[Fuzzy]

I'm thinking about getting a .22 auto and I am soliciting some opinions.

But first, some background. I have a Star Model B in 9mm but I don't really like it. I want to replace it with a CZ 75BD, but I'm willing to wait a year so I can get it with high cap mags, assuming the ban will sunset. I have a buddy that wants to buy my Star so I may just go ahead and sell it, but that would leave me pistol-less.

So, I thought it would be fun to get a .22 auto to tide me over. I really like the looks of the Walther P22 and I've only heard good things about it. I have to admit, it's the 'coolest' looking .22 auto I've seen and I like the idea of interchangable 3.4 and 5 inch barrels.

But, I am generally a 'buy American' kind of guy and who can deny the legacy of Ruger .22 autos. I really like the feel of the 22/45 so why not get one of them? They aren't as 'sexy' as the Walthers, but I can't think of a single negative thing I can say about them.

But, since I want a CZ 75 anyway, I was thinking of just going ahead and getting one with the 10 round mags and getting a Kadet conversion kit. I'd have to wait to get the high caps and hopefully after the ban sunsets the mags will cost a bit less than the $70 they are asking for them now.

So, what do you think?

-Fuzzy

[Preacherman]

Fuzzy, I think you're being ripped off on the CZ mags... I bought 8 of them a couple of years ago for $35 apiece from CZ-USA, and as far as I know, they still have plenty of them. For that matter, my local dealer has half-a-dozen in stock at that price. Who's charging you $75 for them?

As far as a .22 goes, I'd buy the CZ/Cadet combination in a heartbeat. That way, your .22 plinking and training will have the same ergonomics as your defensive training. What's not to like?

[Sprout]

Another vote for the Kadet. Money well spent.

[BevrFevr]

I can without a doubt say get a CZ! Ruger = jamming, but accurate piece of crap.

I found that the el cheapo after market CZ mags are just fine after you replace the springs with wolff +10% springs. Mine were 14.99 a piece but that was years ago.

Good Luck! -bevr

[Doug Add]

I have a P22 and like it for what I bought it: to teach my son how to shoot a pistol. I will keep it because it is so inexpensive to shoot, and my son loves it. But I much prefer my Browning Hi-Power. If I were in your position, I would definitely go with the CZ.

I have shot a couple of CZ 75s, one a rental, the other belonged to the guy in the next lane at the range one night. We talked for a while afterward and he said he really enjoys shooting his .22 conversion barrel as well as the 9 mm.

[SelfProclaimedExpert]

Walther P22 and I've only heard good things about it.

Maybe you haven't been listening.:D The P22 would be a nice $150 pistol, maybe. But for the price and the Walther name, it's pretty sorry. The gun is neither fish nor foul - just a funny looking way to deplete .22 ammo on cans.


A Ruger, even a cheap one, is a target pistol, in the best sense. They aren't usually too finicky but will produce exceptional accuracy. You could compete at a fairly high level with one just by getting a lighter trigger. The stock one isn't bad, though. Most owners report very few jams and it tolerates most ammo.

The Ruger or a Buckmark are a great way to go. Get the 5" or longer barrel.

The other alternative, a conversion, is pretty neat too. You don't generally get the accuracy of a dedicated full size .22, but you get to shoot your combat gun for cheap. Conversions are available for the CZ, as well as Beretta, Taurus, 1911, Glock, Sig 210 and Hipower (on the way). The Cadet is one of the nicer units. Price wise, they are about as much as the basic Ruger, but look for internet sales - I saw a Ciener one for $150 the other day. You'll at least get the same accuracy as you get with your centerfire caliber.

Doing a quick search, the cheapest factory quality CZ mags I could find were $55. This surprised me, a bit. It might pay to look around right now, anyway. The CZs were shipping with 1 15rd, 1 10 rd for quite awhile. Some low traffic store might still have one of those for the regular price.

FYI, the cheapest decent hicaps are for Berettas and BHPs right now.

[Fuzzy]

It seems like there is a consensus for the CZ Kadet. It does sound interesting but there are a few problems with that choice that moved it to the bottom of the list.

First off, my wife likes to shoot also. She has little hands and can't really get a comfortable grip on a pistol that has a double stack magazine. She likes shooting my .22 rifle and I think she would be disappointed if I get a .22 pistol that she couldn't shoot.

Secondly, I have a moral problem buying a gun designed to hold 15 rounds that only holds 10. Not that I think that I need 15 rounds, but I want it just because they say I can't have it. I'm not a criminal so I should be able to buy whatever I want, right? I know, I'm preaching the the choir here.

So,I got some things I need to think about. The kit is kinda pricey too, for what you get. The conversion kit costs about as much as a new gun, going for $240 at J&G sales. But, I may have to do a lot of overtime in the next few months, so maybe I'll get all three. ;)

Does anybody know the going rate or even the MSRP of the P22 or the 22/45? I live in a moderte sized city and there are only a handfull of gun stores so prices here aren't really that great.

