Which .22lr Plinker

Buckmark 1st then Ruger but both are great plinkers.

I don't know what your budget is.

Look at Whitney Wolverines, originals. They're great shooters and nothin' looks like 'em. Aside from the looks, they are really great pistols. The two I've owned were jamless, regardless of ammo. Very accurate and with a trigger to die for. Investment-wise, they're a good choice, too....

Ruger

I said ruger because it and the Sig were the only two on your list that I have shot. The sig was junk and FTF a lot (it may have just been the one that I rented). I know that range guns get beaten like a rented mule, so take that as it may be, but the ruger that I rented worked great and was dirtier. I also rented a Browning Buckmark. It was nice too, but personally, I liked the ruger better.

Glad I put that Mark II / III in the poll I had pretty much ruled it out and then now its winning in the polls maybe it deserves a second look. The more I look the more I like the Neos and the 22a because it has dawned on me that it would be pretty fun to add a red dot and make it a "tactical 22"

Click to expand...

Remember that the mark I, II, III pistols come in several models...

The standard model has a 6" barrel with a fixed front sight. The rear sight is in a dovetail groove and is moveable to the right of left. Mine is quite accurate!

The models up from the standard had moveable sights, stainless construction, some with ploymer frames, etc.

My point is that they are not all the same! Many choices, but all seem to shoot well and provide a lot of fun for the money invested in them.

Taurus model 94 (cringes and prepares for flaming). The single action on this gun is pretty light and crisp. The double action.... well, a bit long and hard.

I just discovered the wonders of CCI .22 CB Shorts. Man, I love shooting shorts out of this gun! I live in a pretty big city and don't like having to go spend $$$ to go to the range just to plink around..... So I just load her up with shorts and go to a secluded spot down by the river and blast away. You dont even need ear protection, its about as loud as a nice air gun. Lots o fun.

The Rugers are good bets. If you are serious about your plinking, you definitely want to get yourself something that isn't made of pot metal.

I voted for the Ruger, but, I like my P22. Took some time to get it to run.

The Ruger will shoot rings around those others. Their not even in same class

I really like my Ruger 22/45 Mark II, very accurate, fun to shoot, very reliable. I don't disassemble mine, I just shoot some gun scrubber down between the bolt and frame, then give it a squirt of CLP, seems to work just fine.

The nice thing about the Rugers is that they can start out as very accurate plinkers but with a few tweaks can be turned into match grade pistols depending on which one you start with. The 5.5 bull barrel Target model is tough to beat for an all around .22.

Its easy to see you want a P22 or Misquito due to the aesthetics that makes them look like a "real" pistol. Don't be fooled by that. I am sure they can be made to work, but you may quickly tire of their inherent inaccuracy compared to a Ruger or Buckmark and their need for high priced Minimags.

Love my Neos!

I use to say only Ruger MK's but I got the girlfriend a Sig and its a great little gun minus the pink frame.

Buckmarks are the best 22 autoloaders made imho...I have held the Walther, and it feels like a plastic toy gun....I like shooting the Ruger, but it, too, felt cheap. I have had two different buckmarks, and sold for other things. Have a new 7.25" Contour on layaway...just can't beat how they shoot!

Looks like Ruger is running away with this poll. Its the pistol every other 22 is judged against.

First Post and First Gun-MKIII

I got my first handgun today: a Ruger Mark III Target Competition with the 6 7/8" barrel and target grips... Took it to the range this evening and put 200 rounds through it. Amazing accuracy. I was nailing 2-3 inch groups at 30 feet. Not bad considering I haven't picked up a gun in over 2 years. I got a Tasco Red Dot scope for it and will try it out tomorrow. I LOVE IT!!!!

Amazing gun for the money... We'll see if I am still in love with it after I field strip it... I heard it can kind of be a pain in the ass...

mark II is the "best", but I voted for walther just because of how fun and comfortable they are to shoot, although it's not anywhere near as accurate as my ruger. I used to have the S&W auto, and it was an absolute piece of crap....but lightweight and ergonomic.

Ruger Govt mod, bull barrel. Yeah the first time you take it apart is a little tricky, After a tew times you could do it with your eyes closed.

Sax.

I tried others, finally succumbed to the Ruger. Ruger is the gold standard. We all learn, sooner or later.

Do you have a 1911 or Glock or something where you can get a 22 conversion kit for it?

http://www.marvelprecision.com/
http://www.22lrconversions.com/

Walther P-22
Dave Z

Buckmark

Why was the Buckmark not a choice? Been trying to choose from it or the Ruger.

a lot of people will flame me for sure, but i really like my walther p22. it is a lot of fun to shoot, and has been as reliable as the ruger mark 2 i used to own. the ruger was fun also, but i like the walther better.

I own a few of the ones you listed, including the "gold standard Ruger"....
but it seems that my Browning BuckMark gets shot more often than all the rest of my many .22 handguns combined. I don't know why exactly, it feels right in my hand, it hits where I aim it, and it cycles anything I've put through it.
Right this moment, if I had to sell all of my .22 hand guns and only keep one, it would be the BuckMark.
If I had to start over, I'd start with BuckMark.
Jack