Looking for a good non-ruger 22 pistol

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CarbineKid

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Back about 5 years ago I brought a ruger 22 for my wife to shoot. Last year she told me she lost intrest and she didnt want to go back. So with her blessing I sold the gun.
Tonight she told she she missed her range time and really wanted to go back. So now I have to find a new 22 pistol for her. I am very familuar with the ruger 22 and I wanted to see what else was out there. Im getting awayfrom the ruger in part because it was such a PITA to take down and clean. So what other 22 pistols are out there that are reliable, easy to take down...and come in stainless(wife loves that)
Thanks any info is appreciated
 
Beretta Neos wins on the easiest to take down and clean.

Others we like are Browning Buckmark and S&W M22a. M22a is IMHO easier to take down than the Browning since you don't need hex head wrenches, but its not as easy to re-assemble as the Neos.

My wife also like the Walther P22 because its small grip fits her small hands very nicely. Its about as much a PITA as the Ruger becasue of the goofy way the spring and guide rod need to be reassembled. Its also by far the least accurate of the bunch.

If you plan on playing with red dot sights the Neos or M22a have built in full length rails. Some Rugers come with mounting rails, some don't, so you need to decide if this matters beforehand. Buckmark and P22 are much poorer choices if you want to play with optical sights.

My wife and I shoot lots of .22 pistols, they are all a lot of fun. We'll usually hit the range with the P22, Buckmark, Neos, M22A and a pair of Rugers and a couple of bricks of ammo. There is a red dot sight on the Neos and the Rugers.

--wally.
 
Hi Wally, thanks for the response. I know nextto nothing about the NEO. How do you like it?
 
It's best to talk to the wife first. If she really like the Ruger she had then you should get another one. It is for her to shoot not you complaining about cleaning it.
 
It's best to talk to the wife first. If she really like the Ruger she had then you should get another one. It is for her to shoot not you complaining about cleaning it.
I agree to a point. Im looking fo the best of both worlds. Something she can enjoy, and something thats simple to field strip/clean. She has left the whole decision in my hands, so Im looking at it as if Im getting this gun for me. I buy guns that are reliable, and esy to maintain.
 
reliable and easy to clean = CZ kadet. these are accurate, fun to shoot and break down for cleaning as easy as anything I'v ever had.
Jack
 
The ruger is exceptionally easy to take down and reassemble for cleaning

You just have to "get" the trick and then repeat it enough times to remember it. I used to find the ruger a PITA to but now I know the trick, it aint nothin. Hell I just detail stripped mine to put volquarten parts in. I did not have any of the right tools and it was still pretty easy.

Other than seperating the reciever from the frame you don't really need to go any farther than that for a good cleaning. Reassmbly is a snap after you understand the trick.

The thing is that the ruger really is one of the bestest .22's out there. One of the few things ruger does right if you ask me.

Have you thought about on old high standard?

everything mentioned are good options, SIG, Buckmark, Smith, CZ.
 
If you have a Glock or 1911 check out the Advantage Arms conversion kits. Mine work great and are accurate to boot. They give you the same sights and trigger as the big caliber gun without the recoil and noise.
 
Taurus 9 shot 22LR stainless revolver. Great little gun. It also doubles as training tool . . . Load it randomly with 3 or 4 rounds and give people the "flinch test."

Of course that Walther P22 is a kick. I'm probably going to buy one soon!

:cool:
 
I would get a Ruger and learn the trick. Its easy. If not, the Buckmark will serve her well.
 
5 of the guys at my range have Beretta Neos. I've put alot of rounds through a few of them and really liked them. None of them report any issues with the gun, one guy has about 4k through his and shoots it several times a week and no troubles. I was debating between it and a .22 unit for my 92FS.
 
A Sig Trailside might be a good choice for you.

To field strip you pull down the trigger guard and lift off the receiver. Mission accomplished.

The Trailside is light, accurate, nice grip (for me), decent trigger.

It might be a bit more expensive than some of the competition. But, I believe, it is money well spent.
 
Well

Ruger is generally accurate and reliable (never had a problem with takedown??)
Sig Trailside is accurate and reliable (very nice gun IMO)
Browning is another option
CZ Kadet is a very nice 22 pistol (Accurate but the trigger is...)
High Standards are Nice
I have no complaints about the NEOS other than being fugly
The P22 is a piece of crap (don't waste your money)
 
I'd go Browning Buckmark in a heartbeat. The Smith And Wesson .22 autos look cool, but I've heard some complaints. Then again I hear complaints about everything. If they sold Colt Pythons for $100, someone would call it junk, "get what you pay for." LOL I know the M41 is awesome, but it's out of my price range. A friend who is into bullseye shooting has one and it's unreal accurate. It's designed for target shooting, bullseye competition.
 
I've never really thought the Rugers were hard to break down and put back together, as long as you follow the directions TO THE LETTER. They actually know how they work.

Of course on the other hand, I just seldom clean mine. They just keep shooting.

But if you don't want a Ruger, the Browning is a good one.
 
With the female shooters in my family, my dads 1950-60 vintage Hi Standard Supermatic is by far the favorite. The grip size and layout, adjustable barrel weights, long sight picture, accurate. And for my ladies, if they can be good with it from the start, that's what makes it fun for them.

They are pricey, but the older ones that were made in Ct. are very well made and are appreciating in value. Mags can be expensive.

Guns America has a good selection for price comparison.
 
If she prefers a Ruger, get that. With a little practice, the field strip isn't that bad. :uhoh:

Browning Buckmark is a great choice.

The Neos? Had one. Hated the sharp edges and location of the safety. It's okay but sold mine.


My preference? Here ya' go. Get one while ya' still can...

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Buckmark

I have both a U22 and a Buckmark. Of the two the Buckmark is the superior pistol with reguards to accuracy, grip, trigger, sights. The U22 is a good gun, easy to take down, pretty accurate, but it just feels bad in my hand. The trigger to grip placement is off. The Buckmark feels perfect.

I also have a S&W 622 and a Colt Woodsman Match Target. The Browning is almost as good as the Woodsman, and that's saying a lot!
 
The top two .22 semiautos are the Ruger and the Browning Buckmark, IMO. But if the gun is primarily for your wife and she prefers the Ruger, that's the best choice.
 
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