What is the best 22 cal. pistol on the market in terms of fit and finish, reliablity?

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What is the best 22 cal. pistol on the market in terms of fit and finish, reliablity, accuracy?

I'll use it only for target practice. I have other pistols in larger calibers and assualt rifles for HD.
 
I don't know if there is a "best", probably several of them depending on experiences and personal preferences.

The Ruger Mark IIs hang in there, several models to choose from depending on personal preference. Stainless, blue, various barrel lengths, bull/standard/slab side barrels, two grip options (standard and .45style), fixed and excellent adjustable sights......

If there is a down side to the Rugers it's the reassembly. The first time or two you may teach the kids a few new words but it gets to be a piece of cake with experience. I have also had the displeasure of take down and reassemby with a Buckmark. It's somewhat on the unfriendly side the first time or two also, but otherwise, it's a pretty fine pistol and you find a few different options available.

It's a tough choice. Let us know what you settle on.
 
If you already have a CZ 75 /85, let me reccommend the Kadet kit; it is amazingly cool: accurate, durable, reliable. If you don't have a CZ, may I suggest a .22 conversion for a centerfire that you do have. It's really nice to be able to practice with a carry / home-defense gun at .22 prices.
 
I'm having a tough time justifying another 22 pistol since my Mk II is serving my son & me so well. Accurate, reliable, pain in the butt to field strip & fun to shoot...what more can you ask for?
 
Gotta go with the Smith M-41 in a semi and the K-22 in a revolver. Short of a full competion rig, best you can find.
 
I have a SIG Trailside Competition and a Ruger MkII Competition (ironically, I don't compete with them! :D). Each has their charm, but if I could only keep one it would be the Trailside.
 
That absolute best is Hammerli. Larry's Guns has them.

http://www.larrysguns.com/

I have a Smith & Wesson M41 and it is one of the best. The trigger is much better than my Ruger Mark II Competition, even though my Ruger has all the Volquartsen upgrades.

There's a 5" an 7" barrel. both version weigh the same. The 7" barrel has been trimmed to reduce weight.

Get a 7" M41, have it cut down to 5" (by Lou Lombardi http://www.falconmachining.com/) and then put an UltraDot red-dot sight on it and you will have a very well balanced and accurate .22.
 
Best for the money is the Browning Buckmark IMO, when you get into the really high end stuff I am out of touch. You are gonna spend a LOT of money to outshoot or be more reliable than the Buckmark. Mine has more ammo through it than most of you would believe and has NEVER even hiccuped with decent ammo. I usually shoot it until it is so dirty that you cannot handle it without turning you hands black before cleaning too, it just never misses a beat.
 
The best I ever shot was Hammerli and Walther free pistols for precision target shooting. For just hitting a target, little could compete with them.
 
There are more expensive .22's for sure...

But I really like my Walther P22. It's inexpensive, reliable, (at least mine is) and the accuracy has WAYYYY exceeded my expectations. (And mine is the short barrel version!)

KR
 
I am with Peter. Since we are in the general handgun forum and are looking at fit, finish, and reliability, toss accuracy in as well, I don't have to limit myself to an auto or revolver. The Hammerli and Walther single shot free pistols are hard to beat. The Walther I saw even had an electronic trigger. The pistols are worn, not held, and the trigger was at an angle so your finger would hit it square as it move toward the gun. The workmanship was unbelievable.

Believe me, when you talk about 'the best', stamped out sheet metal Ruger's and injection molded plastic don't even come into play when discussing fit or finish.
 
I swear by High Standards; unfortunately, they haven't been made since 1984, and buying used High Standards requires a fair amount of knowledge.

I'm still thinking about a Volquartsen remade Ruger .22.
 
FWIW, after getting my S&W Model 41 back from the factory for the third time for a failure to fire problem (gun purchased BRAND NEW) I sold it. Never had a problem with the .22 S&W revolver (Model 22? 4" stainless, 6-shot) that I had.
 
The Walthers and Hammerlis are definitely tops, but the biggest bang for the buck comes from the Russian made Izhmash pistols, which usually cost less than a third of the others. Several have been purchased by members and coaches at my club (University of TX), and everyone has been quite impressed. They're kinda ugly, but functionally quite nice. Champion's Choice can usually ship them to your local store right away.
 
Yeah, those Baikal IZH-35M pistols are great, but they don't win out in terms of fit and finish. Actually, Walther takes that pistol and makes their KSP (or something) by tweaking it a little.
 
Greeting's Again Folk's-

I guess my own personal choices would be the
following .22 caliber handgun's:

A.Revolver's

1. Smith & Wesson model 18 "Combat Masterpiece"
2. Colt Diamondback

B. Self-Loader's

1. Colt Match Target Woodsman
2. Smith & Wesson model 41
3. Ruger MK-II KMK-512

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
Ala Dan is the only other person whom ever mentions the model 18 smith--that feller smart;)

Revo's : model 18 ( favorite)
model 617

Semi: Model 41
Ruger MkII
Colt Woodsman
High Standard ( target name escapes me)
 
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