help me spend some money to save some money

[bamabluesman]

Ok I love to go out and plink. With the price of ammo my 1911 has been pretty much retired. So its been 9mm for me for a while now. Went to wally world yesterday and WWB 9mm has gone up again. So I'm looking for a .22 LR pistol for cheap plinking pleasure. I'm looking for something in a service-defense type pistol. Not a target grade. I'm not using it for defense so lets not get into that issue. Just for practice. First of all I've never met a walther that I liked so the p22 is out. I'm not going to convert my WWII 1911 to .22 so that is out. Was thinking about a Sig mosquito but have read some bad reviews on it. You guys helped me pick my everyday carry gun so please help me pick a practice gun.

 

[MikePGS]

EDIT: I completely neglected the part about not converting the 1911 :S

 

[mavracer]

ruger 22/45

 

[BADUNAME13]

Ruger MK2
Ruger 22/45
Browning Buckmark
S&W 41
Colt Huntsman/woodsman
S&W .22 revolvers


Those are the ones I like.

 

[daysleeprx]

CZ Kadet

 

[Craig M. Arnold]

Browning Buckmark

 

[greener]

Ruger MKIII 22/45 5.5" bull barrel: Very similar grip as 1911 (a bit on the thin side). Not terribly sensitive to ammo but probably shoots 40gr solid standard velocity best. Good to excellent accuracy to at least 25 yards. The 22/45 is priced from $200-$280 for the blued versions. Stainless versions $300-$400.

Ruger MKIII: same as above. The GC and Hunter models are very accurate and reliable.

S&W 22A: Simple, reliable, accurate. Good pistol.

Buckmark (I don't own and have not fired): By reputation will give the Rugers a run for the money.

Walther P22: I own one and I'm not sold on accuracy or reliability. Some folks get great accuracy. I've done ok with mine. Some folks get thousands of rounds with minimal problems. Mine took a trip to MA after less than 1k rounds because some parts were eating other parts.

 

[bluetopper]

Used High Standard Sport King..........The same gun as the vintage high end target pistols without the target adjustable sights and the best triggers you ever pulled. And no pot metal and plastic!

 

[bannockburn]

Ruger MKII-with the 5.5 bull barrel, probably the most accurate .22 I've ever owned. Great balance, sights, and trigger all contribute to make outstanding accuracy out to 25 yards.

 

[Spiff_P239]

You could always look into a Ruger Single Six or a Smith & Wesson 617. As an added bonus, the Single Six generally comes with a cylinder for .22 Mag, making it a 2 caliber pistol. My dad has one that my grandpa bought back in the '60s and it's still putting rounds down range very accurately.