CaptainHook
Member
As the title indicates, I'm looking for a decent/good quality 22LR pistol for practice/target shooting. I'm definitely a noob when it comes to pistols of this caliber, so some helpful advise would be much appreciated. Thanks! 
Looking for a 22LR Pistol for practice/target . . . recommendations?
- Thread starter CaptainHook
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c919
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Browning Buckmark all the way. An old High Standard or Ruger Mark I, II, or III would be good options as well, though I'd take a Buckmark over any of those.
I bought one for my wife about a year ago, and it is unreal how much having a good .22 has helped her technique. I grew up on Ruger Mark Series guns and I never thought there was a better .22 auto out there, but nowadays I swear by the Buckmark.
I don't think anyone will argue that the BM trigger is about as good as you're gonna get on an average .22 plinker. In fact, right out of the box it has a better trigger than any other gun in our collection.
It's ten million times easier to break down than most others in it's class.
I just think it's the best deal going for .22's. You can easily get a Camper model (that's the one I have) for around $300. That's the base model and you can get much more souped up BM's but they'll cost a bit more.
I bought one for my wife about a year ago, and it is unreal how much having a good .22 has helped her technique. I grew up on Ruger Mark Series guns and I never thought there was a better .22 auto out there, but nowadays I swear by the Buckmark.
I don't think anyone will argue that the BM trigger is about as good as you're gonna get on an average .22 plinker. In fact, right out of the box it has a better trigger than any other gun in our collection.
It's ten million times easier to break down than most others in it's class.
I just think it's the best deal going for .22's. You can easily get a Camper model (that's the one I have) for around $300. That's the base model and you can get much more souped up BM's but they'll cost a bit more.
alienbogey
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You can't go wrong with a Buckmark or Ruger Mark I, II, or III.
At our club there is a regular pistol clay pigeon shoot and for the regular shooters the Rugers outnumber the Buckmarks by about 2 to 1, and there is very rarely anything other than a Ruger or Buckmark.
Someone will doubtless correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that there are many more aftermarket products and mods for the Ruger, while the Buckmark is undoubtedly easier to clean.
The best advice is to try both, at least handling if not shooting them, and go with what feels best in your hand.
A friend recently got into shooting and was looking for a .22 and I recommended the Ruger, but he felt the Buckmark was a better fit for him and he's very happy with it.
At our club there is a regular pistol clay pigeon shoot and for the regular shooters the Rugers outnumber the Buckmarks by about 2 to 1, and there is very rarely anything other than a Ruger or Buckmark.
Someone will doubtless correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that there are many more aftermarket products and mods for the Ruger, while the Buckmark is undoubtedly easier to clean.
The best advice is to try both, at least handling if not shooting them, and go with what feels best in your hand.
A friend recently got into shooting and was looking for a .22 and I recommended the Ruger, but he felt the Buckmark was a better fit for him and he's very happy with it.
Agree on Ruger MK II (avoid the MK III if you can) and the Browning Buckmark. The nice thing about the Ruger is the ton of aftermarket parts for accurizing. The Ruger is just overbuilt also and will last forever. Don't let the takedown/reassembly stories dissuade you. Its no big deal if you follow the instructions.
Craig M. Arnold
Member
I have had a ton of 22 caliber pistols over the years. For the money, Ruger and Browning are the best. My favorite is the Browning Buckmark.
Best regards.
Best regards.
Quack
Member
what other guns do you have. i would suggest a .22LR conversion if there is on available for you gun. i say this because you can in-expensively train with a gun that you are familiar with.
here's my .22 pistol
here's my .22 pistol
mbopp
Member
I'm a Ruger fan. MK2, MK1, and MK3 in that order. If you want go for aftermarket parts many for a MK2 will fit the MK1.
BullRunBear
Member
I prefer revolvers but my wife likes semi-autos. She has a MkII with the 6" heavy barrel and loves it. She also has the Kadet conversion for her CZ 75b 9mm. It's about as accurate as the Ruger. Never had a jam of any kind with either and they soak up anything we load. I do take care to keep the magazines and feed ramps clean.
Had a Buckmark. It was reliable but I could never shoot it worth a hoot. Must be me since so many others swear by them. The upside is that I sold it to get a S&W K-22.
Jeff
Had a Buckmark. It was reliable but I could never shoot it worth a hoot. Must be me since so many others swear by them. The upside is that I sold it to get a S&W K-22.
