Most reliable .22 auto pistol

.. it wont let me down when i need it most.

Click to expand...

Under what circumstances do you feel you might "need it most"? Is this going to be a defensive piece? The Ruger Mk-II series are virtually impossible to beat in reliability, but they are single-action, striker-fired guns. Might not be the safest design for a defensive piece, so we need to know if that is one of your potential uses for the gun. If it is to be used for defense, is it going to be a carry piece, or a nightstand piece? Everyone else here will be on to tell you not to rely on the .22LR for protection, so I won't. If I could only have one handgun, it would indeed be a 22LR, but probably would not be the Ruger. It would probably be a double-action (at least, for the first shot) mid-size gun, like the CZ Kadet, or the Walther PK-22.
Edit: I've read some of your older posts, and I get the idea you're not going to be using this for a defensive piece, since you have other options. I'd still be curious about the "won't let me down when I need it most" clause, though...

X2 for Browning Buckmark. I have the bull barrel version and I can drive tacs with it.

Ruger Mk II

I bought a used Mark II that was well worn but well taken care of. It is more accurate than I am and after over 4000+ rounds from me of all kinds of various junk it has never malfunctioned with the exception of a dud that did not fire no matter how many times I tried. Pretty darn reliable if you ask me.

The only time I need a semi-auto .22 to function is plinking or training at the range. You're not going to use one for self-defense are you?

Okay, good Buck Mark or a Ruger...can't really go wrong either way. The only thing my Buck Mark will ever really hiccup consistently on are Remington Golden Bullets. Federal or Winchester, I can go through a box straight and I might have one or two malfunctions with the entire box

+1 on the Ruger Mk2

Philippe said:

I'd like to hear everyones opinions on what the most reliable .22 lr pistols are. Im looking to buy something but i want to make sure it wont let me down when i need it most. All suggestions/opinions/pictures of models are welcome!

Click to expand...

A revolver: S&W, Colt or Ruger.

My AA conversion kit for my Glock is amazingly reliable, problem is you need the Glock first.

A revolver: S&W, Colt or Ruger.

Click to expand...

I really agree with this, a DA/SA revolver is the only way to go for a .22 that is used for defence

Been shooting Buckmarks for 22yrs. They have been my hands-down favorite until recently. Ruger MK-series guns are also excellent but the steep grip angle disagreed with me. Up until the 22/45RP model they didn't have one that I could live with. Now, with some add-ons, it's my favorite .22 auto!

The Rugers are hands down the most reliable from what I've seen. The local Rent-A-Gun range, where I help out with RO'ing at times, has been using the same Rugers for many years now. Meanwhile they've tried and passed on a number of other guns which just could not make the grade for "on line" time. Sadly the Buckmark was one of them.

THis does not in any way besmerch a number of the other guns. Keep in mind that being a rental range the guns see more use and less cleaning than almost any sort of private ownership and use.

Having said this I'm highly in love with my S&W 422 and companion 2206. These two .22's have not failed me in a match at all other than when I found out the hard way that the 2206 barrel had not been cleaned in far too long and it had a massive lead buildup in the bore. Accuracy went down over the course of about 4 magazines to what I'd get if I were to throw the bullets by hand... and I ain't no big league pitcher either!

But even with that the gun was still cycling fine. For me these two stirling performers are the core of my .22's and would be positively the last to go unless for some odd reason they totally self destruct.

MkIII has a thumb button mag release, so the mags are different. Other than that, the only differences are the addition of an LCI and a magazine safety.

If you're willing to tinker a bit, you can make a Ruger mk__ into the perfect target gun or hunting pistol. Out of the box they're great, but with some drop-in parts they can be superb.
Mine are very reliable with even cheap federal 550 bulk ammo (nothing seems to like Rem Golden Boogers in the similar 550-round bulk pack), or as reliable as the cheap ammo allows.
And they're boringly reliable with CCI minimags or other "god" .22lr ammo.

Get whatever fits your hand and balances well, though ... nobody can pick your ergonomics, and everyone seems to end up with a few .22lr guns in whatever type they like.

medwheeler said:

The Ruger Mk-II series are virtually impossible to beat in reliability, but they are single-action, striker-fired guns.

Click to expand...

single action ... yes
striker-fired ... wut?

Sounds like Ruger is the favorite. I have shot the MKII's before and loved them, my father had one. Do the MKII's differ a lot from the new MKIII's? Or is it simply just an updated model?

Click to expand...

Ruger 22 Auto model comparison chart:
http://www.guntalk-online.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=934

ruger is probably the best for durability but definitely not for accuracy.
accuracy ranking of semi autos would be as follows:

1. colt woodsman
2. old smith&wesson autos
3. hi standard

The Ruger semi auto .22's are NOT striker fired. They have a concealed hammer and separate firing pin.

ruger is probably the best for durability but definitely not for accuracy.

Click to expand...

There is very little practical difference in accuracy between Rugers, Brownings, Colt's and S&W's. Unless you're a master class bullseye shooter, you won't see a difference. Hard to beat a $300 pistol that shoots a half inch at 25yds.

I can't find ammo that my CZ Kadet won't feed and eject.

The MkIII 22/45 I had jammed on everything except RN bullet profiles. The MkII 22/45 that replaced it ate whatever I could find.

I should add that I have found my Ruger Mk-II does not particularly care for the "bulk" Winchester white-box stuff they sell at Wal-Mart. I've also noticed a few others here have said that. Everything else goes through it with nary a stumble..

I would vote for the Buckmark as well but the last couple outings mine has been having some fits. Need to see what to do about it. Previous to last weekend it ran 100%.

I have a Ruger mark II, and Mark III... I love them except for cleaning, I hate field stripping them. The Mark II is the better gun overall I think between the two.