Could use some advice on selecting a 22 lr handgun

From what I have seen you post...an interest in sass/cas.....shooting....seems a Ruger Single Six would be the 22 of choice..

Ruger MkII with 5.5 bull or, if you can find one, 6 7/8 Gov Target.

I own or have owned about a dozen 22 handguns. The best ones I have owned are my Ruger Single Six (6.5" barrel) and my Browning Buck Mark. They are both extremely accurate. Which one I shoot better on any given day seems to be random. I bought them both used: $135 (needed a little TLC) and $300.

My FiL's Ruger Mark II is every bit as good as my Buck Mark and also easy to find used.

I am guessing that if you get 100 responses, those will be the three most frequent recommendations.

My first choice would be a Ruger Mk.II with a 5 1/2" bull barrel. Next would be some similar version of that in a Browning Buckmark. After that I would consider something like a Beretta Neos.

On a budget, needing a small grip, and accuracy to shoot in matches for pleasure... Beretta Neos. These can be had new for a few dollars under $300. They are an excellent entry grade target pistol. Get a 6" barrel for best accuracy. The longer sight radius of the 6" barrel makes the pistol easier to shoot accurately.

IF you have a bit more to spend... Ruger Mark I II or III or 22/45, or Browning Buckmark. These will be closer to $400 new, but in capable hands, arguably, wont shoot any better than the Neos.

S$W has a new 22 pistol that looks promising, the Victory. I dont have any experience with it, but I see them selling in the $350 range new.

For match accuracy, stay away from the combat style pistols, Sig Mosquito Ruger SR22, S$W M&P 22. While fun to shoot, they simply dont offer the accuracy of the pistols listed above.

You mention getting a 1911. Consider a 22 conversion. I have a Kimber 22 conversion for my Ruger SR1911 and its very accurate, and runs reliably. It costs almost as much as a dedicated 22 pistol, but its another option for you.

I would also suggest the Buck Mark or Ruger. Both are easy shooters and can generally be very accurate but "inexpensive" is a relative term and neither of these guns are generally found very cheap.
There are plenty of cheapo 22 LR's out there but inexpensive and accurate don't normally go hand in hand. I actually have a Heritage 22 that is quite accurate but I understand they are a bit of a crapshoot on accuracy. Less than $200 with the 22 mag cylinder and quite accurate at 25 yards.

If you are entering an accuracy contest, and don't want to break the bank, a Ruger mk2 or mk3 is probably in order.

Many people will insist that the mk2 is worth paying a premium for, I disagree. Many make a big deal out of the magazine disconnect. It's not an issue with the trigger, and if you decide to replace the trigger with a volquartsen setup you can buy the mk2 trigger kit and that eliminates the magazine disconnect.

I recently purchased a new mk3 target with 5.5" heavy barrel. I installed a volquartsen trigger and it's become my new rimfire gun for NRA Bullseye.

You should be able to get a used MkII in excellent condition for $400 or a little more. My Gov Target was around $300 new in early 90's if I remember correctly.

Not too long ago I found a Ruger standard model on Gunbroker with a 6" barrel. I was the only one who bid on it and got it for $215 plus shipping and $25 transfer when it got to my dealer.

It appears to have never been fired. It came in the original box with all the paperwork. It was one of the best gun deals I have gotten in a while.

The Ruger Mark III 22/45 with 5.5" barrel is a decent choice.

I don't know what the OP's budget is, had he mentioned it, we could have given better advice. "Break the bank" is a VERY subjective term.

I know the Ruger purists will say the the Mk II's are the best, but that's very subjective at best. My vote would be for a Ruger MkIII with 5.5" bull barrel or a Ruger 22/45, whichever feels better. I think the bull barrels balance the best. They do have a different grip angle and feel as the 22/45 is a polymer frame. BTW, either one can be found new for around $350 or less, will be highly accurate and last a lifetime.

If you're looking for a revolver, the the Ruger single 6 is a good bet. There's a good reason they've been making them forever!

Another vote for the Ruger 22/45. I had an MK III with the replaceable grip panels and never had trouble with it. Shot phenominally well- better than my MK II.

The Ruger MK I, II, and III series are one of two types of firearms that I've never have personally witnessed perform poorly. I'm going to be in the market soon for another .22 pistol and more than likely it'll be a Ruger 22/45.

I have a Ruger MkIII hunter. It shoots great. Bull bbl makes it a bit heavy.

I used to shoot in a city wide pistol league and most people started with Ruger Mk 1s, 2s, or 3s. I made High Master with mine and switched to a High Standard.

I am partial to the Ruger autos. I have a very old mark 1 with who knows how many rounds through it and one of the newer 22-45s. They are made in many flavors and budgets, and Ruger has awesome customer service. Advice for either of these guns- don't take apart! The good news is, an occasional spray/wipe down and maybe a bore snake is all they need for like DECADES to continue to run just fine.

I am partial to buckmark over the ruger MK series guns but either one is a good choice.

I don't know what kind of contest you are entering but if its not bullseye style shooting where accuracy trumps everything, the ruger SR22 is a fun little gun. It feels a lot like a small single stack carry gun (shield, G43 etc. ) in the hand, and I was surprised with the accuracy. I only put a couple mags through one, but I shot a 10 shot 3/4" group at about 15ft without much effort. My only complaint is the safety is up for fire and down for safe. With the sr22 being DA/SA and having the smaller frame, I think it makes for a little more realistic training gun if you want something cheaper to practice with than your carry gun.

My wife has teenie hands, mine are medium. 20 years ago we walked into a gun shop and looked at .22 pistols.....the Ruger .22, Ruger 22/45 (grip is different!), the Browning and a Colt .22 ("Cadet", which ceased in production soon after). I disliked the 22/45(others 'love' it), she didn't like the Ruger .22, almost decided on the Browning, bought the Colt.

We still have the Colt and now have a never shot s.s Mk1 Ruger .22. If I were in your shoes I might choose the Browning. Or not. There's not really a wrong pick here. The wrong answer would be to decide yourself and force your wife to like it, which you certainly don't seem like you're doing. The best thing to do is go gun shopping with her, encourage her to make the decision for her, and you make it for you. You might just agree together...happy days.

Ruger MKII with a 5-1/2" bull barrel. Or a MKIII with the bull barrel. Both are very accurate and inexpensive.

I'm going to throw another option into the mix......
If the OP also wants a Springfield or other 1911, you can go with a 22/45 conversion kit.
You shoot the same frame & same trigger, and the Nelson kit I have will shoot dime-sized groups at 25 yards (off the bench - no me!)

(off the bench - no me!)

Click to expand...

I was inspired until I read that last part. You just had to spoil it!

The Single Six, Buck Mark, and Mark II - my daughter could easily shoot all of them when she was nine. I have XL hands and can shoot them all just fine also. My pinkie curls under the grip on the Single Six, but I like it that way.

Gunbroker can be a great friend. You can use the "advanced search" feature and look at finished auctions to see what the different models have actually been selling for. You will typically add $25 shipping and $25 for your local gun shop or pawn shop to transfer it to you. Even adding the $50, it is usually impossible for me to find better deals anywhere else, especially if I am patient and "stalk" a certain model over a period of weeks. 90% of the guns I have bought in the last couple of years have been used ones from GB.

Anyone mention the Ruger Mk-series yet?

That S&W Victory that weblance mentioned looks like a real winner to me. Comes with an optic mounting rail. Which is what I have been looking for for awhile.