full size steel 22lr pistol

Lots of .22 1911 guns out there and conversion kits for real 1911s that are readily available.

S&W Model 41 (an older model)

Welcome to the forum!

I just had a thread going on pretty much this exact issue-
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/swap-m41-for-supermatic.877480/#post-11695992

Lots of good advice and suggestions from the community, as well as my own less-than-stellar M41 experience.

I think a Hammerli would fit your needs for steel frame and large grips and also your budget. I have no personal experience with one, but one elderly gentleman shooting in our rimfire league a year ago was using one and did fairly well with it. Here's a list of current GB auctions for this firearm:

https://www.gunbroker.com/Semi-Auto-Pistols/search?PageSize=96&Sort=13&View=2&Ch-Caliber=.22 LR&Ch-manufacturerName=Hammerli

Welcome to the forum!!

Check your High Standard for vertical slide play. I bought mine used in 1977. About ten years ago I was having issues. The slide wear was causing feeding issues. I tapped the slide rails to tighten them up. Wear happens. Stay lubed.
Go buy another High Standard. A Model 41 won't feel as good.

The easiest answer to your question, bigbirdiscool, is the plain old Ruger 22 target pistol. All steel, has been around since what, 1949? Has a sterling reputation, is available everywhere used and new, vast quantities of aftermarket accessories, and is similar in some ways to what you're already used to. Of course, you'd have to work like a switch engine to spend $2,500 on one, but maybe once you've had it awhile, you'd have a better idea of what would suit you better.

ontarget said:

bigbirdiscool said:

full size steel 22lr pistol

Click to expand...

Lots of .22 1911 guns out there

Click to expand...

While there are many 1911 chambered in 22LR, most are lighter in weight.

I recommend German made GSG 1911 22LR (Same as Sig 1911 22LR) as weight is heavier and come closest to weight of 45ACP 1911 and magazines are metal. GSG 1911 comes with threaded barrel option and shares many parts with 45ACP 1911s and can get up to 16 round magazine kits - https://www.taylor-tactical-supply.com/gsg-1911-22lr-s/132.htm

Unlike some 22LR pistols which can be picky with ammunition, my GSG 1911 has been reliable (As long as it's cleaned and lubed) with around 20 different ammunition I tried, even with cheaper bulk packs and produced good accuracy of 2" groups at 25 yards using cheap Armscor 36 gr - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/22-conversion-for-1911.877711/#post-11698572

Here's Hickok45's review of GSG 1911 (Same as Sig 1911 22LR)

bigbirdiscool said:

. . . wondering what other options i have for a full size steel 22lr pistol. . .
does anyone know other pistols that could fit my needs? the price i can afford it maximum 2500 USD.

Click to expand...

The first thing to spring to mind is a Ruger MkII, with wrap-around grips (Hogue I think). You could get a later model (MkIII, Mk4) but they didn't improve anything over the MkII in my opinion.

And you could buy 5 for your budget.

bigbirdiscool said:

i have very large hands so most 22 pistols i've come across are too small for me to grip comfortably which affects my accuracy a lot.

every 50 shots i'd have at least 2 failures to eject and 2-4 failures to feed and i'm tired of the magazine adjusting.
also the front magazine release started to annoy me ... i absolutely dislike polymer and zamac

Click to expand...

Is this for plinking?

So you are looking for:

• Large grip
• Reliable feeding
• Reliable magazine
• Thumb mag release
• No polymer/zamac

There is 22LR AR "pistol" option ... I use CMMG 22LR conversion kits for my ARs

bigbirdiscool said:

he high standard has the usual issues, every 50 shots i'd have at least 2 failures to eject and 2-4 failures to feed and i'm tired of the magazine adjusting.

Click to expand...

Regarding that..what ammo are you using?
Steel guns:
Ruger MkII Gov’t
Or
Either a Marvel or a Nelson .22 conversion for the 1911.

Ruger MK series. MK II or MK IV series. They make all steel models and have as many aftermarket accessories as your wallet can afford. The MK III series were not as popular model as some of the improvements they tried to make were not popular with a lot of users. If you want to go turn key type gun look at the Volquartsen Black Mamba series. They are below your $2500 maximum.

If you want to shoot with two hands and choose a Hammerli International 208, then you can get Nill grips for it for around $220 but for large hands and if you want a gun that is as accurate and a hoot-to-shoot, look for a Marvel 1911 conversion made out of steel, mags are cheap, while Hammerli mags are rare and about $200 a piece, if you find one at all.

My range buddy is an active competition shooter and he shoots a consistent 97% and above bullseye score, he loves his Marvel conversions and shoots them as well as his other guns.

