looking for a .22 pistol...

[J642]

Well, I'm getting the urge to buy something again pretty soon, and I'm thinking probably a .22 for some cheap practice and plinking.

I really don't know a whole lot about .22s except a few of the really popular ones that get mentioned frequently around here. Anyway, I usually carry one of the following: S&W 642, Kahr PM9, or a Sig P250.

All have long trigger pulls and I'm hoping that I could get something to help train with that in mind. I don't see the use in getting a super short, light, and crisp trigger when I'm not going to be carrying a gun with a similar trigger.

Everything else being equal, an auto that's easy to take down would be nice. I don't like cleaning revolvers to be honest, and I only have the snub still because I can't mess up the draw even if I try, but that's a different topic.

None of my preferences are set in stone other than a .22lr pistol, but I'm hoping there's something out there that I'll like...

 

[Owens]

Have a look at the Browning Buckmarks. Easy breakdown, easy clean, good shooter, not finicky on ammo. At least mine is that way.

 

[briansp82593]

not read the part on trigger pull?
anyway i believe there are no DAO .22s
there is da/sa
Ill look around for something
edit: Taurus has a heavy pull, sub compact, 22, it is DAO
S&W and taurus also have 22 revolvers small and large

 

[jmr40]

There are some converson kits that replace the slide and magazine to fire .22 on your existing frame. I know they make them for 1911's and others. I think CZ is an option. You could have a centerfire pistol with a .22 conversion for practice.

 

[Restorer]

Check out a Walther P22 or SP22. It's a small DA/SA with a fairly long DA pull. I've been very pleased with my P22. I understand from other forum members that there have been failure to feed issues but I've never experienced it with my gun. I shoot only 32g Stingers so that probably helps. Some of the early mags were faulty and replaced with mags with an "A" suffix on the part number; apparently that was the culprit.

The SP22's are a new model. Check out some of the reviews and Walthers wesite
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...1&parent_category_rn=43326&top_category=43326

It's modular and pretty cool.

 

[Guillermo]

My safe sports 4 .22 pistols. 1 Ruger Mark I, 2 Buckmarks and a vintage S&W 41.

Bang for the buck, the Browning wins easily.

S&W is by far the best

The Ruger looks the coolest even though it is made of sheet metal

 

[aka108]

You might look at a Bersa. I had one, didn't really like it, sold it, but overall not a really bad piece. It was simple to field strip, pretty reliable, all steel and DA/SA.

 

[paradox998]

SIG Mosquito is my recommnedation

Got a new SIG mosquito and really like it. Feel is very good and it has been very reliable. If you get one, make sure to follow the breakin instructions and use CCI minimags for the first 400 rounds or so. Great gun to shoot.

 

[magnumman44]

I love my Ruger MKIII Hunter.

 

[Thernlund]

Buckmark or MKII are good choices. Quality .22s to be sure.

The P22 and Mosquito are good to, but they don't approach the quality of the Buckmark or MKII, especially for the money.


-T.

 

[bob2c]

I found myself on the same mission last month. I just did not want to spend for a sig mosquito or similar. I know they are cheap but so am I right now.

I got the bug for finding older obscure 22's for under 150. I found an American Arms CX22. Just like a Walther ppk. Slide made in Germany and an all around great shooter.

I did a mild fluff and buff and it even feeds 25 year old low velocity junk I have had around for ever. Very few FTF. With new Mini mag or stinger ...no trouble. Very accurate at even 50 ft.

Anyway it has got me into scouring use gun section of all the shops in hopes of interesting out of production 22s.

 

[J642]

Thanks for the responses everyone, I appreciate it. I'm still looking and researching to be honest, but all of the suggestions help.

 

[cpirtle]

Since a DAO revolver is one of the harder guns to master maybe you should consider a Smith 22 J frame revolver. They are pricey but fantastic guns and at 11oz make a great pocket gun when nothing else will work.

You can get the airweight .22 or .22 mag for around $500-$575.

They're not DAO but you can practice that way.

This will be argued by many but a .22 does not need cleaned nearly as much as a larger centerfire.

Knowing your price range would help narrow it down, .22's cover the full price spectrum...

 

[RonC133]

I have a bunch of 22 pistols. I like the Buckmark. Not picky on ammo. Mag release and safety where you would expect. Have to remove the sight base to strip for cleaning.

