22 CAL. semi-auto handgun recommendation

[brentfox]

I am trying to find out if anyone could recommend a good 22 LR semi-auto handgun. That is one that does not jam on a regular basis, shoots strait and, is reliable. And, the less expensive the better. My experience with 22's is that they always jam.I have a 38/357 Mag that I use for a night stand gun. But, I am trying to find a 22 that I could use for the shooting range. The price of ammo adds up quickly for the larger gun.

Thanks for any information you might have,
Bent fox

 

[Petrock]

I have to put this up right away and I've never been unhappy with a Ruger MK II Target. Especially in stainless. There are lots of them out there and very popular.

 

[motorep]

I have a couple of S&W's that run real well- on the inexpensive side, a 422, which you can also find in stainless as a 622 (not to be confused with their revolvers bearing the same model designation). A bit more expensive, a Model 41, a very nice target pistol. 22's being what they are, I'm sure that someone could find ammo that neither of these will run on, but I haven't.

 

[bensdad]

S&W 22A. Browning Buckmark. I have both. I love both.

 

[rugerman07]

You can't beat a Ruger MK II.

 

[Mike Sr.]

"am trying to find out if anyone could recommend a good 22 LR semi-auto handgun... **the less expensive the better**......Thanks for any information you might have,
Bent fox
======================

**Never could understand that logic?**

Be that as it may, I'd suggest going to a pawn shop and buy a Ruger Mark 1 or 2 in Blue.

Unfortunately you might have to pay a few more bucks for one with adjustable sights so the fixed sight model might be more in line with a budget.

 

[The_Shootist]

Beretta Cheetah

Never jams with a variety of ammo, accurate. Can't say inexpensive but you definitely get what you pay for with this pistol. The quality is outstanding.

 

[Floppy_D]

I'm a big fan of Ruger's 22s. Can be found new under $300 with just a bit of looking, and used for around $250. I have a MKIII22/45, which shoots quite well. Anyone who shoots it wants one. I've yet to find ammo that it doesn't like. I might get a feeding failure every 500 rounds or so, but she's just lettin' me know she needs a bath.

 

[wbwanzer]

I've got the Browning Buck Mark and love it. From what I've read, you can't go wrong with the Browning or the Ruger.

 

[Frank Ettin]

If you can afford it the Smith & Wesson 41 is the "gold standard" IMHO. But you really don't need one, unless you really want it, of course.

I've been very happy with my Ruger Mark II. I have the 5.5 inch bull barrel model in stainless. It's accurate and fun to shoot.

In general, you'll find that .22 auto-loaders tend to be a little finicky. Some ammunition will work better/more reliably; but an occasional malfunction will not be uncommon. It has to do with the fact that it can be tricky to get a rimmed cartridge to feed from a magazine.

But my Ruger (and my 41) have generally been very reliable with most ammunition.

 

[Deanimator]

I have to put this up right away and I've never been unhappy with a Ruger MK II Target.

+1.

I bought one to plink with when I was in the Army. Later I had a rail mounted on it for a dot sight. I shot bullseye matches with it for at least ten years before I switched to a High Standard.

 

[BADUNAME37]

Ruger Mark II Target Pistol

Stainless

I have NEVER had a jam or misfire and have shot over a thousand rounds of all different ammo to see which shoots the best!

Once you have it, you can get all sorts of aftermarket parts!

 

[mwsfarm]

I have the beretta U22 Neos,I haven't seen anyone on here talk much about it yet. Have shot over 2000 rounds through it so far- not one jam. The looks are not traditional, but it is a great plinking/gopher gun. I'm going to get another one for the kids. (I'm keeping this one!) I paid $199 for it new. It also has a rail on the top for a scope mount, I haven't put a scope on mine yet, it is accurate enough out of the box to get gophers at 25 yards. good luck!

 

[viking499]

Browning or Ruger

 

[General Geoff]

I have a Ruger Mark III Hunter that has not once failed to feed or extract on me, and I have about 1500 rounds through it so far.

 

[Boba Fett]

+1 Ruger Mark II - slab side if you can find it.

 

[General Geoff]

FWIW, the Mark II and Mark III are essentially the same thing as far as functionality goes; the Mark III just has a bunch of PC "features" like a loaded chamber indicator and magazine disconnect. So either one should serve you well.

 

[Average Joe]

I have a Ruger MkIII and I simply love the thing.

 

[rfwobbly]

The Ruger is pretty much the standard, IMHO. Mk II or Mk III, in any barrel length you like, and there have been a number of lengths over the years.

Take for instance the Ruger long barrel KMK10...

 

[jcwit]

Ruger Mk I, Mk II--Smith & Wesson 22--Browning Buckmark Any of these would be good. Check out the used market.

Regarding the **the less expensive the better** he/she may have expenses that take priorty over spending much on ones self. This is an expensive time of year with the holidays and heating bills ect.

 

[GD]

I have a Beretta U22 NEOS which has not had a single jam in almost 1000 rounds. I had a Browning Buchmark but sold it - it would jam after about 300 rounds and then a thorough cleaning would bring it back to life. I haven't cleaned the NEOS yet.

 

[RioShooter]

I have the beretta U22 Neos,I haven't seen anyone on here talk much about it yet.

I'll second the recommendation for the Neos as an inexpensive, reliable, and easy to maintain .22. I've had mine for over 3 years, and have over 10,000 rounds through it. The gun still functions flawlessly. You can field strip the Neos in about 2 minutes; no tools required. The only negatives are a heavy trigger and a rear sight screw that will not stay in place. I got used to the trigger and loctite fixed the screw.

I eventually got a red dot. I regularly shoot pin tops with the gun, and usually beat the guys shooting Smith 41's, Rugers, and Brownings.

Someday I'd like a Browning for shooting bullseye, but for now I'm really satisfied with the Neos.

 

[rugerman]

I also vote for the Ruger Semi uto pistols, I got my first one (a standard model with a 4 inch barrel )when I was 8 and I've still got it and it still shoots real well. I also have a target model that is a tack driver. Both shoot well and are malfunction free as long as I keep them reasonibly clean. My son as a bull barrel and its been a good pistol to learn on.

 

[MP3Mogul]

I have a Ruger MkIII 22/45 and it has never had a misfire at all, thousands of rounds through it...

 

[.66Cal.]

I found the Rugers rather pricey, very nice pistol no doubt. I shopped both new and used and even used Rugers were a bit high.
I bought a used S&W 22A and I'm very happy with it. Also easy to clean which should also be considered.