Higher End, non target style, 22lr. Help me decide

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TennJed

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I want a nicer full size 22lr. I have a Ruger MKIII and 22/45 and a Norinco TT Olympia so I want this gun to be a more combat style. I have held the Ruger sr22 and the browning 1911 and they are just too small for me. I want it to:

1) Eat as many different brands/types of ammo as possible
2) Be accurate enough for backyard paper punching (doesn't have to win competitions but needs to hold its own

I have a short list of:
Sig P226 classic
CZ Kadet (can't find one though)
Kimber rimfire 1911
RIA 22 1911
Beretta 87 (I know it is smaller but I have an 84)
S&W M&P 22

Looking for something a little "nicer" than the GSG/Sig 1911 and beretta noes/S&W 21

Does anyone have the guns mentioned on my list? How ammo picky is it? How accurate? Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance
 
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Browning Nomad. Not real fancy but plenty fancy to apoplexy some old schoolers.

No doubt the Nomad is a good choice, but since I already have 3 guns in that "style" I am looking for something different. More of a combat
 
TennJed

Maybe try looking for a Beretta Model 70S. Built on a medium sized frame shared with larger calibers like the .32ACP and the .380ACP, it features a decent single action trigger, an adjustable rear sight, an M1911 type frame mounted safety, and is extremely reliable with just about any ammo you can load in it. It has been out of production for many years now and magazines are hard to come by but if you should find one it will make for one fine .22LR pistol.
 
I'm not sure what you mean by "combat" but you might also look at Ruger single six.

There was a time when a single action revolver was a combat gun but that was a while ago for most people.

Can I ask why you are looking for a combat type 22lr? I support that you can buy anything you want and have the money for. Is this for a trainer for a CCW or a just for fun gun?
 
Maybe try looking for a Beretta Model 70S.

Yup. I'd also add the Models 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, or 87. The 87 in particular so totally fulfills my needs for a pistol that I often wonder why I keep buying guns. Now the only trick will be finding one before I do ;)
 
Edited to add: I'm starting to get some negative feedback on the ISSC products. So buyer beware.

Take a look at this thing: http://www.impactguns.com/issc-m22bl-22lr-55-2-10rd-blk-m111002-798304034110.aspx

It's an ISSC (which I had never heard of until last week). It's made in Austria. There is one in two-tone at my LGS that I'm taking a real hard look at. Only problem is that there is not much info about them on the forums. I might pull the trigger on it today, so to speak. I too am looking for something a little different. I've already got a Buck Mark, as does everyone else (or the Ruger Mark). I had a Mosquito which was alright but nothing special. I feel the same way about most of the smaller 22s.

I'm really liking the ISSC and am leaning heavily towards it.
 
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I just found a Beretta model 87 on GunBroker. I was not familiar with it so I wanted to see one. It's starting at $735 with no reserve. Kind of chunky, but I'll bet it's good.
 
I don't find the S&W M&P 22 nicer than the GSG 1911 for starters, bout the same in my mind.

The aforementioned Berettas are the bee's knees and I'd love to have any one of those.

Something not mentioned yet are the S&W 422. Not in production anymore but man do those look cool!

SW422-B007.jpg
 
Buy a CZ-75B or other 75 based 9MM pistol, and then find the Kadet Kit conversion. If you post a wanted to buy add some places you will get one. Yes, it is a little more expensive, but worth it.
 
If you carry, or are a 'prepared' fellow, I'd say get a 22 kit for which ever gun your carry and train with. I'm thinking this is what you mean by combat. This way you get to enjoy shooting .22 while still getting to practice with the same trigger system and manual of arms as your duty pistol.

I have a cz75 and have lusted over the kadet conversions for some time. Now that I've upgraded from a kahr to a glock for daily carry, I now crave a kit for my 19 also.
 
I'm not sure what you mean by "combat" but you might also look at Ruger single six.

There was a time when a single action revolver was a combat gun but that was a while ago for most people.

Can I ask why you are looking for a combat type 22lr? I support that you can buy anything you want and have the money for. Is this for a trainer for a CCW or a just for fun gun?