Jeff
searcher451
Member
It depends greatly, of course, on your preferences and what your primary pistol is going to be. But you can't go wrong with the Browning Buck Mark line, the Ruger Mark line (the early models in particular are especially good), and the early Colts, such as the Challenger or Woodsman. The Walther PP models in .22 caliber are terrific pistols, but they tend to be on the expensive side these days. Any one of these would provide you with long years of reliable service. Oh, if you spot an original Whitney Wolverine, you might want to snap that up, too.
bigfatdave
Member
A rental range will have a good selection, allowing you to figure out what you do and don't like.
Ruger and Browning are probably the leaders in the field, for current-production inexpensive target pistols.
Personally, I have a pair of Ruger MKIII pistols (one for me and one for MrsBFD) that I've tinkered with to make them into great target guns. My favorite is the 5.5" bull barrel, I've been hitting an 18" gong with it ~8 times in 10 at 100 yards.
Rugers are tough enough to buy used with little worry, you'll hear whining about the difficulty of dis/re-assembly but mostly it is from ninnies who complain online before they figure it out for themselves ... it really isn't that hard.
Brownings are about as durable, as far as I know, and there's a Buckmark rifle on the market if you'd like to have both using the same mags and mag loader.
Get to a range or borrow some friends' guns and do some shooting, what you like and don't like should be obvious ... until you know that all you're going to get is a bunch of people telling you what they like, and that has little bearing on what you might like.
Ruger and Browning are probably the leaders in the field, for current-production inexpensive target pistols.
Personally, I have a pair of Ruger MKIII pistols (one for me and one for MrsBFD) that I've tinkered with to make them into great target guns. My favorite is the 5.5" bull barrel, I've been hitting an 18" gong with it ~8 times in 10 at 100 yards.
Rugers are tough enough to buy used with little worry, you'll hear whining about the difficulty of dis/re-assembly but mostly it is from ninnies who complain online before they figure it out for themselves ... it really isn't that hard.
Brownings are about as durable, as far as I know, and there's a Buckmark rifle on the market if you'd like to have both using the same mags and mag loader.
Get to a range or borrow some friends' guns and do some shooting, what you like and don't like should be obvious ... until you know that all you're going to get is a bunch of people telling you what they like, and that has little bearing on what you might like.
I now own my fathers ruger standard model 6" barrel, blued. (that's before the mk I for those unaware) its probably my most accurate gun and runs 100% on anything but Remington golden bullet ammo. It still has all its original springs in it, including the magazine.
the first time i broke it down to clean it i found 11/69 etched under the left grip panel. my father bought it in November of 1969 and it still works flawlessly with all the original parts.
so if you want a gun your grand-kids can shoot, i can't help but recommend the ruger mk series. the buckmarks might be great too, but i don't have any experience with them, so i cant comment.
the first time i broke it down to clean it i found 11/69 etched under the left grip panel. my father bought it in November of 1969 and it still works flawlessly with all the original parts.
so if you want a gun your grand-kids can shoot, i can't help but recommend the ruger mk series. the buckmarks might be great too, but i don't have any experience with them, so i cant comment.
CaptainHook
Member
Thank you for the insight everyone! I currently have a Stoeger Cougar 40, and my previous CCW was a Taurus 145 pro. Obviously going through .40 and .45 ammo is pretty steep these days, and I often read about the numerous benefits of owning a .22, so I plan on jumping on the bandwagon. As some suggested here, the next time I'm at my local range I'll check out what 22's they have for rent. Thanks again fellas!
kennedy
Member
the sig trail side is very accurate, sorry I sold mine, but one day at the range, I became bored after hitting the bullseye round after round.
non2os13
Member
i love my ruger mk1. kennedy, you should get a p22. alot more exciting to shoot because you never know if you will hit the target, the ground, the other guys target, or something else besides what you are actually aiming at.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Another vote for the Browning Buckmark, and you will never look back~!
chrisb507
Member
I had the same requirements, and I decided on a Sig P226 Classic 22: http://www.sigsauer.com/Products/ShowCatalogProductDetails.aspx?categoryid=7&productid=260
It's a lot of fun to shoot, and 100% reliable with CCI MiniMags or Federal Game Shoks.
It's a lot of fun to shoot, and 100% reliable with CCI MiniMags or Federal Game Shoks.
CaptainHook
Member
Hmm, the Sig is a different suggestion. It is significantly more expensive than the other suggested options, but I will jump at the opportunity to shoot it if it is for rent at my range. I'll be heading off to the range in search of a .22 tomorrow. I hope they have a variety of the weapons you guys suggested.
I have a S&W 22A1 that I've had for a few months now and really like it. Put a red dot scope on it and can shoot 2 1/2" groupings all day (that's good for me). The reason I choose it over the Rugers and Brownings is because the scope remains on the barrel during disassembly.
mosesv2
Member
GROCK!!
Wait, never mind.
