[The Dutchman]

I am thinking about getting a .22LR pistol so that my little sister can begin shooting and begin learning the fundamentals. I am not sure which one to get though. I am just looking for something that is reliable and reasonably priced. I am not looking for a tackdriver either or something that looks fancy. Just something that will go bang everytime you pull the trigger and won't break my bank account. Thanks for your help

Sean

[albanian]

All .22lr pistols are going to jam once in a while. That is just the way it is. About the best you can hope for using cheaper plinking ammo is about 2-3 problems per 1000rds. That seems to be about as good as any .22lr pistol can shoot. Sometimes it is an ammo problem like a dud and sometimes it is just a jam. If kept very clean, you can reduce the jams somewhat but no .22lr is going to ever be as reliable as a good centerfire auto.

That being said, the Ruger autos seem to be as good as any and they are very accurate too boot. They are also very reasonably priced and I would vote them a best buy. Some like the Browning Buckmark as well but I think 90% of your replys are going to be one of the two pistols above. There is good reason for this, they are both good guns.

[Surefire]

The Ruger .22 LR pistols are as close to centerfire reliable as is possible for a .22. So far, I don't have ANY FTFs or FTEs in my Rugers (several thousand rounds). What I have had, unfortunately, is misfires. This is where the firing pin hits the primer and leaves a dent in the primer, but the round doesn't go off. I think this is fairly common with rimfires...in that the primers are suseptable to oil, grease, etc... (rimfire rounds don't seem that reliable in terms of actually firing)

[silicon wolverine]

My walther P22 has been good to me. Which you buy depends on your shooting style. Rugers and brownings are great as stable shooting platforms. I like the P22 because its more "real world" design compared to other pistols.

SW

[Steve C]

I think this is fairly common with rimfires...in that the primers are suseptable to oil, grease, etc... (rimfire rounds don't seem that reliable in terms of actually firing)

i've dissasembled many missfired .22 LR's and find that if there's a good firing pin strike the reason for the missfire is that there's a problem with the primiing compound. Often the primer isn't completely distributed around the rim and the firing pin just happened to hit where there was no primer. Thats why if you reload a missfire so the firing pin will hit it in a different place it will often fire. Sometimes you can see the priming compound is detatched from the rim and is mixed or floating in the powder. Sometimes its missing all togeter.

With .22 ammo I've found you usually get what you pay for. Missfires are more frequent when using inexpensive ammo, some brands are worse than others. I've shot up a case of Wolf match ammo and can remember only one missfire in that 5,000 round batch. Winchester Super X target T22 is also pretty reliable. I don't think I've ever had a missfire with match ammo that costs $5 or more a box like CCI pistol match, Federal Gold Medal Match or any of the Eley.

If you want reliability get a revolver. There's nothing wrong with learning to shoot with either a single action type like a Ruger Super Single Six or a double action from S&W or Taurus.

[david_the_greek]

if your sister will be shooting with you or will be shooting your firearms I would suggest getting a conversion. I used to have a ruger mkII governemnt model but it gave me nothing but trouble, many people seem to like it thought but mine was a pain. could have been the ammo but I don't know. I do have to say that taking the ruger a part was not a fun experience for me. I bought a conversion for my cz and it works great even with cheap ammo and its just like shooting my normal pistol.... all be it ALOT cheaper and without any kick. if its to be given to her permanently then obviously giving up one of your nice guns plus a conversion kit might not be an option.

[1911JMB]

22LR reliability=revolver. Some autos work better than others, but due to the low operating pressure, you can't get utter reliability from an automatic .22LR. Just the same, the occasional malfunction shouldn't be a problem, because its not like your looking for a combat gun here.

[ZXD9]

I have 4000 rounds through my Ruger 22/45 Mark III and other than a couple jams during the first 2-300 rounds I have had no problems other than a few failures to fire which I would agree is primarily an ammo problem.

