The P22 is a great gun, and if you are getting something so you can practice for eventual CCW, then I recommend it. It is just like a larger semi-automatic, with the same sorts of controls, etc. Many of the .22 pistols are not, and hence would not fulfil your goal. Don't be swayed by opinions of naysayers. The P22 is a great gun. It may take a while to find the right ammo, but once you do, you'll have a very fun gun. BTW, mine loves Remington Golden Bullets.
Recommend a good 22 handgun
- Thread starter carpediem
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For the money the Ruger MKII and 22/45 are really hard to beat. They are tack drivers even though you said that was not needed. They have good reps for reliability. They are priced from $199 up to about $400-500 for some models but most are between $200-300 depending on finish, sights, model, ect.
The only downsides to them is that they are a little large and heavy if you just want a trail type pistol. They are not hard to clean but there is a learning curve. Once you have done it a few times, it get easier. They are SA only so you will not get any DA trigger practice with them.
Other than those downsides, they are real winners. I think they are hands down better than the Browning Buckmarks.
If you want a smaller gun with a DA/SA trigger the Bersa 22 is a hoot. I have a few of them and I love them. I get DA/SA transition training for cheap. I think they have really helped my centerfire DA/SA trigger shooting. I hear the Beretta Cheetahs are nice but I have never shot one and they are expensive.
One other route is to get a conversion kit for a gun you already own. This is the best practice to learn your centerfire pistol. I have a Beretta made .22lr kit on my Beretta 92 and it has helped my shooting more than anything else has. Each gun is different so getting a kit makes sense. I can shoot a Ruger MKII great but that doesn't mean I will be as accurate with my centerfire DA pistol. I am as good with my Beretta kit as with my Beretta in 9mm so there is no difference.
The only downsides to them is that they are a little large and heavy if you just want a trail type pistol. They are not hard to clean but there is a learning curve. Once you have done it a few times, it get easier. They are SA only so you will not get any DA trigger practice with them.
Other than those downsides, they are real winners. I think they are hands down better than the Browning Buckmarks.
If you want a smaller gun with a DA/SA trigger the Bersa 22 is a hoot. I have a few of them and I love them. I get DA/SA transition training for cheap. I think they have really helped my centerfire DA/SA trigger shooting. I hear the Beretta Cheetahs are nice but I have never shot one and they are expensive.
One other route is to get a conversion kit for a gun you already own. This is the best practice to learn your centerfire pistol. I have a Beretta made .22lr kit on my Beretta 92 and it has helped my shooting more than anything else has. Each gun is different so getting a kit makes sense. I can shoot a Ruger MKII great but that doesn't mean I will be as accurate with my centerfire DA pistol. I am as good with my Beretta kit as with my Beretta in 9mm so there is no difference.
22-rimfire
Member
I'll pretty much echo what has been said as being good choices. Get a regular 22 handgun. Worry about conversion units when you get older or 1911's that fit conversions units. They are too big to CCW anyway for most.
My personal favorite is the Ruger Mark II or Mark III with 5.5" Bull barrel; blue or stainless > your choice. It is a handgun that shoots accurately, is reliable, and is a great training handgun for the future. Even it you like revolvers, no reason not to have a 22 auto. The price is right.
If you want a revolver, I'd look at Smith Model 617. I prefer 6-round cylinder, but it is your choice. I feel that it is safer in 6-round, although Smith would not make a 10-round cylinder that is not safe.
With used 22 revolvers, stick with Smith (Model 17 or 18) or Colt (Officers Model Match, Trooper Mark III, Diamondback). Ruger's single actions are good, if you like single actions. So are Colt's. Ruger SP101 might be a consideration if you can find one in 22. It will never be a Colt or Smith, but lots of people like them.
There are a numbe of current autos on the market. I mention Ruger, but go with one that you like the best and then shoot shoot shoot. Great training and lots of fun especially if you have a group of friends who have 22 pistols and rifles to go plinking with out in the woods etc. Remember to be safe and insist your friends are safe too.
My personal favorite is the Ruger Mark II or Mark III with 5.5" Bull barrel; blue or stainless > your choice. It is a handgun that shoots accurately, is reliable, and is a great training handgun for the future. Even it you like revolvers, no reason not to have a 22 auto. The price is right.
If you want a revolver, I'd look at Smith Model 617. I prefer 6-round cylinder, but it is your choice. I feel that it is safer in 6-round, although Smith would not make a 10-round cylinder that is not safe.
With used 22 revolvers, stick with Smith (Model 17 or 18) or Colt (Officers Model Match, Trooper Mark III, Diamondback). Ruger's single actions are good, if you like single actions. So are Colt's. Ruger SP101 might be a consideration if you can find one in 22. It will never be a Colt or Smith, but lots of people like them.
