Neew a realistic .22 for practice, please advise

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KBintheSLC

KBintheSLC

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OOPS... I meant "need"

Hi Folks,
I am currently in the market for a decent practice pistol in a .22, something in the $300-ish range. I already have a Ruger MKIII which I love, but it does not feel or operate like a "real" gun. I have considered the CZ Kadet, but it will be far too costly to get the entire platform since I don't already have the base gun. I have also considered getting a .22 kit for my Glock, but I don't want to use my actual carry gun... I would like to have a stand alone pistol. So, I have been looking at the Walther P22. It seems to be one of very few options in this category. The part that bothers me about the P22 is the lousy materials they use... particularly the metals. So, I am wondering what people think about the long term durability of the P22. Also, what are some other options... I also looked at the Sig Mosquito, but it appears to have even more issues than the P22.

What does a guy have to do to get a good quality, realistic .22 auto?
 
I'm thinking ruger's 22/45 with a 6" bull barrel(for weight) would do the trick nicely. The grip angle and the feel of the gun is much more in line with that of a "service" pistol. The only downside is the safety which is nothing like a "real" gun as you put it.

My only other suggestion would be a 1911 with the Kimber .22 conversion installed, perhaps get a Rock Island or a High Standard to put it on. Of course that is going to push you up into the $700-800 range.
 
I shot a p-22, and mostly I didn't like the size. It felt somewhat miniature to me.

I had the AA conversion kit for the Glock, and I had a few problems with it. One magazine worked well, the other one didn't. It needed some break-in, but I have since learned that pretty much ALL .22s do. The slide is aircraft alumimum, and it REALLY makes a Glock feel like a toy. My Ciener 1911 conversion has been fantastic, and is now available with 15 rd mags. I'm probably going to build a dedicated frame for it with lighter springs, to run just about any kind of ammo.
 
I agree with mljdeckard in that the P22 does feel "scaled down". It's a nice enough gun; fun to shoot and carry. Ours (actually the wife's) works well with Remington Golden Bullets.
11ahoh1.jpg
The AA conversion: while I wouldn't say it makes the Glock feel like a toy, it is very much lighter. I like the conversion it shoots with good accuracy and the one magazine I have works fine.
I have a Kadet top end on my CZ75B. It is an excellent conversion; accurate and reliable (I did have to tweak the firing pin). All steel, the weight of the pistol with it installed is close to what it is with the 9mm top end.
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I think you would like the controls on the Browning Buck Mark.
20jsq6v.jpg
IMO, the 4"ish barrel .22s seem a closer fit to "duty" size pistols.
263zreu.jpg

You could always get a Luger to go with your MKIII:)
Regards,
Greg

BTW, I forgot to mention, and in your price range, the Bersa/Firestorm .22.
 
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My P22 went less than 7,000 rounds before the slide cracked and the hammer spring broke (on separate occaisions). S&W handles customer service for the P22, and they do an excellent job. They handled the shipping on both ends of the return, and replaced lots of other parts I wasn't expecting them to. When the hammer spring broke, they sent me a new one and a spare within a week. I get the feeling that for every P22 that gets heavily used, there are 100 P22s sitting in dresser drawers that rarely get fired. There's no way that a company could afford to continue to service this pistol if everyone shot the snot out of it.

I fired mostly Remington Golden Bullets and maybe 200 CCI Stingers through my P22 before it broke. Its probably the significantly greater energy of the Stingers that did it in, but the customer service rep said that shooting a few of them was OK. The fireball coming out the end of the barrel is truly impressive with this very hot round, and the report sounds more like a .38 than a .22. Although my P22 is mostly a safe queen now, I'd like it to last so I shoot only the weakest ammo that will cycle the slide- Federals.

The grip is a little small on the P22, so its not the best crosstrainer for me. It is, however, DA/SA, has a mag release like an HK (good for me, anyway), has combat 3-dot sights, and other features that are more like a real defense pistol. Its a fun little pistol, but requires a little tinkering and amateur gunsmithing (P22 Bible) to reach its full potential.
 
I have a Sig Mosquito and a CZ-75b with a kadet kit. Both are great guns. Don't worry about the SIG, as long as you break it in with mini-mags and keep it clean. After break in, it will then shoot anything. The Kadet kit is super on the 75B, and a lot more accurate than the SIG, but at a high cost. If I had to get one it would be the cz and kadet kit. Having said that, the SIG is a sexy little 22.
 
cz kadet kit

and also a cz75b so that you have a frame


best of both world... you get what you need, and effectively get 2 new guns! =)
 
And only about $800 for the CZ setup! The 85B is a better choice for some since it has ambi controls.
 
Since your "real gun" is a Glock, I would recommend getting the Advantage Arms .22 conversion kit. But you should realize that there is a Target version and an LE version. The target has non-removable sights but are adjustable. The LE has removable sights so if you are using night sights on your "real gun" then if you have the money you could also mount the same night sights on your .22 conversion.

It will weigh less but it is great for practicing. The recoil is non-existent, much quieter, but it is a lot lighter and I'd say the trigger pull is somewhat lighter too. It does need some break-in and maintenance (i.e. cleaning + lube) but well worth it.

I wouldn't worry about it being on your carry gun since you'd only practice with it at the range and what you do is take off your regular slide and put the .22 conversion slide on. Make sure it slides on squarely. When you're done, take it off and put your regular slide back on. It's real easy and quick.
 
S&W 41 is similar to most centerfire guns, in that it has a slide used in a similar manner as a "real" gun, button (drop free) mag release by your thumb, slide stop in the same place as a 1911, etc. It's built to look like a "real" gun (many dedicated .22s have a move "lugerish" profile", as well, and balances similar to one. They're pricey, though, around 900 unless you really shop around for a good deal.
 
"Realistic .22"

Sig P220 with the .22 LR conversion kit. Just picked one up the other day and I love it. Pics soon!!! It still retains the "full size" feel of the .45 P220
 
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