What type of 22 to buy?

[jakk55]

I've gone target shooting a number of times and have really started to get into it but the handgun rentals and ammo prices are really starting to add up so i decided it might be time to buy a 22lr handgun of some sort.

I've looked at and held mkIIIs and Buckmarks as well as the Ruger NRs and smith&wesson 617s

I've heard of the k-22s and dan wesson 22s but have never seen them after going to a few firearms dealers and pawnshops.

If I am mainly target shooting is there a point to having double action on a 22 revolver(which the 617s have but the NRs do not)

I've read conflicting reports on whether self loading 22s are more accurate than revolvers.

Another variable is the ability to shoot 22 magnum. Is there a great differenct between this and 22lr, and are they inter changable and what is the pricing?

Looking for a little guidance,
JAKK

 

[Starter52]

If you intend to try bullseye competition then you must get an autoloader. The Ruger MkII is a good one to start with. Revolvers cannot compete with autoloaders in the rapid fire portion of bullseye matches.

If you are into informal target shooting, any of the revolvers you mentioned will work just fine.

You cannot fire .22 magnum from a .22 LR autoloader. You can fire .22 magnum from a revolver if it is fitted with a spare cylinder. The single-action Ruger .22 revolvers are the only ones that I can think of.

.22 magnums are for hunting, not target shooting.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

.22 Mag costs a lot more than .22LR, but is useful for some contexts (mostly hunting small game).


The only common firearm (in the "quality but affordable") category which can convert between the two is the Ruger Single Six.

If you like revolvers, don't feel the need for DA, and want .22 Mag capability, then the Ruger Single Six is exactly your gun. They sell for around $350 NIB, as low as $175 used in Austin (if you look hard).

They come in stainless, in various barrel lengths, and with various sight options. They're outstanding guns and dang-near indestructible.

Just use the THR Search Engine to dig up tons of rave reviews of the Ruger Single Six.

If you're looking auto, I'll put in a strong vote for the Ruger MkII (or MkIII if you can't find a II). The III model added some unnecessary "safety" features, but isn't inherently a bad gun. I prefer a used II, myself. Buckmark is also very popular, and the new S&W 22a is quite good.

-MV

 

[22-rimfire]

Second vote for Ruger Mark II or III with bull barrel. Get the 5.5" model. Good shooting gun.

 

[treeprof]

Can you more precisely define what you mean by "target shooting"? If you just mean informally shooting paper targets as opposed to game (as I suspect), then it's hard to make general statements re the accuracy and suitablity of dbl action revolvers vs. semi-autos for your purposes. There are a lot of good options in both action types in the $300-$500 range, incl. the ones you mentioned. My favorite .22 handun (and most accurate) is my semi-auto S&W Model 41, but those are up in the $800 range now. I have a 6" S&W 617 that's quite accurate, but I really prefer autos. My Ruger 22/45's have always been pretty accurate, as well as the MKII I used to have. As previously stated, Ruger makes the single action Single Six with interchangeable 22 lr and 22 mag cylinders; they are by no means "target" guns (I have 2 of them), but they are great plinkers. A Buckmark will be my next .22 handgun.

If you own, or intend to buy, a centerfire handgun, seriously consider buying a .22 with the same action type as your centerfire.

 

[ugaarguy]

If you really want to build the fundamentals learning to shoot a revolver DA will teach that. The S&W 617 you've seen evolved from the K-22. After 1957 S&W went to model names and the K-22 became the Model 17; sometime later they went from blued steel to stainless and introduced the 617. The Ruger SP-101 was also made in 22lr.

If you want an autoloader the ones you mentioned are great options. I'll add that the Ruger 22/45 is another good one. It's basically a MKIII with a polymer grip and a less extreme grip angle. I've read many positive reviews of the S&W 22A as well.

 

[Steve C]

You really can't go wrong with either a Browning Buckmark or a Ruger MKII or MKIII. A nice .22 revolver would also be nice but more for informal target shooting than if you decide to shoot in a more formal type events like Bullseye.

S&W makes a 617 .22 lr that's a nice gun of current production. If you can find a good condition used .22 revovler the S&W model 17's and 18's are great as would be a Colt Diamondback but the prices of good DA revolvers are significantly higher than the semi automatics.

Revolvers haven't been competitive for quite a while now in the traditional .22 shooting events where you have the choice of using either a semi auto or revolver like Bullseye Pistol matches. Mostly this is due to follow up shots needing to be DA in the rapid fire portions. In some types of shooting games revolvers have their own class so they don't have to compete against semi auto's.

