I thought I would post here because of the different models involved. My local shop has a sale on 22lr handguns and just can't seem to decide. The Keltec P17 is $199 and I know thats retail but all local shops and even Rural King near me they are $259. The Ruger Wrangler at $199 as well, The Glock 44 is $309 and the Taurus Tx22 is $289. The heritage Rough Rider is $119 for the 22lr only model. So what would y'all do in this case? My main use will be to carry while hiking for small game or varmits. I carry a 9mm for defense, the 22 will be as a plinker, small game and varmit hiking gun. Thanks for any help
Which one??
- Thread starter old fart
- Start date
The Rough Rider and Wrangler are both fairly accurate IF you are good with fixed SAA style sight. I'm not. My wife out shoots me every time with both of them revolvers. I paid 179 for my P17. Accurate enough with a little bright yellow paint on the front sight. Reliable and light. No experience with the Tx22 or G44 so no openion on them. When hiking near home I carry my P17 in my bag. My wife carries a Rough Rider Barkeep in her's. My Hi Power is always on my hip. Hope that helps.
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
Of those, Wrangler.
Pat Riot
Contributing Member
My Glock 44 isn’t real accurate as compared to a target pistol. I wouldn’t think of using it to humanely take game.
I have a KelTec CP33 that’s a pretty accurate pistol, but you don’t have that on your list. The only problem with them is that the cartridge must be a 40 grain bullet or heavier to properly cycle the gun.
I don’t know about the P17, but I have been considering buying one.
I have a KelTec CP33 that’s a pretty accurate pistol, but you don’t have that on your list. The only problem with them is that the cartridge must be a 40 grain bullet or heavier to properly cycle the gun.
I don’t know about the P17, but I have been considering buying one.
Freudianfloyd
Member
I have a Wrangler and a Rough Rider. The Rough Rider, although supposed to be a really good shooter, feels one step above a cap gun to me. The hammer is notchy and feels like a toy. The Wrangler feels alot like my Single Ten in many ways, and doesn't feel like a toy at all. I can't speak of the Kel Tec, Glock, or Taurus, but the Wrangler sounds like the best option to me for your intentions.
Lo-Profile
Member
I really like the TX22. Had reservations because it was a Taurus. But it's been fine.
Have a Single Six cowboy look gun. It's okay, just a pita to have to reload a bunch.
Have a Single Six cowboy look gun. It's okay, just a pita to have to reload a bunch.
bannockburn
Member
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- Apr 24, 2007
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- 26,297
From the choices listed I would say a Ruger Wrangler, or a Super Wrangler with a .22 Magnum cylinder and an adjustable rear sight. Bud's has them for $260.
bassjam
Member
Since you mention small game, I think the Wrangler is the only real choice based on potential accuracy. If you want an auto for small game, look into the Ruger MK series, Browning Buckmark, or S&W Victory.
When hiking, the phrase "ounces feel like pounds" comes to mind.
Bazoo
Member
My personal choice would be the Wrangler.
See if you can get a look at a Sig 322. I paid just over $300 for mine so it should be in the same price range. It isn't in the same class accuracy wise as guns like the S&W Victory, Ruger target pistols or Browning Buckmark. But mine is much more accurate than the Glock 44 I had. I like the safety, adjustable sights, and they are optics ready.
www.sigsauer.com
They come with two 20 round magazines. If you watch you-tube reviews you'll see some complaints about feeding. You must use care to load a 20 round double stack 22 rimfire magazine. Do it right and they feed fine. Do it wrong and you'll have serious issues. BTDT, but once I figured it out it does fine.
You can't depress the follower all the way down and drop in 20 rounds. Pull the follower down just far enough to load one round, then release the tabs to let the round come all the way to the top of the mag. Repeat for every round and it feeds them fine.
Mine doesn't like standard velocity target loads either. Never had an issue with high velocity ammo.
Another option is the Smith M&P 22
I have one of these too. The Smith is a little more compact, and the Sig is more accurate. Street price on both are about the same.
