.22LR Handguns - Talk to Me

[exavid]

I had a Colt MT Woodsman for several years. That was a fine .22 pistol but nowhere near as good as the going price for one. I've seen them in gun shows for nearly $1000 in fair shape. It was a great gun but I like my current Browning Buckmark and find it just as accurate for Bullseye shooting. Even with much older eyes to work with. I like the balance on the Browning a bit better than the Colt which felt more muzzle heavy to me.

 

[subee13]

My wife and I have a ruger mk3, browning buckmark, beretta neos and have had a walther p22 and sig mosquito. My father in law has the smith 22a.

My wifes favorite is the buckmark. I like the beretta as it was my first 22 pistol. The neos is a dream to field strip and clean. I love the feel of the grip and the gun will fire faster than you can even pull the trigger. For me if I had one 22 it would be the neos

 

[masterofchaos]

I find the Neos U22 a little more annoying to strip BUT I am comparing it to my only other auto, a Sig P250. I find the finger screw a pain and the springs always take flight unless I am locked down on it like a Pitbull with a screaming rabbit. However, I (as a female) enjoy shooting it and when I take other newbies (male and female) they LOVE the NEOS!! Accurate, balanced and confidence building....great target gun

 

[tnek13]

Years ago I took one of my daughters to the gun store when she was in her teens to pick out a 22 since she did not like my 41 or 617. She chose a Buck Mark, she still shoots it today, and very well I might add. Let your girl pick out what she wants, and if it doesn't work out trade it in on something else. P22s are popular, fit small hands, are light weight and they work.

 

[DeepSouth]

Just do yourself a favor and stay away from the P22. The one I had was the single most unreliable gun I've ever shot. It had more malfunctions than you could possibly imagine. I sold it for a big loss and still feel bad about selling it, I should have melted it down to save someone else a major headache.

I then bought a Buckmark and I am happy with it, although it does jam every few hundred rounds. The family likes it and we enjoy shooting it. Our P22 "scared" my wife "because you never know what it's going to do" (her words)

My wife loves her P22. I get so tired of reading all the hate it gets. If properly maintained and fed decent ammo you'll have no issues with it.....

This is simply not always true, I don't believe it was possible to fix all the problems I experienced, they were so numerous, and so different. I do believe some people get a decent one (not a good one) but I believe those people are the exception rather than the rule.


Again, I like the Buckmark, and the Ruger (my dad has one and it shoots good judging from my time with it) the others I can't say about because of lack of experience. Just stay away from the P22.

EDIT:
There is a recall out on the NEOS. I don't think it's a major issue, you NEOS folks may know more. I don't have one so I haven't looked into it much.

 

[mje]

I currently have both a Ruger Mk-III abd a Beretta Bobcat. The Ruger is the far more accurate and reliable gun, and better for hunting and target. Stripping is very easy- there are a number of good videos on YouTube that will show you exactly how to do it. The Bobcat is a lot of fun, great for short range plinking, and the better latch-ditch protection gun.

 

[akar80]

Bersa has a great 22 cal in their BT 22 pistol. It is well made and easy to take down. Go to the Bersa catalog and also Bersa Chat to get some real info on their products. It is a great pistol for under $300 and should fit her hand very well.

 

[jef2015]

I bought a Ruger Mark III Hunter for my wife to learn to shoot. What a great decision! I love it but she thinks it is to heavy. The Ruger is 41 oz which is more than my FNP45, some of the polymers are half that. I keep the Ruger and will look for something lighter for her, probably a Walther.
The Ruger is pure joy to shoot...