.22 pistol

[chuckman]

I am going to get a .22 pistol, probably before year's end. I am spending a fortune at the range and need a cheaper alternative. I am a big-bore kind of guy (I feel whimpy with 9mm), so the .22 is new to me. Any recommendations?

[M2 Carbine]

I've had the Ruger Mark I and Mark II for over 40 years. Very accurate, reliable and you can't hardly wear the things out.

I recently bought a Mark III. Ruger added some unnecessary PC crap. I wouldn't buy the Mark III again. At last weeks gun show there were still many new and used Mark II's.

[sebecman]

I love the Mark II. I have had 5 of them over the years.

[Guyver]

I'm a fan of the Beretta U-22 Neos.... It's not the most attractive pistol on the market, but it is accurate, dependable, comes with all the features you need, (great sights, choice of barrel length, rail, etc), is very well made, field strips with no tools, and can be had for $2-300 OTD, depending.

[mossy500camo]

I have a Browning Buckmark Standard .22lr and I would HIGHLY recommend it. Also the Ruger 2245 would be hard to beat as well.

[Slab]

I like the ruger charger. same action as the 10/22 so all the mags and parts are easy to find. shoots great looks cool. chances are you arent going to carry it anyway. It could be a great option.

[chuckman]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Keep 'em coming. Any feedback on the Sig Mosquito?

[Shrugs]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Keep 'em coming. Any feedback on the Sig Mosquito?

works great with cci mini-mag, not so good with cci 22lr
a little smaller than the bigger cal sigs

[Paul7]

Really like my Ruger Mk III 22/45.

[vafish]

If you have a Glock already the AA .22 Conversion kits are great low cost training aids.

If not, the Ruger MK's, Browning Buckmark, Sig Trailside, Berettan NEOS, S+W 22A and Walter SP22 are all great guns.

[chuckman]

If you have a Glock already the AA .22 Conversion kits are great low cost training aids.

If not, the Ruger MK's, Browning Buckmark, Sig Trailside, Berettan NEOS, S+W 22A and Walter SP22 are all great guns.

I thought about a conversion kit, but for a hundred bucks more, I get another gun.

[Gonzoso]

I love my buckmark. It is disgustingly accurate and I have put 15-20k rounds through it without a problem.

[paccw]

Beretta U-22 Neos

[oldnoob]

3 guns I can't recommend:

Ruger Mark series. Either the Target if you like it heavy and the Luger feel or 22/45 if you wish for thinner grip and 1911 style mag release.

Beretta Neos. I personally own one and enjoy it. Go with the long barrel, the gun is too light for short barrel which make it harder to keep steady for shooting long range.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f185/johell/neos1.jpg

PS, Buckmark is also a good pick if you like the ruger mark but hate the stripping process.

You might want to stay away from Sig Mosquito and Walther, they tend to require higher power ammo to keep rounds cycle.

[toddmog]

Really like my Ruger Mk III 22/45.

Same here :wavey:

[lee2]

walther p-22!!!
break it in with cci mini-mags!:wavey:

[Batesmotel]

Smith 41. Pricy but what a gun.

[Caladan]

Ruger MKIII - not the best trigger, but can be made much better with a few aftermarket parts. Accurate, reliable, and built like a tank - it's the one that will most likely outlive you. Comes with a separate scope rail that you don't have to use.

Buckmark - the best trigger in the ~$300 class (can usually find them for less). Accurate and easier to strip than the Ruger. Grip is bigger than the Neos, smaller than the 22A, and not as blocky as the Ruger.

Neos - small grip size -- too small for me, but perfect for the wife. Not as accurate as the BM or Ruger, but not bad at all. Trigger is the worst of the four models mentioned in this post. Very easy to strip. Built-in scope rail might be of interest.

S&W 22A - The biggest grip of the bunch, which suits my hands quite well. Cheapest of the bunch, but yet just as accurate and reliable as the Ruger and BM. Trigger not as good as the BM or Ruger, but still better than the Neos. Given it's price, it provides the most bang for the buck. It is also the easiest of these to strip.

If we could only have one, it would be the BuckMark, as it has the best trigger, and has a "middle of the road" grip.

hth,
Caladan

[ppcrusa]

Ruger MKII's were good. The MKIII's though I still doubt them a little. I looked at one a few weeks ago and the front site was so loose I could wiggle it around. Add in the magazine disconnect and the stupid loaded chamber indicator.. makes the Ruger MKIII less appealing than prior models.

I've heard numerous good things about the Browning Buckmarks. I have not heard one single negative thing about them. I personally have not owned or shot one, but have talked with people that own them and they are very pleased with them.

