.22 beretta or ruger

[3screw357]

Okay I know everyone has their own opinion, but here goes. I need to replace a browning buckmark that I had. Great shooter, just real picky on ammo. It would only feed CCI stingers reliably. I'm looking at buying either a beretta NEO or a ruger 22/45. I'd like one that can function well with both stingers and also the bulk 22 ammo. (you know the $10 for a brick at walmart.

 

[George Hill]

Normally, I'm all over the Beretta... but between these two I'd roll with the Ruger.

Now, if you look around you can find some older model .22 Berettas and then in those cases - I'd get the Berettas.
Like an 87 Target... Sweeeetness.

But if it's only the NEOS or the Ruger, then it's the Ruger.

 

[CWatson]

Ruger 22/45.I shoot cheap ammo through it all the time and no trouble at all.One day I will have to break it down and clean it though ;-) .

 

[CB900F]

3Screw;

I thought at the time that the NEOS came out, that I had to have one. However, having been bitten a time or two, I decided to wait & let others do some product testing first. So I've monitored various boards & looked in when the NEOS subject came up.

The comments seem to run about 85% negative on the NEOS compared to either the Buckmark or Ruger. Therefore, I still love the looks of the thing, but won't own one for now. Given Berretta's rep on customer service, I'm not expecting them to do any product improvement soon either. Oh well.

900F

 

[George Hill]

The problems with the NEOS have been from poor reliability to poor accuracy and just about everything inbetween.
However there are some out there that have them and had good results, and swear by them. That's kind of risky... so if you really want a NEOS... try it out first. Buy one that you have personally fired and found to be satisfactory.
My favorite .22 autoloader is probably the Colt Cadet with the Browning Buckmark right after it.

 

[ThreadKiller]

NEO

I've never shot a NEO and it's not likely that I will. I can't get past the looks of the thing. It has to be one of the ugliest firearms ever to be produced IMHO. Only the Browning Recoiless Trap gun is worse. Too much of a traditionalist I guess. Never have liked guns that appear to have been engineered by Ronco.

I do have a 22/45 and it simply works. Very accurate and very reliable. I put a Volquartsen "accurizing" kit in it. (Trigger, springs and sear). I also made one of the "beer can blast shields" for it too. The "blast shield" keeps a lot of crud out of the trigger and keeps the trigger pull more consistent longer.

Blast shield instructions


Tim

 

[461]

Keeping in mind that this is merely one mans opinion, I vote for Ruger. I've had a few Mark1's and a few Mark 2's and one thing has been the rule with all of them, they work. A .22 semiauto that won't run isn't worth much except frustration in my book so I go with what I know works.

That said, I've never had a Beretta .22, but I have had a few of their centerfires over the years and they have always been good performers and have held up well If you take achance you may be very happy. I just don't have the funds to buy what may not work for me so I let others do the beta testing for me.

 

[Gordon]

After lugging the MK1's around camp for 30+ years, I was delighted to find a Berretta Jaguar recently with the 6" AND 3.5" barrels. Delightful 19oz weight, (half the Rugers) and accuracy about the same as a non target Ruger. The Mossad preferred this model for it's reliability. Got mine new in box for just under $200. They are out there if you look and wait.This is the same as 71 and 72 Berretta models.

 

[WonderNine]

The NEOs are so incredibly top heavy it's ridiculous. I'd go with an MKII everytime.

 

[Pilot]

Ruger all the way. If you want something lighter and more compact go with the 22/45 with 4 inch barrel. Its a great plinker and is pretty darn accurate even with the stock trigger. I've got two Mk II's and a 22/45 and love them.

 

[BIG FISH]

Had a NEOS could not get good groups because of the trigger pull did the trigger job and it still sucked sold it. Also have a MARK II 26 oz trigger VQ grip 1'' ULTRA DOT shoots 11/2'' 10 round groups at 50' get the RUGER.

 

[shooter.45]

I have to say Ruger because I have one and love it.

 

[jercamp45]

Ruger definately!!