P322 Most advanced in its class ǀ SIG SAUER
The SIG SAUER P322 is chambered in .22long rifle. The P322 has ambidextrous controls, interchangeable flat and curved triggers, with a 20 round magazine capacity. The P322 is the most advanced in its class.
www.sigsauer.com
They come with two 20 round magazines. If you watch you-tube reviews you'll see some complaints about feeding. You must use care to load a 20 round double stack 22 rimfire magazine. Do it right and they feed fine. Do it wrong and you'll have serious issues. BTDT, but once I figured it out it does fine.
You can't depress the follower all the way down and drop in 20 rounds. Pull the follower down just far enough to load one round, then release the tabs to let the round come all the way to the top of the mag. Repeat for every round and it feeds them fine.
Mine doesn't like standard velocity target loads either. Never had an issue with high velocity ammo.
Another option is the Smith M&P 22
I have one of these too. The Smith is a little more compact, and the Sig is more accurate. Street price on both are about the same.
For me that is part of it. You slow down, and personally I enjoy the process.
You don't spend bullets like candy. I like the thinner front site post, my wrangler can hit at some longer ranges.
For your described purposes, I'd choose the wrangler for 199. Find its favorite load. Mine likes a 40 gr lrn solid for whatever reason.
Now go to rugers website and find the top grain leather open top holster for like 30 bucks. Retention is excellent, it looks like a million bucks.
A pocket or pill container full of rounds and you're set for the afternoon.
Once it was all I had on me as sun was setting and about a dozen coyotes or coy dogs started sounding off. I was glad to have it. I think I had that flat point federal punch that I swapped to. It was like 10 per 50 I think, but I thought it might do better for that role.
It would be a fun change from your 9mm, but something like the Taurus or ruger sr22 might be a better trainer / understudy.
kerreckt
Member
Keltec P17. Comes with 3 magazines and are accurate and dependable. My sons and I own 3 of these and as long as we shoot ammo that is 1200fps or more we have had no problems. We have shot over 2k through these pistols. Big fun!
Corpral_Agarn
Member
I just picked up a uberti stallion in 22 and it's more fun than I thought it would be.
I've been doing 35 yard hits on steel one handed.
I've been doing 35 yard hits on steel one handed.
A ruger MK IV is another great choice and often on sale for around the same price as the g44. The g44 is a blast but not as accurate as the ruger and I learned the hard way if you get a g44 clean it often and never shoot unclad ammo. After completely gumming up the first barrel, I'd cleaned it after a couple hundred rounds and by 300 more it was keyholing. After some research I read glock uses some sort of polygonal rifling that plugs easily. Of what's available at your shop, the wrangler is as accurate as the others and probably more fun and reliable.
of the suggested choices my off the cuff reply is a heritage roughrider. everyone “needs” a single-action rimfire revolver. consider longer 6.5” barrel for better accuracy. $119 for new, in-person, hrr purchase is an excellent value, hand select yours.
ruger wrangler is certainly more durable and $199 is a decent price too. but the 5.5” super wrangler for a few dollars more is the better buy of the two with its upgraded sights and a 22wmr cylinder. depending on likely threats, you might even leave the 9mm at home and go outdoorsing with 22wmr.
i recently got a keltec p17. after 500 rounds i can say that it’s lightweight and reliable. actually too lightweight as it feels fragile and the grip feels too slim. plastic mags are hard to load after ten rounds (with a hiljak reloader can get to 15).
i have no experience with the taurus tx22 or glock 44.
all that said, after 20,000+ rounds i can easily state that my favorite semiauto pistol of any caliber is the ruger sr22.
ruger wrangler is certainly more durable and $199 is a decent price too. but the 5.5” super wrangler for a few dollars more is the better buy of the two with its upgraded sights and a 22wmr cylinder. depending on likely threats, you might even leave the 9mm at home and go outdoorsing with 22wmr.
i recently got a keltec p17. after 500 rounds i can say that it’s lightweight and reliable. actually too lightweight as it feels fragile and the grip feels too slim. plastic mags are hard to load after ten rounds (with a hiljak reloader can get to 15).
i have no experience with the taurus tx22 or glock 44.
all that said, after 20,000+ rounds i can easily state that my favorite semiauto pistol of any caliber is the ruger sr22.
Styx
Member
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- Dec 11, 2014
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- 3,282
Out of that list, the Taurus Tx22. It's the best option, and those who own and have experience with them rave about them. There are also decent aftermarket upgrades available. The G44 is just a training G19 IMHO, and nothing special. I've heard of owners having reliability issues. The P17 is 95% polymer, and it's not going to be as robust or stand up to any serious use.
