Best .22 for the buck?

[eastwood44mag]

I realize that is opening up a can of worms, but I'm trying to decide between a Ruger (Mark III or 22/45 most likely), a S&W (29A, I think), and a Buckmark, at present.

I'm looking for a fairly accurate piece. It doesn't have to hit in center ring at 50 yards, but I would like to be able to do so at 25 feet. It also has to be simple enough for me to tear it down and clean it.

Anyone care to offer advice on the matter? (I don't really care for Walther, so I intentionally left it out.)

Thanks.

 

[Technosavant]

Try handling them before buying. I liked most of the S&W 22, but the little bump at the very back of the grip dug into the web of my hand.

I ended up with a 22/45, mainly because it isn't completely unlike a 1911 in control placement and grip angle. Had I to do it again, I might have done a Buckmark, but maybe not.

The Beretta Neos is also a nice little gun. That was also one of my favorites, but I let the stories about the trigger (supposedly it isn't that great, but that is just the good old 'net rumor mill) get to me, and I also kinda wish I hadn't.

Honestly, any of them are plenty fine. My 22/45 hasn't fouled up once, and it is a real tack driver. And it doesn't matter which one you get, you will always eye the others as well.

 

[hkmp5g17]

Please don't use a .22 for buck! Too small!

On a serious note- read the above post.

Anthony

 

[meef]

Please don't use a .22 for buck! Too small!

Maybe he should have said - ahem - "Best .22 for the ..... doe?"



Naw. Still too small.

 

[antsi]

If you like 1911's and have one laying around to provide the receiver, check out the marvel .22 conversion unit
marvelprecision.com

These things are very nice and amazingly accurate - commonly used in Bull's Eye competition.

 

[carolinaman]

Hi there,

I have owned and still several Ruger Mark II's and have enjoyed them all.

I haven't tried the S&W or the Browning Buckmark. But, a lot of good things have been said about them.

I tried the Beretta Neos and found the grip angle just a little too extreme for my tastes. I haven't tried the Sig Trailside either.

With all that being said, head to the range and find out if they have some rental .22's and try a couple. The only downside to the Ruger is that it is a little vexing to disassemble reassemble the first time.

Chris

 

[Ala Dan]

Two that I have personal experience with are the Ruger MK-II KMK-512,
and the Browning Buckmark Classic Plus SE. Both, are fine weapons in
their own right; but with these old eyes I needed the fiber optic (green)
front sight on the Browning~!

 

[Onmilo]

I don't own one myself, but I too have to agree that the Browning Buckmark .22 caliber pistol line are about the best guns in this caliber for the money at this very moment in time.

 

[Mr_Moore]

I went with the Mark III

I realize that is opening up a can of worms, but I'm trying to decide between a Ruger (Mark III or 22/45 most likely), a S&W (29A, I think), and a Buckmark, at present.

I'm looking for a fairly accurate piece. It doesn't have to hit in center ring at 50 yards, but I would like to be able to do so at 25 feet. It also has to be simple enough for me to tear it down and clean it.

Anyone care to offer advice on the matter? (I don't really care for Walther, so I intentionally left it out.)

Thanks.

I was going to get the Mark II but they had the Mark III at almost the same price with a scope mount for a red dot, I figured I might as well get that in case I ever decide to go red dot.

Great gun - not to the discredit of any of the other guns you have mentioned. I have several thousand rounds through it with only a few misfeeds and misfires.

I find it easy to tear down and reassemble. It did take some practice, though.

It shoots better than I can.

I do not think you can go wrong with the Mark III as a target plinker.

Ammo .22 lr is $8.00 per 500 on sale.

 

[rick_reno]

Out the ones you mentioned, I'd go with the Buckmark.

 

[trey gil]

I have a Ruger MK-II and love it, can't go wrong with that guy.
Also, I noticed per the newest catalog that CDNN has Sig Trailslides on sale at what appears to be a good price. I am not in the market for one, but if I was I would consider it.

 

[waterhouse]

I've owned the ruger 22/45, a buckmark plus, and the sig trailside. There was nothing wrong with the ruger, it shot great and was very accurate, but so did the other two and I like the grips and sights more on the buckmark and trailside.

The Ruger (for me) was a pain to put back together (taking it apart was fine). I know that some people find it easy, but I'm not one of those people. The buckmark requires a supplied allen key to field strip, which can be a pain, but I can at least take it apart and put it together without taking out the manual (not so with the ruger).

No experience with the S&W. I got rid of my ruger, I'd go with the buckmark.

 

[New_geezer]

I own a BuckMark, a Trailside, and a Neos

The Trailside feels very good in the hand but the quality for a lot of owners has been hit or miss and it's not a cheap gun. My own experience has been OK but IMHO its nothing special for what you pay.

The BuckMark is overall an excellent gun. It has a few minor quirks but nothing hard to get used to. One caveat - the Camper model comes with a rear sight base that is made of plastic and no matter how careful you try to be it will crack. Not as big a problem as it sounds but very annoying and the only flaw in an otherwise great pistol. If you think you'd later want to buy a Weaver sight rail and a red dot scope then the Camper model is a good way to go and will save you a few bucks. If you only like open sights, then all other BM models use an alloy sight base with no problems.

The Neos is my newest gun and so far I like it quite a lot. It seems to be well made but I can't report any long term use yet. It comes with a full length built in rail but I was surprized to find the stock open sights were pretty good (mine has a 6" barrel). The grip is quite angled compared to my other pistols and took a little getting used to but once done it is a fun gun to shoot.

In terms of maintenance the Trailside is very easy to clean, the Neos almost as easy. The BM is a bit more involved and requires some care but is nothing especially difficult.

Right now the Neos seems to be the best value, bang for the bucks wise, but I've never regretted buying the BuckMark.

 

[BozemanMT]

Buckmark. Superbly accurate, feels great in the hand, feels solid.
great trigger
The wife has a SIG mosquito, and it's neat, but it sucks, it has "issues" and needs to go back to SIG.

 

[pauli]

if i were to buy a .22 pistol, it would be a trailside. though i do hate the magazine design. maybe the metals ones are better... but they're like $40.