.22LR Autos?

[Spieler]

Looking to get a .22LR auto for some cheap practice and to get my step daughters a bit more involved in shooting too, the decision now is which to get?

I have some experience with Ruger Mk IIs and my local shop has a like-NIB 50th anniversary 6' bbl blued model that is absolutely pristine for $230. I also like the aesthetics of the Walther P-22 and Beretta Neos, but have no experience with either; however they are also in my price range. My hesitation with these two guns is some of the quality control and reliability issues with them that I have read and heard about. Any truth to these grumblings?

Anyway, I would appreciate any insight from owners of any of these three models and let me know how you like yours.

 

[dasmi]

Go with the Ruger I'd say.

 

[BryanP]

For my money it's a tossup between the Ruger (Mk.II or 22/45) and the Browning Buckmark.

 

[PaulDaisy]

Ruger Mk IIs and my local shop has a like-NIB 50th anniversary 6' bbl blued model that is absolutely pristine for $230

I wish my local shop had one for that price. I would not have any doubts, myself!

 

[Pointman1776]

From http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=1539305&postcount=22
Reposted here for convenience:

Sig Trailside. Period.

I bought my daughters (when my youngest was still 7) the Trailside after we all shot the Rugers (Mark II's and III's with all kinds of barrel variations), P22, S&W's, and Brownings. The Trailside has great ergos, very simple to use, very reliable, easy-to-operate levers/safety, lightweight, easy trigger pull (that revolver DA at 10-12lbs was a showstopper for my youngest).

I got my Trailside for $319 NIB otd.

Most of the guns you mentioned are either really expensive, or are heavy, or use a lot of plastic parts (even the guide rod), or are nearly impossible for a young'n to field-strip and clean (my girls take turns breaking down and cleaning their Trailside with dad after a long day at the range...around 500-750 rounds).

I would NOT recommend the NEOS...in addition to the extreme grip angle, the mag release is EXACTLY where your right hand trigger finger should be when off the trigger and out of the trigger guard, causing my girls to drop the mags all the time...dumb dumb dumb design imo, regardless of Beretta's "progressive" attempt to try to innovate the industry by relocating the mag release to a place where an experienced shooter could quickly drop the mag without shifting grip and using right thumb or left-hand.

I use Remington gold-nose and every once in a while, there's a dud which requires my girls to correctly clear the jam...an excellent teaching opportunity...even my youngest clears a jam second-nature now, no worries.

At the range, instead of boring old paper targets, I hang a tennis ball by a string about 16 inches below the hanger...much more challenging and instantly rewarding...much more satisfying to see that tennis ball swing rather than guessing if you hit paper at 7-10 yds. And a lot of fun to try to hit that tennis ball while gently swinging from the last hit. With the accuracy and ergos of the Trailside, my oldest hits a still tennis ball 8-9 shots out of 10, and my youngest hits 4-5 out of 10. My youngest likes to challenge the adults at the range for a plate of cookies and a glass of milk.

Hope you get the Trailside. It's the perfect .22. Besides, how could you go wrong with a Hammerli and Sig collaboration?

Good luck!

 

[lyricsdad]

I am going to have to look at that trailside sig. I like the way it looks, I wish where i got my p22 had that sig, I think I would have just gotten that. the p22 has that mean tactical look but I think the trailside would last alot longer...

 

[Flashpoint]

Could you put a a red dot scope on the Trailside?

 

[Sheldon]

I like the MKIIs a lot. I just cleared the 10 day wait for my 5th MKII. I wasn't looking to get another anytime soon, but a local PPT deal for it popped up for $150 and I couldn't say no to it. All the other ones I have are the bull barrelled 5 1/2" versions. This latest one is the standard barrelled 6" version that looks so much like the Luger. They take a little more effort to take apart and get back together, but I think they are worth it. I would buy another if a good deal pops up again!!!

 

[lyricsdad]

Wow 150! thats a good deal. Dang I would hate that 10 day waiting period!!!!

 

[Pilot]

"This latest one is the standard barrelled 6" version that looks so much like the Luger."

Someone else said this, and I was a bull barrel advocate also, but a little .22 for plinking or informal range work should have a standard barrel. No need for that big heavy bull barrel. I like the 4 3/4 standard barrel MK II a lot.

 

[shoot870p]

i like my slab side but do not shoot it much now. it shoots better than i can so no need for a more expensive model for me.

 

[Frandy]

Another vote for the Trailside!

 

[Yankee Fist]

.22

There is nothing wrong with the Ruger MKII or the Sig Trailside. But if you want something that you will enjoy shooting and it is easy to pack start looking for a Beretta model 70S in .22. They are great compact shooters to plink with (actually my 70S can shoot with either of the above with open sights). If you want more of a "target" .22, spend a bit more money and buy the S&W model 41. You won't be sorry.

 

[Kamicosmos]

Can't go wrong with the Rugers. Any of them really.

I did get a chance to shoot a Trailside though....that was very nice! Accurate. If I have need for ever getting another .22 auto (Like if my Mark II wears out, yeah right!), it will be that one. Although the magazines are rather expensive for the Sig.

 

[9x19]

I have owned numerous .22 pistols over the past several decades, Ruger 22/45s, Mk Is and IIs, S&W 2206 and 22S and 22A, Browning Challengers and Buck Marks, Bersas, Tauri, Sig Trailside, Walthers, Berettas, Colt's Cadet (oops, can't call it that), even a Colt Ace, so my opinion comes from a fair amount of experience.

Among those I currrently own, four are Browning BuckMarks:
A 4" Micro with adjustable sights.
A 5.5†Standard with adjustable sights.
A 5.5" Target with Tasco Accu-Dot
A 10" Silhouette with Simmons 2x scope.

They are each accurate, easy to shoot well, possess nice triggers (adjustble on the Target and Silhouette models) and feel so much nicer to my hand than any of the others I have owned. They are better than most I have owned, and just as good as others, That’s is why I still have them.

Are the others good guns? Some are, yes.

Do I prefer the BuckMarks to those others? You bet!

 

[Ala Dan]

I recently acquired a NIB Browning BuckMark Classic Plus SE. It comes
real close in matching a 3rd model Colt Match Target Woodsman that
I originally owned. So its a keeper~