Also, how much does the extra barrel cost for a P22 so I could change the length?

Thanks,
-Fuzzy

[SelfProclaimedExpert]

The CZ grip is very small for a double stack. Have her try it.

A blue, bull barrel 22/45 with adjustable sights can be had for $200 to $225. The plastic and pot metal P22 starts over $250.

[Pilot]

Fuzzy,

Factory CZ 15 round Hi-Cap mags are cheap and available for $25. Even the rarer, Compact hicaps are only $45 each and they hold 14. The Kadet Kit can be had for $219 - $229 if you look around. I have three Rugers, so yiu can't go wrong with a MK II or 22/45 either, but with the Kadet Kit, you get more options.

[12 Volt Man]

No need to wait till next year the CZ75BD comes with a regular capacity mag and one 10 round. At least mine did when I bought it new last year.
The Kadet kit is a great option. I still need to get one for mine.

[SelfProclaimedExpert]

Pilot - WHERE?????

[Fuzzy]

I'd also like to know where you can get CZ mags that cheap. J&G Sales has them for $69.95 and they usually have good prices.

-Fuzzy

[twoblink]

I like my Ruger 22/45 a lot, and it's been very accurate. The trigger is horrible, and so I replaced it with a Volquartsen drop-in kit, and now it pulls at 2lbs and is smooth as butter.

That said, make sure your wife can shoot the gun. That seems like the highest on the priority list IMHO.

Sig-Trailside?? Have you considered that?

[P95Carry]

Walther? ........ nope, sorry!

CZ? ...... you could like that but ......

I very much like the Ruger ..... I was lucky i think ... out the box, trigger on my 22/45 is very acceptable and hey .... accurate? Incredible.! My fave 22 semi.

http://www.patriotnetwork.net/cb_gun2/22-45_s.jpg

[Pilot]

Robert Johnson (sorry I don't have his email address) sells factory CZ mags at great prices. Check on the CZ board for his contact info.

http://pub105.ezboard.com/bczechpistols82792

Here's another contact for inexpensive CZ hi-caps. I am told he lists on Gunbroker and gives the best pricing there.

reddoggxx@redrivernet.com

[Thirties]

I own a CZ85-B. I bought a Ruger MKII target model. I later bought a CZ-Kadet .22lr kit for my CZ-85. The following month I sold my Ruger.

It was a no-brainer.

The CZ with the Kadet kit is more accurate than the Ruger Target model, in my experience. And it is much more reliable, and easy to clean and maintain, not to mention handy to use since you are using your CZ 9mm frame already.

Obviously, if you have no CZ-75, a Kadet kit will do you no good (until you get the CZ-75).

As for buying American, the Walther you mention is made in Holton, Maine by Smith & Wesson up there, if I'm not mistaken. That doesn't make it a good gun, necessarily. But it's made in USA.

My vote: Buy the CZ-75, get your 15 round magazines at under $49 (keep looking), buy the CZ Kadel .22lr kit, be happy. Forget the Ruger.

[robctwo]

I have both the Ruger MkII and CZ75BD in 9mm with the Kadet. My Ruger almost always outshoots the Kadet, but not by much. The kadet is better practice for shooting the CZ in 9mm. I have shot my friends Walther with both the 3.5 and 5" barrels. Not very accurate and a pain to convert. He likes the name.

Tough to get a better 9mm than CZ, and impossible at the price.

Robctwo

[Fuzzy]

Well, my decision just got a lot earier. I was in a local gun store today and I found out that Ruger is giving a $40 rebate on all P series pistols. I just can't pass up a new 22/45 going for $190 - $200. So now I just need to decide if I want the P4 or the P512.

I'm mainly just going to be using this as a plinking/camping gun. I think that the 4" barrel would be more convienent but I'm wondering what the difference in accuracy is. Does anyone have some hard data on this? The extended sight radius would be nice, also.

Thanks,
-Fuzzy

[Kruzr]

The Ruger $40 rebate is only on P-series centerfire pistols. There is no rebate on the 22/45's.

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/P-PromoPSeries.html

[P95Carry]

Even without rebate I think you'll still be pleased ...... tho just possibly you may want a trigger job later .... but like me you well may be good, outa the box.

Mine has 5 1/2 tube ... as per pic further up .... that does shoot remarkably well .... and rested it groups very tight, even with Wally World Fed ammo. I reckon the increase in sight radius does count for a bit.

[zxc]

P4 is closer to 1911 sight radius.

[Fuzzy]

The rebate is for centerfire only? I think that they may be a little ambigous. The webpage says centerfire only, but the rebate form does not. The gun store only had the rebate forms out with no signs or posters. So, what's the deal? If I had bought one today then how would I have known that I wasn't eligable?


-Fuzzy