Favorite .22LR pistol, and why! [Archive]

Saturn9

03-25-2008, 08:40

Hello all.
Girlfriend said she'd consider me getting a .22LR handgun, but only .22LR.
("You have your handgun on base, why do you need another one, you need another hobby, blah blah blah...")

So throw some recommendations at me, please, I am dirty with ignorance and need to be bathed in information.

So far I've been looking at...

Beretta Neos
Browning Buck Mark
Ruger Mk. III (not standard)
Smith & Wesson 22A (41 is too expensive)
Sig Sauer Mosquito
Walther P22 and SP-22

Tom C.

03-25-2008, 11:18

In .22s, the Ruger MK III512 in stainless is the one to consider. If you prefer revolvers, consider the 4" S&W 617 or 5" 63. If you like single actions, the Single Six can be pretty good, too.

Saturn9

03-25-2008, 15:38

consider the 4" S&W 617 or 5" 63.

Way above my price range.

pbrktrt

03-25-2008, 17:07

shop around to see if any used High Standards are available. i have a couple & they are very reliable & accurate pistols.

collegeb

03-26-2008, 05:55

I just got a new .22 . The Beretta NEOS was under $200, and the ruger MK guns were right around $200. I picked up the MK III 22/45 since it came with extra mags and a box, weaver rail. Out the door for $250. There was a Frontier (I think thats the maker) which was a cowboy type gun chambered in .22 which seemed attractive. It could have been had for about $140. There was some cheap looking S&W semi auto .22 for about $140 (I think it was the 22A), but I didn't like the look of it and the mags were so costly (according to the clerk) I decided if I bought more mags I would have spent the same amount as buying a nice gun. I'm thinking though, you might get a new girl instead;). Mine hates guns but has not objected to me buying new ones. Maybe when i've got about 20 of 'em she might think it's getting to the level of ridiculous.

Saturn9

03-26-2008, 13:57

I'm coming down to it and I think I'm leaning towards the Sig Sauer Mosquito with a threaded barrel. From what I've seen it's the only one that is a full sized frame (which really disappointed me when I heard the Walther P22 was meant for kids) but isn't single-action like some of the others.

The Ruger is tempting, and most of the Paladin Press DIY silencer manuals are built around the Mk.II, but...I dunno...I'm used to the Sig Sauer P229DAK, so the Mosquito might be more up my alley than anything else.
Also, while not as cheap as some .22LR handguns, $400 ain't bad.

collegeb

03-26-2008, 19:38

They do seem pricy for what they are. For about $20 more I could have had a higher caliber pistol, but for getting friends into shooting the .22 seems preferable and hopefully they wont find guns to be such a bad thing.

***edit***

its working and everyone including me likes the mk III 22/45, however I've had trouble field stripping it. Gotta call ruger again...i'll get the hang of this one day.

moonie42

03-30-2008, 14:57

shop around to see if any used High Standards are available. i have a couple & they are very reliable & accurate pistols.

I second the High Standards...I had a Supermatic Trophy for 5 years or so, and loved it. Smooth, accurate, and reliable. Only reason got rid of it was to upgrade to a Para Ordnance Carry 12 in .45ACP (which I love too!).

I know you said that the Model 41 was outside your price range, but I think you'd find it worthwhile saving for...particularly if you're looking to get into competitive target shooting.

Saturn9

03-30-2008, 15:30

I know you said that the Model 41 was outside your price range, but I think you'd find it worthwhile saving for...particularly if you're looking to get into competitive target shooting.

I'm not a competitive person, in the least.
If I were good at shooting, it should be my own skill rather than the gun itself.

I'm looking at these .22LR pistols for my own enjoyment of going out and putting holes in paper with a handgun, but for relatively little cost (and to keep my girlfriend happy).

So far the Sig Sauer Mosquito with a threaded barrel is leading the race. It's nearly the size of the P229 (while the Walther is a toy version of the P99), and it has the option of suppressor attachment with a thread (which I like very much).

e80hydro

03-30-2008, 16:59

dolphan12

03-30-2008, 17:33

Maybe when i've got about 20 of 'em she might think it's getting to the level of ridiculous.

When you get to 20, just point to her shoe boxes. ;)

dolphan12

03-30-2008, 17:38

Hello all.
So far I've been looking at...

