Help me pick the best .22

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OmesStar

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So as the title says I'm in the market for a good .22 handgun.

The main reasons for me wanting a 22 are

1) Cheap Ammo.

2) While I've been lurking on the forums a bit and I've seen several people say that shooting with a 22 gets rid of a lot of bad habits you can develop with a higher caliber pistol.

A little info about myself, I have fairly large hands with a large frame as well, I've heard good things about about the Ruger III, but also that the grip felt small in the hands of my friend (who has smaller hands than myself), yea I plan on going to a range and getting a feel for the pistols but just wanted to see some opinions of the people on the board.

Also, how are the Kimber Rimfire .22's? 1911's feel almost perfect in my hands and if the kimbers are any good it may be a no brainer.

Thanks!

EDIT: And if it isn't apparent this will be my first handgun purchase, ever since my friend first took me shooting I loved it. I do plan on getting a .45 and or a 9mm, but I wanted to start out with a 22.
 
The ruger 22/45 should fit your hands pretty good if you like 1911's. The controls are set up in the same places too. Mine shoots better than any other .22 pistol I've shot. I would also suggest trying the Browning Buck Mark.
 
Let me begin my posting by welcoming you to our forum. I am certain you will find it interesting. Now, on to your inquiry. If you seek a revolver, then go for the S&W 617. It is a tack driver. Opinions on a semi-auto pistol will vary, but two come to my mind. The first is a Volquartsen customed Ruger MK III. This pistol is both accurate and expensive. The next handgun that I have read good reports about is the Ruger Charger. The down side to this pistol is it is really a "hand rifle", meaning a handgun derived from a rifle design. That said, many find it an accurate, if exotic, design. In fact, I intend to purchase one in the future. I hope something in my commentary is useful. Again, welcome to the forums.


Timthinker
 
Take a look at the Beretta Neos. I recently purchased one and it is a blast to shoot and cheap.
 
You need to put your hands on it before you can make a judgment. Try a Ruger 22/45.

I've shot single-action and double-action .22 revolvers. I don't like them. Single-action revolvers are a pain in the backside to load, unload, and cock for every shot. Double-action revolvers have far too much heft and trigger for .22 shooting. Far and away, I prefer a single-action semiauto for blasting away with .22s, so a 22/45 gets my vote. I also like the MKIIIs, but they're too heavy for the caliber IMO.

A Smith&Wesson 617 is a $600-700 gun. A Ruger 22/45 is $250-$400. You can buy a lot of .22 ammo with 250 bucks.
 
If you post a rough idea of your budget it may narrow things down a bit. Lots of good .22s out there, it will probably come down to what feels best in your hand, and what you are willing to spend on the gun.
 
I have a Ruger 22/45 it shoots great and is a fine gun, but you have to be a mechanical engineer to field strip and put back together--it helps if you stand on your head.
Go Ruger!!!
Floydster
 
I dont think there is a best Its all a matter of prefrence if i had a buckmark I would say its the best
If i had taurus I would probly say its the best. the best advise I can give is to Pick one you like Then find Someone who has one And ask is you could try it out If he/she won't let you take it out It is probly not worth the stell its made from, Or its a priceless antique.
 
+1 for TimThinker & welcome Omestar as well.

I bought a 617 10 shot cyl w/6" bbl. the same month
I bought a 625 5" Bbl. - Although one is a K-frame and the
other an N-frame they are an identical 45 oz. and the sight
radius is within a 1/2" of being the same length. I'll warm up
DA and SA with the 617 maybe 50 rds and then switch to the
625 .45 ACP at the range. After shooting the 625 and maybe
my 1911, if find I still have time left I'll go back to the 617
because it's FUN and Accurate.

I've got the full profile exotic hardwood Hogue grips on them
so it is a similar grip. The 617 is Top of the LIne for
DA revolvers in a rimfire.

If you look on the used market for a great DA revo check out
these are both K-frame and carbon Blued Steel.
S&W Model 17 K-22 Target Masterpiece 6" or 8 38" Bbl.
with Target Hammer/Trigger Adj. rear and Patridge Front SIght
S&W Model 18 K-22 Combat Masterpiece 4" bbl.
with standard trigger/hammer adj. rear sight, plain ramp front

My first handgun in the mid-60s was a Model 18 -
I think it was about 37 oz empty.
i should have kept it the 17 & 18s are now going for
$400-$450 depending on condition.

I'd like to also get a S&W Model 63 - it's the J-frame &
re-introduced this year now with an 8 shot cylinder. I've got
grandkids that'll be needing a smaller revo to learn with in about
10 years. The little J-frame 63 is about 27.5 oz.

Another top of the line S&W is the Semi-Automatic Model 41

However, if it's a lower budget go for a Ruger Mk II/III or a
Browning Buckmark.

