in the market for .22 auto loader, any suggestions?

[turkeythigh]

i am in the market for a new .22 pistol. i have looked at the walther p22 and have fired it i have fallen in love with it. but i was wondering if there are any better ones on the market. i have also looked at the cz 75 kadet, the sig mosquito, the ruger mkIII, and a keltec .22 based on their .223 pistol.

i am wanting to get some info from people who have actualy handled and fired some of these weapons before i buy.

any info would be greatly appriciated. thank you

 

[gpr]

if your looking for a pocket size pistol, i would stay away from the plr22...gpr

 

[turkeythigh]

not really looking for a pocket pistol. just looking for somthing fun to shoot and to put lead down range for cheap. maybe do a little hunting with it. the cool factor also comes in to play a bit.

 

[kd7nqb]

I just picked up a used Mark II government Target as seen in THIS thread, I love the thing to death. Its pretty amazing.

My GF recently purchased a Sig Mosquito and she loves it, the sig is a little pick on ammo but even much of the bulk pack stuff works fine. And for the bulk packs that did not work the only issue was the first round would not eject but the rest of the mag would run fine.

I have heard very good things about the browning buckmark as well. HERE is a thread with a poll that I made a while ago asking much the same question you are.

 

[bigfatdave]

I'd go for a Ruger .22 autoloader of whatever configuration you prefer.
Lots of options, good construction, accurate enough to put a scope on.

 

[turkeythigh]

thank you. it is kinda hard to make a decision when you are a person like me with so much to choose from. lol.

 

[bigfatdave]

If possible, shooting the possible purchases is a plus, of course. Do you have a rental range nearby? Every rental range should have a P22 and a Ruger .22 to play with.

The Rugers are a pain to take down, but you get the hang of it after a few times. The P22 is easy to strip and rebuild, but has wear issues and some QC issues (S&W customer service should take care of you if you have problems).

If you go with the P22, I recommend avoiding the "target" model - the add-on for the front of the gun isn't built to the same standards as the rest.

 

[Pilot]

Ruger, preferrably a MK II over a new MK III due to the addition of needless lawyer crap, or Browning Buckmark. The P22 and Sig Mosquito while sexy to some due to their looks are not in the same league.

 

[patrick526]

I handled a Ruger MK III and owned a Walther P22. For me, I love Walther P22 better because of its small size and lighter weight. .22LR doesn't have much kick, that's why a heavy pistol (for myself) is not that necessary. For target shooting, heavy pistol will just tire you immediately and lose accuracy. Small and light pistol (like the Walther P22) is also better for CC than Rugers.

 

[jaybr]

I've got a couple Beretta Neos's and have been really happy with them.

 

[dat2]

Browning Buckmark is a great little gun

 

[aHFo3]

Pilot described it well. Comparing Rugers and Brownings to Walthers and Sigs is like comparing Apples and Oranges.

I've been thrilled with my MKII for 17years. Ruger offers a variety of barrel lengths and styles to fit your need, plus they have the 22/45 variation. My MKII It is made well, and more accurate than I am.

I've shot my friend's buckmark and find the Ruger and the Browning very similar. I don't like some of the sharp edges on the Browning.

I owned a P22 for couple years. I grew frustrated with its finicky appetite, and its pot metal slide. I was happy to trade it. When it worked it was tons of fun. It is a small, lightweight handgun, and it has the treaded barrel, and the feel of a full size gun, but the two reasons above turned me off the P22.

 

[klcmschlesinger]

Mark III

I love my Mark III target. Eats everthing, more accurate than I am. Great gun.

 

[wbwanzer]

No doubt, the Rugers and Brownings are better .22lr pistols than the P22 or Mosquito. I have the Browning Buck Mark and like it very much. That being said, I also have a new Mosquito that I also like very much. I've only got 200 rounds down range so far, but have had zero problems using CCI Mini-Mags, as recommended. It is a fun gun that resembles a center fire pistol, as does the Walther P22. For me though, the P22 felt too small in my hand. The Skeeter felt much better. I'm keeping the Mosquito because I like it, it's working as expected, and hopefully my wife will like it as well.

 

[wyohome]

I got a 622 S&W tossed in with a Kimber rifle purchase a couple of weeks ago. It is pretty accurate and my wife loves shooting it.

 

[flyerI]

Another vote for the Buckmark. My choice was between it and the Mark II. Both shot well but I liked the look of the Buckmark best as well as how it fit in my hand.

 

[rickb2202]

i own a p22 with 8000+ rounds thru it. love it

 

[Burl]

Ruger 22/45 MKIII is hard to beat. Time tested, accurate, inexpensive.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I have found the Buckmark to be superior to the Ruger for a number of reasons. The barrel can be interchanged without Federal Red Tape (rugers serial is on the barrel unit), the aftermarket support is way better for the Browning, accuracy and trigger seem to be the same when worked correctly.

 

[aHFo3]

the aftermarket support is way better for the Browning

Do you mean Browning customer service? Or aftermarket goodies?

I've never dealt with Ruger or Browning Customer service, but there seems to be more aftermarket goodies for the Ruger, but it may be that I'm not looking for Browning parts.

 

[cliffy]

Look further into the Ruger Mark III

Ruger Mark IIs and Mark IIIs dominate my firing line. Mainly don't discount quality ammo. Cheapy LR ammo is just that. Stovepipes are NOT standard quality fare. CCI Mini-Mags do not do this! All too-many cheap bulk-pack ammos do stovepipe or flat-out misfire! You spent $400 plus on a fine pistol, so why try to run CHEAP ammo through it? CCI Blazers are bottom-of-the-barrel, but CCI Min-Mags are a huge step above. I shoot over 100 rounds per week, with extreme accuracy, so I don't want or accept weak loads that jam my pistol's action. cliffy

 

[Thomas Garrett]

I vote for the Buckmark 5.5 UDX Target. Picked one up myself. Excellent choice and very accurate at 25 yards. Eats everything except HV .22's. Just won't cycle with that.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Aftermarket goodies is what I was referring to. TacSol barrels and triggers. Easy swap outs.

 

[benderx4]

Ruger Mark III - just realize it's a pain to clean!

 

[BullRunBear]

I like the CZ Kadet. (Actually, it's the Kadet conversion kit for the CZ 75b.) It is a accurate as my Mk II bull barrel, it has digested everything I've fed it and it's a LOT easier to take down. Having said that, my S&W K-22 revolver gets more use than the autos.
Jeff