Kadet adapter kit or Ruger Mark III?

[DropTh3Hammer]

I have decided that I should get a .22 pistol. I have a CZ-75B SA in 9mm that I have fired around a 1,000 rounds through (I reload), but I figure I could benefit from securing the fundamentals with a .22.

So my question is...

Do I buy the Kadet adapter kit for my CZ or a separate Ruger rimfire pistol...?

Kadet would give me benefit of same grip and trigger, but I think I would like having a dedicated .22lr platform that I can just strap to belt when I am going out on the farm. (lighter weight and no assembly required for pest patrol time)

 

[CZ57]

Given the reputation for the Kadet's quality I would go that route since it will only take a few seconds to swap out slides.

 

[DropTh3Hammer]

How about difference in price for magazines?

 

[CharlesT]

I know that you can get 22/45 magazines for $16...

 

[kozak6]

Since it sounds like your intended purpose is not training, but rather to have an additional lightweight .22, the Ruger is a better choice.

Just make sure you handle both of them before purchasing one. I've handled the Ruger MKIII, and it was the sort of pistol that scream "YES!!!!!!!" when you pick it up, while the MKIII 22/45 felt like aiming a pack of cards. But everyone has different hands.

More guns also makes it easier to take a friend shooting.

 

[scythefwd]

The kadet would allow you to secure your fundamentals on the gun you normally fire... I don't see that as a down side. The ruger is a whole new trigger to learn

 

[bannockburn]

DropTh3Hammer

One thing you might want to consider too is that the Kadet slide is not a drop-in conversion. The Kadet slide assembly needs to be fitted to the frame of your CZ-75B, as per the CZ Instruction Manual. Some filing is needed on several areas of the adapter where it comes in contact with the frame. I think it took me about half an hour with a set of Swiss files to get the proper fit.

 

[Pilot]

This is a tough call. I don't like to give the standard forum answer, but here I will. Get both.

Its nice to have a Kadet Kit (I have one that sits on both my 75B and PCR) so you can train with inexpensive .22. The Kadet is accurate and reliable.

However, it is also nice to have a dedicated .22. I have four Ruger MK II's and its a great range gun as well as woods companion. They are generally more accurate than the Kadet, mostly due to a better trigger on the Rugers, especially if you drop in a few VQ parts.

 

[Cards81fan]

I had a Ruger 22/45 for a while, and foolishly sold it off (though it was to a good friend, which helps). But if I had a gun that accepts a quality .22 conversion kit, as the CZ does, I would go with it. For no other reason than it helps me stay even more proficient in the manual of arms of my larger weapon.

 

[hanno]

I bought then sold a Ruger 22/45 because I didn't care for the way it fit my hands. As noted by Kozak6 above, it felt like holding a deck of cards.

I got a Kadet Kit for my SP-01 and like it so much, I traded a SIG for a CZ 75 SA to use as a dedicated base for the Kadet Kit.

The CZ 75 SA and Kadet Kit are always in my range bag.

It all comes down to personal preference, the Ruger and Kadet Kit are both reliable and accurate.

 

[hanno]

One thing you might want to consider too is that the Kadet slide is not a drop-in conversion. The Kadet slide assembly needs to be fitted to the frame of your CZ-75B, as per the CZ Instruction Manual. Some filing is needed on several areas of the adapter where it comes in contact with the frame. I think it took me about half an hour with a set of Swiss files to get the proper fit.

My Kadet Kit slid right on both my CZ 75 SP-01 and CZ 75 SA. Absolutely no "fitting" was required.

 

[Pilot]

hanno wrote:

My Kadet Kit slid right on both my CZ 75 SP-01 and CZ 75 SA. Absolutely no "fitting" was required.

That was my experience also with my 75B and PCR.

 

[ForumSurfer]

Other:

I've shot a few thousand rounds after only a few weeks, flawless reliability with a variety of ammo (including some walmart bulk ammo I had laying around that wouldn't agee with my 22 rifles at all). The kids love it and I've shot as much as 2000 rounds in a single day with no cleaning until the following day (and one more range session).



Set me back less than $380 with 3 magazines. I could have save more money and gotten a model with plain black sights and a blued finish, but the kids voted for stainless and I like to keep them interested and shooting.

