recs for a 22 target pistol

Ruger MK IV. Just pick which one you like.

I'm a Buckmark fan. This can be had for $500.00 before tax around my area.

https://www.browning.com/products/f...urrent-production/buck-mark-field-target.html

If that's too black, there is this.

https://www.browning.com/products/f...uction/buck-mark-contour-stainless-urx-5.html

Well the Berreta Neos is affordable, reliable, has some futuristic styling with its attached Weaver style rail and angled grip. It’s all black however and I’m not sure how it would stack up against others in the trigger guard size.
I have the Mark II, a S&W 41, A High Standard and several revolvers. The Berreta goes to the range as often as any. The 41, way beyond $600 is supremely accurate. The Mark II, also accurate but requires more cleaning to assure reliability. I hear the Browning Buckmark is a good reliable pistol.

The Neos is touted as a beginners pistol easily customizable to an expert level.

You are going to get recommendations for just about every target style .22 out there,,,
But unless you want to spend more than your stated amount,,,
There really are only four to look at.

• Ruger Mark series - Mark III & IV being the most common
  • The original Mark series
  • The 22/45 series
• Smith & Wesson Victory
• Browning Buckmark
• Beretta U-22 NEOS

If you have largish hands and want something stylish,,,
My opinion is that you should look at the Browning Buckmarks,,,
That particular pistol comes in a boatload of different configurations.

I love my Berettas but because of your large hands,,,
The slender grips on the Beretta NEOS might not be a good thing,,,
Even though they do have a very unique Buck Rogers Space-gun look to them.

I've only fired the S&W Victory a few times,,,
Very nice performer but for some reason my mind said "meh" to it.

I do own one Ruger Mark-III and a pair of 22/45's,,,
All of them have more precision than I can utilize effectively,,,
The 22/45 mimics the grip of a Colt 1911 and would probably fit your hand better.

As to the Mark Series and the 22/45 series,,,
I would highly suggest the newest Mk-IV versions,,,
The take down is much easier than all of the earlier versions.

Anyways, there are more expensive pistols out there and some will have more inherent accuracy,,,
But I guarantee you that any of these four will be great pistols for serious range shooting.

Happy hunting for your first pistol.

Aarond

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....another +1 for the Browning Buckmark. Bought both my sons Buckmarks for Christmas one year. The John Browning/NRA Grade #1 model distributed by Davidsons. Fun little guns, and accurate as all get out. Boys have never had an issue with feeding and firing, even with cheap bulk ammo.

S&W Model 17, aka K-22 masterpiece, a revolver; if for a semi, a used Ruger MKII bull barrel, High Standard, or similar

Probably hard to go wrong here. I have no experience with the Neos, but the others listed here have all done what they were supposed to, in my hands.

I do not know how much used S&W .22 revolvers go for these days, or if the OP has any interest in such a thing, but my beat-to-hell K-22 Masterpiece still works perfectly and has taught dozens of men and women how to shoot.

I’m a Ruger fan in terms of .22s. I’d recommend a Mark II, but I don’t know about the big hands and gloves thing. Just stay away from the 22/45 if you’re looking for a target gun. The out of the box triggers suck.

.38 Special said:

Probably hard to go wrong here. I have no experience with the Neos, but the others listed here have all done what they were supposed to, in my hands.

I do not know how much used S&W .22 revolvers go for these days, or if the OP has any interest in such a thing, but my beat-to-hell K-22 Masterpiece still works perfectly and has taught dozens of men and women how to shoot.

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I bought mine at a flea market about 3 years ago for right at $600; no box or tools but looked like it had not been shot a lot at all; belonged to the seller's dad

Kick it up to $733 and get the s&w 617 revolver from budsgunshop. You will not be disappointed.

Haunt the gun shops for a Ruger MkII. Bull 6 inch barrel.you won’t be sorry.

George P said:

S&W Model 17, aka K-22 masterpiece, a revolver; if for a semi, a used Ruger MKII bull barrel, High Standard, or similar

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.38 Special said:

I do not know how much used S&W .22 revolvers go for these days, or if the OP has any interest in such a thing, but my beat-to-hell K-22 Masterpiece still works perfectly and has taught dozens of men and women how to shoot.

Click to expand...

ericuda said:

Kick it up to $733 and get the s&w 617 revolver from budsgunshop. You will not be disappointed.

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I shopped those S&Ws for several months in 2019 and early 2020. Around here used ones start at $700.00. Just out of reach for what I wanted to spend. I'll probably be kicking myself over it in a few years.

Browning Buck Mark
Ruger Mark whatever
S&W Victory
Used S&W 22lr revolver with medium frame, long barrel, adjustable sights (K22, 17, 617)
Used or new Ruger Single Six

My friend owns the Victory and likes it a lot.
I own the others. They all shoot better than I do.
I am 6'6" with XXL hands.
Most days I shoot the Buck Mark the best.

All of these are great options.

Used Pre-lock Smiths are pricy, look to drop about 800-900 bucks on GB for the gun, shipping, tax, paperwork etc. I’m currently on a .22 kick right now, and I’ve been outbid on a few 4” stainless M-63 .22’s that went 850 and up for the gun alone.

