2" revolver) gets a lot of range time.

 

[shooter1]

Not sure what classification to put the Beretta in, I guess the PP22 could be called a marginal plinker. The P22 is a plinker for sure.The mdl 41 is a target class pistol, that would also make a fine small game getter, accurate fun gun. None of the others have any uses that I can think of, other than making a little noise while lobbing a small projectile somewhere down range. I have a couple of guns in that class. Can't remember the last time I shot them!
str1

 

[Justin]

If you can swing the cost of the Model 41, get that. They're the best .22 pistol made in the US. If you want to plink, they're fine for that, if you want to compete, you can go far with one.

On top of that, they will hold their value better than the others.

The biggest downside to the Model 41 is the cost, but you truly do get what you pay for.