Need help selecting a new 22

[115grfmj]

Okay, six months ago I was given the wifely approval to buying
an 1894c, and a 686+ in 357. Now maybe it's because of the thrift
of the idea, or the fact that she likes matching things, whatever the
reason she liked it so much, she just told me I could get a companion
to my 22 rifle. I've narrowed it down to three candidates,
and I'm looking for help deciding. This will be mainly a fun gun but
should have some utility for things like dispatching critters, and training
my two girls, on firearms.

1) Ruger Single Six: This has some coolness factor to me. I like the fact
that it can fire diff. rounds, but how durable, accurate?
Also I've heard that the Blued one has Aluminum parts
and the stainless doesnt come in the 4"er, is that
true?

2)Ruger MKII: I like the standard 4"er. Whats reliability like, accuracy?

3) S&W 617: Also a 4"er. I already own a l-frame. I've heard smith has had
some problems with the 10shot, what kind of problems?
the smith is the most expensive of the three.?


Please help I'm looking for something that will last a lifetime of relatively
heavy shooting, because lets face it, the spousal god finances doesn't
often smile on these things.

 

[unreal45]

lets face it, the spousal god finances doesn't often smile on these things.

lol i know what you mean.
If you plan on mostly target use i would get a mkII.
If you plan on hunting and packing it while hiking get the single six.
I choose a mkII and I wish i would have purchased the single six now.
The mark II is a perfect gun for teaching girls to shoot.
My wife loves the mark II she kind of claimed it.

 

[Onmilo]

If the little lady will alow you to splurge I would recommend a Smith and Wesson Model 41 with a 5" heavy barrel.
One of the very best rimfire semiautomatic handguns ever developed and American made too, I like that!
You won't need to buy another .22 handgun with this purchase but you may wish to add a 7" target barrel down the line.
Rumor is that S&W may also offer a .17 Mach2 conversion for these pistols sometime in the future too.
If one of these pistols is just beyond reach, no matter what, then consider the Ruger Mark2 or Mark 3 or a Ruger 22/45 if polymar frames strike your fancy.
These pistols are a couple hundred dollars less than a Smith and still very good buys on todays market.

 

[halvey]

For newbie shooting, I'd recommend the Single Six. It's basic and easy to understand. Think single shot rifle. They SEE how it works.

I hear good things about the MkII, but from what I gather, they won't be able to break it down to clean it. If you want a semi auto, I'd check into the Buckmark.

 

[45R]

I can't say enough about the MKII. I have two of them. They just keep eating and eating.

I do however agree with the above. A single six would be really nice for a newbie!

 

[foghornl]

I have both a Single-Six and a Mk. II The Single-Six is good for teaching the newbies, and some versions have the interchangeable .22Mag cylinder, for when you need a bit more oomph than a standard .22LR.

For a fun plinking handgun, though, I can't think of a better one to use than a Ruger auto. I have fired a Smith 41 and a Browning Buckie; the Ruger just fits my hands better.

Oldest brother has a Ruger auto (May be a MK 1, not sure) that he bought in 1968/1969 or so. Still a darn good shootin' iron, 35+ years later.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Of the three guns you mention, I'd choose the Smith & Wesson. I have a pre-agreement model 617 ten-shooter. Although it's not quite match pistol-accurate, it's a first class plinker, very durable, and hassle-free. It's head and shoulders above the Ruger Mark II I bought a year ago, which was just a waste of money because it's so poorly designed and manufactured.

 

[shooter58]

I have a Ruger Single-six blued with the 4 5/8" barrel. With that info you can tell it's not a recently mfg. one. I have had it for approx. 20 years, and have used it quite a lot. I have found it to be extremely durable and accurate. It is without doubt the best knock-around gun I have ever owned. I would highly recommend one.

 

[Jim4003]

Given your choices I would go with the Ruger Single Six. Its a reliable gun and it has the added option of shooting 22 mag with the extra cylinder. As already suggested if you you can spend some more money go with a Model 41. I have had one for years now and its the best 22 pistol I have ever owned.

 

[Black Snowman]

I learned to shoot a handgun with a 22 revolver. Specificly a .22 LR S&W AirWeight. Don't know the model.

I prefer the ballence of most of the other 22s to the Ruger Mk II/III. I think their too nose heavy. If you stay away from the heavy barrel versions, it's not nearly so bad.

I like my Browning Buckmark. Revolver isn't a bad idea. Maybe, to "appease the gods" you should take your wife shopping for it and have her help you pick. Thusly adding carma to your chances of future purchases.

