Looking for a 22LR Pistol for practice/target . . . recommendations?

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Shockwave-

Firearms have been a hobby of mine for a short 2 years. Much less than most people on this board.

I have two that I would consider complex: my Marlin Model 60 and my Ruger MkIII 22/45. I've taken the actions of both of these completely apart. It wasn't easy. In fact, both times I considered going to a gunsmith, handing him a bag of small parts and asking for help. But with all the information available on the internet I decided to stick with it. With the aid of a lot of pictures and not without some blind luck I've done several projects and upgrades. I take my time and avoid a frustrated mindset. I feel like I've learned a lot, not just about how the individual weapon works but about how they all work.

I know not everyone enjoys this kind of thing, but I've derived a lot of satisfaction from it.
 
shockwave said:
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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Just how do you clean a Browning Buckmark?
 
You can always get that S & W Mod 617 10 shot revolver. It's very expensive though:what::uhoh:
 
Don't turn yourself off to .22 by buying a sig. Either get a Ruger Mk II or III or Buckmark.

I just bought my Ruger a few months ago and have well over 5000 rounds through it and I haven't had a single FTF FTF or FTE. All with cheap Federal Bulk from walmart.
 
Atticum said:
Shockwave-

Firearms have been a hobby of mine for a short 2 years. Much less than most people on this board.

I have two that I would consider complex: my Marlin Model 60 and my Ruger MkIII 22/45. I've taken the actions of both of these completely apart. It wasn't easy. In fact, both times I considered going to a gunsmith, handing him a bag of small parts and asking for help. But with all the information available on the internet I decided to stick with it. With the aid of a lot of pictures and not without some blind luck I've done several projects and upgrades. I take my time and avoid a frustrated mindset. I feel like I've learned a lot, not just about how the individual weapon works but about how they all work.

I know not everyone enjoys this kind of thing, but I've derived a lot of satisfaction from it.
Click to expand...
+1 on the Marlin Model 60 complexity- specifically the feed ramp assembly with all those tiny springs precariously attached to different points. I disassembled mine twice. Once when I was a teen, and I remember it taking me a long time to reassemble. Then again, about 4 months ago. This time I took a bunch of pictures prior to disassembly as a guide to reassembly. Big mistake, I couldn't put it back together. I'm just one of those guys who likes those internals very clean. Anyway, I sent it all in to Marlin requesting a quote to put it back together. They wrote back (email) and the quote was pretty high. I told them to just send it back since I could get a new factory assembly cheaper on Numrich's. The lady transferred me to the gunsmith who proceeded to yell at me. I wrote the company, they sent a new assembly- no apology. I now have a 10/22.
 
BTW, I've got thousands of rounds through my Ruger. I've never taken it down to clean it, just lock the bolt back and clean in the action and run a brush through the barrel. I don't see ever having to take it apart, but I can do it when the time comes. There's plenty of net tutorials. I ain't scared, heck, I've built motorcycle race engines just for fun. :D
 
MCgunner said:
BTW, I've got thousands of rounds through my Ruger. I've never taken it down to clean it, just lock the bolt back and clean in the action and run a brush through the barrel. I don't see ever having to take it apart, but I can do it when the time comes. There's plenty of net tutorials. I ain't scared, heck, I've built motorcycle race engines just for fun. :D
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This is how I have been cleaning the Buckmark. Just clean barrel.
I had heard Ruger 22's were a real nightmare to take apart and clean.
 
I got the opportunity to shoot the Buckmark today and was impressed, I'm going to take the time to locate a Ruger to try out before making a decision. Thanks for all of the input fellas!
 
Good call, if they come out equal, remember that the Ruger has a bigger aftermarket while the Buckmark has a rifle version that shares parts/magazines, and is possibly a bit finer-tuned out of the box new.
Try out a 22/45 if you get a chance, some people like the lightweight lower and the grip angle of the 1911-styled 22/45, personally the traditional Ruger angle is a great fit for me.

