.22 pistol showdown

[MedWheeler]

Because I like multi-role versatility in my guns, I'd go with the Ruger SR22. It's a fun, easily-packed gun that can double as a defensive piece both on the road and at home. So, that's how I voted.

But, for strictly range and trail use, the 22/45 is one handsome gun, though I've never held one.

I do have a Mk-II from 1987, purchased new during that year. It's a "bare-bones" model, 4.75 inch barrel and fixed sights, but it was fun to pack and shoot on the trail for many years. These days, all the trigger time I can get is paper-punching, and this gun is boringly easy to shoot under those conditions. It's actually more fun to shoot my FEG AP-22 or my Taurus PT22 because, with either of them, I might miss..

 

[mattm0691]

I own a 22/45 which just in case anyone doesn't know (not trying to insult anyone's intelligence), is essentially just a MKIII with a polymer grip frame and a 1911 style grip angle. I love this gun more than I can say. Every time I shoot it, it is so accurate and sweet shooting that I ask why I even own anything else!!

 

[imoXu]

S&W model 41
mine has functioned flawlessly for 1000's of rounds
moX

 

[savanahsdad]

High Standard SportKing, , S&W 41, Colt Challenger, or a good old Ruger Standard

 

[tuj]

If you want the most reliable, most accurate pistol out there, get a Pardini SP and ignore this hogwash about Woodsman's, Hi-Standards, and M41's.

But once you see the price tag on the Pardini, you'll know why... You also won't see anything but Pardini's on the Olympic rapid fire line (aside from maybe some Matchguns and FWB's and maybe a Walther or two).

I love my Pardini SP to death; its probably my favorite pistol in my whole collection. But for someone looking for their first .22 pistol, the Ruger/Buckmark route is the way to go.

 

[jnewton2]

I have a ruger mark iii bull barrel model. Each different gun has a little different "character". I only have experience with the ruger, so I will try to sum up its "character". Its not fancy. It's not tactical. It isn't ideal for self defense. It looks pretty clean and simple. But, it shoots straight as anything. I'm a beginner at semi-serious handgun shooting and I can keep the shots in a 3 inch group from a rest at 25 yards all day. That's not competition grade accuracy, but its not the gun's fault, its all mine. Once I had three consecutive shots all touching. In about 300 - 400 shots fired so far, it hasn't had one failure, jam, or problem of any kind. Each gun has a little different purpose. The ruger's primary function is to put bullets where you point it, while being easy to carry and easy to shoot. It just does what its supposed to, really, really well.

 

[Fiv3r]

I adore my 22-45. Such an incredibly accurate pistol. Take down is a chore until the parts break in. It's not the complicated field stripping, it's the ridiculously tight fit to the frame...not a bad thing

It's my side arm of choice when hiking and camping. A bunny murderer to be sure.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

I own a Ruger MarkII, my son owns a Ruger 22/45, and we are happy with them. I have shot his 22/45 enough to overcome my prejudice against the duckbill floorplate of the 22/45 magazine.

However, that does not mean they are perfect, or that some other makes and models are either better over all, or a better value for limited money. But neither of us see a need to replace our Rugers.

 

[snapshot762]

I voted for other as one of my favorite .22's is The CZ Kadet, unfortunately it has been discontinued as a handgun but the kit that fits on a CZ 75 is still available.

If that isn't an option for you i'd have to go for the Ruger Mk III, II, I. Exellent guns!

 

[mesinge2]

SIG 1911-22:





VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eScE49tGtLA

 

[wannabeagunsmith]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Still a tough choice. As you may have noticed I do like the tactical pistols as I want to train on those platforms but man the super accurite ruger mark is hard to beat!

 

[Deer_Freak]

If you decide on a Ruger spring for the stainless steel model. It's hard to find a Mark series pistol or 22/45 second hand. By the time you add inflation you will get at least what you paid for it. The blued models don't resell so well.

Competitions specify what kind of pistol you can use. The Rugers are accepted by most sanctioning bodies. Don't do anything to the Ruger but feed it until you see if you are competitive. Trigger jobs and other improvements can render your gun into a plinker. Jr competitions are usually held with stock pistols to control costs.

 

[weblance]

Anything on your list EXCEPT the Walther P22. Steer clear of that one. I will add another not mentioned before now that is good. The Bersa Thunder 22. Steel slide/Aluminum frame. Excellent pistol, shoots anything and is very comparable to the SR22P.

