So I priced out some .22s....

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BAE984

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So, I'm in the market for a good .22 for practice. The intention is to get something with similar feel to a 1911 so the practice will carry over better. Anyhow, what are your thoughts on these guns and prices:

1 - Ruger 22/45 MKII, New, Stainless tapered barrel about 4", fixed sights. They had MKIII's, but I really preferred the MKII grip and lack of safeties. This one was marked $260.

2 - Browning Buckmark Camper. This is a pretty standard deal. I've heard of problems with the plastic sight base, but I compared it to a standard they also had, and they both looked exactly the same (metal). Great trigger. $280.

3 - Used Sig Trailside. This thing looked very lightly used and had beautiful blue and tan laminate target grips on it. It's a lot smaller than I expected based on pics, but what a nice looking gun. $300.

So those are my choices as of now. What do you think? They claimed they wouldn't come down on price, but I didn't pull out any cash, either. I'd argue for those prices 'out the door' and see where that gets me. I was really taken with the Trailside, but I know it's being discontinued and there are some reports of reliability problems. Also, the safety is on the slide, unlike the 1911.
 
Even though the 22/45 is supposed to have the same grip angle as the 1911, I never noticed that they felt very similar when I actually picked them up.

I've owned all three (I have a different model of the buckmark). I still own the buckmark and the trailside. The buckmark seems a little more rugged. . .trailside feels a little better in my hand. When plinking, I usually take the trailside, when walking through the woods with a chance of seeing squirrels I take the buckmark. It sounds like you won't be happy with anything other than the trailside :D Mine did have some problems out of the box, but it runs fine now.

If you don't buy the trailside please let me know the number of the shop. Do you happen to remember the barrel length?

ETA: the SIG mags are ridiculously expensive (Like $40+). Buckmark isn't much better, in the $25 range. Ruger seems to be the only reasonable one with regard to magazines.
 
I would look hardest at the Buckmark. While shooting my MKII 22/45 is fun, it is the only one of my guns that I would have no problems trading off or selling (provided I got my hands on another .22 pistol). It's accurate and reliable, but the frame just screams cheap, and it isn't similar enough to a 1911 for it to be used as an inexpensive to shoot clone.

The day I can scape up the cash and convince the wife to let me bring home a Kimber in .22LR is the day the Ruger goes away. It will be some years yet (too many other guns to get first).
 
It was a 4.5" model, and I believe it had adjustable sights. I just looked at magazines for the thing....little sticker shock there.

I thought the MKII ruger felt a lot like my 1911, it just didn't weigh the same or balance the same. The balance was a lot closer than the MKIII bull barrels...I think the tapered barrel shifted the weight back where it was supposed to be.
 
I've got 2 Rugers, a Mark I and a Mark II. Neither of them is the 22/45 variety, of course, but I love them both. I'd opt for the Ruger. Love to get a conversion for my 1911, though.
 
Well you guys are no help :) . I've done a lot more research on the sig, and it seems very hit or miss. Both the buckmark and 22/45 sound like you can't go wrong.

Does anybody know if they've changed the sight bases on the camper? Are they metal now and not prone to cracking?
 
I would go for the standard buckmark you cannot go wrong. These are the most accurate guns I have shot and believe me I have shot plenty. I dont like the camper because of the round barrel and it is shorter. Like I said I think you would like the standard model better.

Very nice gun

Good Luck
 
I think the plastic to worry about

on the buckmark is inside the reciever. A chunk of metal flew off my buddies buckmark classic. OUCH! I am just not sold on them but many like them.

Skip the 22/45 and get an all steel ruger. It won't feel cheep at all. With all the accessories you can get it becomes a hobby in itself. I just ordered volquartse trigger parts for mine.

The price is good enough. I paid more for mine. I never get great deals but I don't really care because if you spend a little more but end up with a gun that lasts forever its a wash.

What I should have paid more for but regret was a factory tapped reciver and longer barrel.

Don't worry about the feel like a .45 to cross train thing. I think that only works for one round. when you shoot the .45 and your hand is expecting a 22 it ceases to matter.

Do you think it will make you a better shot? I have yet to see evidence of that. If I ever was thinking of a cross training platform it would be the cz75/kadet.
 