Beretta Neos
Browning Buck Mark
Ruger Mk. III (not standard)
Smith & Wesson 22A (41 is too expensive)
Sig Sauer Mosquito
Walther P22 and SP-22

I went through the same thing, Ruger, Smith, or Browning...Ruger, Smith, or Browning. I literally pondered for 7-8 years (shifting priorities you know) Finally came across a great deal on a Buckmark Camper. Haven't regretted it for a minute. Have put 7-8K rounds through it. Would buy another one in a second.

Saturn9

04-07-2008, 12:35

Get a new girlfriend and buy a 357 mag or a 45 auto.:D

You know I've heard this a lot, from other advice given by people who I've asked the same question but don't know me.

I gotta admit, e80hydro, I like great sex a hell of a lot more than shooting guns, not ready to give that up.
Also, we've been dating for five years, can't give that up for a better handgun.

I also just want something for a civvy range weapon that I can put holes in paper with or go on gopher genocide with, nothing more.
This isn't a handgun purchase for me, it's a hobby purchase.

When you get to 20, just point to her shoe boxes. ;)

Actually she doesn't own many shoes, mostly leather boots.

You see why I'm not about to dump her?

If we ever have kids and they're made fun of on the playground with, "your mother wears combat boots", it'll be a statement of fact.

collegeb

04-07-2008, 16:48

Mine doesn't own many pairs of shoes either. She does like gardening but thats a great homsteading skill. Saturn and I just have great taste in women. Mine really likes the ruger mk III 22/45. I bought it in her honor since she can't own it but she continues to talk about it as her gun. :D I've done it, i've corrupted a girl raised in probably one of the most anti gun regions of this nation into someone who can tolerate, and even enjoy guns! :usa::2guns:

Folks, we can reprogram them (anti gunners), just give it some time and TLC.

We ought to have a thread and brag about our gals...and/or significant others.

Travis Morgan

04-09-2008, 02:28

Actually she doesn't own many shoes, mostly leather boots.

You see why I'm not about to dump her?

She's a closet lesbo? :lol: That's HOT!

Saturn9

04-09-2008, 03:33

She's a closet lesbo? :lol: That's HOT!

The amount of sex we have would speak otherwise.

Travis Morgan

04-09-2008, 06:10

I hope you took my comment in the joking manner it was intended. It was in poor taste.

Lesbian tendencies, in my experience, tend to have just the opposite effect on a woman's sex drive. Enjoy the ride! Unfortunately, my wife's only friend that would go for it has been ridden more than Secretariat. Too bad; she's so hot, when she walks into a room, you'll forget your own name and half the guys spill their drinks!

e80hydro

04-09-2008, 14:11

Sounds like you 22lr guys get a lot of action.:lol:

Travis Morgan

04-09-2008, 18:15

.22LR guys ? I'm also a .38, .357, .45 (acp and Colt), .30-30, .30-06, 12 gauge, bow shooter, slingshot shooter,...........:D

Saturn9

04-09-2008, 22:31

.22LR guys ? I'm also a .38, .357, .45 (acp and Colt), .30-30, .30-06, 12 gauge, bow shooter, slingshot shooter,...........:D

Some of us some of us like to shoot a lot of rounds without spending a lot of money.

Maybe I should have posted this in the small bore section, but you're certainly not helping. "Oh, be a man, buy a real man's caliber" - I've heard enough of it, move along.
(Not what you said, but if I were in the market for another caliber, I would have asked - so why bring it up?)

Travis Morgan

04-09-2008, 23:00

I brought it up because you referred to me as a .22 LR guy. I'm no expert on rimfires, like some of the folks here. Get your panties out of the wad.

I have no prejudice against any caliber, or anyone's choice thereof. I damn sure have my favorites, and, yes, they do lean towards .45's, for handguns. Rifles, I like the midrange stuff. I already know how tough I am. No need to use the biggest gun available to shoot whitetails in Kansas. I doubt I'll ever feel the need to own a .475, a .500 Wyoming express, et al.

If you want to shoot rimfires or air rifles, that's your deal. I've spent a LOT of time with airguns, and I'm actually surprised I haven't worn out even one .22!

As for economy, that's why I reload, make my own gunleather, do what smithing I can, cast bullets, and do a little trading to supplement my gun budget.

I'm not one of the rich pricks that we all get tired of on these boards, bragging about their impossibly small (and possibly imagined) groups with their super custom rifles with a scope handmade by Hubble, himself.

When my wife, my boy, and myself go shooting, and we have enough ammo to shoot until we're tired of it, it's only because I spent a lot of spare time casting and reloading, scrounging lead, and possibly trading my handiwork for components.