[clone]

i second the ruger 22/45. mine (ruger 22/45 mark 3) has never had a jam of any kind in about 5000 rounds iv run through it. i have had missfires caused by cheap bulk ammo. its also been very accurate to boot. disassembly can be a bit of a pain the first couple times you try it, but once you get the hang of it, its not any worse than any other pistol. good luck with your search.

[aufevermike]

Either the Ruger 22/44 or the Browning Buckmark you can't go wrong with either one of them.

[neil minor]

I agree with the post for the Walther P22. It is a good starting point for training to use autoloaders. It is lightweight, handles well and does not kick. I am using mine to teach my kids how to shoot. It is easy to field strip (and reassemble). Mine has been reliable and it is fun to shoot. Be sure to keep the barrel clean.

I have heard mostly good things about the Ruger 22's. I thought the Brownings were expensive.

Any 22 pistol will jam partly because of how dirty the ammunition is. As previously stated, only use quality ammunition. I prefer CCI.

[Onmilo]

One of the problems with .22 semi automatic handguns is most of them are scaled larger than they need to be for the cartridge they are firing.

Unless you stick with a standard, tapered barrel Ruger and preferably one with fully adjustable sights, I will bet that your sister will not do well with one, will not care for the overall size, and may quickly lose interest in the shooting sports.

A better option for training most females is one of the Walther PP pistols in .22LR if you can justify the cost.
They tend to run about twice as much as comparable large frame .22 semi autos.
They are worth the money but many don't want to spend that kind of green on a .22

An even better choice may be one of the Bersa Firestorm pistols.
They are comparably sized to the Walther PP, nearly as reliable, and just a bit less accurate.
Best thing about the Bersa Firestorm is the cost.
Less than $200.00, even less on sale.
One drawback is the pistol does not come with a spare magazine and Bersa will hose you for spares.
About $30.00 each.
Anyway they are an option worth looking at for beginner training with a female student.HTH

[BevrFevr]

I have a ruger mkII and a ruger single six. Pass on the rugers and get you a real pistol.

For your sister or yourself I would way start with a revolver. If you want her to learn about frustration well then definitely buy her a semi auto rimfire. I mean, what is your real goal for your sister?

If you are starting her out fresh with guns you should get her a bolt action .22 rifle. Almost any brand will do as long as the trigger ain't too bad. You and she will not be sorry.

If you are dead set on a semi auto pistol then get the browning. I have shot samples of each(ruger/browning) and own the wrong brand.

If you want her to have a hobby of buying accesories etc. get a ruger.

If you want her to have a pleasent shooting experience S&W or Browning all the way.

[chaim]

You want reliable out of a .22lr pistol without breaking the bank. Only one choice in semi-autos that will give you true reliability and is also affordable....


I love my Ruger MkII. Just a basic blued pencil barrelled MkII. Bought it for under $250 new a few years ago. Never a hiccup that wasn't simply a dud round (when the round doesn't go off in 2 other .22s you can't say it is the gun).

The only other choice is a revolver.

[Clipper]

Two barrels (3" & 5"), two 10-rd mags, lock mag, cleaning kit, lockable fitted case, suprisingly accurate, LESS THAN $200.00!

[pauli]

the only thing my sister really likes to shoot is my p22. however, i would describe it as consistent, rather than reliable. it's not the sort of gun i suggest anyone buy unless they know what they're getting into.

hard to go wrong with a mark II or buckmark. for a few more bucks, trailsides are awesome.

[30-06 lover]

Both Ruger and Browning make really good rimfire pistols. Personally I would choose the Browning Buckmark Standard model. Take care.
-Mike

[clang]

The little Beretta is another option. I think it is a model 21A. I've got one and it is a fun plinker.

[New_geezer]

As mentioned there are several reliable 22 pistols to choose from. If the gun is for your sister, see if you can borrow, or rent the type under consideration because the feel of the gun is important. Rugers and BuckMarks are both good guns but feel very different in the hand. The Beretta Neos is a good bargain right now but the 4" barrel is not very accurate and the 6" and 7.5" make for a much heavier gun. The Walther is a pretty good gun, a little finicky it seems to me, but a good value. The Sig Mosquito is of a similiar size but more expensive.