I know that this doesn't directly answer your question, but have you considered a .22 conversion for your 1911? This may be a way to directly carry over the practice.

I have Ciener conversions for my 1911, Beretta 92FS, and Browning Hi Power. They are about $200 each but have a spotty reputation. I have heard that the Marvel units are better; that is, more accurate, but also more expensive. poppy
 
My Buckmark is great. Only time I have problem with it is when I shoot it a lot and have too much carbon buildup.

FYI: Cdnn have new Trailside for $300
 
Yeah, I thought all the prices were a bit steep, which is why I think they'll come off a little bit despite what they say. I think I've about decided the buckmark is the way to go. I didn't realize you couldn't change barrels in the trailside (not that I will anytime soon, but it's nice to have the option), and they have VERY mixed reports.

Does anybody know if the cracking sight base on the Camper model is fixed, or is it something to worry about at all?

Poppy - I've looked long and hard at the conversions, but a new buckmark should cost the same or less than a conversion. Also, none of the conversions except Advantage Arms lock the slide back on the last shot...not a big deal for some, but it'd be a pretty big annoyance for me. I would seriously consider AA's new target model, but they're not sure when it'll go into production.
 
I've owned the ruger--sold it The slide release wouldn't drop out of the way when the you retracted the slide (bolt). The plastic receiver didn't feel good either.

I've borrowed and shot the browning a lot. I really liked it and the controls work just like the 1911. The safety isn't very crisp, and the top strap must be removed to clean it--you need a wrench.

I own the Sig. It did go back to Sig for service and ultimately was replaced under warantee. Sig was great to deal with and the new pistol is one of my favorites. The safety is on the slide, but it does work in the right direction to build memory. I would have no concerns recommending the trailside, a Buckmark, or a standard (non-22/45) ruger.

good luck.

--usp_fan
 
Buy the Ruger-Buckmark Ka-Boom story to follow

I bought my wife a Browning Buckmark For Christmas 2 years ago so she would go shooting with me at the range. She put about 60 rounds through the gun. As I was putting away my 1911 I heard what sounded like a .44 mag go off!! I turned around to see my wife frozen in terror, the gun totally destroyed, and black smoke drifting above her head. She was not injured, but she refuses to ever go shooting again. She was shooting Winchester ammo I purchased from Walmart, and the only thing the gun dealer and I could figure is that the ammo had a double charged case, or too much priming compound. Walmart pulled the ammo temporarily, and Winchester examined the gun, denied any responsibility and sent it to Utah so Browning could check it out, they too denied there was a problem with their product. They did replace the entire upper portion of the gun though. No apology, no "is your wife OK?" I have been told by several gun dealers that if that had happened in a Ruger the gun would have contained the blast due to their construction. The Buckmark is designed to come apart by taking the top strap off with an allen wrench, which weakens the top of the gun. and that is where the blast went, straight up into the ceiling of the range.
 
I've shot a lot of Rugers, and they're great .22's. Very durable and quite accurate.

But I still remember shooting my first trailslide and it was quite sweet!

For the durable shooter, the Ruger is it... But I was still quite surprised how well the Trailslide shot. Between your choices, I'd go for the Trailslide. :)
 
I have all 3 and the trailside is the best. Check out CDNN's prices, and they have mags for $27.00 new (I think that's what they are).

MGRII
 
Hmmm. I may have to ask to test fire that trailside to make sure it'll run like it's supposed to. I guess it's not like you're going to shoot out a .22 barrel, but the option to change them out on the buckmark and ruger is nice (pac-lites and such). Both the brownings and rugers are well known for durability and longevity...wonder how the trailside will hold up?
 
Which .22 for practice?

I vote: S&W model 41 and never look back. I usually shoot between 500-1000 rounds a week thru mine, it's pure heaven.:)
 
I second spending the extra dough and buying a Model 41 Smith but of the three guns you looked at I would choose the MKll Ruger and have a set of adjustable sights installed.
It should suit you well.
 
I would take a look at the Kimber and Smith Model 41. Kimber is a 1911 with an aluminum frame. Expensive, but really nice.
 
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