.22 Auto Advice

[Blank Stare 73]

I am thinking of buying a .22 pistol. I taught my boys the basics on their BB guns, and later the .22 rifle and handgun basics on a Ruger Single Six.........Now they want an auto loader (I blame it on Modern Warfare 3)

does anyone have any experience with the GSG-1911?

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/.../62297/GSG+GERG2210M1911+GSG+1911+22LR+10R+BL

I am also considering the M&P .22 (my personal favorite, based on the .40) and the Ruger MKIII.............but they really like the 1911 style, so I am hoping I can get one and not break the bank...........does anyone know if this one is a good option?

 

[Furncliff]

I just refreshed my memory on the GSG 1911 by visiting Calguns.net, because you asked and also I was interested in the gun too. Opinions are mixed with a slant to OMG POS.

Head over there and check it out. rimfirecentral/com may have some info also.

Most rimfire shooters might suggest Ruger or Buckmark. If you would consider used... my choice would be High Standard. I have two, they have fantastic triggers, easy to break down to clean, old school craftsmanship. Extra factory mags can be expensive. This is an heirloom kind of gun. Buy only those made in CT. Shoot only Standard velocity ammo in them.

Edit to add the CZ Kadet. Two models one is .22LR only, the other is a conversion kit for the CZ 75b (and others) 9mm pistol. I really like mine. It converts back and forth in 15 seconds is accurate and reliable. I use it a lot because I like practicing with my full size, full weight pistols. It would be an excellent transition piece to train the boys on, on their way to centerfire pistol.

 

[jrw69]

I know you didn't mention these, but we have the Walther P22 and the Beretta U22 Neos. My boys love to shoot both, heck we all do! They are very inexpensive, easy to shoot, easy to clean, and easy to have fun with. Just a suggestion, good luck!

 

[F-111 John]

You can have the best of both worlds with the Ruger 22/45. Ruger MKIII reliability with 1911 grip angle and roughly the same control locations.

There's also the new Ruger SR22 if you would like a more modern 9mm-like pistol.

 

[bannockburn]

I would go with a Ruger 22/45 if you like the M1911 style grip. A Ruger MK.II or MK.III, Browning Buckmark, or Beretta Neos would all do very nicely for a beginners .22 semi-autoas well.

 

[Blank Stare 73]

I just refreshed my memory on the GSG 1911 by visiting Calguns.net, because you asked and also I was interested in the gun too. Opinions are mixed with a slant to OMG POS.

Head over there and check it out. rimfirecentral/com may have some info also.

Most rimfire shooters might suggest Ruger or Buckmark. If you would consider used... my choice would be High Standard. I have two, they have fantastic triggers, easy to break down to clean, old school craftsmanship. Extra factory mags can be expensive. This is an heirloom kind of gun. Buy only those made in CT. Shoot only Standard velocity ammo in them.

Edit to add the CZ Kadet. Two models one is .22LR only, the other is a conversion kit for the CZ 75b (and others) 9mm pistol. I really like mine. It converts back and forth in 15 seconds is accurate and reliable. I use it a lot because I like practicing with my full size, full weight pistols. It would be an excellent transition piece to train the boys on, on their way to centerfire pistol.

Well after reading about the GSG-1911 on Calguns.net, I'm not too sure I want to risk it. It didn't exactly get glowing reviews. Seems it requires a lot of upgrades etc. to actually shoot reliably......I couldn't really find anything on used Highstandards, but the new ones are just a little more than I was planning to spend. I like the looks of the CZ Kadet, that looks pretty nice. ....... Someone mentioned the Beretta U22 Neos, that looks a little more space age than I really want.............I'm kinda disappointed the GSG turned out to be a lemon, it's nice looking gun. I know from experience though, when something doesn't work right, it just plain makes me mad , so I'll spare myself the high blood pressure :cuss

I may try the M&P .22, a co-worker bought one, and he claims it's the best shooting .22 pistol he's ever owned. I'll ask him again in a couple of weeks after the new wears off...............I guess my main question was answered though, so thanks for the helful replies and advice.

I'd like to hear more about the Highstandard, if it's truly heirloom quality I might save my pennies and opt for that.

 

[gofastman]

There's also the new Ruger SR22 if you would like a more modern 9mm-like pistol.

this one also boasts its reliability, a fairly nice feature to have in a .22 pistol, and one that can be hard to come by.

 

[Blank Stare 73]

I've actually been looking for one online to no avail

 

[bearrwe]

I've shot the GSG and the Puma hoping to find a cheap to shoot 1911. Neither gun impressed me. I've been shooting 1911's since I was a kid, had a Colt Ace for a few years. The GSG and Puma just didn't feel right and just weren't "fun". I have more fun shooting my son's P22 or my old Mark 1 Ruger.

 

[TennJed]

I have posted this on here before but here is my review of the colt 1911 .22lr again.

Uramex/Colt/Walther 1911 .22lrs. I got the government model for $389 OTD. Seems well made. Fit and finish is good. I bought it for a fun range plinker.

It was a real close call between the different models and I did a good deal of research before I bought one. You probably can't go wrong with with either the GSG/Sig or the colt. Based on the reviews I have read I would stay awya for the Chiappa/Puma one. The reviews seem to indicate they are not well made.

Some of the advantages (IMHO) over the GSG/Sig
12 round mag
no magazine disconnect
fixed barrel
no allen wrench needed for takedown (takedown very easy)

If I understand the company relationships on this one it is made by Walther for Colt and imported by Umarex. (at least that is what it says on the gun).

I have taken it out two times and here are the results:

1st Time:
50 rounds CCI bulk--no issues
50 rounds Remington Subsonic -- no issues
50 rounds Federal bulk (walmart value pack) no issues
100 rounds of Winchester Superx -- no issues
200+ rounds Federal Lightening-- 7 failures to feed, 1 stovepipe. (note I also shot a new Ruger Mark III and had issues with the Federal Lightening with it also)

2nd time:
Shot a total of 500+ rounds and had 2 failure to feed and 2 stovepipes. All of these were with the Federal Lightening rounds.
Approx 100 CCI Blazer bulk -- no problems
Approx 50 rounds Winchester Super X -- no problems
Approx 50 rounds Remington subsonic bulk -- no problems
Approx 25 rounds of Federal Bulk -- no problems
Approx 300 rounds of Federal lightening -- 2 FTF and 2 stovepipes
Accuracy was very good today. I was shooting off a picnic table top and shooting at small stump protruding out of a pond at roughly 50 feet. (stick was approx 12" high and 4 inches wide) So it was no bullseye paper punch, but i was impressed.

3rd range report:

100 rds Federal lightening---0 issues

Overall I am happy with the purchase. It is not a Colt Ace but it is cheaper than the Ruger Mark III that I recently bought and it was just as reliable and was close in accuracy to it.
I have to believe the issues with the Federal Lightening is ammo related. I have had trouble with it in every 22 auto I have shot it out of. Unfortuately I bought a bunch of it while it was on sale (4000 rds) so I guess I need to shoot it up quick to get rid of it

Here are some pics. I replaced the factory rubber grips with some wood ones

 

[OARNGESI]

Ive heard really good things about the sig 1911-22

 

[toivo]

If you want a nice fun .22 semi-auto that won't break the bank, take a look at the Bersa Firestorm .22:

http://www.gunblast.com/Firestorm.htm

It's not a target pistol, but it's accurate enough, not to mention reliable and fun. It's also good cheap training if you carry a DA/SA-type pistol with a decocker.