For the most part shooting .22 magnum ammo option is found in Single Action pistols. The magnum gives significantly more bang and a little better velocity and range. This would be good if you wanted to shoot varmits and other small game with your handgun and wanted a little more power. The .22 magnums are also quite a bit higher priced at $8 to $10 a box. As expensive as 9mm centerfire pistol ammo.

 

[jakk55]

Yes, the target shooting I intend to do is paper targets at an indoor range informally, sorry i wasn't more clear.

 

[dragongoddess]

Look for a Hammerli Trailside.

 

[treeprof]

Well, then, I would just shoot the crap out of each one you can get your hands on at the rental range, or by borrowing, and go with the one that fits you best. Lots of good suggestions in this thread, and you already seemed to be on some solid choices yourself.

As long as it's reliable, there's always room for one more .22 in one's stable.

 

[jakk55]

unfortunatly testing the guns before i buy them is a problem. The range that i rent from only has one 22 for rent and its a snubnose, while most of the other gun dealers are big companies and refused to let me test fire guns even on their own range.

 

[treeprof]

Sounds you might have to settle for extended fondling sessions, then. That's ok; just see which one fits the best and points most naturally. The downside with fondling .22's is that it's not a good idea to dry-fire some of them, and most dealers won't let you dry-fire any of them.

 

[rockstar.esq]

The thing that gets me every time someone asks this is that there is never a running commentary on how the grip feels. I have found the only two comfortable .22LR semiautos to be the Browning Buckmark and the Beretta 87 Target. I sold my Buckmark to fund the 87 and I'm sure that I made the right choice. The Rugers that get lots of airtime are more akin to a Luger than any other semiauto. The grip angle on all but the "45" version is way too acute for me to comfortably shoot it. The same goes for the Beretta Neos. Given the immense number of shots fired through .22LR's I'm continually impressed by the durability of these pistols.

 

[borrowedtime69]

great target .22 LR

i fully recomend a Ruger MK II either the regular grip or 22/45 grip in the 5 1/2" BBL or 6 7/8" BBL for great accuracy and follow-up shots.

my 22/45 MK II 6 7/8" slabside barrel with a 4X 32 Simmons pistol scope gets groups of 0.30" at 25 yards with a rest. i use it for hunting the small pine squirrels in the rocky mountains.

there are a ton of add-on accessories for this gun (not really the 22/45 grip model, just the regular grip model). you can upgrade barrels, grips, triggers, springs, extractors, hammers... i could go on.

just a word of advice, stay away from the MK III, its mostly a Lawyer gun.

 

[jlh26oo]

The thing that gets me every time someone asks this is that there is never a running commentary on how the grip feels.

That's because OUR hands are not his. It has been suggested to p/u and handle. You have to understand that grip feel/fit has a high ymmv factor. Plus, different grips on the pistol could make a difference. Most MkII's are not substantial enough for me, but the fat contoured wood on my kmk678gc fits like a glove, ymmv.

I 2nd a MKII in 5 1/2", 6 7/8", bull barrel or slabsides.

 

[greener]

The Ruger MKII folks are a bit stubborn when it comes to mentioning MKIII's. I'd add MKIII's to your consider list. Since MKII's are out of production, it's getting a bit harder to find a new one.

My guess is that most of the .22 pistols/revolvers are pretty good. Buy one that feels good and fits your hand and budget. I have an S&W 22A (~$175, new), Stainless Steel MKIII Hunter ($420, new) and a Single Six ($320 new). As long as you watch your shooting mechanics and use the ammo they like, there isn't much difference between them in accuracy up to 25 yards. One day I do better with one and the next I do better with another.

A lot of suggestions boil down to personal preference. For example, I don't like the grip on the Ruger 22/45's. I prefer the "standard" ruger grip on my Hunter. My personal preference for target shooting are handguns with adjustable sights. I haven't fired a Buckmark, Neos, P22 or Trailside. I've seen people do very well with them and others do very poorly with them. I believe the "accuracy" from those observations have more to do with the shooter than the pistol.

Revolvers are fun to shoot and can be quite accurate. If money is no object, then the best semi-auto out there is probably the S&W Model 41. If you want to tinker with add-ons, Rugers are tops.

If I were going to by another .22 handgun my list is in this order:

S&W Mod 41
Ruger MKII Government Target Model
S&W Mod 617
Buckmark (but not camper)
P22 with two barrels (if I can get over not liking the grip).

 

[MCgunner]

I wouldn't put much weight toward the gun being able to fire .22 mag. It's a pretty worthless round, especially in a handgun. In a rifle, it extends the range quite a bit of the .22LR and that can be handy, but you can't hunt much with it that you can't hunt with a .22LR. The HV .22LR will work for any small game I can think of that you can hunt with a handgun, rabbit, squirrel, 'coon, etc.

I like revolvers. If you're not doing formal competition, the revolver will have less problems with the .22LR in my experience. .22 will occasionally fail to fire, part of being a rimfire, with the bargain bulk pack stuff. It is not designed with autoloader feed reliability in mind, though a quality firearm properly set up will feed it pretty reliably. It's just a lot less hassle in a revolver, to me, though, although I have .22 autos. I prefer shooting my revolver. Besides, it's a DA and is good DA practice for cheap, 10 bucks for 550 rounds of bulk pack Federal.

 

[highlander 5]

I love my Ruger 22/45 grip angle is perfect for me I have the 5 1/5 ' version.
I also own a Smith 617 6' and quite pleased with it hit a 12 gauge shotgun shell from 25 yds from a rest mine is a 6 shot version don't like the 8 or 10 shot just ain't right it's a SIX gun not a 10 gun

 

[XavierBreath]

I'm a bit of a .22 collector and shooter, and I can tell you that you are making a good choice.

I'll list the Ruger MKII as a first choice, if you can find one. They have allbut dried up on the new gun market, being superceded by the MKIII. Yes, the MKII is a better gun in my opinion. Less stuff to go wrong. It has everything that is needed over the MKI, and nothing that is not needed. A used one should run between $150 and $200 in good condition. They are very durable, so there is little worry about buying one used. Buying a new MKIII will get you shooting faster, but the MKII will likely have less problems. Both are good guns.

If and when you can find one, buy a S&W Model 17 or Model 18. These are finely crafted .22 DA revolvers. They are presently running $350-450 in good condition, used, when you can find one. Do not fear the price tag on these. They will only appreciate in value.

I have no experience with the Buckmark. I never felt the need.

The Whitney Wolverine can now be bought from Olympic Arms new, but with a polymer frame. I own an original aluminum framed one. They are great shooting and feeling guns. I have not shot the Olympic Arms version.

For inexpensive extremely accurate shooting, I will recommend the IZH46M. $269 for world class match accuracy you can shoot in your back yard is nothing to sneeze at.

 

[22-rimfire]

It seems that what most are hinting at is that you might consider BOTH a 22 auto and a well made double action 22 revolver. Kimber makes a fine 22 auto in the standard 1911 style. I don't have one. My plinking and casual target shooting 22 autos are a 5.5" Ruger Mark II (III is just fine) and a High Standard Victor. I recommend both although the High Standard can be finicky with ammo. Get the auto first as they are generally cheaper than the double actions. Then start looking or saving for a good revolver. (The High Standards are not cheap, neither is the Kimber.) Smith Model 41 is one to look at if you want to spend $800+.

On the revolver side of the fence, if you want something that is currently made go with the Smith 617. Price is high, but worth it in the long haul. Other older models that you can find in new or near new condition are the Smith Predecessor Model 17 or Model 18 (K-22). Smith also made a Model 34 which included both a 22LR and 22WMR cylinder. On the Colt side, the Diamondback is excellent. The Trooper Mark III is less expensive and excellent as well. Other models are the Officers Model Match, or the original Trooper. You will pay for a good double action 22 revolver, but they will provide several lifetimes of shooting fun. Stick to either Smith & Wesson or Colt. Yes, do take a look at the Taurus line. Don't own one, so I can't recommend one.

Single actions... I would suggest Ruger. There are others available.

 

[jakk55]

I just read something online about Korths, a google search doesn't return much but their official website says they make 22s revolvers. Any info on these? also they dont seem to come with prices.

 

[treeprof]

Do you have children? 'cause you'll need to pawn a couple, along with a kidney and your left ____, to get into a Korth. Figure at least $2k for something used, upwards of $5k for new.

 

[10-Ring]

In 22lr, I've been exclusively DA wheelgun. I just really enjoy shooting revolvers lately

 

[Rube]

I bought the Ruger 22/45 w/5.5" barrel. The grip angle has the feel of my other automatics. I also purchased a Taurus 94 DA revolver with a 2" barrel. It allows me to practice shooting a snubby with the cheaper 22lr ammo. For me, the Ruger is the most accurate gun I own; however, the Taurus is helping me to get better with my other revolvers. I'm very happy with the quality of both guns.

 

[jakk55]

hmm I guess thats why they don't show prices for the Korths(if you have to ask their too expensive huh)

Im begining to think that its either a ruger 5.5in or a s&w of somesort,

On the ruger 22/45 5.5in bull barrell mkIII, is the rearsight elevation adjustable?