Help me pick a .22LR plinker for fun

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My vote is for a Ruger Mark II or III with the 5.5" bull barrel. I have a Mark II, but am considering another one to get the drilled for scope feature for a red dot. If you don't like that one, I'd go with the Buckmark as my second choice if economics rule the choice. Smith Model 41 would be a wonderful plinker though if you can stand the price tag. I have a High Standard Victor that shoots really really good. It is a little picky on ammo, but very reliable with the copper coated federal rounds.
 
I have a Ruger Mark II that is easily one of my favorites. I would highly recomend one. It is SS with a 5 1/2" barrel. I prefer the Mark II too the MarkIII because of the magazine disconnect and chamber indicator. YMMV
 
Well, I really have to jump in and shout, "TRAILSIDE!!"

I have the Ruger 22/45, and it's an excellent choice for a plinker. Some complain that it's difficult to disassemble, but I disagree. Once you know it, you know it. Plus, there's lots of aftermarket stuff for it (like www.solow.com mounts ;) ).

I've handled but not shot the Buckmark. Feels like an excellent pistol, better ergos than the Ruger. I'm probably going to end up with one.

The Trailside, however, is the best bang for the buck right now. They're being discontinued by Sig for various reasons, so you can get one at a closeout price that's prolly cheaper than some of the NIB prices for the Rugers and Brownings. The Trailsides used to go for $400+. I have a Competiton model with an Ultradot on it, and it's pretty darn accurate.
 
Of the choices, I voted Ruger. However, I really, really prefer .22 revolvers. I have an EXCELLENT Rossi M511 Sportsman that'll shoot groups with any of those guns out of the box and I have really fond memories of my Uncle's nickeled S&W K22 Masterpiece. Man, you talk about your sweet revolvers!!!!!! I'd love to find one like that one for a decent, affordable price in good condition.

The .22 LR is capable of feeding without problems in autos, but it's not a reliable cartridge for them. That really doesn't matter since it's not a self defense round, just hunting and plinking, but revolvers get the most out of the .22 with fewer cuss words IMHO.
 
OK, first of all, I want to thank everyone for their input, you guys have helped a LOT.

As it turns out, my roommate has a Mark II that he was keeping at his parent's home, and one of my other buddies got a Buckmark for Christmas this year. So, yesterday afternoon, I went out to the range to get a feel for each of them. And I have to be honest with you guys, I don't know that I liked the feel of either of them more than the Trailside I held at Gander Mountain.

So, now that I've seen that I can get a trailside for $299 from CDDN, I'm just about sold. I need folks to convince me to either (1) buy it, or (2) why the Ruger/Buckmark would be worth the extra money.

Also, I think that I may put that mosquito on my list for presents to myself. The more I look at it, the more similar it appears to the 229 that I'm about to trade in my Glock for. It would be really nice to have a .22 that will share holsters and ergos with what will become my primary carry weapon.

And no, I have no intention of either ordering a .22 conversion kit for my .45, or carrying it on a regular basis. I'm a big guy, and its just not AS comfortable as my poly-framed friends to carry.

I like the suggestion of the SA revolver (I have great memories of my dad's ruger bearcat from when I was a kid), but its really not what I'm interested in at this point.

So, you guys have your marching orders. Help me out.
 
First, go to www.sigforum.com and read up on the reported problems associated with the Trailside. If you can live with potentially having those problems, the Trailside is an excellent and accurate firearm. Hey, it's based on a Hammerli, eh? ;)

Mine likes CCI Pistol Match best. I've hit my 3" steel spinner at 50 yds. eight or nine times out of ten offhand with my Trailside and Ultradot. People stop and start watching when I do with my Trailside what my buddy does with his CZ 452 rifle and irons.

Mags are expensive (and plastic), but takedown's a no-brainer. Check www.larrysguns.com for parts and accessories (and Ultradot scopes). It's too bad Sig decided to give up the ghost on this one.
 