 

[rick_reno]

I'd get the Mark II, it's a good value handgun. You can, for about $35, drop in a trigger/sear that will improve it a lot. I've got a 617 here and it's good, but doesn't get shot much. Regarding the mentioned S&W M41, we've had two of them come thru our Bullseye club and both had major problems. One could not be made to function, despite numerous trips back to the factory. The other was tinkered with for a season of shooting and left when the shooter went away to college. It "sort of" worked. Older ones that I've seen seem to function fine.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Quote:
-------------------------------
2)Ruger MKII: I like the standard 4"er. Whats reliability like, accuracy?
-------------------------------

The Ruger MKII is probably tops in reliability and accuracy. It also has the advantage of availability of after-market parts -- if you reach the point where you wish you had a super trigger, you can buy one and drop it in. That's something you can't do with the other two guns you mentioned.

For the record, I've owned Ruger autos for more than 40 years (I was fool enough to trade off my old MKI years ago.)

I live on 185 acres of mostly woods and have access to thousands more acres where I ride, hike and hunt -- and the Ruger MKII is one of my favorite guns for woods rambling. I've taken many a squirrel with it, too.

 

[George S.]

I've had my Single Six with a 6 1/2" barrel for 28 years now and it will be the gun I keep forever. Never had a single problem with it and it's really a fun revolver to shoot. The 22LR is slightly more accurate that shooting .22mag but either way, it's just plain FUN!! Being a SA revolver, a new shooter can learn the proper techniques and won't waste ammo by blasting away.

I also have a MKII with a 5 1/2" bull barrel. It's very accurate and balances in my hand. The mags are easy to load and very little effort is involved in cocking. The down side to the MKII and 22/45 is that they are tricky to disassemble and reassemble for cleaning but once you get it down, it's not an issue.

A 22/45 would be another good choice as the grip angle is the same as a 1911 and may be a better fit in the hand. There are no real choices for aftermarket grips like there are for the MKII but it still is an accurate and fun to shoot.

 

[gazpacho]

Another vote for the Ruger Single Six. I'd get the longest barrel you can find. Also one with both cylinders, as shooting 22mag is a hoot.

I've owned 3 Ruger Mark II variants. All proved very reliable and very accurate. Loved the first, sold it because I got sick of field stripping it. Bought the second because I missed shooting it, sold it because I got sick of field stripping it. Bought the third because I missed shooting it, sold it because I got sick of field stripping it. I doubt I've learned my lesson.

Although I've never shot one, I'd recommend looking at the Sig Trailside. It's descended from the Hammerli target pistols, and may be a very rewarding purchase.

 

[Khornet]

I guess I'll just never get

all these people who think MKII is difficult to field-strip. I'm no mechanincal genius, and I do fine.

Mine is from 1982 and is very accurate, comfortable, utterly reliable, and it was a bargain. MKII is my standard answer to the question "Which should be my first .22 handgun?"

I own and love a Smith 41, but that's really a different class of gun altogether, in a very different price range, and considerably heavier than a MKII. My boys shoot my MKII easily but my M41 is too heavy for them.

 

[MP5]

I have a Ruger 22/45 with a 5.5" bull barrel. Love that gun. It's basically a Mk II with a 1911-style grip angle, which I find more ergonomic. Unlike some, I find the gun simple to strip and reassemble. It was a little tough the first time, but after that, it's a breeze--it only takes a few seconds. Accuracy seems good (I'm no great shot, so what do I know? ), and my model has an adjustable rear sight. Reliability is good. Only a few minor, easily fixed feeding or ejection problems in about 600 rounds. I have no major complaints (the trigger could stand improvement) and have had a lot of fun with it so far.

Here's Ruger's page with their .22 autos:

http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/P-CategoryPistolsRF.html

 

[gazpacho]

Khornet, I never said it was difficult to field strip. I just said I got sick of it. I don't find the procedure pleasant, enjoyable, satisfying, etc.. Most firearms I do find pleasant, enjoyable and satisfying when I detail strip and clean. After dozens of times, I still do not find the process to be intuitive. Now I did indicate that I will probably own another variant of that Ruger pistol, because I get so much pleasure in shooting it.

 

[Marshall]

For semi-auto I can recommend a Browning Buckmark, glorious gun! I have this model and use it target, hunting and plinking all three. It's accurate, feels very good and is reliable. You may like one of the models with a shorter barrel since I see you have spoken of 4" bbls several times.

Browning Buckmarks

They make it in this model as well for less buck.

 

[joebogey]

Another vote for the MKII.
I love mine, and have never had a problem with it.
Although as stated in other posts, I hate to tear it down.

But on the other hand, I have found that it does not need to be stripped all that often.

 

[lfbmoreira]

Hi,

My vote goes to the MKII too.

Mine never disappointed me.