Deciding on which .22 pistol

In Nashville it is hard to find a mosquito for under $300.

There are a myriad of threads about .22 pistols. The search function will prove invaluable.

options are Pretty Standard

1) Ruger 22/45, MKII, MKIII
2) Browning Buckmark
3) Walther P22
4) Sig Mosquito
5) S&W 22A
6) a plethora of Revolvers

People will most likely choose the one they own from that list for recommendations, because they are all good. The best advice anyone can give you is to try as many as you can and choose the one you like best.

If you want further advice, sit on the decision a while and buy the one that will be with you your entire life.

If you want even further advice, buy a Ruger with a 1911 grip and dont look back.

Here's my list:

1. Ruger MK II
1.a. Browning Buckmark
2. CZ-75 variant with Kadet Kit .22 conversion installed
3. Dedicated CZ Kadet .22 pistol

looking to sell my P22 if you are interested.
just dont shoot it much/at all.
<200rds

Mark II or III for the money is your best bet. Reliable and can't break 'em! New standard models for about $300.

Milkmaster said:

Mark II or III for the money is your best bet. Reliable and can't break 'em! New standard models for about $300.

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+1. Rugers have much more after market support for upgrades and add-ons. Most MKIII models come with a scope base so you can easily add optics.
http://www.guntalk-online.com/service.html

If you want the best shooting .22 and want to spend not a lot of coin, go get yourself a Browning Buckmark with the thumb rest grips.(target)

It will more than likely be more accurate than you will ever be.

PS- As for scopes on a .22 (or any small caliber handgun), Pretty simple answer. It's iron sights that make for a better shooter. You don't learn from a scope.

JH225 said:

PS- As for scopes on a .22 (or any small caliber handgun), Pretty simple answer. It's iron sights that make for a better shooter. You don't learn from a scope.

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Sure.....if you're a youngster, but wait until you get on in years.....

As indicated, you can't go wrong with the Ruger line of .22s. If you can find a Browning or Colt in your price range, better yet. I would steer clear of the plastic/pot metal variety guns, however. They tend to be hit-and-miss, in more ways than one.

I have a mosquito and it is very picky on ammo. Factory recommends cci mini mags. I wish I had gotten the sport model so I could think about putting a surpressor on it. Would be expensive but cool.

People will most likely choose the one they own from that list for recommendations, because they are all good.

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The zinc slide P22 is good? my definition of good is different, zinc=bad!

I would second the above recommendation on the Browning Buckmark. Get the long barrel one (think it is about 7 inches) and has the thumb rest. Two problems I have noted. 1.) Gun does not like cheap ammo and does jam. 2.) People at Browning repair service in MO told me that the stripping and cleaning instruction that came with the gun are best not followed. Neverthess, for target shooting this is my favorate gun --my others are 9 mm.-- and it is very good at 25 yards.

I love my Ruger MK Hunter.

It is a great little plinker. A bit tough to strip, at least the first few times, but a nice gun.

Ditto GOP. I love my Ruger Mark III Target.

I'd suggest going for either a Ruger Mark III or a Browning Buckmark. You can't go wrong with either, so just find which one fits your hand the best; I own both, but the Ruger's grip angle is just perfect for me, so it's the only one that finds its way out of the safe.

Which ever mfg you choose, I suggest that you get the longest barreled model that you can afford. I really like having the longer sight radius.

Checkout the Firestorm .22 (made by Bersa). I have the 6" barrel model and it is great fun to shoot.
www.firestorm-sgs.com

I have owned the Ruger MKIII Hunter, Silhoutte Buckmark, and the standard Buckmark...Sold the Ruger to buy a URX Contour Buckmark in 7.25"...the Browning is a much better pistol and more accurate imho

It's iron sights that make for a better shooter. You don't learn from a scope.

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I can only speak for rifles, but for rifles, I know that's not true. A scope will point out errors iron sights wouldn't, and allow you to correct them, allowing you to be a better shooter.

However, the scope won't teach you to use iron sights, so I feel scopes should be avoided if you are training for defensive handgun use. (But I'm nowhere near an expert on that)

I have a mosquito and it is very picky on ammo. Factory recommends cci mini mags. I wish I had gotten the sport model so I could think about putting a surpressor on it. Would be expensive but cool.

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Why would you want a suppressor on a .22 that will only cycle (loud, non-subsonics) MiniMags reliably? Can you change the springs?

Back to the OP question, I love my MKII, and the Buckmarks that I've shot are great. I'd be happy to sell you my P22.

I bought the p22 because it was kinda cool looking,small and felt good in my hand and the guy at the gun store said the were great.After the looks and feel it just wasn't very accurate so I traded for the buckmark.It is almost perfect.Shoots almost any ammo with no problems.The only thing I dont like is the need for an allan wrench for take down.The stock trigger is very good but you can simply flip the sear spring and get it down to about 2 lbs.(perfection for no additional $$.
The rugers are great also though.I've shot them at the range and they shoot as well as the buckmark.The only thing I didn't like about them was how tight the mags were and the trigger isn't as good as the buckmark.(A very sore left thumb after about 100 rounds)

The rugers are great also though.I've shot them at the range and they shoot as well as the buckmark.The only thing I didn't like about them was how tight the mags were and the trigger isn't as good as the buckmark.(A very sore left thumb after about 100 rounds)

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The nice thing about the Rugers is the aftermarket parts support. Many install a Volquartsen trigger and sear which makes the trigger pull much lighter and adjsutable for pre-travel and over-travel. I've done it on all three of my MK II's. They are great shooters, but so are the Buckmarks.

Love my Buckmarks. (5.5", 6.5")

I have a MKII Ruger...so guess what I would recommend

That being said, I have shot some Brownings of diffrent barrel lenths/vintages and liked them, too.

Not very easy to find..don't think thery are made anymore, but I did get to shoot a Colt "Woodsman" a while back...very nice shooter