If combat is not the proper term sorry for the confusion. Mainly looking for one because I do not have one. Most other 22 bases are covered. I currently have in 22lr the following

S&W 617
Ruger Single Six
Ruger LCR
H&R 949
NAA mini
Beretta Bobcat
Ruger MKIII
Ruger 22/45
Olympia TT

Revolvers, target style, and pocket are already covered

I don't find the S&W M&P 22 nicer than the GSG 1911 for starters, bout the same in my mind.

Nicer is probably not the best term for the M&P, but I consider it on my list because it has an aluminum slide, unlike the GSG/Sig

Thanks everyone
 
I've got a S&W M&P 22. I really enjoy mine. It eats mosltly everything I feed it and it feels just like the full size version M&Ps, except for the weight.
 
I have a S&W MP 22 and am very happy. It is fun to shoot, has fed and shot everything reliably, except Winchester X hollow points.

Seems accurate enough although I've never shot it off a bench to really test it.

Myself and everyone of my friends and family that have shot it immediately really like it.

Only complaint is that it only comes with one magazine from the factory and extras are hard to find right now.
 
I have a Beretta 87 that I bought in the '80's. I got it because it reeks quality and fits my hand like it's part of my body. I have shot dozens of brands of 22 ammo through it with never a problem. It's accurate, beautiful, reliable, not too big and not too small.it isn't a target pistol and it isn't my first defensive choice, but I love it and will never sell it.
I think I paid somewhere around $400 for it at the time which was much more than any other 22 on the market. If one can be found nowadays I can understand the high prices they command. If they're still built like mine you won't be disappointed.
 
I Just bought a Sig 1911 -22 in OD Green, But I have not had any range time with it yet....

Heard good things about them, seen one... got one?

Will report back as soon as I can get so time with it on range.

I have one of those S&W 422's ... very fun gun! Very light to carry too.
 

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I owned a Sig 226 in .22 and it was absolutely reliable. Used several brands of HV in it.
 
I love my Kimber Rimfire, actually my wife shoots it most of the time, but it has been great. Lightweight, reliable, and looks cool too. As log as you feed it high velocity rounds, it works great. I use CCI Minimags or Remington High Velocity.

IMG_0799.jpg
 
I have a Beretta 87 Cheetah and as mentioned, it reeks quality. I love the thing. All of the controls are silky smooth and the trigger is just sweet. And as far as looks.........tough to find a better looking gun. Also tough to find an 87 but all good things are worth waiting for. I paid $700 shipped for a new one last year. I am also a CZ fan and love my 75B 9mm. I have not shot a Kadet but if you find one you might want to grab it as I know people that own them love them.
9 fingers
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I saw a CZ Kadet recently in a local gun store. Not the kit, but the dedicated pistol which I believe has recently been discontinued by CZ, but they are still offering the Kadet Kit .22LR conversion. The pistol was on consignment, and was advertised as "unfired", with an asking price of $899! :eek: Who knows if it will sell that price, however.

Needless to say as I already have the Kadet Kit conversion, I did not buy it, but it shows that these pistols are worth the $550 - $600 I used to see them going for pre-panic. To buy a new CZ-75B plus a new Kadet Kit conversion will put you in the $850 range, but then you have both a 9MM, and a .22LR in one.

I put a few hundred rounds downrange yesterday with my Kadet Kit on my 75B, and the function, and accuracy still amaze me. It's a lot of fun too!
 
CZ 75b and the Kadet conversion. Pay what you need to, this will become one of the pistols in your collection that you will never sell. Mine always comes to the range and because the uppers swap in 15 seconds it gets a lot of use in both calibers. Accurate, reliable, the weight, size and control layout are the same for .22 and 9mm.
8120577651_9df7098544_z.jpg

During the 1940's thrugh 1970's or so, the High Standard Co of Ct was making state of the art all steel target pistols that can still be easily found in several variations. They sell for ~$350 and up, accurate simple to break down and clean. Factory mags can be expensive, but these are beautifully made and fun to shoot.

Don't shoot anything but Standard Velocity in these. Some folks have experienced frame cracks after using the HV ammo in the earlier models. I'm not sure about the post 1960 guns.

8120588426_ac86d99836_z.jpg
 
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