The right 22 ?

My Buckmark Plus UDX is pretty nice and accurate for the $400.00 I spent. Best of all, it shoots high velocity ammo without any problems.

As much as I like to bash Rugers, there 22 pistols are some of the best on the market. orchidhunter

I can recommend the Ruger Mark II Competition Target. It has the 6 3/4 bbl and shoots like a rifle. The only hang-up is re-assembly after a detailed cleaning. There will be the inevitable retort "nothin to re-assembly for a .22 Ruger auto".....don't you believe it I've owned and re-assembled these guns for over 30 years, and they are a bitch every time. You need 3 hands to do it. However if you read the manual and PERSEVERE you will eventually suceed. Other than this one thing, they are very good .22's.

I can recommend the Ruger Mark II Competition Target. It has the 6 3/4 bbl and shoots like a rifle. The only hang-up is re-assembly after a detailed cleaning. There will be the inevitable retort "nothin to re-assembly for a .22 Ruger auto".....don't you believe it I've owned and re-assembled these guns for over 30 years, and they are a bitch every time. You need 3 hands to do it. However if you read the manual and PERSEVERE you will eventually suceed. Other than this one thing, they are very good .22's.

I love the Ruger 22/45. Has the same grip angle and control layout as the 1911 if that's important to you. Mine will go at least 1500-2000 rounds before cleaning and if you stick with the same ammo the barrel really never needs to be cleaned. Good thing seeings it is a bit hard to disassemble and reassemble.

Have you experienced any problems with cleaning? I have heard that it is somewhat complicated, you have to unscrew the rear site and can create a problem with the rear site.

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It's not real complicated to field strip: http://chim.embarqspace.com/#/dissecting/4529714459
You unscrew the sight base, not the sight. Once the sight base has been removed the first time, you need to Loctite it back in place or keep the wrench handy. I don't use Loctite and the rear screw on mine works loose every 200-300 rounds. I start getting failures to eject when this happens; tightening it back down corrects this. The Buck Mark Camper model does have a plastic sight base that some have found problematic.

I have Ruger MKIIs and a Buck Mark Plus UDX. You won't be going wrong with either (I do think the BM trigger is better out of the box).

Two other pistols to consider are the S&W 22A and Beretta Neo. I have no first hand experience with them, but a search of the forum will turn up some info for you.

BTW: Welcome to the forums

Beretta 87. At the higher end of your price range but worth the money in my opinion, and that of many others. They make a Target version, but I prefer the standard version that mimics the handling characteristics and function of a regular centerfire (compare the Beretta 87 to a Ruger Mk II or Buckmark, or a Target 87, and you'll see what I mean).

I just picked up a Beretta Neos.

I originally wanted one of the "Marks" but where I am it is next to impossible to get a used one, and the price of the new ones has skyrocketed to $400 .

The price of the Neos at $250 was just right since I mostly wanted something for when the kids tag along, and they don't like 9mm and .380 is too expensive.

Yesterday I just shot shy of 300 rounds of the cheapo bulk stuff and it was flawless, which I'm very pleased about. I was pretty nervous about that.

I'm not fond of the looks, but I don't care for the looks of the "Marks" either so that was a wash. The looks of the Sig and Walther look better to me, but after much research I decided the reliability was too questionable, and nothing takes the fun out of plinking than jams.

A bonus with the Neos, that I wasn't looking forward to if I got one of the Marks based on searches and my buddy, was it was very simple to take apart, clean and put back together. As a time limited family man, I can really appreciate that. Takes enough time to clean my other firearms.

Of course time will tell if it was a good purchase.

not the new ones, the made in Ct. ones...

My preference is the Ruger MKII. It's a durable, accurate, and reliable 22 pistol.

Yes, the first few times reassembling it can be frustrating until you learn the secret handshake. Many people never disassemble them for cleaning, and they just keep on shooting.

The MKII has morphed into the MKIII now, with the addition of a loaded chamber indicator, a magazine safety, and a relocated magazine release. Regardless of the new changes, I still prefer the MKII. It's still possible to find used ones for around $200.

Of course, my preference may not be the right choice for you. A lot of it depends on what you intend to use the pistol for.

I like the Walther P22. It is very fun to shoot
and better looking than the Ruger 22's.

2nd the Walther P22. Just bought one for $400 w/ laser, seen it for as little as $325 w/o a laser. Some have mentioned reliability issues, but it looks cool and for taking to the range I can deal with a misfeed every now and again.

Ruger Mark II Competition Target. It has the 6 3/4 bbl and shoots like a rifle.

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+1 and they are a bit of an annoyance to re-assemble, but well worth it.

An old Wolverine.

Either a MK III or a Buckmark.

I bought a Sig P-220 in .22 L/R that I absolutely love. Check it out.

Target or just plinking?

I have a Mosquito, Buckmark, Colt 22, & Trailside. All fun .22s. The Mosquito is nice because it has the look & feel of a normal semi-auto pistol. Also, no probs w/CCI (almost thru the break-in period when I'll try other ammo).

I know this is the autoloader section, but check out the 10 shot &W 617 revolver. It's on my list.

Other than that, I love my MKII; best gun purchase ever. I could easily live without my P22; it's cute, but finickey, and it's slide is essentially recycled hotwheels

ruger goverment mkII.

Love my S&W 22a.

I have a Ruger Mark II and A S&W M22A. Both shoot very well but I like the Ruger a little better whereas my son likes the M22A. If possible you should try and shoot a few different pistols first and if that's not possible at least hold them in your hand and see which feels better to you...

I just picked up a Colt Challenger made in 1952. In a word, wow. It's a joy to shoot that just oozes quality. These things don't grow on trees, but grab it if you stumble across one.

Accurate: Ruger 22/45.
Fun: P22 once I took a Dremel to the slide and fed it Mini-Mags.