Own Only One .22LR Handgun?

[TrailWolf]

Love my Glock semi-autos and my .357s revolvers, but wanting to add a good .22LR handgun to my lineup as I have always loved my .22 rifles and the no guilt plinking fun they afford. Figure my wife will really enjoy shooting one as well.

So, if you could only own ONE .22lr handgun for plinking (NOT hunting or self defense), which would it be?

Revolver or semi-auto???

Been very intrigued by the new Ruger SP101 4" and the SR22 pistol just announced - or is the traditional MKII or III the way to go? Or should I just suck it up and go to the S&W revolver? Or a Sig semi-auto?

So many choices, but my gut tells me to stay with Ruger's MK line or SP101s...

I guess what it comes down to is that I want a reliable, time-tested, fun and affordable .22lr handgun.

What would you choose?


.

 

[beeenbag]

I only own one 22 handgun...

A ruger 22/45

 

[TrailWolf]

I only own one 22 handgun...

A ruger 22/45

Oh wow - I didnt even know the 22/45 existed - looks like a really really good option as well.

I'm all about time-tested dead nuts reliable stuff - I think thats why I like revolvers and glocks so much...

I really believe in the buy once cry once philosophy.

 

[greyling22]

semi.

I vote for the ruger mk guns or the buckmark. And unless somethings changed in the past few years, I'd avoid a sig. unless you can find a trailside, then snap that one up.

 

[Ron James]

I have several 22 handguns, but if I had to pick one I think it would be my S&W 63. Small frame ( J Frame ), very accurate, very easy to handle and good balance. With my revolver I can also play with.22 CB caps and 22 shorts; On hikes I can load 2 cylinders with CCI snake shot and the rest with normal rounds. For all around versatility I don't think you can beat a revolver.

 

[Rollis R. Karvellis]

Since your criteria is your one, and only .22, I, say go with a top shelf modle. Either the S&W model 41, or the 17-617. The Rugers are nice but the Smith are just nicer. And yes the are much more expansive.

 

[Hardtarget]

I have two .22 handguns. A Ruger standard .22 semi auto. christmas from my parents in '66. Also, I have a Colt diamondback.22 (6"). I've had it since the late '70's (maybe).

I'll say I like and shoot the revolver much more. A four inch may be a better choice... let her try both.

Mark

 

[earplug]

S&w m-41

Factor in the decades of enjoyment, the low cost of ammunition.
The high up front cost will fade to near zero after a couple cases of ammunition.

 

[cooldude14]

Ruger Standard or Single six

 

[Viper225]

I have 3 handguns in 22 LR not counting my Super 14 barrels.

I have a:
MK III Hunter 4"
617 with 4" barrel
New LCR 22

I really like all of them. I do not own the SP101 22. However for a general purpose plinker it should work out just fine.

For your specified purposes I would go with either a 17/617 S&W used with a Steel Cylinder, or the SP101 22.

Some 617 10 shots have an aluminum cylinder. In my opinion not one of S&W's better ideas. I would get one with a steel cylinder.

I have all DA revolvers, so I did not even think about a Ruger Single Action Revolver to start with. That might be the most bang for your bucks in a 22 Revolver.


Enjoy whatever you get

Bob

 

[billymarr]

I have a Smith model 22a and it has been flawless

 

[Dave P.]

Smith 617 or Ruger MK.

Shot about 50-60 rounds through a new Ruger 101 last night.
Did not like it....grip very small vs. overall size of gun, lots of
sharp edges and what I felt was a pretty poor trigger pull.
Granted all could be fixed, but was not impressed in it
"out of the box".
My opinion....others think different.
Dave

 

[RNB65]

The one I own - Browning Buck Mark.
-

 

[Brian Williams]

I have 2
Colt Woodsman 1st series with a 6" barrel
S&W 35-1 with a 6" barrel

If I had to keep one it would probably be the 35-1 with a barrel shortened to 5" and one chamber reamed to 22mag. But the Colt points like my finger.

 

[papajohn]

The ONLY one I own - Browning Buck Mark. Well over 100,000 rounds through it, amazing accuracy, and a superior trigger. All my kids learned how on this one, and they all hope I leave it to them! I guess I'll have to buy each of them one, I'm taking this one with me when I go!

 

[wrs840]

FWIW, I have:

S&W 617-1 6"bbl,
S&W 18-2 4"bbl,
Ruger New Single Six Convertible, 4.6"bbl,
S&W 63-4 5"bbl,

I've listed them in the order of my preference.

The 617-1 is truly a joy, and I'm able to keep it on 8.5 x 11" targets pretty well at 100', which is why I like it so much. It's the last one I'd get rid of.

The 18-2 was manufactured in 1967 and my kids love to shoot it the most.

The Ruger I just bought, but I'm impressed so far.

The 63-4 is a J-frame, of course, and suffers from the comparatively stiff action common to J-frames. I don't like it much because of that. I will no doubt sell it sooner or later.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I have several .22lr handgun and it isn't easy to whittle it down to one, but if it had to be done the 4" Colt Diamondback would be the last to go. Between it's balance and smooth action...to say nothing of it's outstanding accuracy...it just does everything you could ask.

