Father Knows Best
Member
I have a weakness for .22 pistols. I learned to shoot with a Ruger .22 that belonged to my dad, and the very first pistol I ever purchased was a Ruger Mk II. My collection now includes those two pistols, plus a Ruger Single Six, a Colt Peacemaker 22, a Colt New Frontier 22 and a Kimber Rimfire Super.
My favorite of the bunch is the Kimber. It was expensive (about $900), but it's a work of art, is very accurate, and is an absolute joy to shoot. The Rimfire Supers are all assembled and test-fired by the Kimber Custom Shop. They are the exact same size as a .45 ACP 1911, but a fraction of the weight and with negligible recoil. The trigger on mine is as good as I've seen on an out-of-the-box autopistol. It breaks at just over 3 pounds, with only the slightest amount of creep. I've had pistols with professional trigger jobs that weren't as good. I don't know if Kimber still catalogues it, but the two-tone pistol pictured at the top of this page is a Rimfire Super: http://www.kimberamerica.com/rimfire.php
My Ruger autos are great, too. The Rugers are inexpensive, plenty accurate and as reliable as they come. The don't field strip very easily, however, and the triggers aren't the best. The Ruger is a highly developed platform, though, and you can turn a Ruger into anything your heart desires. The Mk II (and new Mk III) Rugers can be highly competitive in target competitions with a little tuning and the right aftermarket parts, if you decide to go that way.
In the revolvers, my favorite is the Colt New Frontier 22. It isn't made anymore, but they're a great value if you find a used one. They tend to be cheaper than the similar Peacemaker models. The only difference is that the New Frontiers have flat-topped frames with target-style adjustable sights (the Peacemakers have traditional thin blade fronts and a groove in the top strap for a rear sight). Both models are extremely well built. They are also quite a bit smaller and lighter than the Ruger Single Six, which makes them balance better, and they are easier for small hands to handle. My wife and kids love them, and so do I.
My favorite of the bunch is the Kimber. It was expensive (about $900), but it's a work of art, is very accurate, and is an absolute joy to shoot. The Rimfire Supers are all assembled and test-fired by the Kimber Custom Shop. They are the exact same size as a .45 ACP 1911, but a fraction of the weight and with negligible recoil. The trigger on mine is as good as I've seen on an out-of-the-box autopistol. It breaks at just over 3 pounds, with only the slightest amount of creep. I've had pistols with professional trigger jobs that weren't as good. I don't know if Kimber still catalogues it, but the two-tone pistol pictured at the top of this page is a Rimfire Super: http://www.kimberamerica.com/rimfire.php
My Ruger autos are great, too. The Rugers are inexpensive, plenty accurate and as reliable as they come. The don't field strip very easily, however, and the triggers aren't the best. The Ruger is a highly developed platform, though, and you can turn a Ruger into anything your heart desires. The Mk II (and new Mk III) Rugers can be highly competitive in target competitions with a little tuning and the right aftermarket parts, if you decide to go that way.
In the revolvers, my favorite is the Colt New Frontier 22. It isn't made anymore, but they're a great value if you find a used one. They tend to be cheaper than the similar Peacemaker models. The only difference is that the New Frontiers have flat-topped frames with target-style adjustable sights (the Peacemakers have traditional thin blade fronts and a groove in the top strap for a rear sight). Both models are extremely well built. They are also quite a bit smaller and lighter than the Ruger Single Six, which makes them balance better, and they are easier for small hands to handle. My wife and kids love them, and so do I.