 

[ForumSurfer]

Kadet would give me benefit of same grip and trigger, but I think I would like having a dedicated .22lr platform that I can just strap to belt when I am going out on the farm. (lighter weight and no assembly required for pest patrol time)

I agree about the Kadet being excellent for self defense practice...but dedicated 22's are sooooo much fun! Don't discount their training value, either. The manual of arms may be different, but trigger time is trigger time. Pick up a self resetting target for $25 and you'll have a blast around the farm. I also enjoy tossing the empty 100 round 9mm bulk pack WWB and making it bounce from 3 or 4 yards all the way out past 50 yards. There are several little polymer-like "bouncing targets" that are fun...just toss them and shoot them until they bounce too far to hit.

 

[Overkilll0084]

I have both. Either is a good choice. Forced to choose, the stand alone MK3 option probably gives the most versatility. In a perfect world, you will eventually want to end up with both.

 

[ForumSurfer]

Speaking of "on the farm," I like to have my sidearm ready at all times when I'm on my property. While it is extremely unlikely that something unfortunate like a two-legged predator attacking while you are shooting...the dedicated platform does give you the capability to be "ready" without switching the upper even though it only takes a few seconds. But if that crazy, rabid dog sneaks up on me...I can drop my empty 22 and draw my regular sidearm.

 

[DropTh3Hammer]

I appreciate all the advice! I was going to save up for an AR-15 this summer (and who knows mb I will in addition) so comparatively it should be nothing to buy both! (But I won't buy both this summer regardless)

I am going to head into to town today or tomorrow and I will see what the local shops have for .22s and I will see how they feel.

 

[SIGLBER]

Depends on what it's for. If you want a general purpose .22 it's hard to beat the Rugers. If you want a dedicated gun to use as an understudy for your CZ75 I'd go with the Kaset.

 

[sixgunner455]

Find a Mark II, or get the Cadet kit, or get both. (I don't really like the Mark III).

 

[Shadow 7D]

I'd say, get the Kadet, it's the same gun, in cheaper ammo, what's not to like
BUT, having a dedicated target .22 doesn't hurt either.

So, I'd say get both.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

I don't particularly like the 22/45, and find the MKIII nice, but arguably too expensive.

I had a marvelous MKII Target Competition, Government Model, in stainless with the long barrel. I got a Kadet Kit, and it was just as accurate. I traded the MKII for a Witness Sport Long Slide.

The Kadet Kit, mounted on my 85 Combat, is the most accurate .22 I own, and I have several .22s, including another MKII.

Some of the kits have to be fitted, some don't -- it really depends on the gun you're mounting it on. But one kit can be made to work with a number of different CZs. (I wish mine would work with my customized AT-84s, but it won't.)

(I have a well-gunsmithed 75B SA, and my Kadet Kit would have to be fitted to use it with that gun; it didn't require fitting on the 85 Combat. Mounted on the 85 Combat, it is so nice, I just don't see the need to mess with it. It probably wouldn't affect accuracy if I fitted it to the 75B SA, as the whole assembly is pretty tightly locked down once installed, but I've come to believe that if it ain't broke, I shouldn't try to fix it...)

 

[NG VI]

Kadet all the way.

 

[DropTh3Hammer]

I went to the gun shop earlier (albeit a short stay...darn construction cut down on my time). I liked both the feel of the Buckmark and the Mk III they had. They did have a Mk II there too, but I'm not exactly sure how good of condition it's in. The Mk III was around $330 I think. I think that might be the direction I take: Ruger or Browning now, then over the next few years I'll pick up the Kadet sometime...

 

[Pilot]

and find the MKIII nice, but arguably too expensive.

Have you seen the prices of Buckmarks lately? A LGS who typically has pretty good prices has them all marked over $400 with most of them pushing $500. While you can get a Camper model for $300 + shipping and FFL fees on GB or elsewhere, I don't like the plastic parts. I'd rather have the 22/45 over the Camper.

 

[ForumSurfer]

I don't like the plastic parts

Which plastic parts?

A LGS who typically has pretty good prices has them all marked over $400 with most of them pushing $500.

Sounds like my neck of the woods. Even the good LGS's end up marking up items from time to time. I recently bought a fairly loaded model Buckmark for well under $400. I had to bypass my LGS and use Buds this time. Usually they'll beat the price, but they were $100 off the (Buck)mark this go around.

I wish they had a steel 22/45, but I'll probably pick one up anyway. I have two kids and I'm thinking we need a second 22 autoloader and a race tree. I just have to figure out which 22/45 will look good along side the Buckmark in post #13. The oldest loves the look of the Neos. I guess I can buy one of those, too...but only when no one is looking and at a LGS that doesn't recognize me.