The absolute best .22lr handgun!

[beeenbag]

I recently sold a project car I had and am setting on some free cash. I have been wanting a .22lr handgun for along time, being as I have some extra cash I don't have to opt out for a cheapy.

I will be shooting this very very often probably 2-3 times a week and would like to have something top of the line.

What is the best .22lr handgun you have ever handled?

 

[gofastman]

Jennings J-22

 

[vatrader01]

IMHO.

Semi auto: The Model 41 S&W

Revolver: The Model 17 K22 S&W

...and I'm not really a dyed in the wool S&W guy....

 

[WNC Seabee]

You'd be hard pressed to beat a S&W Model 41. Awesome shooter, looks good, feels good and scary accurate.

 

[dogtown tom]

Colt Woodsman

 

[oneounceload]

Besides the more affordable 41 or K17/22, any of the Olympic pistols will be the most accurate - Hammerli, Walther, etc............

 

[hinton03]

S&w m41

 

[CapnMac]

Mine, and no, you can't have it (unless I find a better one) <G>

 

[earplug]

Larry's guns

There on line, they have a extensive line of target pistols, they sell lots of sights and accessories.
Many match shooters like European pistols. If the shoe fits buy it.

 

[Ala Dan]

These Come To Mind~!

Colt Match Target Woodsman
"The Victor" from High Standard
Smith & Wesson model 41

 

[xr1200]

high standard hamden victor no longer made

current smith wesson 41 7 1/2" model

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Beretta Model 75, Docter sight, AAC Pilot suppressor. With the "fixed" barrel, it is just about as accurate as any .22 pistol. What more could one ask for?

[/IMG]

 

[Mike OTDP]

Best for what? If you want a hard-core self-loading target pistol, it's a toss-up between the Pardini SP and the Feinwerkbau AW93. Free pistol? Morini CM84E.

I wouldn't bother with the Smith Model 41 - the high-end European guns let it in the dust decades ago.

Now, if you want a pure fun gun, I'd consider a suppressor and a high-end pocket pistol. A Walther PPK/S or Beretta 87 will suppress nicely. If you like Rugers, try an AWC Amphibian.

 

[Jim Watson]

The American Rifleman said the Freedom Arms .22 revolver was The Most Accurate Handgun they had ever shot, high end US and European target pistols included. But it is a big heavy gun on the Casul frame.

MY most accurate .22 is a shabby looking old High Standard East Hartford Citation Military. It averaged just over an inch (1.025") at 50 yards. From a Ransom Rest, of course, shooting Eley Match under the Federal label. It would do a good solid 1.5" with T-22.

 

[BCRider]

All the answers are guesses other than the "best for what?" post.

I like accuracy as well as the next guy. But I use my .22 pistols for action shooting in our local club's Speed Steel matches in the .22 division just because shooting both morning and afternoon can get pricey if shooting center fire for both. A "perfect" day is 300 rounds but misses means that the round count goes up depending on the shooter. So just to be cheap and because I enjoy my S&W 422 and 2206 a lot I'll shoot half a day of center fire and half a day of .22 . Others of similar outlook enjoy their Rugers and Brownings. An Olympic pistol may not be the ideal candidate for such a match since it requires rapid panning and sight acquisition. Something that seems to be best done with fairly regular guns.

But the point of my parable is that it all comes back to "best for what use?". And do you prefer single shot, semi auto pistol or revolver?

 

[Justin Holder]

If I was looking for a nice 22lr. I would probably get a S&W 617.

 

[Armored farmer]

My next .22 will be a 6" 617 S&W

 

[ACORN]

Not that I have shot every make/model out there but for me it'd be a Browning Medalist.

 

[scott5]

Hello beenbag,
My vote goes to these:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/SearchResults.aspx?kp=ctl00$ctlPagePlaceHolder$Keywords

Yea I will admit I'm prejudist.
Just my $0.02 worth.

 

[win71]

Best for what

I don't think there is an answer. I've owned several semi auto .22's and still have these. The problem is, at the time I bought any of them I thought it was the "best". Of these that I still have I like the sport woodsman for packing around the woods, the HD Military for any critter hunting. I'm too shaky anymore for target work but the Woodsman target used to work fine.

 

[ChristopherG]

If I wanted to drop serious money on a .22 handgun and lived in a location where it was legal, it would be integrally suppressed.

Given that it's not legal to fire a suppressed firearm in WA, I'd go with a S&W 17.

 

[CajunBass]

What is the best .22lr handgun you have ever handled?

For me it's pretty much a tossup. Smith & Wesson Model 17-3, and a Dan Wesson 22. The Smith & Wesson wins by nose because it's a little lighter and less bulky, but it's close.

 

[pikid89]

i really dig my Ruger MKII Target, and im suprised not more people have mentioned the Ruger seeing as the Ruger Standard, MKI, MKII, AND MKIII are some of the highest # selling guns of all time

 

[Pete D.]

Best?

Handled? The absolute best was and is a Hammerli 208.


The best that I own is a High Standard Victor (Hamden).

Pete

 

[usp9]

The best I've ever handled is my Colt Woodsman Match Target. It has always been extremely accurate and reliable. It has the best trigger I've ever used. John Brownings best work.