Recommend a .22 auto

[Badbunny]

Hi,
a friend is buying his first pistol, a .22. I have very little experience with autoloading .22s, so I'd like some help with helping my buddy out. I've narrowed it down to three choises:
- Ruger Mk2
- Cz 122
- S&W 22

Anything between these pistols? Or is it just a matter of preferance? He's had no experience with pistols, so I thought it would be best to start with a .22. Another reason is that I and another friend already have 9mm Glocks, so he can borrow one of those anytime.

Thanks for the tips.

 

[Kramer Krazy]

I'd suggest the Ruger. I don't have any experience with the other two guns, but I've had my Ruger MKII with a 5 1/2" bull barrel since about 1983. I've fired thousands of rounds through it and the only problem that I have run across is the front sight working its way loose (cured with lock-tite). Ruger has a refined version, the MKIII, out that has a more convensional mag thumb-release on the side of the receiver compared to the MKI and MKII release at the magazine well and some other improvements. Since I am a big 1911 fan, I wish I had the 22/45 version as the grip angle feels more natural than the standard MKII. Anyway, that's my two cents on these guns.

 

[slugcatcher]

I don't have any experience with the Cz or S&W but I have both a Ruger MKII and a Browning Buckmark. The Browning beats the MKII hands down in all areas (accuracy, ease of disassembly and cleaning). The last I looked price was pretty comparable between the two as well.

 

[Kramer Krazy]

I forgot about that, Slugcatcher is correct, the MKII is a PITA to tear down....at least mine is.

 

[crt360]

Since we can't buy the CZ here in the US, it's probably the best. They do look really cool. Has your friend considered a CZ 75B with the Kadet .22 conversion? Other than that I'd probably go with the Browning Buckmark, too. (not that there is anything wrong with the other choices)

 

[Hammer-Ed]

Both the Ruger and Browning are fine choices. I chose the U22 Neos from Beretta. Having never shot a .22 before, it absolutely blew me away with it's accuracy and ease of operation. Never had a failure but also had a rear sight screw work loose once. Fixed it the same as above.

Integrated rail and I find the ergonomics plenty nice for my tastes. I especially like the mag release near the right side of the trigger guard.

Wish the mag was bigger. Less than $300.00 at Bass Pro Shop in 6" stainless.

My 2 cents.

 

[Badbunny]

The converted CZ is a good option, however, it's a costly one. It really isn't much cheaper to buy than it would be to get two individual pistols. And I think it would be a good idea to let the guy decide what kind of 9mm he wants only after he's done some shooting on his .22 and our Glocks and various other borrowed guns. As he doesn't know what he wants in a pistol, his choise would probably be solely based on their looks.

Haven't seen a Browning around here, gotta see if they are even imported.

Why can't you get a CZ?

 

[photo_guy]

I'd go with the Ruger MkII - inexpensive but pretty rugged. Most of these seem to last forever. Lots of them around so you can find accessories, grips, etc.

Oh, and tearing the MkII down is not that bad. Getting it back together can be interesting if you haven't done it for a while. It is not really difficult if you follow the steps correctly and in the right order.

The S&W 22 is OK but not as rugged - aluminum barrel. If you want a S&W go for the M41 - but that is likely not appropriate for someone just starting out.

I have no experience with the CZ or the Browning but they may be good choices as well.

 

[Drakejake]

The stainless Smith and Wesson 2206 with six inch barrel is commonly available on the gun auction sites such as gunbroker.com. I think they are accurate, reliable, and fun to shoot. You can get one for $200-300.

 

[wally]

My favorite .22 pistols are:

Ruger 22/45 Bull Barrel
Ruger Mk2 (or Mk3)
Walter P22
Beretta Neos

My wife perfers the Neos. The one I shoot the most is the P22 because it sized about the same as pistols I can carry for self-defense.

I also like the Buckmark but don't have one, if I ever buy another .22 auto this is what it'd probably be.

I shot a Sig Trailside while its owner shot our Neos, He said he wished he'd waited for the Neos instead of getting the Trailside when he couldn't find one last year, they are everywhere now. I thought the Trailside was pretty good but would rate it last of these six I've mentioned.

--wally.