Beretta Neos. I tried one of these and from the factory it would not function. The problem was the sear was not properly resetting after shooting. So from that one example I am not inclined to re-buy one.

Walther P22. Some say they are made cheaply and can be hit and miss with reliability and durability. Never owned one, but looked at a few. Not impressed.

Sig Mosquito. Again one of those 22's that you seem to hear "works okay" if you get a good one. Others say they are cheap pot metal that does not deserve the Sig name and they cost too much for what they are.

Ruger Single Six-Ability to use 22LR and 22M.They are made about as tough as a gun can be.They're really overbuilt for what they are. The word "lifetime" comes to mind. All kinds of aftermarket stuff for them available. Mine has been fine with no problems. Out of the box the trigger can sometimes be heavy. Some minor polishing and/or spring replacement/tweaks can remedy this quickly.

I would go for something that is worth the money. My vote goes for the Buckmark or the SIngle Six.

[M2 Carbine]

I am going to get a .22 pistol, probably before year's end. I am spending a fortune at the range and need a cheaper alternative.
Whether you get a conversion or 22 pistol to shoot instead of expensive centerfire ammo, the 22 will pay for itself in a short time.
I look at my 22 guns as having cost me nothing.:)

[Gary1911A1]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Keep 'em coming. Any feedback on the Sig Mosquito?

I know you posted later on you would rather spend a couple hundred more on a complete pistol, but consider a 22 Conversion Unit for the Sig 226 would allow you practice with the same trigger pull and at least similar sights.

[Faulkner]

The Ruger MKII and 22/45 are great .22 shooters. I have a MKII stainless with a Tactical Solutions PAC LITE aluminum upper that is a tack driver. Also have a 22/45 with 4 inch bull barrel. Both of these have had zillions of rounds through them and just keep on ticking.

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL488/1124764/2120947/296826184.jpg

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL488/1124764/2120947/296826175.jpg

[magnumize]

Rugers all the way!My Ruger MKIII Hunter with my Ruger Charger,so accurate thier boring lol.
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x317/magnumize1/rugers.jpg

[Liquidcalm]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Keep 'em coming. Any feedback on the Sig Mosquito?

I have had one for a while put al least 3K rounds though it. I shoot the cheap Remington "golden bullet" wallmart stuff. It is around $12.00 for 550 rounds. I also shoot the Fedaral Wallmart stuff as well around the same price for 550.

Both run fine, you will just need to clean the gun when it gets realy dirty. I clean it around 200 to 300 rounds then keep on shooting. A rag and a .22 brush and you will be set.

I love mine and it goes with me every time I go to the range.

158232

[Mercedesrover]

I am going to get a .22 pistol, probably before year's end. I am spending a fortune at the range and need a cheaper alternative. I am a big-bore kind of guy (I feel whimpy with 9mm), so the .22 is new to me. Any recommendations?

What are you used to shooting? If you carry and use a big-bore Sig then maybe you should look at the Mosquito. I probably shoot my P6's more than anything and have a Mosquito to practice with. It has the same feel as the P6 but I can throw tons of ammo down range without breaking the bank. Pick up the P6 and it feels natural. The Mosquito also has the same controls in the same locations. Pretty handy.

Try to find something that feels and points and has the same controls as what you normally carry.

[JoshuaC]

Ruger MK2. None of the MK3's retard features and it's solid.

http://dl-client.getdropbox.com/u/49917/gunstuff/RugerGrips.jpg

[costanza187]

Without reading all the previous posts, I would say the Ruger MK (series) guns are outstanding in quality in the .22 pistol arena.


I have a MKII myself it is great.




The Walther P22 is fun and cute... but I believe the quality is far below that of the Ruger.

[chuckman]

What are you used to shooting? If you carry and use a big-bore Sig then maybe you should look at the Mosquito. I probably shoot my P6's more than anything and have a Mosquito to practice with. It has the same feel as the P6 but I can throw tons of ammo down range without breaking the bank. Pick up the P6 and it feels natural. The Mosquito also has the same controls in the same locations. Pretty handy.

Try to find something that feels and points and has the same controls as what you normally carry.

Glock 19 is the smallest thing I have. I usually carry a 1911, though, and this is what I shoot the most. I am not unfamiliar with the S&W 500. So, kidding a little when I mentioned big bore, but a bit bigger than .22.

[Vigilance]

The Sig Mosquito gets dumped on alot, but I don't think they are as bad as some people think. I have one, and will admit they are bit fussy with ammo, but mine has run flawlessly with CCI minimags.

[chuckman]

Anyone familiar with S&W's .22? Just looking at options...

[paccw]

Me also

[Donn57]

Glock 19 is the smallest thing I have. I usually carry a 1911, though, and this is what I shoot the most. I am not unfamiliar with the S&W 500. So, kidding a little when I mentioned big bore, but a bit bigger than .22.

