Squirrel pistol.

[Ironhand54]

I am considering getting a small game /woods walk pistol. I don't have any specific model in mind and would like some suggestions. Will be mostly carried in a belt holster. Out of production models are fine.

Here are my general parameters :

1. 22LR

2. No preference for revolvers or semiautomatic.

3. Barrel 4 to 6 inches.

4. Accuracy enough to hit a squirrel in a tree.

5. Must be optics mountable {old eyes}

6. Total cost $500 or less.

Thank you for your attention
IronHand

 

[Middletown]

Beretta Neos would fit the bill. Love mine with red dot.

 

[troy fairweather]

My dad always did good with Browning buckmarks, I'm not up to date on there price tho. Me if like a ruger single six, just for the fun. Read the ruger wrangler shoot very well, that will save for lots of ammo and a holster.

Really anything what will hit a quarter at 25 yards consistently I'd use.

 

[LaneP]

This is mine, Ruger Mk III Hunter with a Vortex 3 MOA dot.

 

[Ru4real]

So many options. Isn’t America great?

Ruger, S&W used Colt’s, Hammerli, list goes on for miles, however your $500 limit will currently exclude most guns w/ optics worth having unless you find a good used deal.

Whatever you get, shoot it a lot. Here I’m testing ammo and comparing three different sight options. All three of these meet your requirements except for the $500 part.

 

[CoalTrain49]

This is mine, Ruger Mk III Hunter with a Vortex 3 MOA dot.

View attachment 1072777

That's the same as my set up except mines a MKII target. It's old enough that I had no way to mount a RD. I sent it to Ruger and had a rail installed. Cost was minimal and turn around fast. It sat in a safe for 20 years until I put the RD sight on it. It's a 50 yd shooter now.

You might be able to find an old MKII and put a dot on it for $500.

 

[25-5]

I hunted squirrel in the TN woods for many years with a Ruger Single Six and the .22LR cylinder.

 

[Griffen]

I’ll take a Browning Buckmark Hunter any day.

 

[AzShooter1]

You really can't go wrong with a .22 LR Revolver. I love my 617 but it's over your budget and even the older ones cost too much.

A Ruger Wrangler is a fantastic gun. Accurate enough for squirrels and fun to shoot. Benefit is that you won't shoot as much ammo when practicing because it takes longer. At our public range you only get 1 1/2 hours with 4 15 minute breaks during that time.

If you can find a used Mark III you can get it for your price.\

 

[lg&m]

With red dot Ruger 22/45.
Without Ruger single six.
Lots of other good ones but I have experience with these.

 

[Armored farmer]

Ruger 23/45 lite
Buckmark target..
Both great pistols, both optic ready.
If you're interested in 1911s ...GSG makes a great shooting 1911/22 . Not optic ready.

 

[skfullen]

Another vote for the Wrangler. A used Ruger Mk II would also do.

 

[herrwalther]

I sit next to our bird feeders a lot with a Ruger 10/22 and a fixed 4x scope. Plenty to knock off squirrels, snakes and other small variants I don't want around the property.

But you want a handgun..so the options change from that recommendation. You aren't going to find many 22 pistols + optics for under 500. Any half way decent pistol optic will cost 200-300 by itself unless you can find a great sale deal. Ruger Mk 3 or any of them will fit the bill nicely as a target pistol. FN 502 as well if you like DA/SA in a duty style firearm. But 22LR. Sig P322. But they are new and might not be easy to find just yet.

A lot of popular firearms have a 22LR companion. Beretta 92 has a model in 22LR. Glock 19 has the Glock 44. S&W snubs have 22LR snub models etc. So if you have a common EDC firearm, the 22LR companion may be the ideal addition to have a similar grip, trigger etc. Something to consider.

 

[BigBlue 94]

Ruger singe six or any of their Mk series autoloaders.

Colt Woodsman

High Standard

Walther P22

 

[CoalTrain49]

I sit next to our bird feeders a lot with a Ruger 10/22 and a fixed 4x scope. Plenty to knock off squirrels, snakes and other small variants I don't want around the property.

But you want a handgun..so the options change from that recommendation. You aren't going to find many 22 pistols + optics for under 500. Any half way decent pistol optic will cost 200-300 by itself unless you can find a great sale deal. Ruger Mk 3 or any of them will fit the bill nicely as a target pistol. FN 502 as well if you like DA/SA in a duty style firearm. But 22LR. Sig P322. But they are new and might not be easy to find just yet.