There are a numbe of current autos on the market. I mention Ruger, but go with one that you like the best and then shoot shoot shoot. Great training and lots of fun especially if you have a group of friends who have 22 pistols and rifles to go plinking with out in the woods etc. Remember to be safe and insist your friends are safe too.
greener
Member
Find the one you like to shoot, most will do quite well. Some are better than others. So almost all advice above is pretty good. Exceptions:
"Rugers are boring." Ruger MK's are boring only if an essentially problem-free, accurate pistol with a great aftermarket for tinkering is boring. Take reasonable care of a Ruger MK and you will be shooting it when you have reached my advanced years.
"22A's can't stand abuse" Not sure what is meant by abuse. You probably can't beat on it with a hammer, shoot it full of sand or use it for a hammer and keep it working. I'm not good enough to distinguish between the accuracy of my Ruger and 22A freehand at 25 yards. One day I shoot the MKIII better and one day the 22A is tops. It's a bit more finicky about ammo, but does fine with most of the cheaper varieties. Mine was $175, which could make it one of the "best" on a cost-performance basis.
"Rugers are boring." Ruger MK's are boring only if an essentially problem-free, accurate pistol with a great aftermarket for tinkering is boring. Take reasonable care of a Ruger MK and you will be shooting it when you have reached my advanced years.
"22A's can't stand abuse" Not sure what is meant by abuse. You probably can't beat on it with a hammer, shoot it full of sand or use it for a hammer and keep it working. I'm not good enough to distinguish between the accuracy of my Ruger and 22A freehand at 25 yards. One day I shoot the MKIII better and one day the 22A is tops. It's a bit more finicky about ammo, but does fine with most of the cheaper varieties. Mine was $175, which could make it one of the "best" on a cost-performance basis.
P95Carry
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MajorPowerchord
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I have a buckmark camper with a truglo sight. This is my favorite because...well, I dont know why. I also hava S&W 22S with target grips. It has a better trigger, is easier to clean, and costs less. I think you can get them now with truglo sights as well.
Whatever you get, I recommend a bull barrel. It makes shooting so effortless. If you want fun and small, get a buckmark micro. Both mine are 5.5 inch and for plinking, you cant beat them.
Whatever you get, I recommend a bull barrel. It makes shooting so effortless. If you want fun and small, get a buckmark micro. Both mine are 5.5 inch and for plinking, you cant beat them.
My Browning Buckmark Camper has yet to fail in any way, shape, or form. I love it, it fits my hand and really isn't that difficult to clean after the first time.
Saying that, my brother has a Ruger 22/45 and my dad has a Mk III Hunter. Both have been great guns as well. The hunter in particular has been a tack-driver. It was also about 70% more than my Camper.
My advice to you is this: Hold them both, as well as maybe the Neos, and pick the gun that fits you and that you find the best deal on.
Saying that, my brother has a Ruger 22/45 and my dad has a Mk III Hunter. Both have been great guns as well. The hunter in particular has been a tack-driver. It was also about 70% more than my Camper.
My advice to you is this: Hold them both, as well as maybe the Neos, and pick the gun that fits you and that you find the best deal on.
115grfmj
Member
you cant go wrong...
with a ruger single six in stainless. Tough as nails accurate, and comes with two cylinders (22lr, 22wmr) like geting two guns for one price.
with a ruger single six in stainless. Tough as nails accurate, and comes with two cylinders (22lr, 22wmr) like geting two guns for one price.
Cousin Mike
Member
I recommend...
...the Ruger MKII in any form. IMHO, I don't think you'll find a better .22 out there for a beginner.
Here's mine.
...the Ruger MKII in any form. IMHO, I don't think you'll find a better .22 out there for a beginner.
Here's mine.
"Not a target gun. Something that would be useful for shooting practice, maybe more along the lines of "practical than 50yd tack driver." Good for developing shooting skills for when I'm old enough for a CCW. Reliable, good practical accuracy, and not-too-expensive are some of the things I'm looking for."
First, you need to get to the range, and decide what sort of gun you might want to use for CCW. Once you figure that out, then look for a 22lr in a similar configuration.
For instance, if you like 1911's, there are a number of conversions around for 22lr. Same with Walther, CZ, Sig, etc.
S
First, you need to get to the range, and decide what sort of gun you might want to use for CCW. Once you figure that out, then look for a 22lr in a similar configuration.
For instance, if you like 1911's, there are a number of conversions around for 22lr. Same with Walther, CZ, Sig, etc.
S
Zerstoerer
Member
Walther P22 is perfect for your purpose.
The only modern (Plastic Frame) semi with all the usual features a larger semi has.
The magazine release makes it the perfect trainer gun for the HK USP series.
Only cost $300 - you can't go wrong.
The only modern (Plastic Frame) semi with all the usual features a larger semi has.
The magazine release makes it the perfect trainer gun for the HK USP series.
Only cost $300 - you can't go wrong.
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