Next gun in the house will be a 22/45 with the thin stainless barrel.
Though if I found such a deal on the old Beretta as did Gordon above, I'd snag it. Had a M70s and loved it......reliable, accurate, compact and fit my hand like a glove!
Looked at the Neo's, but did not care for it, and the gunshop/range owner said he put one out for rental and it did not work real good. His case only holds Ruger .22's for rental now!
That says something to me.
Jercamp45

 

[Hal]

Well 3 screw, I cheked your previous posts and see you expressed an interest in the High Power. I have 2 Ruger .22/45's and 2 Browning High Powers. The thing about the .22/45, is that even though it's supposed to mimic the 1911, it's actually closer to the High Power in dimension and length of trigger pull.
I often use my .22/45's as a low cost substitute for my HP's. I really think if you enjoy the HP, or are even considering one, you'll apprecitate the .22/45 more than the NEOS.

 

[3screw357]

guys thanks for all the information. I've shot the 22/45 and liked it.. Just didn't want to rush in without exploring my options. That's how I wound up with the buckmark. Don't get me wrong great accuracy and all, but a pistol that will only feed one type of ammo reliably is a pain. The main reason I've even considered the NEO's is I've found a couple of good deals on them and had good experiences with my beretta's in the past.

 

[tc300mag1]

Depending on barrel length try out the 22/45 first i was all up to buy on in 5.5 but didnt like it when i shot one went with mark ii in 5.5 instead

 

[Chip Dixon]

Have you dry fired your Buckmark? This can wreak havoc on the firing pins. Also, check the condition of the extractor.

I've seen Buckmarks that "only work with one ammo" that had peened up firing pins and extractors that were uneven (bent or worn or whatever) and definately not looking right. Total in parts and shipping (with new springs to boot) ~$16. There's only one roll pin you need to pound out. Get a vice, small drill bit (if you don't have the small punch needed) and mallet and it comes out easily.

It might be worth checking before dropping a couple hundred on another pistol. .22 pistols usually get a lot of wear and tear (those valu packs rack up the shots fired count real easy) and a little TLC can go a long way. I've seen "NIB" brownings that needed new extractors, too. In a proper state of repair, my buckmark runs nice all day long with the cheap 12 round ramline mags and Winchester wallyworld bulk box ammo.

 

[Surefire]

This may be a dumb question, but can the Ruger Mark II and Mark III be SAFELY carried cocked and locked?

It has a safety and single-action only operation...

 

[EddieCoyle]

I have both. I got the Ruger MKIII 1st, and bought the Beretta because it was light enough for my young son to shoot (the Ruger was a bit heavy for him).

If I had to pick one, I'd definitely get the Ruger. There's noticable wear on the frame of the Beretta after 15,000 or so rounds. The Ruger has twice that amount through it and it looks new. The Ruger is more accurate. Both have been pretty reliable as rimfires go, but the Ruger is more reliable with cheap ammo, and more reliable between cleanings (that's a nice way of saying it works OK when it's dirty).

The Ruger comes apart and goes together different than any other pistols and many people complain that it's hard to put back together. It isn't once you're used to it.

With that said, the Beretta is a lot of fun too.

 

[MCgunner]

I'd never pick a Beretta over a Ruger, regardless of caliber. Just me, I guess. I'm just not very up on Beretta.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

This may be a dumb question, but can the Ruger Mark II and Mark III be SAFELY carried cocked and locked?

Yes. That's the only way to carry them in the woods.

 

[New_geezer]

I'm surprized you had the trouble with your BuckMark, my personal experience and from what I've read they're not known for being especially picky. I love my BM and have many many rounds of all kinds of ammo thru it.

I also own a Neos w/ 6" barrel. Can't speak to long term use yet but it seems like a decent value though I've heard the 4" barrels are not very accurate. It's certainly easy to break down and clean as opposed to a Ruger - (good thing they shoot well when dirty ) I think mine is a more recent manufacture as I haven't had any problems yet and my trigger is OK (the BM's is better tho)

The looks you either love or hate. Same with the grip angle. I prefer a more upright grip like the BM so the Neos will never be my favorite but I like it well enough and for the price I think it's a good deal.

Never had a Ruger but it's had to argue years of positive press and happy owners