I've owned the Rugers (nuthin' to say bad about 'em other than the learning curve for disassembly), a Beretta Neos, which was fun but has too many sharp edges and I didn't like the ergonomics. A Buckmark is a good choice, having shot them, I like 'em. But, I decided to spend a bit more and am very happy with my Trailside. I added the Hammerli Xesse sport grips later.
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I bought my wife one of the Walther P22's with the barrel extension/fake comp and she loves it. I use a Hi Standard Military w/6.75" heavy barrel (1947).

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I went through the same situation last year, and ended up getting the Ruger 22/45. I liked the grip angle of the 22/45 better than the MkII. The Buckmark was nice, but didn't seem to balance well (too front heavy)
 
Whatever you do DO NOT buy the S&W22a , that is unless you like having a to send handguns back to the factory to have retarded degisn flaws fixed. I had one of these it is by far the worst example of a peice of machinery I've ever owned. I don't think I ever made it through an entire mag without some kind of stoppage. But the worst was when the cheezy little POT METAL top strap that holds everything togeather broke.
 
I have two Rugers, a MKII and MKIII and recomend them highly, if they fit your hand. They are probably one of the best platforms to build o later if you want to upgrade later. +1 on looking into trailside, they did discontinue it for reliability I believe, something to do with frame cracking. My P22 is a good gun but not even close to the Rugers accuracy, obviously. They can require some breakin and tweaking. You will find all the info you need at rimfirecentral, and I mean everything. One shooter has over 50,000 though his. The P22 is my "pocket gun" for walks in the woods or informal can shooting.
 
I disagree with the above post about the 22A being a POS. Mine has at least 1000 rounds through it, no problems. I also recently got a Heritage Arms 22LR/22 Mag for 160 bucks brand new. Looks like a Ruger Single Six. Lots of fun and very accurate too. Here's a pic of each.

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S&W 22A

S&W 22A is a nice little pistol that shoots well. My wife uses one for back yard plinking. Only thing she doesn't like is that doesn't have any real place to grip to operate the slide. The little notches on the slide are too slick and she hasn't the strength in her hands she used to have. I even have a hard time clearing the jams because of the design of the slide.
We tried out a Neos U22 at the gun show this last week end and she found it much easier to operate and considerably more comfortable to hold (22A has the grey/black target grips) I have no doubt she will have a Neos before spring.
I have had Ruger target pistols in the past, they always worked well, as did the Colt woodsman.
Basically buy the best you can afford, what appeals to you both visually and comfort wise, buy a couple of bricks of ammo and enjoy!
 
I have a Ruger 22/45 and a Trailside. The Ruger was cheaper, and is very nice, but the Trailside has a nicer grip, is weighted better, and the trigger pull is crisper (that and the pre-travel and post-travel is adjustable).

Thanks.
 
Beretta NEOS U22 getting no respect...

I have a Beretta NEOS U22 with the 6" barrel. After a couple of years of shooting, I am amazed at the accuracy of this thing. I like its modular parts and although some don't like a striker-fired semi-auto, I have no complaints. It would be right in your budgetary price range. Suggestion: Go with the longer 7.5" barrel. With my BSA red dot scope, it will hit anything my 60 year old feeble eyes can see. Take down and cleaning are simple, compared to other .22 semi-autos. Here's mine right here:

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=65596
 
Used Beretta

I have a used Beretta (what is now a bobcat) in .22 short, they also come in .22LR. I got it used for 50$ from a friend (the finish was rough). I love this little gun. It holds 7 and has a tip up barrel. Fits in the pocket easily and fits the hand really well for such a small gun.~Nathan
 
The Trailside is a real bargain for a competition-quality target gun, but it's a tad on the delicate side for rough outdoor use. Dry-firing can ruin it.

If you get the Ruger, you can get drop-in high-end action parts, though I don't find them necessary. I might like them, if I pony up for them. It'll never be a pretty gun, but it doesn't mind some dirt or fouling, either, and dry-firing by inexperiences shooters won't hurt it.

Depends what you want.
 
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