A lot of popular firearms have a 22LR companion. Beretta 92 has a model in 22LR. Glock 19 has the Glock 44. S&W snubs have 22LR snub models etc. So if you have a common EDC firearm, the 22LR companion may be the ideal addition to have a similar grip, trigger etc. Something to consider.

Used red dot optics are out there. I purchased an unused Vortex Spitfire (1x) for $150 on another form. The latest version is 3x so people upgrade and sell the non-current models. That leaves three fiddy for a used MKIII. Not current on the used prices on those but they've been around awhile.

 

[earlthegoat2]

As much as I am happy to own my S&W 17-2, the gun I would grab each and every time for hunting would be my MKII Target.

It drilled for a rail but I haven’t gotten there yet.

I picked it up pre-owned for half your budget several years ago. That was a smoking deal even back then though.

I would look for an older MK series or Buckmark. Certain configurations can still be had for around $300.

 

[Obturation]

Ruger mk3. They're around because a lot of folks like the easier takedown of the mk4. Not sure the going rate on them but I'm confident they're under $500. Takedown isn't really bad once you figure it out.
My only 22 pistol-

Mk3 competition target.

I've taken out my fair share of vermin with it and chewed the middle out of countless targets.

 

[herrwalther]

Used red dot optics are out there. I purchased an unused Vortex Spitfire (1x) for $150 on another form. The latest version is 3x so people upgrade and sell the non-current models. That leaves three fiddy for a used MKIII. Not current on the used prices on those but they've been around awhile.

An option, but I am not keen on used optics. You are never sure what kind of abuse it has had by a previous owner, being sold because it won't hold zero. If I were buying used, I would do heavy research into the companies warranty policy before looking at price.

 

[airfoil]

OP...have you looked at online retailers for something in your price range?

Old eyes? A red dot may not work with astigmatism, a small scope may be better. Look through one and see what works.

Buy one cry once. It's not a good time to look for cheap.

 

[Mike J]

I don't know what they cost right now but I would suggest a Browning Buckmark. I got mine a couple of years ago for $350 but lucked up on an online deal.

 

[Rick in Iowa]

Another vote for the buckmark. Both of mine (hunter and a stainless slab side) are more than accurate enough for squirrels. I have not checked prices lately but I am sure you can find one sub $500.

 

[Skylerbone]

In that price range you’re confined to a BuckMark Camper with add-on rail or a Beretta U22 Neos with built in rail unless something comes along at a heck of a discount. I know there are other form factors but for what works, for your requirements, those two.

My Browning Field Target with rail was $219 after rebate (amazing deal) but near 1/2 price, and my Neos $250, about what they still go for. If the Neos then you’ll need trigger work, if the Browning you’ll have less optic money.

Having spent the better part of a year trying to track down a Mark IV and I know based on 1. Availability and 2. Current prices that it simply misses the budget. Unless...and not a great optic but they do work (was my first dot sight long ago to try and see)...https://simpsonltd.com/ruger-mark-iii-target/ You’ll want to act quickly on that one though.

Best of luck on your hunt and the subsequent hunts thereafter.



Now a disc. model but plenty of SKUs have rails (or add one).


Neos offers a full top rail and a TRS-25 makes a fine RDS on the cheap.


Either of the above can chew a hole in target at 25 yards, I was barely able to walk after Covid but shot the above while hooked to an oxygen tank.


Here’s the issue with using a Wrangler. No rear sight to begin with and no provisions for adding a dot. Cheap enough but smiff’n ain’t cheap.

 

[12Bravo20]

It's hard to beat the Ruger Mk series pistols, Browning Buckmark, S&W Victory, or Beretta NEOS for the ease of mounting optics. And you can get all of them with different length barrels to suit your needs. Revolvers and pistols with reciprocating slides are either hard to mount optics or not compatible at all.

 

[jak67429]

my current squirrel gun is a mark 2 target with a 2x pistol scope. looks just like the bottom on in ru4reqls post. Carry it in a bandolier holster, even when deer hunting for those pesky tree rats that won't leave you alone.

 

[Speedo66]

This would do, Browning Buckmark with a Bushnell TRS-25 red dot.

Lots of Buckmarks on Gunbroker in the $400 range.