"Competition" .22 Semiauto = hunting pistol?

[rc135]

I just read an article in November's "Gun Test" magazine comparing three "competition" .22 semiautos (they liked the S&W M42 the best, over the Browning and Ruger, but had good things, and bad things, to say about all three).

My question is this: are such pistols, which are apparently aimed at the competitive shooting market, necessarily good hunting pistols? In other words, is what makes a .22 semiauto a good competition pistol good at the firing range also make it just as good a hunting weapon, and vice versa?

Thanx.

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[Majic]

Well yes as accuracy and the ease of shooting (good balance, big clear sights, and outstanding trigger) is the main points of both activities.

 

[Dienekes]

Match quality doesn't hurt (if you are in fact getting it). But if the gun is zeroed for the load and the trigger is good, that suffices. I have a rehabilitated short barrelled Ruger Standard Auto with a nice trigger that is startlingly accurate. I do better with it that I do with a mint, stock target model from 1992.

I also have a prewar Colt Woodsman that makes me look good.

So it all depends.

 

[22-rimfire]

For me personally, I like the target or psuedo target 22 pistols for hunting. My favorite is the Ruger Mark II with 5.5" bull barrel. Accuracy and balance are important to me. They tend to be a bit heavier than the thin barreled ones, but I would rather carry the extra weight.

I would not take the high end target pistols hunting unless I was plinking prarie dogs or something like that. These are mostly the European made competition pistols. The Smith Model 41 comes closest to this quality level at around $1000.

 

[Steve C]

The problem with a hunting gun is you have to carry it. Target pistol usually means bull barrel, large hand filling grips and extra weight. Target pistols are usually shot under ideal light conditions, either day light or well lit target ranges. The sights are realtively sharp and more fragile than the typical field gun.

A field gun usually is lighter in weight, you can find holsters for them, sights are standard non snagging type, barrels are standard or tapered. Sights are robust and designed for general lighting conditions. Grips are smaller for general fit with both bare hand and gloves.

You can drive a screw with a hammer but that doesn't make the hammer the best tool for the job. There are some pistols like perhaps a Ruger MK2 with bull barrel that if left standard would do well both at the range and in the field but in general you give up something when trying to use a target pistol for hunting.

Now if you can put together a stand with good lighting and have the game walk up in front of you then the target pistol would work just fine.

 

[22-rimfire]

As Steve said, the sights and larger grips (stocks) on target pistols are important elements for consideration. Target sights are less rounded and have sharp edges that can snag on brush and clothing. You need pretty good light conditions to use these sights as designed.

I say, if you like a particular pistol and you can shoot it well, by all means take it hunting and try it out if it is legal for hunting use in your state. You learn what works for you. Nothing wrong with having more than one 22 handgun. I personally prefer revolvers for hunting, but hunting squirrels with a heavy barreled pistol can be a lot of fun. It is all about having fun and being safe while doing it.

 

[Walkalong]

Sig Trailside

I like my Sig Trailside with a red dot scope.
(Ultra Dot LT with B Square mounts).

http://www.theshootersbox.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=388

http://216.243.198.184/aspx/ns/stor...p=18690&title=3/8"+DOVETAIL+TO+WEAVER+ADAPTER

 

[Vern Humphrey]

There are two issues, shootability and specificity. Target pistols are generally more "shootable" out of the box than run-of-the-mill sporting pistols. And for most shooting games, the sights are excellent for hunting and plinking as well.

The problem comes with highly specialzed guns -- such as the "race guns" you see at certain competive events. I would not consider a tricked out gun with all the bells and whistles to be a good woods and field gun.

So with your typical "target" .22 you gerally get a better woods gun -- the Ruger 5.5" heavy barrel has been mentioned in that regard, and it is what I'd choose if I were in the market for a Ruger for squirrels and other small game.

My own two best "woods guns" are a Colt Officer's Model Target (top-of-the line target revolver when it was made in the late '30s) and my First Model Woodsman, made in 1938 and sporting Micro sights.

 

[rc135]

"Competition" vs. "Hunting" .22 SAs

Thank you for all of your responses. My question has been answered!