.22 Semi-Autos

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Lupinus

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Got some questions about .22 semi-autos since I'm in the market for one.

I was in the gun store today to look at a few so I could narrow it down a bit and was able to fondle a S&W and a Ruger. Since I wasn't buying today tried not to take up to much of the guys time and didn't get to fondle the walther.

The Ruger I liked, fit the hand well the action felt smooth and felt well built not cheap.

The S&W I didn't care for and I think I could make better sights with some sheet metal and a jigsaw. Not cheap but not as well done as the Ruger.

As I said I didn't get to handle the walther. They didn't have any in but the guy at the counter also mentioned the Browning Buckmark and he said the lower models are in the same price range.

I'm looking in sub 350 dollar range (Sub 300 would be nice, which the rugers I fondled fell into). Doesn't have to be anything special I'm just looking for well built and reasonable accurate for plinking and cheaper practice.

Any recommendations? At this point I'm leaning to the Ruger but keeping an open mind on the buckmark while waiting for them to get some in so I can fondle the ones in my price range.
 
I am in the same boat as you and will be getting a 22lr pistol in a few weeks. After looking at Ruger mkIII, 22/25, S&W 22a, Browning Buckmark, Walther, and Beretta Neos, I think I will be getting the Beretta. The S&W and Browning were too "fat" for my likeing and I don't really like the takedown on the Rugers.
 
prejudiced

Lupinus: Sir; my prejudiced will show. Ruger MK series are outstanding units. I prefer the MK11 series, now out of production.

Out of the box accurate, good looking and will be with you forever and ever. Mine has eaten many many big boxes of ammo. Not a burp.

Sometimes ''all'' .22 action semi's like a specific diet. Sometimes you have to find what it likes to eat. With a slight modification that can be fixed with Ruger.

When you decide I/we will point you to the 'fixin'

Follow up when you can
 
I'm constantly amazed with my CZ Kadet. With the red dot, I can hit a 4x8 steel plate at 75 yards...9 out of 10 times. Probably more if I use a bench.

Today a guy was slow firing his AR-15 at this 100 yard target, probably 18" square. It had some sort of metal backing to it as I could hear a PING every time it was hit. When he was done, I sat in my chair and hit it every time, more than he was.

Now I don't know the TRUE accuracy of this gun off sandbags, but considering it's just a slide kit on my CZ 75BD, the thing completely impresses me.
 
Well. If you like the Ruger, buy the Ruger. They're darn good little pistols. I personally like the MkII slabside target models (forget the exact designation).

The Ruger is arguably the best 22 pistol for that price range. The Buckmarks are comparable in performance, but the Ruger is about as good as it gets for durability. Easily something your grandkids will be shooting. Buckmarks I have some reservations about the construction.

I have a CZ Kadet, and it also a superb pistol. Unfortunately, they seem to have gotten expensive and hard to find. I doubt you'll find one for <$350
 
I was in the same boat as you a while ago. I ended up with a Ruger MKIII Hunter. It's the stainless steel one with the wood handles. I justified the higher price as I'll have it forever and, quite frankly, it is a nice firearm.

Sorry I cannot help you stay within $350 :\
 
I've had a boat-load of Ruger MK(?) models. All were fine pistols. That having been said...I've happily settled on higher-grade Buckmarks. The Beretta (Neos) & Walther (P22) simply weren't accurate enough to be as entertaining as I expect a .22 autoloading pistol to be. It's the difference between plinking soda cans or plinking empty 9mm cases. If $350 is your budget, find a lightly-used, mid-grade (or above) Ruger or Browning. You'll be delighted with either pick.

And yes, the CZ-75 Kadet is a tack-driving wonder. If you've already GOT a CZ-75, the conversion upper is within your budget. Same for a 1911, the Kimber .22 conversion upper is good. But if you want the ultimate 1911 .22? There's only ONE name to remember...Marvel.
 
I've been thinking about getting a Smith model 41. Not the cheapest by and means, but compared to all the rest I've handled its fellt the best in my hands.

