Squirrel pistol.

I really miss my Ruer mkII 22/45 6 7/8" SLAB SIDE BBL I sold. I was an idiot and sold it.
Now I use my ruger mkII 4" BBL open sites and my ruger charger with Simmons 4X pistol, great gun but I really miss that first one!

Whichever Ruger auto new or used you like in that price range.

I'm a little outside your parameters here, but my squirrel pistol is a Colt Woodsman, made in 1938. I use iron sights and it's the most accurate pistol I've ever shot.

Here you go, and comes in at about half your budget

https://dahlonegaarmory.com/product...ore-single-22-long-rifle-6.5-6-cocobolo-blued
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CVLIFE 3-9x40 Optics R4 Reticle Crosshair Scope with 20mm Free Mounts https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007UT3OFC/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_X5JD5WSQ01NGFVX9ZT2W
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https://www.harborfreight.com/flux-125-welder-63582.html


Ok, but seriously, I'd probably vote for the Browning Buckmark for an optics ready 22lr pistol in the <%500 range

If you aren't married to a traditional form factor, and could stand the added weight, the Ruger 10/22 chargers meet your budget with an optic but I doubt you would be able to holster the thing...... probably a bit outside of the box but I've got one with a crappy flashlight and a Burris pistol red dot that I use to remove raccoons from trees at night. (They were after the neighbor's pig feed and weren't real discriminate on who they were annoying)

I'd vote either a Browning Buckmark or a Ruger MK II/III/IV. Preferably with a 5.5-7"+ barrel to get max velocity with match ammo. In my experience, the $500 with optic is going to be your limiting factor. I'd shop price and category first to find potential candidates THEN worry about brand and model second. (You might get lucky and find a MK II or III that fits the need. they are more common and less expensive since the MK IV hit the market) FWIW, I have a safe full of .22 pistols and if I were going squirrel hunting tomorrow, I'd reach for my scoped Ruger MK II competition model.( The competition model being one of the few MK II's that were drilled and tapped for a optics mount, btw) .

After the Ruger MK Iv's came out, you couldn't give away a MK II or MK III for the longest time. Rescued this Ruger MK III Competition from a determined guy who wanted to trade on a MK IV hunter at the local gun shop. Cost me less than $300 as I recall. ( Minus the sight, grip and trigger upgrade) They are out there.

AzShooter1 said:

You really can't go wrong with a .22 LR Revolver. I love my 617 but it's over your budget and even the older ones cost too much.

A Ruger Wrangler is a fantastic gun. Accurate enough for squirrels and fun to shoot. Benefit is that you won't shoot as much ammo when practicing because it takes longer. At our public range you only get 1 1/2 hours with 4 15 minute breaks during that time.

If you can find a used Mark III you can get it for your price.\

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AZ, What brand grip are you running on the mkIII?

d'zaster said:

AZ, What brand grip are you running on the mkIII?

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Those are Altimont grips or Altamont

When I did hunt in the past I had a Ruger MkII with a BSquare(?) clamp mount with a 1.5X scope. More accurate than I was.

I’ve owned several .22 lr handguns. S&w 22a, chiappa 1911-22, phoenix arms Hp22a with 5” barrel, heritage rough rider and ruger wrangler. Note, I believe it has to be 4.5” or longer to hunt with here in WI.

I hunt mainly with the 1911-22 and ruger wrangler. The revolvers I can never get to hit point of aim. These are secondary firearms in case the critters sneak up behind you and you cant swing your rifle around or if they are too close to use the scope on your rifle.

recently purchased a Taurus tx22 and I was impressed. Decently good light trigger, lightweight, 15 rounds if you ever needed it and probably my most accurate .22 lr handgun so far. I just wish it had a longer barrel so I can take it hunting. They make plates that replace the rear sight to mount an optic.

For the price of one ruger wrangler, I got two heritage. There is a rebate on them bringing them to $110 each. I don’t think the revolvers take an optic but fun guns.

I have harvested many a bushytail and cottontail in my part of Texas with this little jewel.
Browning Buck Mark Target

I am however looking forward to trying out my new Smith & Wesson 617 as well.

earlthegoat2 said:

As much as I am happy to own my S&W 17-2, the gun I would grab each and every time for hunting would be my MKII Target.

It drilled for a rail but I haven’t gotten there yet.

I picked it up pre-owned for half your budget several years ago. That was a smoking deal even back then though.

I would look for an older MK series or Buckmark. Certain configurations can still be had for around $300.

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My MkII target looks like yours except mine isn't stainless. I wish it were though because I let some grapefruit juice get on it and it took the blue right off. Keep the citric acid away from your blued firearms.

Vern Humphrey said:

I'm a little outside your parameters here, but my squirrel pistol is a Colt Woodsman, made in 1938. I use iron sights and it's the most accurate pistol I've ever shot.

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Lots of people never sell those because they're just great pistols. I worked with a guy in the 70's that had one that he got as a teenager. He wouldn't sell it for any amount of money even thought it was well used. I know because I offered him plenty.

Neos with a red dot. Once tuned with a red dot and ammo, mine will take squirrels out to 20 yards easily.

CoalTrain49 said:

Lots of people never sell those because they're just great pistols. I worked with a guy in the 70's that had one that he got as a teenager. He wouldn't sell it for any amount of money even thought it was well used. I know because I offered him plenty.

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SELL a Colt Woodsman?!?

A man who would do that should be in Biden's cabinet.

Squirrels in the tree tops while out for a wood's walk? Here in KY, that'd entail carrying it for miles...I'd pick a nice 4" bbl'd Smith but a recent Colt acquisition might also tempt me....Rod
PIcs of my .22 M-18 Smith & a Colt New Frontier .22/.22 Mag both with home-made holsters. But for real precision is needed, here's my M-41 Smith with a rarely seen field bbl...this holster is also home-made. Best Regards Rod

My Squirrel pistol is a Thompson Center Contender with a 10 inch barrel chambered in 22 Long Rifle with a 2X Leupold scope. But the total cost is probably above your $500 target price. One of the Ruger 22 handguns with your choice of optics would serve you well. They make a pleasing looking package too!