Which 22? Yes, I did search and still need suggestions.

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osteodoc08

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I still haven't found a new 22 to replace my POS BM Std from before. (Went back to the factory twice and it still wasn't fixed so I used it to purchase another gun) Here is what I've looked at and my comments. I'm looking to spend less than $350. I prefer new. It will be mostly used as a range gun, but will also pull duty for hunting and plinking.

1. Buckmark- I feel this is the best fit to my hand. I love the grip angle and the ability to put on new grips and optics. The only detractor is my 1st BM that was a total piece leaves me a little hesitant on buying another.
2. Ruger Mark II/III- I don't like the grip angle. But is a nice pistol.
3. Ruger 22/45- Grip angle is good, but too narrow and I can't change the grips.
4. Beretta Neos- the grip angle doesn't fit right and is way to narrow. The safety when in the fully on position hits the web of my hand, rather annoying.
5. Sig Trailside- Nice but too expensive
6. S&W 22a- OK ergonomics, grip angle was good, but the grip felt too long, front to back. Perhaps a grip change can help out here.
7. Walther P22- I really would like this pistol if the grip wasn't so small. I've fired them and find them rather fun to shoot. Does the grip insert change the grip that much?

I just want to make sure that I'm not missing any model. I am really leaning towards the Buckmark Stainless that is on sale for 319.99 at the local BPS. Everyone else around here wants an arm and a leg for any firearm.
 
SIG Mosquito?

Or how about a .22 conversion kit for one of your other guns?

Could you add something like a Hogue Handall to the Ruger 22/45 to beef it up?

I have an old Ruger MK II (my first gun) and it has been a fine pistol.
 
I saw and handled the Sig Mosquito. Right now in my area, it is just a hair over my self imposed limit, so it is out for now.

As far as my other guns go, I've got a RIA Compact, XD-40 tactical, and a Ruger P-89. None have a conversion that I know of. I also prefer a dedicated 22 pistol.

I thought about the hand all. I'm kinda picky and find the MK III load chamber indicator to be an eye sore. I've found a few MK II 22/45's but I prefer to have the ability to change grips although the Hogue Hand-All may be a thought.
 
The Ruger has been the best .22 pistol for the money since 1949. My do-everything plinker is a 4 3/4" Standard with fixed sights (zeroed for the load I use most) and a trigger job that I did right. (I have done a couple on these that had to be remedied using plan B--a Volquartsen kit.)

You can spend more but I seriously doubt you'll have a better pistol in the end.
 
You might want to think about a revolver: slower, to be sure, and more bothersome to clean, but less likely to give you stupid problems, especially over a period of decades. You should be able to find a Smith & Wesson K-22 in good shape for $300–$400, for which your grandchildren will someday thank you.
 
Since you said "prefer new" and not "only new", I suggest you take a look at a Hi-Standard .22....These guns seem to be appreciating, but a good Sport King and a few other models may make it into you price range. I have one that my dad bought in the 60's? I love it, so does my daughter (she's asked me to leave it to her:rolleyes: )
 
Standing Wolf said:
You might want to think about a revolver: slower, to be sure, and more bothersome to clean, but less likely to give you stupid problems, especially over a period of decades. You should be able to find a Smith & Wesson K-22 in good shape for $300–$400, for which your grandchildren will someday thank you.
Click to expand...

Really prefer .22 revolvers, myself. A rimmed cartridge just ain't made to feed in autos. Rugers, Brownings, and lots of others feed 'em okay, but then you'll get a dud now and again you gotta chuck. That's the life of a rimfire.

Autos shoot well. I can't imagine having gun problems with a Ruger or Browning or brand of that caliber. The only Smith .22 pistol I've ever fired was a Model 41. Brother, was THAT a sweet gun! :eek:
 
I have 7 buddies I went shooting with over the holiday and 6 of us have BuckMarks dont know what the problem was you had but these guns have performed flawlessly. It is to bad you had a lemon but I really dont think you could go wrong buying another one. Accraucy and flawless function cannot be beat.
 
I've had a SIG Trailside Target for a number of years. I don't shoot it at every range session, but when I do take it with, I generally run through a brick of ammo. I like it. It's easy to shoot well, has a good trigger, is very reliable, has excellent accuracy, and is very easy to maintain.
 
Firestorm FS22. It's a Bersa. You should be able to find it for @ $250. It's a fun gun, accurate and reliable.

Whitney Wolverine

I also like my Taurus M94 revolver. Beware, though, it take about 5000 rounds to break it in.
 
Thanks for the replies. I guess I'm leaning towards the BM in SS finish because as someone mentioned, it feels oh so good in the hand.

As far as my other BM, I bought a BM Std, new. When I first got it the front sight was about 1/8" to the left of center. Back to the factory before I even had a chance to shoot it. Well I did, but not for long as I couldn't get the bullets to land near the center even after the L-R adjustment had been bottomed out. About a whole 20 rounds worth. Not a great start....I got it back about 5 weeks later.

