Shopping for a new .22.

Status
Not open for further replies.

Deus Machina

Member
Joined
May 24, 2007
Messages
3,174
Location
Brandon, Florida
So many things around, it's hard to decide...

My birthday's coming up, shooting's the only time I spend with my dad any more, and he sprung his method of birthday shopping on me a couple days ago--"If you see a .22 you like, let me know." Subtle.

My first target was a bull-barreled, slab-sided Ruger 22/45, but there are so many Rugers around, I figured I'd branch out.

So, anyone else have suggestions? I do like a long barrel on my range .22's, but other than that I just want it accurate, relatively inexpensive, and reliable. As long as they're not notorious for jamming, in that order.

On that note, I've been loving the rental S&W 22A, and haven't held but have been drooling over Beretta's Model 87. Wonder what those go for, lately...
 
The ruger is a great pistol. If I was getting a range plinker .22 the 22/45 in stainless would be at the top of the list.

There are also the sig mosquito and walther p22 in .22lr, but I have not heard good things about the reliabilty. I have a ruger mark II target and I can hit pop can sized targets out to 50 yards w/open sights with it. The reliabiltiy is good with federal bulk ammo. Keep it relatively clean and don't use ammo that isn't copper plated and it'll feed pretty reliably.
 
Well, the Ruger's the old fallback.

I personally wouldn't include the P22 in my accuracy list, especially because I like a longer barrel on my .22, but I won't discount is.

As for the ammo, I don't mind feeding a gun what it likes--and realize .22's are picky now and then--but I think a good .22 should follow my dad's Luger, in that you could run old casings through the reloading press and fire the screws and bolts you swept out of the garage through it. :p
 
I face the same decision, and here is what I found...

I grew up shooting a Ruger Mk 2. I assumed that either the 22/45 or the Mk 3 would be the natural heir apparent.

When I recently gripped the 22/45, I hated it. There was little ergonomic about its grip. And it was...plastic. I didn't feel as though it was as sure of a good deal as I thought.

The Mk 3 was metal (a plus), but its Luger-like grip wasn't nearly as ergonomic as it was from memory (ahhh, nostalgia!).

I got a chance to shoot the CZ Kadet .22, and it was absolute heaven. Full size, all metal, double action, and it fit like a glove. Its expensive though.

I also got a chance to grip the Bersa Thunder .380 (but not shoot it). Although it is a small gun, it somehow fit like a glove as well. The .22 version is supposedly hard to find (and marketed as the Firestorm), but sells for barely over $200. It is full SA/DA, and even has a combo decocker/safety.

The Bersa is my top choice, followed by a Kadet (or CZ 9mm plus Kadet kit) when my finances someday allow it.
 
Beretta 87, standard "Cheetah" version, not the big, blocky, ugly target version. Getting expensive and harder to find, though.
 
I love my .22 ruger. I've had it for more years than I care to remember...very accurate, ultra reliable and fun to shoot!
mine has an old Clark Magazine release conversion, Clark internals and metal grips made for me years ago by a friend in Vermont.
mk2.jpg
 
Texfed, I have the same mag release but made by Wilson. I much prefer it to the heel release and makes "upgrading" to a MKII unnecesary. The conversion is pretty easy to install and has worked great after initial tweaking.
 
How about a Neos? I really like mine so far.
img0011fd2.jpg
 
I can vouch for the Buck Mark. They are sized just right. They serve well as an inexpensive practice pistol for folks who shoot larger caliber guns with similar a grip angle (i.e. 1911). But, they are also easilly carried afield also for plinking, varmint control, etc.

With comfortable grips, excellent adjustable sights and a bull barrel, accuracy is very good to excellent if you do your part.
 
I have the S&W 22A1. The thing is fantastic, the next purchase I make will probably be to get a new bull barrel for it that is about 4.5". The S&W is reliable, the only thing I don't like about it is a small plastic piece that retains the mainspring. It hasn't given given me any problems, it just isn't an awe inspiring piece of machinery. On the other hand I've never designed a firearm in my life.

The Beretta Neos is also on my short list. They look very "pointable".
 
Last edited:
texfed, that's a pretty gun right there. The grips make it.

I'll drop a hint toward a Buckmark. Always have liked those...

The Neos looks pointable, but it's taken this long for the whole Buck Rogers look to start growing on me. If I wanted retrofuturistic for its own sake, I think I'd prefer cherry wood, brass, and a few springs and sprockets. :D

I've liked the rental S&W 22A so far. Great little thing, no matter the problems I hear. The one at the range has worn to the point that the hold-open catch no longer does its job on the last round. I'd have to think on how long that would take to achieve.

I might just end up going with Ruger, perhaps seeing if I can find a frame (is that the serialed part on these?) closer to the angle on my 9mm.
 
I love my Kadet Kit for my CZ. If you already have a CZ than that may be a good choice, if not than the fullsize is about $500. the frame is the same as the 75B 9mm frame, so in the future if you get a different 75 like a Compact or PCR you may be able to mix and match top ends.
 
I was faced with similar choices when getting a .22...>

...some years back. The choices came down to the Ruger, a couple of models of Buckmark, and the Beretta 87T.

Clearly, as shown below, I opted for the Beretta :) I expect any of the pistols I considered would have served well. I had shot some of the Rugers and was happy enough with them. In fact the Beretta was a bit of a risk as at the time it was a fairly new model and I'd not seen anyone else using one.

I am very happy with the Beretta. It is well-made and most enjoyable to shoot. Mine has proven to be very reliable, handling quite a variety of .22LR rounds, both standard and high-velocity, with no problems. It is a slim pistol and fits a smaller hand very well. One issue that concerns some people is the trigger. Although it appears to be a double action trigger the pistol is single action. There is a fair degree of overtravel after the trigger releases. I find it easy to use but it is an issue for some shooters.

ber87red8.jpg
 
Hard to beat a Ruger MK II, but if you have a CZ-75 variant, get the Kadet Kit.
 
My humble opinion....

Find a good used High Standard Citation or Trophy, military grip. You'll be making people look bad at the range in no time!!!

Seriously, there's nothing better than shooting next to a guy with a scoped desert eagle that can't hit paper at 15 yds, then consistently nailing the x ring with open sights!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top