I believe both types of magazine will work with the Ultimate ClipLoader, you'll want some spare mags if you intend to do frequent shooting. I never thought of it until now, but the Buckmark mags are a bit more expensive, if that matters.
 
It's personal preference, but I much prefer the Lugeresque grip angle of the standard Ruger to the .45. I've never liked the 1911 grip, though. The luger grip angle just falls in place for me. Try both if you get a chance, though, cause you might prefer the 22/45. Everyone has different preferences.
 
I'm pretty much set on buying a Mk III hunter or Competition. I'm looking forward to shooting and hitting stuff at the range. I have a couple of friends that have 22 target pistols and I can't wait to get one.

I like the the feel of the competition model a little better than the hunter, both the grip and the weight.
 
I almost purchased that Ruger can't remember the model number but it's the most expensive of all their pistols in .22 LR. It has flat sided barrel on one end. I heard it was a nightmare to take apart and clean so I got the Buckmark instead which was better priced.
 
My first choice is the Ruger MKIII 22/45. It is very reliable and accurate, but requires an engineering degree to field strip and put back together.

In a very close second would be the Beretta Neos. The only reason it is not my first is because of its odd grip. It is very skinny and at an extreme angle, sort of like a luger broomstick. It is not entirely uncomfortable, just odd, very different from my other guns. I absolutely love how it field strips. It's design is so simple it can only be called genius. It uses the firing pin as a recoil rod which makes the whole gun very simple and easy to clean.
 
I can also recommend the Ruger MKII/III. I have a MKII that is accurate and reliable.

I never thought it was really hard to field strip, but I got mine long before the internet, so no one told me that it was supposed to be. Just keep the owner's manual handy the first few times and it should be fine. It's not something that you have to do very often, anyway.
 
The Ruger Mark II/III or the Buckmark are both great choices.

Lots of folks tell you the Mark II far and away better than the Mark III. I actually disagree (I have both). I prefer the III generally - the magazine release is far superior and the safety stuff doesn't bother me a lick (When I was a new shooter, I actually liked having the features).

/sigh, wish I was out shooting them right now...stupid rain.
 
mikemx5 said:
I can also recommend the Ruger MKII/III. I have a MKII that is accurate and reliable.

I never thought it was really hard to field strip, but I got mine long before the internet, so no one told me that it was supposed to be. Just keep the owner's manual handy the first few times and it should be fine. It's not something that you have to do very often, anyway.
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So after shooting it how do you clean it?
 
I just picked up a Ruger MK III P512 this weekand put at least 200 rounds through it yesterday. fun and reliable little gun. havent field stripped it yet but i hear its a pain to do.
 
stratman26 said:
I just picked up a Ruger MK III P512 this weekand put at least 200 rounds through it yesterday. fun and reliable little gun. havent field stripped it yet but i hear its a pain to do.
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That's the reason why I didn't get that slab sided Ruger model which was the top of the line model with stainless steel finish and wood grips. The gunshop owner said they are a pain to field strip to clean so he just runs a swab down the barrel.
 
Buckmarks are not hard to clean at all. There are many good aftermarket parts out there for both the rugers and the buckmarks. I bought a buckmark because I like the feel better.
 
If it helps...
At one point, I owned the Ruger MkII, 22/45, and the Browning Buckmark. I now only own the Ruger MkII. The 22/45 never wow'd me, and the Buckmark was ok, but never loved it. The MkII has always just felt better and shot better for me. My brother now owns my Buckmark and thinks its the cat's pajamas, so your mileage may vary.
 
As I mentioned earlier I was in the process of buying a new Mk III hunter. I found a slightly used one for $400. I think its just broke in. I took it apart after watching a video. I took a little more effort to put back together but I did it!

Heres a bad pic:
IMG00021-20100508-0632.jpg

Another:
IMG00020-20100508-0631.jpg
 
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