.22 Autoloader recommendations

I saw Bass Pro has the Buckmark on a Back Friday deal for $200 after rebate.

Edit, Link:

https://blackfriday.com/ads/black-friday/bass-pro-shops/32

Anything Ruger, Browning Buckmark, or Smith and Wesson M&P 22. Compact come to mind. Not sure where you are going to find them new under $300 unless you get a deal like bassjam posted above. It should be pretty easy to find a used Ruger Mark II/III though as they are incredibly popular. Whatever you get test that is likes the ammo you use first. CCI Mini Mag are always a safe bet. I have had good luck with Federal Bulk packs too.

That's a pretty good deal on the Buckmark. Have no experience with them, but have heard lots of good reports on them.

I like the Ruger MK series. Around here you can find some used MK II's and a whole bunch of MK III's under $300.

Ya you should be able to get a deal on a used MK III, because who wants a MKIII when you can get a Mk IV for a little more?

I'm curious why the curriculum specified "single action" as a requirement.

Not that there is anything wrong with them,,,
But it does limit the options to choose from.

Aarond

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Frankl03 said:

Ya you should be able to get a deal on a used MK III, because who wants a MKIII when you can get a Mk IV for a little more?

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Well, me for one. I bought a MK IV and then returned a few days later and bought the blue MK III 22/45 lite he had in the display case beside the MK IV. I don't want to sell it either.

I was also wondering why SA only. Also, OP, are you wanting a 'target' style or 'combat' (modern striker) style?

Frankl03 said:

Ya you should be able to get a deal on a used MK III, because who wants a MKIII when you can get a Mk IV for a little more?

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Me!

I have a really soft spot in my heart for the Mk II.

A Browning Buck Mark or a Ruger Mark whatever would serve you very well. Those are the ones I have experience with and like a lot.

Michael Tinker Pearce said:

OK, I blew that- I put SA for 'semi auto.'

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I knew that.

I second the buckmark . Great gun. Btw- the bass pro flyer i got in the mail doesnt list that deal. I did however pick up a pair of buckmark campers last black friday for about $212 each out the door.

If thats available in your area i definitely recommend going and buying that for sure. Great price.

Phoenix Arms HP22BB. Well under $150. And the manufacturer will replace the zinc alloy frame free of charge when it eventually cracks. Who could ask for more?

Reliable+rimfire+semiauto = does not compute

If you can find a used buckmark or mk for that price go for it. I personally would go a different route though. Pick your favorite semiauto pistol that you already have, and buy a 22 conversion kit. I had one for my pt99 and liked it, but bought a dedicated m9-22 pistol. The kits for the common guns are pretty cheap, especially glock and 1911 because of their enormous popularity. Otherwise, HP22 all the way. I love mine, and I have beat it to death.

Ruger MK. If your students are going to buy a .22, that's probably the one most will end up with

WestKentucky said:

Reliable+rimfire+semiauto = does not compute

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I don't agree here. A good gun (kept clean) with good quality ammo is as reliable as anything.

As for a recommendation for the OP, I like the idea of guns like the Ruger SR22, S&W M&P 22 Compact, or Walther PPQ 22 (or Walther P22 QD) because they function like modern semi autos in all calibers. They can be found around $300 (the QD much less), but should all be at $350 at the most. I think they are best for new shooters, especially if they plan to progress to a larger caliber.

Here's a Ruger MKII Target that I picked up a few months ago for $225. The picture isn't the best, but the pistol is in excellent shape and the bluing is good. Not sure how much it's been fired, the bolt doesn't show much wear on the bluing.

Not sure how much region comes into play, but around here, there's lots of used MK III's with MKI's and MKII's mixed in. I think when the MKIV came out, there were lots of folks who traded in their previous MK models. Right now is a good time to score an earlier model.

sigarms228 said:

Whatever you get test that is likes the ammo you use first. CCI Mini Mag are always a safe bet.

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Warrants repetition.

If I may add and this is not uncommon. I purchased a S&W Victory rimfire pistol. It sat around for about a year unused then I got the bright idea to use it in SCSA type competition. It took me about 2 months to find the right ammo and tinker with it to get it to work reliably. Once I accomplished that task, I then proceeded to put +3500 rounds with only two (2) jams.

Ditto on the Phoenix HPA. Great trainer. Love my two. Out shoots my SR22 all day long and a third of the cost. Much better trigger.

In my not-so-humble opinion,,,
The Ruger SR-22 is the best trainer .22 on the market.



It is DA/SA action with exposed hammer and de-cocker,,,
Again, this is only my opinion but I believe for training purposes it's the best action type.

It does come with different grip adapters,,,
So it is versatile that way.

The later version with the 4.5" barrel is very accurate,,,
Not that the shorter barrel was inaccurate,,,
It just has a longer sight radius.

Aarond

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My daughter's pick for a .22 (I told her she could have anything she wanted), was a Beretta Neos. She liked the way it balanced in her hand, how easy it was to use, and that it could take a red dot sight. I liked how user friendly the magazines were and the price; especially the price.

For myself I like to train others with my Beretta Model 70S and my Ruger Mk.II Model 512.

I'm a fan of the S&W 422 and 622; I had a 4" 422 I wish I hadn't sold. My best friend has a 6", and it gets fired the most of any of the many guns we bring out shooting. New shooters love it, experienced shooters love it. We have ran over a brick of .22 through it at many a range session. They are a bit harder to find than Ruger Mk II, II, and IV's and Buckmarks (both great guns also) but if you can find one, it will be the hit of the range!