LiveLife said:

While there are many 1911 chambered in 22LR, most are lighter in weight.

I recommend German made GSG 1911 22LR (Same as Sig 1911 22LR) as weight is heavier and come closest to weight of 45ACP 1911 and magazines are metal. GSG 1911 comes with threaded barrel option and shares many parts with 45ACP 1911s and can get up to 16 round magazine kits - https://www.taylor-tactical-supply.com/gsg-1911-22lr-s/132.htm

Unlike some 22LR pistols which can be picky with ammunition, my GSG 1911 has been reliable (As long as it's cleaned and lubed) with around 20 different ammunition I tried, even with cheaper bulk packs and produced good accuracy of 2" groups at 25 yards using cheap Armscor 36 gr - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/22-conversion-for-1911.877711/#post-11698572

Here's Hickok45's review of GSG 1911 (Same as Sig 1911 22LR)

Click to expand...

The GSG is largely made of Zamak, which as the OP stated, he doesnt want.

I wont tolerate zinc in my guns either.

Another vote for the Ruger MK series. I have several MK II's and several MK IV's, and being a bit larger handed, really like the Altamont wraparound grips. Ruger sells the same grips, made for them by Altamont, with the Ruger logo. Depending on sales, one is sometimes cheaper than the other. Also, if you by a Ruger, there's a discount code for accessory purchases when you register the gun with them for the warranty. I believe it's $20 on the first $100.

The M-41 has treated me very, very well.
The new ones from S&W have less than stellar reputations though.

Mine is picky about ammo(CCI-SV is a good bet, but there are M-41s out there that likely disagree), however since you're shooting a High Standard you've probably already covered that terrain.

I have quite a few .22 pistols. I have a Browning medalist, High Standard 104 Citation, 107 citation, HD military, a Ruger MKii target and a Smith and Wesson model 41. My favorite would be the model 41. I bought it new in 2003. I have only shot cci standard velocity in or cci green tag. I only shoot standard velocity in any of my target pistols. The model 41 has never missed a beat. If I want to shoot high velocity ammo, I shoot the Ruger mkii. I have seen bad press on the new model 41s. I have not shot one of the newer ones. I heard that Smith and Wesson now makes them like regular production guns. I am not sure if mine would fall in that or not. From what I see, the bluing now, looks flatter than mine. Other than that, I can’t see much difference, from just looking. I have also heard they are using lined barrels now. I have just seen them and have not handled one of the new ones. For me the model 41 is one of the finest .22 pistols ever made. It has been in production a long time, for it not to be. If I were buying one, I would want to actually lay hands on it. You can buy used and probably get a good gun, but you will never know if it had been shot and taken care of proper. Only thing I did to mine, is add a set of Nill grips. I don’t care for laminated wood. I personally fell you can’t do much better on a target grade .22 than a model 41. You could take the plunge on one of the European .22 target pistols but unless you are shooting computational, it may be overkill for just plinking. I would love to own one but I can’t justify the cost.

A Ruger MK IV stainless lower with a smithed upper and lower would be what I would suggest as another option to consider.

You can pick up a stainless competition model for $550, and put a good chunk of money into it before approaching a lot of custom and match guns out there. And the aftermarket support is huge.

Oops,,,

Deleted because I posted in the wrong thread.

Aarond

.

Ruger MkII with a bull barrel is fullsize in my opinion. I have a set of hogue grips on mine.



My only other non-pocket semi auto 22s are colt woodsman variants. The match target from '51 has a fullsize feel.

Btw, my hands are larger too. A glock 20 fits my mitts perfectly.

I think I'm in the correct thread now.

Full size steel .22 LR pistol,,,
Look no further than a CZ-75B Kadet.

SA/DA with external hammer,,,
But no de-cocker.



Not the CZ-75B with the conversion kit,,,
But the actual Kadet pistol.

They are a little difficult to find now,,,
But well worth the time and effort when you do.

Mine is a superb shooter,,,
Eats every type of ammo I have fed her.

Aarond

.

The Smith 41 would be my pick; my experience being with an older one.
I've an older Hammerli Trailside (now marketed as a Walther) that is a great gun, and they aren't expensive. Great trigger, and runs on absolutely everything.
The Ruger is another good choice; get the 1911 grip angle, and the Mk IV, for easy takedown and cleaning.
If you get an earlier Mk, get a bore snake for cleaning. The Mk Is weren't too bad, but later ones can be a real trial to reassemble.
Moon

You will be wise to go to rimfirecentral.com and ask there. Nothing but hardcore .22 fans there and a ton of knowledge on .22's.

CLASSIC has surplus Beretta 76 full size .22 target pistols.
Worth a look , I think.