 

[Speedo66]

Browning Buckmark, why was it left off your list?

I was recently in the same position, looking for a .22 pistol.

After reading whatever I could, I saw common complaints about many guns not working with certain ammo, but none about the Buckmark.

I bought one, and tried every brand and type I had, round nose, truncated, hollow point, standard and high velocity. Everything functioned perfectly.

In this current era where availability of .22 ammo is sparse, you may not be able to find certain types or brands. Go with a gun that will digest anything you find.

 

[Gtscotty]

I'd say try the 22/45 Lite, lightweight enough to pack around while hiking, minute of squirrel head accurate at 25yds and reliable to boot.

 

[PonyKiller]

I voted the Ruger mkIII. I have the same ruger mkII my dad taught me shoot with in the mid 80's. It cycles regardless of ammo, the factory sights are dead on, from the factory almost 30years ago. POI difference is minimal with nearly every ammo. It's Easy to take down, Accessories are available. In nearly 30 years it needed repairs once, and that cost less than $100dollars.

My Second Choice would be the Ruger SR22. My friend has one and functionality wise it's the same. Totally indiscriminant of ammo, accurate and easy to clean. It feels very similar to his s&w M&P in 40 cal. just smaller and lighter.

 

[Fishbed77]

All I can say is get a quality steel .22LR that will last a lifetime and avoid all the potmetal junk like the SIG Mosquito, Umarex "Walther" P22, Umarex "Colt" 1911-22, ISSC Glock clone, and M&P-22.

My top choices for a reasonably-priced .22LR pistol would be the Ruger Mark II or III, Ruger 22/45, or Browning Buck Mark.

 

[Roadking Rider]

I've heard a lot of good things about the Bersa 22. However if you want something that will last a lifetime and you'll probably pass down to one of your children then I have to say Ruger MK series of pistols. I prefer the MKIII 22/45 RP. Great shooter straight out of the box, shoots anything you feed it, and has more accessories and after Market parts then you could ever want. The MK series pistols from Ruger are the Lego's of the 22 caliber pistol market. Much like the 10/22 is to rifles. You can spend an afternoon at the range with the 22/45 and 10/22 and go home a happy man.

 

[kmbrman]

Probably most of the fixed barrel .22 s will outshoot most of us on THR. Rugers' MK 1, 11 111 &.22/ 45s , Browning Buckmark and Colt Woodsman will all perform about the same.

 

[Walkalong]

One of the Rugers (Mk I,II,III), a Buckmark, a Trailside, or you might check out one of the 1911 lookalikes in .22 LR.

Or a S&W 41.

 

[Bobson]

Browning Buckmark or Ruger Mark III or 22/45

Yep. I voted for the 22/45 (because of the 22/45 Lite), but any of those three are great choices. I'd steer VERY clear of the SIG Mosquito, because I've heard many a horror story about it. It's a shame SIG allows their name to be associated with it. I've heard pretty mixed reviews of the Walther P22 as well - some great, some awful. I would avoid that too.

 

[ATLDave]

Another vote for other/Browning Buckmark. It has most of the virtues of the Ruger, but is easier to re-assemble after a basic cleaning.

 

[Rev. Chad]

I had to vote other. I'm partial to revolvers so I am going to buy a Ruger Single-Six very soon, but I will probably buy one of those little Taurus pocket .22s. The one my brother in law purchased has done well. We ran over 600 to 700 round through it and it only jammed a couple of times on some old Remmington bulk ammo. And that was right in the beginning, after that it feed everything we stuffed in it. Not a bad pistol for $250.

 

[Gtscotty]

If you're into tactical pistols, then the ability to do this:



to a 22/45 lite should be a bonus.

 

[Delford]

I might vote for the S&W M&P22 as it is quite accurate right out of the box, but I own a Beretta Neos which is an inexpensive but accurate shooter and it gets my vote. I qualified for my CCL with one and that led me to buy mine. Recently a friend found me some ammo at Bass Pro Shops and we went out and lined up golf balls on 3 strings between trees spaced about 2 feet apart and at 21 feet or so I was hitting over 50% leaning on a branch for support. We'd move to another string when we hit one until the dancing stopped, altho a couple times I caught a swinger. My friend did pretty well too with his Ruger Blackhawk in 22lr and his Ruger Mark II. It was a lot of fun, a good challenge, and hard enough to leave a lot of room for improvement