Need some help choosing a .22

[Donut]

I just got back from the range to put some rounds through my new Glock 19. I took my mom with me, so she could put a few rounds through it as well. Well, the 9mm was too snappy for her arthritis, unfortunately, but she's still enthusiastic about shooting, which is a complete 180 from where she was a year ago.

She's shot my .38 Special, and the recoil is acceptable, but she doesn't have the dexterity to cock the hammer for single action, or shoot it double action (My Colt PPS has a HEAVY DA pull).

The logical choice seems to be a .22 autoloader. But what to get? I'm looking for something with a relatively nice trigger out of the box, inexpensive, and reliable.

I was looking at a Ruger 22/45 MK III Bull Barrel, since the range has one for rent. Is there anything else I should look at?

 

[Croyance]

The Browning Buckmark is nice. It is available in a variety of configurations and price points.
Beretta has the Neos, which has a grip angle similar to your Glock.
Then there are the revolvers, though I don't think the trigger pull is what you are looking for since your mother has arthritis.

 

[BADUNAME13]

http://www.advantagearms.com/conversion_kit.html

My Glock 19 conversion works GREAT!
I would recomend it for plinking as you will have the added advantage of the same muscle memory (It's also not a gun, so can be simply mailed to you.)

-I d not recomend a rimfire for self defense however. (If that is a consideration.)
A .32 or .380 would be prefered.

 

[skeeter1]

The Browning Buckmark is nice.

I'll second that. My cousin has a Buckmark Camper, and it seems to work just fine and was less than half the price of my Berreta Cheetah. I've never tried the Neos, but the grip angle just doesn't look like something for me.

The Ruger 22/45 that I rented once (and I'm a big Ruger fan) didn't work for me, at least that particular one. It had a VERY stiff slide release lock. Maybe that was an exception, I don't know. Also, my range isn't very good at cleaning their rental guns. That may have been the problem.

 

[Donut]

The Neos looks like something I'd like, but ostensibly, this is going to be something for my mom to shoot with as well.

I've heard tons of good things about the 22/45 but I read that they can be a pain to take down; is there any truth in that?

It seems like the Buckmark Camper and the 22/45 are in the same price range. But what about the Smith&Wesson 22A?

 

[mjrodney]

The Ruger 22/45, and it's still current sibling, the Mark III series, can be confusing to disassemble/reassemble at first, but only until the process is learned. By the third time, you will have the process down pat.

They are also built very tight when new, and separating the barrel from the frame or reassembling the barrel to the frame may require a few taps of a rubber hammer.

Perform a half dozen disassembly/reassembly routines and you have parts that now mate together very, very nicely.

This design, like the design of the 1911, has stood the test of time for good reason.

 

[22LongRifle]

+1 on the Glock AA conversion kit. My daughters love it on the G19 and G35.

+1 on the Buckmark Camper. I preffer them over the Rugers. Just a personal thing. Although my Mom has claimed my old MK1 as her "lawnmower" gun!

Jerry

 

[Duckster]

Aother one for Buckmark

 

[wanderinwalker]

Another Vote for Ruger!!

+1 on the 22/45 MK III. Mine is accurate, reliable and handles nicely. The grip frame is also very narrow and slim, well suited to smaller hands.

The only negative I can think of is that the bull-barrel is kind of top heavy and ungainly IMO. I still like it though, but for someone with less strength I could see it being a problem.

Disassembly and reassembly just take practice. Follow the manual the first couple of times and you'll get it. It's not rocket science, but if you have trouble walking and chewing gum while talking on a cell phone, it might be a bit daunting the first time. Just don't do it in a hurry and you'll get it.

And the price is right (my 4" bull barrel one was $250 OTD), accessories available b/c you'll want more than 2 mags, and .22 ammo is cheap cheap cheap!

 

[wally]

The Neos is the way to go if you think you might want to play with a scope or Red Dot optic.

Another plus is CDNN has Neos magazines for $10 ea.

Of all the .22 autos, the Neos has the easiest takedown-reassembly. Ruger is a chinese puzzle, Buckmark needs two different sized hex head wrenches and has several small parts that can fall out if you remove the right side grip.

My wife loves the Neos.

--wally.

 

[sb350hp]

+1 again for the buckmark. Better gun than the rugar.

 

[tylor reimer]

if you going to get a ruger mark seirise get a goverment target mdel it is very accurate and fun best 22 pistol ive owned and shot

 

[bensdad]

S&W 22A. I love mine. Easy to take down. Has a rail for scope (fun and cool looking). Nice trigger. Price is right. Might be a little hand-filling for a smaller person. Has that "real gun" feel.

 

[Doggy Daddy]

Walther P22. I know others here have had bad things to say about them, however I have nothing but good to say. Fun little gun to shoot.

 

[TX1911fan]

+1 on the Walther. Once you find the ammo yours likes, they are great fun. When you clean, don't use oil to lube. Get Rem Drylube and use that on the rails instead.

 

[Doggy Daddy]

TX1911fan

+1 on the Walther. Once you find the ammo yours likes, they are great fun. When you clean, don't use oil to lube. Get Rem Drylube and use that on the rails instead.

Thanks for the tip. I need all the help I can get.

 

[Logan5]

For just all around, I'd probably go with the Buckmark, providing I couldn't find a Ruger for less cash. If you're just looking for a pistol for inexpensive range practice, most any good auto will serve.

 

[jzimm9mm]

Let me confuse your search even more by suggesting you check out the Sig Trailside. CDNN has the short barrel, fixed sight model for $300. I recently picked one up for under $350 locally. Easy to operate, stupidly simple to take down for cleaning, very accurate and reliable, with comfortable grip (for me anyway). Just do yourself a favor and feed it standard velocity .22 and stay away from the fast stuff. The recoil spring is definitely tuned for milder .22 ammo.

Only downside I can think of is that it only comes with 1 magazine, and they are a little pricey. You can find them for a few bucks under $30 if you try.

Jer..

 

[mjrodney]

A few posts earlier in this thread, I offered my positive opinion on the Ruger line of .22's.

I own two of them and I'm happy with them, so it's natural that I would do so.

A local fellow also asked for my opinion on .22's, at about the same time.

He took my advice and ordered a Ruger.

The handgun arrives and this unfortunate fellow begins to field strip it, breaking the Housing Latch Lever clean off.

Nobody, I mean nobody, can break that steel lever......unless, of course, I happen to recommend the handgun.

That spells certain doom and it now becomes my fault. :banghead:

I gotta quit recommending things.

 

[bluetopper]

I agree with all the above. Leave the Hi Standards for me.