If you're a 1911 fan and don't want a .22 conversion, I'd seriously look at the Ruger 22/45.

[eddief4]

i've got a Browning Buckmark and i LOVE it!:thumbsup:



my GrandFather left behind a HighStandard .22 and it's an AMAZING gun!!!:wavey:

[JayAK]

I shoot both the ruger single six and the S&W 22A.....both are great guns..... If you like a single action cowboy style gun check out the single six.....the 22A is a very good shooting gun as well, but it is a semi auto pistol.....

[JayAK]

Anyone familiar with S&W's .22? Just looking at options...

Yes I have the 22A.....it shoots great and is very accurate.....

[TxGun]

I like the Buckmark.

[Poppa Bear]

I like my Buckmark and I am waiting on an AA-22 conversion.

The Buckmark is a great training pistol for new shooters as well as a great pistol for keeping your skills sharp if you are already an accomplished shooter.

The AA conversion will be great for keeping my Glock handling and shooting from concealment skills sharp while saving me just a bit of money compared to shooting .40's.

[Bo Heck]

Really like my Ruger Mk III 22/45.

Ditto, great gun for decent price. My brother went another route and got a Buckmaster, I like it alright but definitely like the 22/45 better. the 22/45 feels like a "normal" gun which helps me train to shoot like I was shooting my other firearms. The buckmaster has a very .22see target gun feel that im not a fan of, and the action is so that burning powder from firing rounds burns my hands, especially during rapid fire, it also costs more. I just like the Ruger better

[vafish]

I thought about a conversion kit, but for a hundred bucks more, I get another gun.


It really depends upon what you want it for.

If you want to get in some cheap practice with your carry/defensive pistol then a conversion kit is the way to go.

But in my experience the conversion kits are bit more ammo sensitive and a little less accurate.

So if you want to start working on some bulls eye target shooting the conversion kit is probably not the way to go.

[chuckman]

Great ideas, all of them. I am leaning toward the Ruger. Although I am no dead-eye dick, I am a fairly accomplished shooter, so it would be for range use and plinking. I have 'converted' between so many pistols, I don't think I would have an issue shooting/practicing with a .22 and moving seamlessly to 9mm or .45, my two CCW guns.

[Jhawk412]

The Ruger 22/45 was originally designed to be a low-cost practice alternative to a 1911 .45. The ergonomics and controls are virtually the same as a 1911. I have a 22/45, a Ruger MkIII and just got a Charger. They're all a blast to shoot and I don't have to fret about spending $0.30 every time I pull the trigger (big relief, particularly now.)

[G30Big]

It depends on what you shoot as a big-bore. The 22/45 (I have ahd for many years) is fun and has target sights and target trigger. It is muzzle-heavy like a 1911 and is steel and plastic. The Buckmark is aluminum and plastic with steel barrel inserts and bolt. It's neutral in the hand like a Glock. Both are fantastic pistols... more toys for the Ruger but both totally rock.

[Glockster17]

My two .02: I bought a S&W 22S when I was a college student and couldn't afford the Ruger I really wanted. That was 10 years ago and I love my 22S. It is the 5.5" bull barrel stainless model. I am so happy with it, I never felt the need to get that Ruger in the decade since. However, I just check S&W's website and I don't see the stainless model any longer. However, you can't go wrong with any model in the 22 series. Good Luck. --Rob

[NowAGlocker]

I bought a Buckmark for my son several years ago. Everyone in my family loves it. I bought my daughter a 22/45 last year and I like the feel of it, however, I am not as accurate with the Ruger.

[Jur]

Anyone get to try one one of the new Walther SP22's yet?

http://www.stenvaag.no/web/onimages/sp22_description.jpg

I've been looking into these for a while, but I'm always a bit wary about new models.

[d-rex]

walther p-22!!!
break it in with cci mini-mags!:wavey:

i'm with this guy, i cleaned my p22 real good, put about 1000 cci minimags through it, then cleaned it again, now it cycles anything, and i hardly even clean the thing.

[bac1023]

My Ruger Mark III has worked well enough.

[d-rex]

Anyone get to try one one of the new Walther SP22's yet?

http://www.stenvaag.no/web/onimages/sp22_description.jpg

I've been looking into these for a while, but I'm always a bit wary about new models.

doesn't look like my supressor is gonna fit:crying:

[bullw]

There's many fine .22's out there, but you can't go wrong with a Browning or Ruger. I've owned a half dozen of each and never had a problem...

[glock224025]

I thought about a conversion kit, but for a hundred bucks more, I get another gun.

You are getting another gun,really.:supergrin: