Re: .22 pistols

Status
Not open for further replies.

NGIB

Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2007
Messages
885
Location
Hinesville, GA
In just about every thread where people ask what .22 pistol to buy, folks recommend Rugers and Buckmarks and throw rocks at Mosquitos and P22s.

While I have both a Mosquito and a P22 that work well, I also wanted a more accurate steel pistol so I bought a stailess Mark III with 5 1/2 inch bull barrel. She's very pretty but to be honest I've had better success with the Mosquito.

At least every other mag I get a stovepipe jam where the round doesn't eject properly and gets wedged in the chamber by the round being fed. Based on my research, this is caused by a less than perfect extractor or the mags seating to high in the frame so the ejecting round is knocked off the extractor by the mag feed lips.

There are fixes for both, but why should I have to start "smithing" a brand new gun to get it to work properly. I'll go ahead and do what's necessary to make it run right but I'm not impressed. I know I'll get some "bad ammo" responses but I've been using CCI Mini-Mags, Winchester 333, and Federal bulk - all of which work great in the Mosquito (and my Mark II 22/45)

Lastly, I just picked up my latest .22, a Sig P220R SAO, and it's quite amazing. In the first range outing last night, I put 300 rounds of the above mixed ammo thru it with only 1 FTF. The single action trigger is very good and the accuracy was also quite good...

IMG_MK3-X.gif

IMG_220-X.gif
 
Last edited:
Nice Ruger, I have had a slab-sided Buckmark for about 15 yrs that has far exceeded any reasonable expectation for accuracy and reliability, even shooting THE cheapest stuff available. The only FTE's have been with really old bulk ammo (usually Remington for whatever reason).
 
Any gun manufacturer will have some lemons once in awhile. It's just that Rugers have fewer of them. I have several of different varieties and they all shoot reliably...fast, slow, intermediate. I can't recall the last jam or other malfunction that I've had with any of mine. I also have a Jennings J-22 and a Beretta 21 that shoots like the dickens!

It's frustrating when any gun jams. I have a Davis P-32 that's had less than 25 rounds through it. Might be tight, or it might just be junk, who knows. I ran three magazines through it and gave up.

You might fix the problem by buying a new extractor or buying a third market one. Or you could have a rough chamber that needs some polishing. And, yes, sometimes it can be the ammo, so try some CCI MiniMags. They seem to work in most anything.
 
I've been quite pleased with the new Browning Buck Mark Hunter that I picked up a month ago. My Ruger Mark 1 has never given me a single problem in all the time I've had it. And the 1952 Colt Challenger I got a year ago has been flawless through hundreds of rounds. I can't say the say about the two P22s I own.
 
As much as I love 22 revolvers, I just can't justify the prices when there are so many great 22 pistols on the market.

I own 2 buckmarks, a ruger and an S&W 41. All excellent.

Sig are fine guns and I have never seen anyone throw rocks at them, even the Mosquito. I always assumed that such was out of respect but it could be that nobody wants to take a rock to a gun fight.
 
My Ruger Mark II 5 1/2 Bill Barrel was a total POS, did all the things you mention (stovepipes/FTF/etc.). I understand that this is contrary to everything I have heard; it seems like most people have really good luck with these. For example, an NRA pistol instructor near me, who teaches nearly every weekend, has a Mark II that has not been cleaned in years and works flawlessly.

I got rid of mine and put a Marvel Unit 1 on my 1911. It works very well.

That said, I still find it hard to resist the draw of a Mark III. I might try another....but am glad I got rid of the one I had.
 
I feel you pain. Nothing is more frustrating that getting something new only to find that there is a problem. I think that they needed better QC.

I have a mkII and mkIII never had any problems with the MKII. But the MKIII had the "mag seating to high in the frame causing the ejecting round is knocked off the extractor by the mag feed lips" problem.

It is an easy fix. Call Ruger service (not parts) and they will send you the new part(s). It is easy as long as you enjoy tinkering.

They now eat everything with no failure to eject. They are my favorites when it comes to putting holes in paper, cans and rabbits.
 
Ruger kmk345h 22lr 4 1/2" ss

Has anyone shot this new 22LR? I'm getting some in early next week and wanted to post a review on our website. Love the fluted barrel...

Generally Ruger puts out a top of the line 22ls.

Thanks!

Amy
 
I too recently purchased the SIG P220R SAO .22LR. Love it! Great trigger and accurate. Some resistance to Thunderbolts. I have ordered the .45ACP conversion. My favorite, so far...
 
Ruger really blew it with going from the MK II to the MK III. Great way to screw up a fine .22 autoloader. I have three MK II's and they have been great guns. Accurate and reliable. Lots of fun too!
 
At least every other mag I get a stovepipe jam where the round doesn't eject properly and gets wedged in the chamber by the round being fed. Based on my research, this is caused by a less than perfect extractor or the mags seating to high in the frame so the ejecting round is knocked off the extractor by the mag feed lips.

There are fixes for both, but why should I have to start "smithing" a brand new gun to get it to work properly. I'll go ahead and do what's necessary to make it run right but I'm not impressed. I know I'll get some "bad ammo" responses but I've been using CCI Mini-Mags, Winchester 333, and Federal bulk - all of which work great in the Mosquito (and my Mark II 22/45)


I have the same Ruger Mark III (also own a Mosquito). I was having the same stovepiping issues as you were before I shot fewer than 1,0000 CCI Mini Mags through it. I noticed that the stock extractor was getting a rounded edge and folding under. Too much wear for too few rounds. The following link is a great resource for Ruger maintenance.

http://guntalk-online.com/service.html

I ordered the Volquartsen Exact Edge Extractor and performed the magazine modification to round the leading edge on the feed lips. I used a flat jewelers file and did four magazines in less than an hour, removing much less material than was illustrated, but rounding the square edge that was catching the rim of the spent cartridge upon ejection.

After 3,000 rounds of Federal Bulk Pack and 510 Target, not a single stovepipe, jam, fail-to-feed or fail-to-eject. The Exact Edge Extractor looks as good as the day it was installed.

It makes you wonder why such widely known and used modifications are required to make a volume product like the Mark III function properly. :confused:
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top