looking for a .22LR pistol

[MikeH]

I'm looking for a .22LR pistol with decent accuracy for cheap target practice and plinking. Seems that choices at around $300 are pretty much the following:

Ruger Mk. III
Browning Buckmark
Beretta Neos
S&W 22A

I've ruled out Walther P22 because I don't like the grip.

I'd appreciate any user experience on these, particularly in ammo pickiness. Thanks!

 

[PO2Hammer]

I would search for a Mk II while they're still around. Otherwise the Buckmarks are nice.

 

[JDGray]

I own a MII 22/45, 5.5 bull barrel. Great gun, accurate,shoots all ammo. I have had pro
bs with Fed bulk, case heads were .002 smaller than the Rem bulk I had, and had major FTE. Rem bulk, well, seems to have alot of duds lately. When the ammo is good, the gun runs perfect.

 

[51Cards]

I own a MkIII Hunter/Target (6-7/8"), with an ATN red dot on top. It may not be the cheapest combination (nor the most expensive, by far), but it is waaaaay better than I am.

With the right feed, it will rest at 50 feet into one messy hole. Rested and scoped (I have a Bushnell 3200 for it) it makes a thumbtack-sized hole. I never really use the scope, but I have dreams of rats at 50 yards ...

You will hear what a pain the MkIII is to clean. Puh-lease. It is not Satan's answer to gun cleaning.

 

[hceptj]

I have the beretta and love it...

 

[Khornet]

Bought a MkII

in 1982. Has never failed. Shot a lot of Bullseye matches with it. Very accurate and a great gun for the money.

 

[Steve C]

I once owned a Ruber MK1 with long barrel and target sights. Was a good accurate pistol but the magazine would lacerate you thumb just holding down the follower to reload. It didn't have a slide stop either. I sold it and bought a Buckmark standard. Put a scope rail on it and shot bullseye with it using a Red Dot. It shot great. Then I decided I wanted to keep the standard as a field gun and get a more target specific gun so I bought another Buckmark in Target Model. The Buckmark comes with a great trigger and the target model has everything you'd want to add to a Ruger.

Either pistol will work well, I just prefer the Buckmark.

 

[markmc753]

A great alternative to a Walther P22 style pistol is the Firestorm: Better grips, better accuracy and better quality all around. One of my favorite rimfire pistols and one heck of a value.

 

[hexidismal]

Neos is more Like $200. I went with the Neos, mainly based on price. I just couldn't justify spending more than that on a .22. I needed the money for real guns . I got the Neos , a red dot, and some ammo for the price of the lowest priced ruger. Yea, the ruger's are nice .. but it's just a .22 .

I call this picture "My littlest kids"

 

[twolf811]

My Buckmark is very reliable and much more accurate than I am.