Still want to shoot a few of them before I buy. I don't like the ruger and the buckmark does not feel right.
 
S&W Model 41 is a legendary .22 autoloader & you absolutely can't go wrong buying one. The value will continue to go up, they will continue to be sought-after, and there will always be parts available.

But in the ~$350 range, you'll be lucky to find HALF a M-41 at that price. But if we're taking the BIG $$$ LEAP upward? Pardini, Hammerli (not Trailside), High Standard Victor 10X, or a dedicated custom 1911 with a Marvel top-end.

I think the S&W mentioned in the OP was a 22A.
 
For the price, the Ruger and the Buckmark have the most to offer. I really don't see the point of the ugly S&W, Walther, and Beretta. Polymer has its' place on a duty weapon or a concealed-carry piece, but I just feel it is "cheap" on a target/plinking gun.

The Ruger will give you two mags instead of one (you only get one with the Buckmark). A Buckmark mag will cost you about $25. Consider this when comparing price. The benefit of the Buckmark is the trigger. It is WAY better than the Ruger. Most of the Rugers I have shot or owned had a good 1/4 inch of pre-travel, much like shooting something with a two-stage trigger.

Either one will be something you can hand down to your grand-kids in 30-40 years. I wouldn't feel nearly as good about handing down the S&W/Walther/Beretta.
 
I have a 22A, MKIII Hunter, MKIII 22/45, MKII GC, Buck Mark Standard and P22. The P22 is a notch below the others in quality and my ability to shoot accurately. Fun gun, but just not as well made as the others. I like them all, and on any given day, each one is my "favorite", excluding the P22. Between the 22A Ruger MK and Buck Mark, the one you like best is the better pistol. They are about even in reliability and accuracy.
 
For the price, the Ruger and the Buckmark have the most to offer.
Click to expand...

X2. They are the standard and the best of the breed. The Ruger, however, has a ton of aftermarket goodies that are easy to install or have install that can take it from a very accurate .22 to an extremely accurate .22. I have three MK II's. They're great.
 
Buckmark for me. I have the stainless camper model and like it alot, very accurate and reliable with good ammo. I prefer the takedown method for it to that of the rugers also.
 
I would encourage you to get a used Ruger MK II. I am not a big fan of auto pistols, but really like my MK II. At 25 yards I can shoot increasingly smaller pieces of broken clay birds. At 50 I can easily hit laundry detergent jugs. These Rugers are available in my area (NH) for around $200 in really nice condition.

It is not recommended to shoot hyper-velocity rounds out of .22 autos. Seems that the round is too powerful and causes "bolt slap."
 
I don't know off hand which model .22 S&W I have but I have had nothing but problems. Since new it would shoot 3-4 rounds and then jam. Sent to the factory twice and the same thing jams every time. So frustrating! I wish I had gotten a Ruger!!!!! Or anything at this point! Heck even a slingshot!:banghead:
 
My S&W 22A-1 has been flawless from day one. It eats Federal Bulk Pack from Wal-Mart like it's going out of style.

Pretty accurate to boot.
 
If you like a thinner grip, check out the Ruger MKIII~22/45. It feels like a 1911. Everyone hates the takedown on Ruger 22 pistols, but all you have to do is watch a video on youtube or follow the instructions, and it's cake. I've only taken mine down 6 or 7 times in 5 digits worth of rounds through it.
 
I've had a few Rugers and Buckmarks and even a Trailside and such things. I've sold all but the Brownings.

It is simply the most solidly built 22LR pistol you can buy today, and it's a natural pointer (with the same grip angle as most other non-Glock semiautos). I have tens of thousands of rounds thru my primary range Buckmark, and it simply works. I put 200rds thru it today, and the only problem was one round of Federal bulk-box that refused to light no matter how many times it was hit. I clean this particular pistol about once every blue moon; it usually starts to get a bit sluggish in extraction after about two/three thousand rounds and that forces me to give it a brushing and oiling. Other than that, it just works.
 
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