Target pistol - a good choice ??

Target pistols - which one is a good purchase:

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THANKS everyone - for sharing your .02 cents worth

THANKS to all who share: My Dad hinted today that he would like to have a nice target pistol. I plan to get it for his birthday/Father's Day gift this year. I feel he is very much deserving.

This is what he has done for us:

My Dad, the professional SF warrior, (team A-24 @ Ft Bragg back in late 1958 - 59), going to the 1st SFG team A-41 in or around 1960-61 on Okinawa, then going into Khe Sanh w/ team A-131 in 1961 - 1962 setting up the first SF camp with what was left from the old French camp. Was NCOIC of the advanced training committee at FT. Bragg for the HALO and Sky hook schools 1963 - 1965. I hope I am correct on the dates, it's been awhile)

If anyone was a part of SF at that time they may know my father.
 
Rugers

RUGERS, comes as no surprise.

I have other RUGERS, but not a target type.

Anything special I should consider about maintaining, field stripping or assembly or any special tools for the RUGER types. They seem to have been around for several years without much change. Seems to be a classic. Sorta like the S&W 686, no need to change it when you get it right to start with.

"If it ain't broke - don't fix it"
(unknown man w/ much wisdom)
 
If you can find one (will likely be used), the Trailside is fantastic. It isn't built as strong as the Ruger, nor as easy to find parts for as the Beretta or Browning, but it is an absolutely wonderful gun. I began shooting with a Colt Woodsman Match Target, and IMO, the Trailside is probably its equal (that's heresy to many, but that's how I see it). Personally, I don't think the Rugers are very good target pistols without extra trigger work (heavy and gritty out of the box). The Berettas also can benefit from some loving attention on the trigger. The Trailside is the proverbial glass rod.
 
Of those I would go with the Ruger. Is he actually going to compete with it? If so, what game?
 
Browning & S&W model 41 are both great target pistols. Ruger is fine, but some take a bit of fiddling to get right.
 
Where is Glock 34 option and if not that then where is NONE of the above option.

I like Glock 34 for targets. Put it up and you will see votes pouring in!
 
I've had dozens of .22 Target Pistols (High Standard; Supermatic Trophy, 10X, S&W M41, Pardini, Marvel, Rugers, Brownings, + etc.). I don't shoot quite so seriously anymore and have settled on the Browning Buckmark for my .22 autoloader of choice. It's accurate enough to be entertaining, tough enough for the field & I find it just a little more refined than its Ruger counterparts.
 
SIG Trailside

At my local Gun Store/Range, they have a nice Sig Trailside w/ a scope mounted for $695. Has the blue laminated grips. Is $695.00 about right for price?
 
Might not be a bad price. What barrel length is it? The blue laminated grips mean it is either the nicer Target model or the Competition model (depends on if it is the ergo grip with the block on the bottom). I have a base model with the 4.5" barrel, and I paid $400 for a lightly used one. $695 for a 6" Target might not be horrible (depending on the scope), and it is probably about right for the Competition model (unsure though).
 
I have a long barrel(6"?) TrailSide with a fixed sight. I put a $25 Red Dot on it and it's a shooter. My friend has one with an adjustable rear. He has the same Red Dot on his. Shoots great. Sometimes the slide does not stay back after the last round. And the Magazines are plastic. In general it is a well made, very accuarate/reliable target pistol. I paid $445 at Cabelas....less $45 for opening an account with them.
The Browning Buckmark is an excellent shooter.
 
the .22 is just so much fun!!!!! that'll be the majority of the happiness relative to any decision IMO.
 
The only special tool you need for the Ruger is patience. RTFM every time you clean it and you'll be fine.

I prefer my 22/45 to a Mark. If he likes 1911's, he might also. My 22/45 with a slabside 6 7/8" bull barrel shoots like a decent .22 rifle. Offhand. I like longer, heavier barrels with nice sights, for target use. The overall weight is not a problem; I've put 2 bricks through it before without my arms getting tired or anything.

If you want a REALLY nice one, get a S&W 41. Expensive, though.
 
Based soley upon your options for a vote, I would go with the Browning. I have had several Ruger .22's, and do not even own the Browning, but generally Browing has a better out of the box trigger than a Ruger. This has always been a pet peeve of mine with Ruger firearms.
 
I've had experience with both the Ruger MkII and the Browning Buckmark.

The Buckmark's trigger is probably better than the Ruger's out of the box, and can be improved even further very easily.

Smaller hands will like the Ruger better, but bigger hands will prefer the grip on the Buckmark.
 
Anyone else heard what I've heard about Trailside frames cracking? Can't remember where, but I remember when I was researching last year it was enough to put me onto Browning instead.
 
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