Low capacity, only 6 shots, 30+ ounces 22lr revolvers don't make much sense, IMHO. It's too heavy for what it is, and it is too heavy for a hiking gun. Plinker with a low capacity 6 shot SA revolver that's slow to reload and unload spent brase will become old really quickly. It will take a long while to run through 100 rounds to a brick of 22lr.
Here's my honorary unsolicited recommendation where I recommend something that wasn't what you asked about.... A 3" Taurus 942 in stainless would be my go-to for an affordable revolver if you wanted to go the revolver route. Its DA/SA, 8 shots, and loading and ejecting will be much faster than SA revolvers. It's relatively lightweight at 25oz, and it's robust. It's a forged stainless steel frame, so it will stand up better to weather, corrosion, and being banged around while hiking. The front sight is pinned, so you can add a night sight or fiber optic front sight. The rear sight is a black blade.
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Riomouse911
Member
My Glock 44 is a great, lightweight pistol that can do double duty as a training gun or a trail gun. Like any .22, budget ammo can lead to budget ammo issues like FTF, etc.
That being said, even with the adjustable rear sight I am not as accurate with it than with other guns. I use it as a range toy/low cost trainer/new shooter break-in gun.
My 4 5/8” Wrangler and 3 1/2” Birds-head Wrangler have also been great guns for range or trail. Both have the usual sight limitations of all fixed-sight, short barreled SA revolvers, so hits aren’t as easy as they are with my 6.5” Single-Sixes. Again, the only reliability issues these have had have been ammo-related.
I don’t have a Kel-Tec, a Taurus auto .22 (I do have Taurus 94 and 941 revolvers), nor a HRR (Since I have the four Ruger SA .22’s, no need), so I can’t legitimately opine on those options.
The longer-barreled Super Wrangler may be a great option if the sights are like the Single Six sights. IMHO those really help on smaller targets like squirrels or the like.
Let us know what you decide on.
Stay safe.
That being said, even with the adjustable rear sight I am not as accurate with it than with other guns. I use it as a range toy/low cost trainer/new shooter break-in gun.
My 4 5/8” Wrangler and 3 1/2” Birds-head Wrangler have also been great guns for range or trail. Both have the usual sight limitations of all fixed-sight, short barreled SA revolvers, so hits aren’t as easy as they are with my 6.5” Single-Sixes. Again, the only reliability issues these have had have been ammo-related.
I don’t have a Kel-Tec, a Taurus auto .22 (I do have Taurus 94 and 941 revolvers), nor a HRR (Since I have the four Ruger SA .22’s, no need), so I can’t legitimately opine on those options.
The longer-barreled Super Wrangler may be a great option if the sights are like the Single Six sights. IMHO those really help on smaller targets like squirrels or the like.
Let us know what you decide on.
Stay safe.
UPDATE: I got a call from my local shop that a black Keltec P17 had come in, I went and looked at it and the others that were within my budget. I decided on the P17 as I was told it was $195 out the door. Got it home and called Keltec as I always like to get extra recoil springs. The nice lady said they would send 2 at no charge and other parts when I need them would be no charge as well. Very good service and I believe I am gonna like this little gun, will post how it shoots after I get to my back yard in a few days. Thanks everyone.
lee n. field
Member
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2002
- Messages
- 4,314
Me personally I would probably go with the Wrangler.
A revolver lets you also shoot .22 Short and .22 CB caps, which are a hoot to shoot. Downside is the fixed sight.
doubleh
Member
None of those listed in the OP really flip my switch. I have a wrangler that is so inaccurate I can't think of anyone I dislike enough to give it to. The Taurus is very popular with a lot of people on RFC and that is the extent of my knowledge never having even seen one. Kel-tec anything holds no interest for me. If forced to choose I would go with the RR with a 6 1/2" barrel. I bought one with adjustable sights and it's well worth the extra money as the sights make a big difference. It's not quite as accurate as my single sixes but who would expect it to be considering the price difference. I was surprised at how close it is though. It's cheap with little to break on it but replacement parts are readily available and not expensive either. I consider it ideal for someone that likes the SAA style gun and Isn't going to shoot it a tremendous amount.
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