Where the HELL you were able to draw an insult from my saying that I'm also a .38, .357, .45............ etc. shooter, in addition to shooting .22's is truly beyond me. Hell, I even mentioned my slingshots. Apparently, you thought they must have thought it was some kinda super custom, super duper high dollar, engraved slingshot.

In short, you suck.

dolphan12

04-10-2008, 03:19

And another thread off into the ditch in flames....

e80hydro

04-10-2008, 03:47

Let's try and salvage this thread. Where I live (NJ), it's against the law to own or sell slingshots. You can't even buy a special permit for one. I guess there just that dangerous in the politicians eyes. BB guns are classified as firearms and you must possess a firearms ID card to purchase one. I feel much safer because of these laws.:lol::lol::lol:

Travis Morgan

04-10-2008, 20:31

e80hydro

04-11-2008, 03:12

Hydro,

Here in Kansas, we can carry concealed weapons, we'll soon have Class III, but butterfly and switchblade knives are illegal for all but law enforcement. That's about retarded. We also can't carry a club or a sap. I guess that means we're supposed to shoot criminals.

In NJ, If your getting robbed, assaulted or murdered, the lawmakers insist you wait for the police to arrive. In the city type area's where all the murders take place on a daily basis, they (the future victims) sometimes hold "Stop the Violence Rally's" in an attempt to stop the violence. After their done holding up the signs and talking through their bullhorns, they all run home and lock the doors so they don't become a victim of a violent crime. Kinda silly if you ask me.

Travis Morgan

04-12-2008, 21:56

If you're gonna march down the street, chanting about taking back the streets, you really SHOULD be carrying a Thompson submachine gun! :lol: That'd be SWEET!

lefty55

08-09-2008, 11:00

Another nod for High Standard, my first handgun was a Sport King (still have it, will never sell it), 4" barrel. I can shoot 3" groups at 100 ft without being in practice. They show up used in good condition for around $180, 10 + 1 shots.

Racer

08-10-2008, 21:07

High Standard HD-M Suppressed. Accurate, quiet, historic.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b25/Racer351/HighStandardHD-MS-1.jpg

dieterich

01-09-2009, 12:17

I'm loving my Sig Mosquito. I threw an Insight M3X on it and we go out raccoon hunting at the ranch at night. Such a fun gun to shoot. It handles about like a full size gun and is just a heckofalotta fun. I snatched mine up for around $325.

I've had other .22 autos like the Ruger MKII and a Colt Woodsman but I never liked the way their mags released. If you wanted to do some fast mag changes, you had to contort the gun around to get at the mag release. That said, the Ruger is my second favorite. It's an awesome target gun and accessories are plentiful.:D

http://www.perfectunion.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=14669&stc=1&d=1231532106

Merph

01-09-2009, 13:54

I love my High Standard Victor

aaalaska

01-10-2009, 23:55

jamesp81

01-22-2009, 08:31

While I know the S&W 22A is not a favorite among the shooting elite I have started many new shooters with 22 handguns the neos, ruger MKII, and S&W 22A, most that have gone on to buy one of their own have purchased the S&W go figure.Inexpensive, light, accurate, and backed by a 100% guarantee. Alex

I've got the Smith, and I've been wondering if I should trade it on Ruger MkIII or Ruger 22/45. Problem is that the Rugers have gotten so expensive recently.

Chiefly, it seems to me that the Ruger is made to tighter tolerances than the Smith. I also really don't like the trigger pull on the Smith. It's not too terribly heavy, but it's long. I like the Ruger trigger much better.

javelin98

02-08-2009, 16:52

...most that have gone on to buy one of their own have purchased the S&W go figure.Inexpensive, light, accurate, and backed by a 100% guarantee.

I normally don't associate "Smith & Wesson" with "inexpensive", but those 22A's are a pretty good deal! About the same price as the Walther P22 I just bought.

gossman

02-08-2009, 18:36

woodchuckssuck

03-09-2009, 09:02

In my list:
#1 Colt woodsman Target model, second series

#2 Ruger 22/45 Target 5.5" bull barrel.