During this time I called up to the repair facility and to see what was going to be done to the pistol. They "looked" in the computer wrong and didn't have the pistol as arrived (at 3 weeks). I then called my dealer that I use and he called up thier and found out that it should be done in 2-3 weeks and that it was in thier possession. Funny thing was, I used the S/N off the fired casings folder that originally came with it. Oh well, I got it back at about the 5 week mark. No apology, nothing extra, just the gun. I figured they would have at the minimum enclosed a letter stating what was done. Regardless it was fixed and now I can actually start to shoot it.

Off to the range it went where I was getting stovepipes, FTF, etc at least 1-2 per magazine (using CCI Minimags). I called them again and they said to keep shooting it and after 500 rounds or so that if I still had problems to send it back. I kept shooting and I kept having problems, however, the number declined to about 1 failure per 2-3 magazines. I sent it back to Browning, again! Oh yeah, I paid shipping to them, I guess I should have asked for a refund on that, but I never did. This time I got it back in about 3 weeks. Not to bad compared to the first time.

I take it too the range again and continued to have problems. I even resorted to buying an extra factory mag. Still had problems, right up until I traded it with some $ for a RIA Compact. I've had less problems out of the RIAthen I had with my BM! The only problems I've had with my RIA I traced down to a bad slide stop and magazine. All is good with it now. I can run through ammo like it is going out of style with that thing! Enough of my rant on my first BM.

Since I'm leaning towards the BM, again...How is the aftermarket for the BM? I'm looking more for grips, trigger, etc. I just hope to not get burned twice. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
 
Buckmark....try this

I have seen an awful lot of dependable Buckmarks, and no bad ones. What I have noticed is that some of them prefer to shoot 40 grain bullets, and a 33 or 34 or 36 grain, such as a stinger, can sometimes cause problems. When I have used them with 40 grain shells I have never had trouble.

I too LOVE the feel of a buckmark in my hand.

The new SIG Mosquito might be an option too, it's around your price range, and lots of people like to own SIG's. The Mosquito is 9/10ths the size of their regular frame guns, and should be a good shooter if it feels good to you.

I also shoot a S&W K22 revolver, with 6" barrel, and I love it. Maybe the smoothest pistol I own. Got it hardly used for $300 and liked it so much I just bought a matching Model 19 .357 because I think if I shoot the 19 as well as the K22, I'll be one happy boy.

I also like the Ruger Single six, and as this was my first .22 revolver, I can't say enough about it. with the ability to shoot .22 magnum, and it's over 30 year reliabilty without a failure, I recommend it highly. I also think using a single action is a good way to start to shoot because it makes you slow down and shoot, not just blast off magazines. It's sort of a zen thing :)
 
The Hogue rubber slip-on grip with finger swells will fit the 22/45 grip. I use one. It works well, and adds a good deal of volume to the grip, though you need to remove it when you clean the gun. The 22/45 doesn't need a full cleaning too often, so it's not a problem.

My 22/45 Gov't Target special run is a gem. Ugly, but accurate, reliable, and cheap.
 
osteodoc08,

Lemon Buck Mark's are very rare. The chances of you getting another one are practically zero. For me, nothing points like a Buck Mark. Mine ran flawlessly on any kind of ammo. I'm still kicking myself for selling it in a moment of weakness (and poverty). Get a Buck Mark and be happy!
-David
 
I think you guys have finally convinced me to go with the BM in SS. I'll probably buy it over the weekend, so I'll be able to give a range report in the following 2weeks or so.

For those that suggested the 22 wheelgun, I seriously considered purchasing a wheelgun, but feel that I can curb me wheelgun cravings with my father's Ruger Blackhawk in 45LC and a S&W in 41 mag. I agree about the zen thing. It is definitely a different mindset when shooting those!

Thank you for all the suggestions and help from my fellow High Roaders.:D :D
 
Since you said "prefer new" and not "only new", I suggest you take a look at a Hi-Standard .22....These guns seem to be appreciating, but a good Sport King and a few other models may make it into you price range. I have one that my dad bought in the 60's? I love it, so does my daughter (she's asked me to leave it to her )
Click to expand...

I'd concur with that suggestion with three caveats:

1. Avoid the Texas "High Standard" guns. I've never known anyone who bought one and was happy with it.

2. There are plenty of good Connecticut High Standards on the market. The trick is to find a good one, then understand that Connecticut parts are hard to find and gunsmiths competent to work on them even harder.

3. The frames were never heat-treated, and are prone to cracking, so don't ever shoot high velocity ammunition with High Standards.
 
Browning Buckmark Target would be my first choice (In fact, is. :) ). Looks cool, shoots even better, great trigger.
http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?value=006B&cat_id=051&type_id=388

Colt Woodsman (ok, that probably blows your budget, still, you know you want one)

The Sig Mosquito is cool, but it isn't accurate like a Buckmark or most of the others, (the sights are on the slide, and the slide moves) it's better for range practice esp if you CCW a Sig.

.22LR revolvers are really pretty darn cool, not everyone has one and fine to shoot.
S&W K17, around $400 bucks, used of course
and to blow your budget here too
Colt Diamondback, but mighty pretty.
 
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