I can shoot better with the Ruger Mk II, maybe because of the sight radius. Rugged design (duh!) Not picky on ammo. Easy to strip but I have to get out the instructions to put it back together after stripping.

The S&W 22A is my favorite little bore. Maybe because of the red dot sight. It has an integral Weaver rail. More picky on ammo but Federal Auto Match works well. Easiest to field strip. Push a button (Like the old High Standard target pistols,) and the barrel comes off. Uses a recoil buffer.

S&W 17. Fabulous little bore revolver. Very accurate. Heavy, excellent trainer for centerfire revolvers like x86s or 29/629, or as a plinker all by itself.

Advantage Arms 22 conversion for Glock. The resulting gun is so light that shake is a problem for me. Not particularly accurate, or should I say, I am not particularly accurate with it but fun (and cheap) to shoot, nonetheless.

Good hunting.

 

[GingerGuy]

Mark II, inexpensive and works great...


buy one used from a pawn shop or gun store


They're out there, just waiting for a home...

 

[Stevie-Ray]

For what you want, consider the Taurus PT-22. It has a rather long pull trigger, tip-up barrel, and is about the easiest gun to take apart I have. I've heard complaints about them, but mine has been flawless with everything I've put through it. And being a tiny .22, it is a blast to shoot. Also makes a good pocket gun for trips through the woods and such.

If you were just wanting any .22, I'd recommend Ruger.

 

[Guillermo]

While everyone is entitled to their opinion, I must respectfully disagree with StevieRay.

The PT22 is neither fish nor foul. The barrel it too short (and trigger too bad) for target shooting and the .22 caliber is too anemic for self defense as you would expect from a pocket pistol.

While it is a kind of interesting design there is no purpose that I can think of for it to exist. Or more accurately, no purpose for which there is not a better tool.

 

[gtmerkley]

Try a Calico .22

 

[Thernlund]

If you were just wanting any .22, I'd recommend Ruger.

Just... ANY... .22??




-T.

 

[doc2rn]

The ones everyone wants is a S&W 41 in 7", that said I do well on the conservative side with my Ruger Standard I got when I was 11.
Hundreds of thousands of rounds later my Ruger is still my favorite, Buckmarks are nice but I am biased.

 

[BlindJustice]

Around Dec'05/Jan '06
After buying a S&W 625 5" Bbl. .45 ACP
I also got a S&W 617 6" Bbl. 10 shot cyl. .22 LR

The sight radius is close to the same length,
they're the same weight, 45 oz. and the 617 is great
for DA practice/warm up besides being a tack driver.

My latest acquisition a CZ 75B 9MM Luger, I'm going to
order up a Kadet .22 LR Conversion Kit - using the same frame,
grip, and trigger seems ideal. I'll have just over $800 for a
2-in-1 package.

I'd like to see S&W offer the re-introduced Model 63 "Kit"
gun in a 3" Bbl. ( instead of the only with a 5" Bbl. ) to match
up with my Model 60 3" Bbl. .357 Mag. -or else-
look for a used older 63 or 34

All these semi-auto .22s with SA only is exactly
what you don't want by your criteria - well at least
nobody has suggested a Block YET.


R-

 

[Guillermo]

Just... ANY... .22??

Not trying to start a fight here but the Ruger is okay. I own one and have had several. They absolutely do the job and are accurate.

They are, however, rather rudimentary guns. The lower is pressed heavy gauge sheet metal. This was done to keep the price down.

The magazine release is also cumbersome.

The grip angle is a little sharp (although I like it) but Bill did that to make it look cool. (Luger-like)

Love your Rugers all you want. I still have one and it is not for sale.

Let's be honest though and not put this up as the greatest .22 pistol ever made.

It is the 4th best in my gun safe.

 

[Farnorthdan]

Ruger Mark III

Enough said............

 

[Tim L]

All have long trigger pulls and I'm hoping that I could get something to help train with that in mind. I don't see the use in getting a super short, light, and crisp trigger when I'm not going to be carrying a gun with a similar trigger.

They also all have short barrels. The Taurus Pt22 or the Baretta they copied it from are probably the closest to your kahr and sig. A Smith 317 or the Taurus equivalent would be a match for the 642.

Tim

 

[Thernlund]

Let's be honest though and not put this up as the greatest .22 pistol ever made.

Meh. Ok, ok. Fair enough.


-T.