Both have the mag release in the "colt 1911" placement, so mag drops are easy with both guns. The colt is first because, while accuracy is similar to the Ruger, fit, finish and overall workmanship are about 100 times better. Although, the Ruger is much easier to find, and quite a bit less money. The Colt was free to me, So I cant really complain. Im lucky for having a grandfather with no one else really interested in guns in my family! :)

Ruger semi-autos also have this great company, Volquartsen (no connection to ruger) who makes replacement and match-grade parts. So if you want a different trigger or lighter trigger, its possible without taking it to a 'smith! Just a thought :)

my brother was shooting my 22/45 off a rest at 25 yards and easily keeping Federal #510 ammo inside a 1" stick up dot with just the open sights. He commented it shot as good and almost better than his marlin model 60 rifle!

Bigfoot62

03-13-2009, 16:43

Take a look at this thread on another board: http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=206403 Notice how many of the qualifying targets were shot with a Ruger MK. I just don't think you can go wrong with one.
JMHO.

So throw some recommendations at me, please, I am dirty with ignorance and need to be bathed in information.
You can get a "bath" here, and lots on information. Perhaps some of it will even be useful. ;) :D

Rmfcasey

04-04-2009, 04:01

I have a ruger MK II target barrel that i really like.
Rmfcasey

kudzu

04-05-2009, 13:50

I have had quite few semi-auto .22's over the years and my hands down favorite is the Browning Buckmark I bought in 1988. Shoots great, handles well. The only thing I would ever change is the barrel length from 6" to 4". But even at that, after 20 years it is still flawless.

I also had a Buckmark and absolutely agree that it was probably the best .22 auto pistol I ever owned however, because of the open slide it would burn the knuckle of my thumb (with a two handed grip) after a few shots. I had to tape the thumb every time I shot it. I know this is not a problem for everyone but it sure was for me. I got tired of this after awhile and sold the pistol. I don't mean to criticize the gun, it was probably my fault. Anyone else have this problem?

garza1290

04-05-2009, 15:41

Ruger MK II 22/45 with a 4" barrel.

vjb.knife

04-23-2009, 14:07

That's a tough question I have 4 right now. I like 3 of them a lot. I have a Beretta model 89, a Ruger Mark III, a High Standard S-101 and a Walther P22. I like the first 3 quite a lot, the Walther P22 not so much.

I have easily owned 10 other 22 pistols from 5 other High standards, 3 other Rugers, a Browning Buckmark and a S&W 41 and 422. The ones I have now each have their advantages and the 3 I like as mentioned above are pretty much my all time favorites. I have shot a slew of others owned by friends also. Recently I fired the SIG Mosquito, which I mostly liked but I don't think the trigger is big enough on.

The High Standard S-101 has the best grip and is supremely accurate. The Beretta 89 is fast and stays on target and is nearly as accurate as the S-101. The Ruger Mark III is probably the best all around of the bunch just not quite as accurate as the other two. All 3 of these are very reliable and fun to shoot. The Walther P22 is light and small (I have the one with two barrels) but not reliable or accurate enough.

When the new High Standard Company starts production back up I will probably get one of them.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/vjbknife/knives/22All.jpg

vjb.knife

04-23-2009, 14:33

That's a tough question I have 4 right now. I like 3 of them a lot. I have a Beretta model 89, a Ruger Mark III, a High Standard S-101 and a Walther P22. I like the first 3 quite a lot, the Walther P22 not so much.

I have easily owned 10 other 22 pistols from 5 other High standards, 3 other Rugers, a Browning Buckmark and a S&W 41 and 422. The ones I have now each have their advantages and the 3 I like as mentioned above are pretty much my all time favorites. I have shot a slew of others owned by friends also. Recently I fired the SIG Mosquito, which I mostly liked but I don't think the trigger is big enough.

The High Standard S-101 has the best grip and is supremely accurate. The Beretta 89 is fast and stays on target and is nearly as accurate as the S-101. The Ruger Mark III is probably the best all around of the bunch just not quite as accurate as the other two. All 3 of these are very reliable and fun to shoot. The Walther P22 is light and small (I have the one with two barrels) but not reliable or accurate enough.

When the new High Standard Company starts production back up I will probably get one of them.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/vjbknife/knives/22All.jpg

RaisedByWolves

04-29-2009, 17:37

While I know the S&W 22A is not a favorite among the shooting elite I have started many new shooters with 22 handguns the neos, ruger MKII, and S&W 22A, most that have gone on to buy one of their own have purchased the S&W go figure.Inexpensive, light, accurate, and backed by a 100% guarantee. Alex

I have one with the factory target grips and it shoots great and will feed anything. The factory grips are nice and fat, this seems to give you (Me) a more steady aim and pretty good groups.