Randall
 
When I was in the same position I narrowed the choices down to a 22/45 or a Buckmark. I finally decided on the Buckmark, and am very happy with my choice. It's a daily carry for me, on the odd chance that I run across a groundhog or blackbird.
 
Ruger's and Buckmarks are Ok, but if you want the "best".....get a Smith & Wesson model 41.

5.gif
 
I would have to say a Ruger 22/45 would be a good choice if you are liking the 1911 style grip. The MkIII is really catching my eye, just like the S&W 22A.

I was at the range this weekend and 2 guys had one a piece and let me take a them for a test drive... I have to say each had equally different yet nice qualities.

Being a huge fan of Ruger, I wasn't sure if I'd actually like the S&W, well I think I fell in love with it. Great weight, great balance (was the tactical version), pretty accurate at 17 and 25 yards.

The Mark III was pretty sweet too, this was the tactical/hunter version with the Hi-viz sites on it, the only negative I could say on this gun was that the owner was a dip$#!t and tried to adjust the front site but didnt tighten the lock nut enough causing the sight to wobble and come loose.

On that range trip Id have to say on a scale of 10

S&W = 8
Ruger= 6 (only because of the sight issue, otherwise it would have been an 8 as well)
 
The whole range

Well, in your Title you asked for the "best" pistol. So just for balance:

On the high end ($-wise and accuracy-wise) are guns like the Walther GSP and the Hammerli SP20. Both I think are in the $2,000 or better range. Trigger pull measured in ounces not pounds and accuracy in fractions of an inch.

Alf
No, before you ask, I can't afford them either. But since you're new I just thought you'd like to know the depth and breath of the offerings.
 
Sounds like you're an auto pistol person.

The Browning Buckmark is just about the closest .22 pistol, in terms of feel, you can get to a 1911, unless of course you find an old Colt Ace or 1911 .22 lr conversion kit. They are inexpensive as well.

The Buckmark's controls (mag and slide release, safety, etc) are in the same place, and the grip angle is the same, as in the 1911.
 
There is one additional pistol that no one has mentioned, and that is the single-shot Thompson/Center. It is not an inexpensive handgun but it is very accurate. If you could provide some more information about the type of handgun and price parameters desired, then it might help us make some suitable recommendations.

As others have noted, there are many different .22 handguns available. They vary greatly in price as well as design. What one THR member may like, another may not. This is why we request as much infomation as possible to make intelligent and useful suggestions. I hope my explanation is satisfactory.


Timthinker
 
I have a Ruger MK 1, and Browning Buckmark Camper. I vastly prefer the Buckmark due to ergonomics. The Ruger MK 1 is ok, the ergonomics are just something I don't really care for all that much, so it stays in the safe.

The Buckmark is a fantastic pistol. Nice grips, clean crisp trigger, and overall reliability make this a favorite gun of mine.

Stay away from anything manufactured by Taurus. I have had 2 of their rimfires, and have had nothing but trouble from their Model 94 Revolver, and their PT 22.

Also stay away from the Walther P22. Mine had constant jams. The Slide is also made of Zinc.

IMHO, you can't go wrong with any Ruger, Browning, or S&W.
 
High Standard!

Also look into a used High Standard Supermatic Citation Military, from either the Hamden or Hartford factories. The grip frame mimics the 1911, and they are spookily accurate. They also have bonuses like great sights, adjustable trigger weight and overtravel, and stippling on the front and back straps. Just stay away from the Mitchell and Texas High Standards.
 
A Buckmark was my first firearm purchase, about 6 months ago. I have long fingers, and it fits my hand well. I agree that the grips on the Ruger MkIII are too skinny for me. The only thing I don't like about my Buckmark is that field stripping requires separating the sight rail from the barrel, so if you're at all interested in accuracy, you need to sight it in again after each cleaning. My solution was to step up to a S&W Model 41 (see Rembrandt's photo) - a very nice gun, but about 3x the cost of a Buckmark. There's no chance that I'll ever become a good enough shooter that I need something better than the Model 41.
 
I love my 22/45 with a 6 7/8" slabside bull barrel and target sights. VERY reliable and accurate. 2000 rounds between cleanings and it kept on firing. I'm no fan of the 10/22, but I'm a real big fan of the Ruger pistols.

I'd get another one. Just follow directions when reassembling.:)

The Model 41 is the cream of the crop. I love them; I just haven't overcome my resistance to spend that kind of cash yet.

I'd get one or the other, myself.
 
Has "Best" been defined yet?

Best can mean different things

Best plinker under $400

Best Revolver in A - single action or B Double Action

Best with weight under 30 oz....

Best Target Match and hang the cost.

so, what do yah mean O.P. by "Best"

NOte I have a S&W revolver in N, L K and J frame
and the 617 K frame cost the most of all, only
by $4 at 629 total but it was the highest

Then theere's athe S&W 1911 at $720 and
an advantage arms .22 LR conversion kit runs about
$300

R-
 
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