Having covered revolvers, I would really be torn between two semi-auto .22lr guns I've always wanted but don't yet own. While I've always had a soft spot in my heart for the High Standard Victor with the vent rib, it has enough issues to give way to the S&W M-41.

But if I could customize it slightly, I'd take a Browning Buckmark with a Tactical Solutions upper over the M-41.

But my secret passion in a .22lr auto is the Hammerli 280


...and the reason it is so cool...from Point of No Return

 

[BCRider]

Considering what you've got already if you go for a semi then I'd suggest sticking with a gun which has a similar grip angle. Sadly that puts the otherwise excellent Mk II or III out of the running due to the Luger like grip angle. That sort of thing is great for single handed target shooting where the angle works to produce a natural wrist angle when held duelist style to the side. But with a two handed isosceles hold it forces the gun to an odd angle.

So cue up the 22/45. There's two versions. One has a one piece grip with built in grips. I find that model too skinny for regular size hands. Your wife may like it if she has smaller hands. There IS another version which uses add on 1911 grips and which feels just like, SURPRISE!, a 1911 with a Ruger top end.

The other option which won't break the bank is the Buckmark already mentioned.

Yet another which I really like but we're still waiting to see what the long term durability is ike is the GSG 1911 in .22. The ones I've handled and shot were very nice. But they are just too new to know what the years will bring to the table.

The Model 41 is a LOVELY gun. But they are heavy compared to a lot of others. Again your wife may find it a bit heavy to hold out that far for longer plinking sessions.

For revolvers as a plinker the Ruger SP101-22 should be a superb little plinker. Another one which isn't all that big would be the S&W Model 63. Or if you trip over an old Model 34 in decent condition you'll have a classic on your hands. Just put some variation of J frame grips onto it that suit you and your wife to replace the too small regular grips.

 

[CraigC]

Would be very difficult to pick just one. My Old Model Single Six sees the most use and range time and by now probably has the highest round count. If pressed, I would probably choose it.




The USFA 12/22 is a wonderful shooter and a sight to behold. Slick action and gorgeous bluing.




I also enjoy my Ruger 22/45RP with its 2lb Volquartsen trigger and ivory micarta grips.




Been a Buckmark fan for 23yrs, since I bought this Standard.




I also love a good 1911 like this Ciener conversion on a Kimber frame.




Or a limited run dovetail rear sight New Model Single Six.



Not to mention my wonderful stainless Bearcat, 4" and 6" K-22 sixguns.

 

[Cluster Bomb]

Something in Revolver. With interchangeable cyls. like

Ruger NR5 or single six. there are cheaper versions of praticaly same gun, Heritage Rough Rider, and Puma. Both decent guns but on low cost end. Not as rugged as a Ruger. Still as accurate and decent. However they are all single action. Which can be a hit or miss for some people. And i would get it in 7-9 inch barrel.


If i was to get a semi it would probably be aRuger with a bull barrel in stainless and wood. lol

 

[wanderinwalker]

If I were limiting it to only one .22 pistol, I would not limit myself to a Ruger. I would suggest a S&W K-frame, either the 617, 17 or 18, or a Model 41. There are semi-auto .22s from other makers as well, I'm just drawing blanks at this moment other than Colt Woodsmans and High Standards.

This is the one I enjoy shooting the most. It's an 18-4, the serial number puts it around 1982. Those are Ahrend's stocks on it, smooth combats in cocobolo. The only drawback is it's a bit heavy, as it is a 4" K-frame with only 6 .22-caliber holes in the cylinder instead of 6 .38-calibers. But otherwise very accurate and fun to shoot. I sold a Ruger Single-Six after it sat in the safe for 12 months when this one came home. No comparison.

 

[InkEd]

You can't go wrong with a Ruger.

 

[Cemo]

I own several revolvers, but none are 22's any more. Over the years, I find that when the .22's come out of the safe, the Ruger MK's are the ones that get the most use. The ammo is cheap and a lot of fun and revolvers slow you down. IMHO, I would suggest a Ruger MK of your choice or a Browning Buck of your choice. Both are tried and true.

 

[scaatylobo]

Only ! ??.

Sorry but I own more than a few,and just ordered a Ruger 22/45 so I can add the Pac-Lite upper that I also ordered to make a super light and fun trail gun.

But I already own at least 6 other .22 handguns and an upper for the Glock 23/19 that converts to .22 and is a cheap and fun way to practice with the Glocks.

Good luck and hope you post what you finally do buy as the ONE gun.

 

[hq]

So, if you could only own ONE .22lr handgun for plinking (NOT hunting or self defense), which would it be?

I may take plinking a bit seriously, as far as accuracy requirements are concerned, but I'd be happy with any of the following as my only .22:

- Colt Woodsman Match Target
- Ruger MkII
- S&W M17
- Colt Diamondback