The Buds option for a new 617 is a good one, plus they hold more than 6 shots.

The Ruger MkII is a great one used as well. There are a ton of them out there and those aren’t being bid through the roof.

You can’t go wrong with a really good .22, it’s a gun that will make you a better shooter. Best of all, it can be used to help you teach newbies and keep spreading safe gun use (and hopefully pro-gun voters!) for the future.

Good luck, and stay safe.

I also have fairly large hands and really enjoy shooting my Buckmark Hunter. It gets shot far more than any other pistol I own.

I'm a big fan of the Rugers, especially the Mk.II series with a 5 1/2" bull barrel. If I were looking new I would go with the same barrel configuration but in the Mk.IV version. Also like the Browning Buck Mark; just find a configuration you like and go with it. One of my kids has a Beretta Neos and while it's reliable and accurate enough (and has really well built magazines that are easy to load), I think the trigger could use some tuning. No experience with the S&W Victory but it strikes me as being more of a plinker than a target pistol.

I wear XL gloves and have meaty hands.

I have owned the NEOS, was too slim in the long run. The grim length was good but the grip angle didn't work in the long run.

I tried the Ruger Mark IV regular grip angle, didn't care for it, hands too meaty. I do have the Ruger Mark IV 22/45, and really like that one, fits my hands well.

I also have the S&W Victory and like that one as well. It fits in all aspects except it is a tad short in the grip, especially compared to the Ruger, other than that it is a good option.

I have held the Buckmark and it feels nice but I haven't purchased or shot one yet.

Well OP if you weren’t confused before you sure must be now. we’ve pretty much ran the gamut here except for the higher dollar models.
Guns are like tools, one should buy tools once, buy the very best you can afford the first time out and you’ll always have it.

For a new pistol in your price range, go for the Ruger, just save a few dollars for a Volquartsen hammer. You won’t regret it.
The Buckmark is a good solid pistol but IMHO not as accurate nor as upgradable the Ruger.
The S&W Victory is not a good fit for large hands.
Personally I put all my other 22 pistols back in the safe after I bought my first S&W 41. I now have two, both older and a little dog eared looking but wow they will shoot! Because of the looks, I was able to buy them for around $700 each. Bargains are out there.

chicharrones said:

I shopped those S&Ws for several months in 2019 and early 2020. Around here used ones start at $700.00. Just out of reach for what I wanted to spend. I'll probably be kicking myself over it in a few years.

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Collectors really have driven the price of used S&W revolvers beyond their value as shooters, in my opinion. $700 gets you within a couple of hundred dollars of a good used Model 41, which a significantly better gun (in most ways) than a .22 Masterpiece.

The good news is that the semi-autos mentioned on this thread are pretty decent guns. Considering the OPs requirements, one of them seems like the obvious answer.

Kp321 said:

For a new pistol in your price range, go for the Ruger, just save a few dollars for a Volquartsen hammer. You won’t regret it.
The Buckmark is a good solid pistol but IMHO not as accurate nor as upgradable the Ruger.
The S&W Victory is not a good fit for large hands.
Personally I put all my other 22 pistols back in the safe after I bought my first S&W 41. I now have two, both older and a little dog eared looking but wow they will shoot! Because of the looks, I was able to buy them for around $700 each. Bargains are out there.

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I stretched my budget to the breaking point, decades ago, to get my Model 41. I have had absolutely no regrets.

I guess the target specification is throwing me off. I've had a couple Buckmarks, a Woodsman, Mark II heavy barrel, and one of the lower grade High Standards. All "target" pistols and all excellent shooters. But my plain old single six convertible shot just as well for me. So did a Sig Mosquito as long as I fed it HV ammo. I mean, the target guns were probably more accurate than I could shoot them.

mainecoon said:

never owned a handgun but am thinking of getting a 22 target pistol.

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Find one that fits your mitts from a manufacturer that makes quality handguns. Its harder to find a BAD shooting .22 (accuracy wise, not function) than a good one. Especially for a first. You can always upgrade later.

I have a stainless camper model buckmark that I have always really enjoyed shooting. I wear an XL glove and find the grip and trigger reach to be very comfortable. The gun has about 10,000 rounds through it now with very little maintenance, they are solid guns

I have also shot the ruger mark III and II, and while they are nice I didn't like them quite as well as my buckmark. They do make a hunter model with a long fluted barrel that I think looks really sharp and would be a fun gun, but I'd probably buy one of the higher end buckmarks before I spent the money on it still.

Ive got a M41, Mark 1, and M17 among others, and I would go with the 17 (or 617) if youve got particularly big hands.

All are accurate, and the Ruger is known for being a reliable feeder with a variety of ammo (the M41 is not), but the M17 can throw any .22 fodder downrange with ablomb and the Target Grips are plenty wide, yet comfy. Got a misfire? No problem, just keep on shootin.....

You should be able to find a clean used one within your budget with a bit of careful searching. Good luck!