Still trying to choose a .22....advice?

[eastwood44mag]

Well, my search has led to more questions than answers. Hopefully you can offer some help yet again. Here's what I've experienced:

Ruger:
-I absolutely hate the Mark series grips--there's no way I can shoot that reliably. The angle is just so unnatural.
-22/45 has too slim a grip for me. The angle is great, but I'm not a real fan of polymer guns (dunno why), and my hand wraps almost completely around it (not comfortable)

S&W:
-Model 22 has too small a grip, feels like a kid sculpted the shape in play-doh. No way it will work for me.

Browning:
-Buckmark: Looks nice, feels nice, costs half as much as my car (I don't know if that means it's a great gun, or my car is a POS)

Beretta:
-Neo: Looks like something out of a sci-fi convention. Balance is fantastic, grip seems do-able. Safety cuts into my hand--not something I want in a gun.

Sig:
-Can't even find them at the shops, cost a lot more than I want to spend (or can spend).

Walther:
-No balance, way too small. The grip only fits half my hand--feels like holding a derringer.


I'd really like to find a nice .22 auto to practice with and be able to use for small game, but it doesn't seem like there's one made that works for me. Anyone else have ideas?

Thanks.

 

[Vex]

Which Sig are you looking for? Trailside or Mosquito?

I would personally go for the Buckmark. Very very nice, indeed, but that's only if you won't give Sig another chance, specifically the Trailside.

 

[Cortland]

Wow you're picky. My first instinct is to tell you to man up and buy one of the guns on your list. I don't care if you're king kong or thumbelina, there's no reason you can't get used to the Mark III's grip. No gun fits anyone's hand perfectly, you've got to adapt to some extent.

But maybe you should look at a .22 conversion kit in a full size pistol. Something like a 1911 or a Witness with a .22 kit.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

The Browning Buckmark Standard and Camper models are both around around $270 or so.

Were you looking at some D-LUX models of Buckmark, or is your car less than $500?

If your .22 handgun budget is far under $270, then that does narrow your scope indeed.

What kind of budget are we looking at for your .22 pistol?

-MV

 

[pete f]

how much you want to spend?

what are you using it for?

only new or willing to look at used ?

 

[eastwood44mag]

I've never seen either Sig .22 in a shop, so I wouldn't know which is which.

Cortland-

I find that a 1911 fits almost perfectly, and a P90 Ruger has (dare I say it) a perfect fit, so there is a gun that fits me, but I can't get a conversion to .22 for it.

Anyways, the last pistol I bought was $310 after transfer and the like, and that was a .45, so I'm a bit adverse to spending $300 on a .22. Unfortunately, it looks like I may have to do just that.

Anyone in/around Des Moines with a Sig that I could try out? (It's worth asking, right?)

 

[TheotherMikeG]

They're not cheap, but a Colt Woodsman is all steel, feels substantial, and points like its your own hand. Non-target models can be had for around $300 + or -, depending on model and condition.

 

[eastwood44mag]

I'd absolutely be interested in used. Of course, I'd have to find a private seller, as the shops near me charge more for used guns than the new ones sell for.

 

[Radjxf]

The buckmark is probably your best choice given your assumed pricing constraints. You might also check into a used S&W model 422 or 622. Great little guns with a fairly vertical grip angle, although very thin.
I quickly got over the Luger-ish grip angle on my Mark II. It's built like a tank, unbelievably accurate (I have the 6 7/8" slabside target model) and used ones are everywhere.
Own a 1911? If so, check into a 22lr conversion kit maybe.

 

[farscott]

Giving the restrictions, choosing a .22 LR conversion kit for the 1911 makes sense. I would look for a used Marvel or a new Advantage Arms kit. Those can both be found on-line and in most of the popular gun forums, including this one.

 

[CajunBass]

I don't think I've ever held a gun that didn't "fit" my hand. A shovel, now that doesn't "fit my hand," but that's a different subject.

Around here, the Browning Buckmark sells for about the same price as a Ruger. Personally I like Rugers, but if you don't you don't.

 

[eastwood44mag]

I'm really starting to wish I'd gotten a 1911 instead of a P90. Would have cost me so much less in the long run

 

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

Hmmm...... I've got 1911's, A P85, several revolvers, and I shoot two Ruger MKII's in competition. Yes, the plastic grips suck. But the Hougue finger groove grips make all the difference. With all the differences in these pistols. ALL OF THEM FIT MY HAND. The angle of the MKII is nothing to point out. It may look odd, but when you put it next to many of the other's noted in this thread, it's not all that different. It is a deception that's clouding your mind.