Wait, never mind.
I shoot the Smith and Wesson Model 41.
As you mentioned target, I would get one that has adjustable sights. There are days that with sun conditions, 2 clicks are the difference from 10s or Xs.
It is more expensive than the others mentioned but still less expensive that some others. It is a very nice pistol, however.
If you can find a used Ruger II I would get that rather than a new one as I don't care for the internals on the new Rugers. Or a used Model 41.
I have shot the Buckmark and I could never warm up to it, but it shot well enough.
In any case I would recommend buying the best gun you can afford and buy it used, allowing you to by the highest quality. (.22s as you may know can be shot nearly forever so "used" with a quality .22 is relative.)
Unlike other calibers, with the .22, unless you are shooting Eley TenEx ( a brick of 500 is around $200) but is considered the best http://www.shootingtimes.com/ammunition/eley_101405/ you will not be spending anywhere near what a .45 ACP would cost, so the cost of the pistol is the major cost.
As you mentioned target, I would get one that has adjustable sights. There are days that with sun conditions, 2 clicks are the difference from 10s or Xs.
It is more expensive than the others mentioned but still less expensive that some others. It is a very nice pistol, however.
If you can find a used Ruger II I would get that rather than a new one as I don't care for the internals on the new Rugers. Or a used Model 41.
I have shot the Buckmark and I could never warm up to it, but it shot well enough.
In any case I would recommend buying the best gun you can afford and buy it used, allowing you to by the highest quality. (.22s as you may know can be shot nearly forever so "used" with a quality .22 is relative.)
Unlike other calibers, with the .22, unless you are shooting Eley TenEx ( a brick of 500 is around $200) but is considered the best http://www.shootingtimes.com/ammunition/eley_101405/ you will not be spending anywhere near what a .45 ACP would cost, so the cost of the pistol is the major cost.
jhallrv4
Member
"the sig trail side is very accurate, sorry I sold mine, but one day at the range, I became bored after hitting the bullseye round after round."
Ditto. I picked up a Trailside that was a demo/rental gun at my range. What a bargain. Say Sig if you want, but we all know it's a Hammerli. And it shoots like one. If you can find one, get it! You'll pay about a third of what it's really worth.
Don't worry about parts because it's "discontinued", it's still marketed as the Hammerli Exess.
I have a Smith 22S, the steel version of the 22A. It's okay, but that's about it. Cheap, was finicky about ammo until I cut off 1/2" from the recoil spring. That was after I got it back from Smith with NO improvement and had to figure it out for myself.
My Trophy Wife loves her Walther P22, but I had to cut off 3/8" from that recoil spring before it would swallow anything but Hyper velocity .22lr.
A previous poster mentioned that his gun would take anything except Remington bulk...he's not the only one. That stuff is officially caca.
Here's a pic of the Hammerli and the 22S. The Hammerli has an aftermarket target trigger, and a Matchdot Red-dot scope. There is available a scope mount the will move the red-dot back a bit, that's a good idea. However, the target iron sights are fine, but my eyes aren't. Both the Hammerli and the 22S have built in scope mount rail. Also, the grips on the Hammerli are Exess target grips, not the standards.
Jeff
Ditto. I picked up a Trailside that was a demo/rental gun at my range. What a bargain. Say Sig if you want, but we all know it's a Hammerli. And it shoots like one. If you can find one, get it! You'll pay about a third of what it's really worth.
Don't worry about parts because it's "discontinued", it's still marketed as the Hammerli Exess.
I have a Smith 22S, the steel version of the 22A. It's okay, but that's about it. Cheap, was finicky about ammo until I cut off 1/2" from the recoil spring. That was after I got it back from Smith with NO improvement and had to figure it out for myself.
My Trophy Wife loves her Walther P22, but I had to cut off 3/8" from that recoil spring before it would swallow anything but Hyper velocity .22lr.
A previous poster mentioned that his gun would take anything except Remington bulk...he's not the only one. That stuff is officially caca.
Here's a pic of the Hammerli and the 22S. The Hammerli has an aftermarket target trigger, and a Matchdot Red-dot scope. There is available a scope mount the will move the red-dot back a bit, that's a good idea. However, the target iron sights are fine, but my eyes aren't. Both the Hammerli and the 22S have built in scope mount rail. Also, the grips on the Hammerli are Exess target grips, not the standards.
Jeff
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Here's a breakdown of the Browning Buckmark. That doesn't look any easier than the Ruger Mk III. In fact, it looks tougher. There is nothing about automatics that I find compelling. This kind of thing just looks like a goddamn nightmare. I want a .22 auto, but I don't want this kind of hassle so maybe the SIG?
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