Reviewing 22 Caliber Handguns

['Card]

I went through the same process of looking at all the available semi-auto .22's just a few months ago - primarily because my youngest son was really getting interested in pistol shooting, and being a big .45ACP fan, I just didn't have anything that was comfortable for him to shoot.

After a lot of research, I settled on a Ruger Mark II 22/45, and I've been really pleased with it. It's an excellent trainer pistol, has features, grip angle and balance similar to a 1911, and has been very reliable. My only gripe with it (and it's pretty minor) is that the trigger pull is a little heavier than I would like, but to be honest all the .22 semi-auto's I tried had the same problem.

 

[5Wire]

I would get started with a revolver like the S&W 617 Plus with a 4" or 6" Bbl. I say this because for new shooters the Rugers (my second choices) in my opinion are less intrinsically safe to handle because the safeties on the older models can easily be dislodged and there is no loaded chamber indicator. The Mark Threes may be better, I don't know.

That being said, my first .22 pistol was a 9-round capacity Ruger Standard that cost me $37.50 in 1964. It's got tens of thousands of rounds through it, it's a cosmetic embarassment but shoots reliably and accurately. I also have a more recent 10-round capacity Mark II (MK512GCL--Lipsey's Special Edition) slab sided target model. Very accurate and also reliable. It is still frustrating to reassemble the Rugers at times.

I recently sold a S&W 617-2 6" Bbl 10 shooter and kept the 4" Bbl version of the same gun because I liked the barrel length better. Same round count as the newer Ruger (10) and has two firing modes to explore: light trigger pull single action and heavier trigger pull double action. A great gun.

The Rugers will be less expensive than the S&W 617 Plus. Either type will shoot beyond most people's ability for a long, long time.

 

[Davo]

I recommend the Ruger, its affordible and reliable. Id recommend the target model, as it can double as a plinker. As you get more into firearms, you can upgrade this gun with a better trigger, etc. Do not worry about reassembly...its not THAT diffucult. You will not regret this purchase.

 

[mrmeval]

Beretta Neos U22 DLX 7.5

Some call this a space gun but it has the exact same internal mechanism of a Colt model 22 and Colt Cadet. I've had very good luck with it. It's not made in the 7.5" barrel any more. The nice thing about this is that I can use any other barrel for it and I can replace the grip with any other color I choose, even boring black.
I can disassemble this to it's field strip condtion in seconds and have the grip removed in a few more. I've not bothered disassembling it further as everything is easy to get to for cleaning when field stripped.

/cadet

 

[RH822]

Go with the Ruger

I bought my Ruger MK II in 1986, I can still shoot 1" groups at 25 yards with open sights and the same at 50 yards with the scope (rested). It's a great squirrel gun and an even better varmint related truck gun.

RH

 

[EddieCoyle]

I have two - a Ruger MkIII and a S&W Model 17 (newer version of the K-22, older version of the 617). I recommend getting one of each. Both are reliable, accurate, fun, and cheap to shoot. Every time I go to the range, I'll take at least one of these guns. I'll keep them for as long as I live, and I'll will them to my son (or his son depending on how long I live).

 

[utgopher]

I own and shoot a Ruger MK II, Browning Buckmark and a Walther P-22 and like them all. They all misfire at times, the Ruger and Walther the most. I am far from an expert but to summerize the Ruger is the most accurate and the Walther is the most fun to shoot. The Browning is beautiful and quiet but not as fun to shoot for some reason.

 

[ADKWOODSMAN]

S&w 41

The only time I've ever had a misfire is when the shell won't fire in any firearm. I keep the misfires and try them in a bolt gun. Those that failed to fire in the 41 wouldn't fire in the bolt gun.

 

[mp510]

The only time I've ever had a misfire is when the shell won't fire in any firearm. I keep the misfires and try them in a bolt gun. Those that failed to fire in the 41 wouldn't fire in the bolt gun.

Most .22LR dud rounds will fire if another section of the rim is hit. The thing is, the process by which a .22 case is primed is prone to not spreading the priming compound all over the rim, so only part of the rim is primed.

On a related note, one day I pulled a number of cases from the dud can at a firing range I shoot at. Every one of them was good.

 

[Trebor]

This thread is from August. I'm sure he picked a gun by now.

So, what did you get?

 

[PKENN]

Browning Buck-Mark 22 missfire

I found this old thread and used the information and cleaned the firing pin area and applied one drop of oil. Also one screw was lightly loose.It never misfires anything I want to shoot now. It made a very small dimple in the shell lip before, now it is very pronounced. Thanks guys.

 

[jbkebert]

I have a Walther p-22 and have not had any of the ejection problems that seems to have given this gun a horrible reputation. Feed I would say 2,500 rounds of mini mags and stingers through it without problem. The thunderbolts however this gun does not like. If you are thinking about buying a compact 9mm or something this would not be a bad gun to learn with.
I also have a browning buckmark target and it is very accurate. It also is a little picky on ammo it seems to like mini mags as well. If you are wanting to get into more comp shooting this may be a better way to go.

Although no handgun period in my hands has been able to shoot like the old ruger single six hunter I kick myself in the butt for selling. Biggest mistake I have ever made.