Neos line- Trigger pulls from hell. Extra mags cost an arm and leg.
Buckmark- Accurate. Decent trigger, but not great. Extra mags cost a leg.
Woodsman- Great old design. No aftermarket toys available. Old.
Sig and Walther- Not what you're looking for.
Smith22- It's OK, as long as you like parts that can wear out. Plastic and aluminum. Jump to the model 41 if you want something more than just a plinker. But be prepared to pay.
A .22 conversion on a 1911 frame. -That's an option, but not what I'd recommend. (and I have one)


Ruger MKII in Stainless. All kinds of aftermarket stuff. Grips, triggers, holsters, sights, rails... Yes, an odd take down/assembly that takes a little to get used to. But show me another pistola you can field strip with a paperclip as the only tool. The 4" bull barrel Government in SS, or the 6 7/8" slabside Government Target SS model will hold their value if you really can't get it through your hand/head that the angle of the frame really does fit.


-Steve

 

[Furncliff]

Used made in Ct. only, Hi Standard. The target models are more than you want to spend, but on their side...they are appreciating in value. There are less expensive models, like Flight King, ck out GA.

Duramatic ~2-300 $ ...prob made in the 50's

 

[GLOCK19XDSC]

Try the Whitney Wolverine!

http://olyarms.com/?page=m2_whitney_wolverine

 

[Ala Dan]

Heck, I vote for the Browning BuckMark Plus~! Darn good guns, with
the Tru-Glo marble (green) fiber optic front sight.

 

[VPJack]

Well one that I haven't seen mentioned yet is the CZ Kadet. Has the great feel of the CZ75 in a .22. Better yet get a 75 and the conversion for .22 and have all the bases covered.

Jack

 

[russtang]

The ruger 22/45 in 51/2 barrel is the best shooting pistol I have. Very accurate and reliable. Have you actually shot one?
Maybe you could alter the grip somehow.
Just my .02

 

[losangeles]

I concur with some of the posters. Sounds like you want a 22 conversion kit for a major caliber pistol. Like the Kadet for the CZ 75, or Marvel for a 1911, or a Advantage Arms for a Glock. Something like that. Then you might be okay with the fit.

Am curious though why you want a 22. For inexpensive shooting? Then the above paragraph makes sense.

If you want accuracy for competition or general target shooting, you might have to compromise on your fit issue. I have a 22 conversion kit for my Glock which I practice with a lot because I can get a lot more rounds of practice on my main caliber gun, but that setup is never ever going to outshoot my Ruger Mark III Hunter. Nor will it outshoot my Ruger 22lr Super Single Six 9.5". These two Ruger 22 caliber guns have different purposes.

 

[eastwood44mag]

I'm looking to get something cheaper to shoot, as well as easier to develop proficiency with. And I might take it to the squirrel woods at some point (unlikely, but possible).

 

[wally]

Look for the older 22/45 its got a thicker grip than the 22/45 MKIII. Bottom of the line Buckmark should cost about the same (although it only comes with one mag where the Rugers come with two). If you plan on playing with optical or red dot sights get the Neos.

Now, I've got a S&W M22A and its got a thicker grip that either Ruger 22/45 so I don't know what you are saying here or its a different S&W .22 pistol. The mag relaease is in a weird position and I find it too easy to release while shooting but otherwise its great. Is there really a bad .22 pistol (ignoring the Jennings etc.)?

--wally.

 

[eastwood44mag]

The S&W is wide enough, but the front to back dimensions don't work for me, and the contour is a bit strange for my liking.

 

[Mad Chemist]

A 1911 fits but a Ruger 22/45 does not?
Mine was blued with a 5'' bbl, and grips that resembled old school Bakelite. It fit and pointed similarly to a 1911.

JH

 

[eastwood44mag]

The shape may be similar, but a 1911 is considerably larger, both in length and width. The narrow frame is what irks me most. The ones the shop had were polymer frame, and consequently couldn't have the grips changed.

 

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

Too bad we don't live close together. I'd empty out the safe and meet you at the range. And I know several other people that would do the same. And that's what I encourage. Are you a member of a local shooting club? Do you know people that have the pistola's that you've mentioned? I say this, because just going to the gun store and handling a particular model isn't the full mean deal.

Put out the word where you shoot. Most people will push away the guy in front of them in order to allow a fellow shooter, all-be-it someone that's just starting out, an opportunity to shoot one of their own, if for nothing else, to show off their collection, or just to help a fellow shooter make up his mind.

We're all bias'd in some ways. Because in most cases we want to boast about our arms, and the decisions that lead us to buy a particular one. But in the end, you have to decide. So, build your check list of demands. Then shoot most of the ones above before you make a purchase.

-Steve