One gun that you may find a deal on that I personally would turn down is a Sig Trailside. The guns feel great in the hand and are very simple to maintain and fun to shoot, BUT. Long term use there are problems showing up, specifically the trigger guards are cracking for many users. Slides and some other minor parts have not measured up as well. I say this as a Trailside owner, if I had it to do over I would find another gun.

A good source to check out is www.rimfirecentral.com

[delta58]

I have a Ruger MKII and a Colt Huntsman and I like both really well. My friend has a Walther he really likes and of course there are revolvers.

[Impala]

I second 1911JMB as far as reliabilty goes with .22lr handguns, buy a double action revolver with at least a 6" barrel and adjustable sights. I have seen lots of these at gun shows, gun stores, and pawn shops (I usually avoid buying guns from pawn shops though because most of the people that work behind the counter don't know what they're talking about and just want to sell you a gun that was somebody elses problem.).
I'm not sure about this brand, but It is similar to what I'm talking about http://www.galleryofguns.com/gungallery/PowerSearch/Product.asp?item_num=CR10000&index=0&max=20&start=20&instock=None&manufact_combo=None&mod_ser_combo=None&category_combo=1&model=None&g_type=Revolver&act_type=None&finish_type=None&calib_combo=22LR&sight_class_combo=None&price_range=None&qPromoID=&EZ=&left_handed=&youth=&item_only=0&oldsql=WHERE+Unk2+like+%27%251%27+and++gun%5Ftype+like+%27%25Revolver%25%27+AND++%28Caliber+like+%2722LR%7C%25%27+or+Caliber+like+%27%25%7C22LR%27+or+Caliber+%3D+%2722LR%27%29+ORDER+by+manuf%2C+unk2%2C+unk3

Before buying the gun you should have your sister hold it to make sure it fits her hand well and isn't too heavy for her to be comfortable holding. (I always say that being accurate means being comfortable) I've recently been considering the purchase of a S&W Airlite in .22LR. My brother in law owns a P22 and he swears by the thing, It's great for casual plinking and as an easily concealable backup. After a dozen trips to the range he can put 50 rounds of cheap plinking ammo into a 5" circle. Nice little .22 pistol and usually costs around $250

[Surefire]

I think the Beretta Cheetah in .22 LR would be a fun rimfire to own, provided that you don't mind double action and limited rounds.

[Deer Hunter]

I'd go with a ruger. My old MKI has never failed me.

[Kevinch]

I'm another that would encourage you to get hold of a .22LR revolver as opposed to a semi-auto.

For a new shooter, the more complicated manual or arms involved with the safe operation of a semi, especially a striker single action, makes it more intimidating & harder to learn.

I'd go for a traditional DA revolver; if not that then a SA revolver. Both are available used & at reasonable cost for examples in good condition.

FWIW, when teaching someone to shoot I begin with an old Ruger Single Six in 22LR that I picked up for about $100 years ago.

[N3rday]

I have a ruger 22/45...haven't shot it much, but when I load it and try to eject a round by pulling the slide back, the round rarely 'pops' out, I have to tilt the gun to the side to get the round out. Also has some chambering problems...but these are hollowpoint rounds that I've run through the ejection process several times, so that might be it.

[Zen21Tao]

I have a Kimber Rimfire Target that I absolutely love. However, it is a little on the higher dollar side running around $600 I believe. The best advantage to it is that it gives you the feel of 1911. If you already have a 1911 have this could be a great gun to share with your sister. When she isn't using it it could serve as a cheap alternative to practicing with your 1911 in .45acp.

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/9803/kimberrimfiretarget1aw.jpg

[Pilot]

With decent ammo, all my .22's are reliable including three Ruger MK II's, CZ-75 w/Kadet Kit, Benelli MP95E and a Beretta 21A. Ammo is key.