Looking for a GOOD .22 pistol

[jdedonato]

Hey All,

My wife wants to do some shooting and needs a good .22 pistol but I have no experience with this small caliber. Nothing but bad things on the Mosquito and Walther, so other recommendations would be great.

The Ruger Mark III or S&W?

Any feedback greatly appreciated.

 

[Uglyoldpoorman]

Browning buckmark Camper. Fun, doesn't make a lot of noise so she doesn't get a flinch, plus it drives tacks right out of the box.

 

[W.E.G.]

Glock 17 or Glock 19 with Advantage Arms .22 conversion kit.

 

[Claude Clay]

S & W 422. same mags as the 41. very accurate & light. $ 200 used is a really good value for the $.low bore axis makes for light recoil.

 

[hockeybum]

+ 1 for browning

 

[jerkface11]

CZ kadet or the ruger maybe the browning though but i haven't shot one of those. Stay far far away from the smith.

 

[DerbyDale]

If you can find one... Hi Standards are very good 22 target pistols. Here is my Supermatic S100/101 that was recently given to me.

 

[jakeswensonmt]

I am also a Buckmark fan, but I would spend a few more bucks and get a Standard instead of a Camper. The Camper has a plastic sight base which is prone to breakage in the long term.

 

[atblis]

Something to consider

A S&W K22 would be a good gun to consider. Amusing to shoot, and absolutely guaranteed to appreciate in value. Most people overlook 22 revolvers (revolvers in general really). The CZ Kadet is also worth considering. You are correct that P22 and Mosquito are junk.

 

[armedandsafe]

Ruger. Whether Standard, Mark I, Mark II, Mark III or 22/45 they are superb in accuracy, reliability and cost. I've shot them all and own a 1955 Standard.

The Browning Buckmark is very good, the High Standard is almost the same, and the AMT replicas of the Rugers are very good.

Pops

 

[CZ 42]

If you're loaded, S&W 41. I inherited one, it shoots toilet hinges off at 60 yards. Or if your a little more practical, a good 'ol tapered barrel Ruger Mk. A good compromisee would be a silenced Mk for somewhere between the prices.

 

[bannockburn]

Ruger .22 in any guise (Mk.II, Mk.III, 22/45), or a Browning .22 in any guise (Buckmark Standard, Camper, Contour).

 

[strat81]

I went through this with my wife a few months ago. I let her pick it out with one restraint: no Sig Mosquitos. She chose the Beretta Neos.

I'm happy with it.

 

[22-rimfire]

Ruger Mark II or III with 5.5" bull barrel OR a Browning Buckmark with a heavy barrel. Both are excellent 22 pistols.

On the revolver side if one leans that way, I'd probably suggest a older Smith Model 17 or the current Smith Model 617.

 

[Comanche180]

good .22

I can vouch for a Ruger MkII with a 5.5 inch bull barrel, good balance, good enough trigger for plinking, accurate and reliable right out of the box. I also have a Buckmark Camper (also 5.5 inch bull barrel), same performance as the Ruger. A couple thousand rounds thru it and no sign of breakage on the plastic parts, but any Buckmark would do.

They are only .22 caliber so don't expect much recoil but they will make a sharp noise especially indoors. Buy lots of ammo and have fun.

 

[beemerphile]

If you shoot a 1911, the Ruger 22/45 has similar ergos and makes a good practice pistol.

 

[weisse52]

Just jumping on, But the Rugers are hard to beat. MK II being the best if you can find one.

But, if you have the money a Smith Model 41 is THE best.

 

[Black Majik]

I think the Ruger MKII/MKIII set the standard for current production .22 pistols, but there are many that are also great.

I tend to stay away from .22 conversions since they're usually finicky with ammo. The Browning Buckmark, is also one heck of a shooter.

 

[Maia007]

The SW K22's are nice and heavy with terrific triggers and good sights. Very easy to shoot well with after market grips that suit the individual shooter. Virtually no recoil. SW's lighter kit guns also shoot easily and well. Wish I still had my Model 63.

For autos, I prefer the Colt Woodsman series or any of the Hi Standards. The Woodsman is a natural pointer and easy to shoot well enough instinctively.

 

[CB900F]

Jdedonato;

Just went through this process for myself. I also chose the Beretta NEOS. A friend of mine has one, got it in the summer of 07. He's put about 4000 rounds through it. Four points: 1. It's accurate. 2. The price was very competitive. 3. It's reliable. 4. I don't see how it could be easier to take down & clean.

900F

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have a S&W Model 22A which was part of a special run made for AccuSport. It's the high end 22A and the special order was a 7" Fluted Bull Barrel with a Fiber Optic front sight. I like the pistol a lot but so does my son and you know what that means. Well, I found another good deal for myself, it is a Ruger Mark II that has some Clark Custom work done to it. It has a custom barrel and trigger work done to it. I got very lucky finding these two pistols but they are good without the extras too. Both are accurate and fun to shoot. Sorry, I didn't take any pictures of the Ruger Mark II for some reason. I just keep forgetting to do so....

Here is the S&W 22A:

 

[Valkman]

My wife picked a Ruger MK II with the tapered barrel, and I already had a bull barrelled one and a S&W M41. Go somewhere that has a selection and let her pick the one that fits.

 

[Brian Williams]

These are 2 of the best. S&W 35-1 and a Colt Woodsman

 

[Shawnee]

If she has to have a semi-auto, I would go with the Browning Buckmark or one of the older Hi-Standards. Make sure she can easily (read: safely) deal with indexing the slide before you buy any semi-auto.

If she can deal with a double-action revolver, the S&W models 18 or 17 are great.

If she can use a single-action revolver the Ruger Single Six or Ruger Bearcat would be my pick.

If she would be just as happy with a single-shot, one of the older Thompson-Center Contenders would be great and offers the added flexibility of having barrels available for it in many other good calibers. You both could have a blast with a Contender and a couple barrels.

 

[cat_IT_guy]

another vote for the buckmark