The absolute best .22lr handgun!

[flipajig]

Depends on what your looking for and what fits you. I have 3 and none of them cost me a bunch #Ruger single six with both cylinders 22lr and 22mag. #2 Ruger MII 22-45 I used it this summer for shooting steel myself and my kids ran around 500 a night every week for 6 weeks with out a FTF or FTF #3 is a Bereta Neose This one is picky gets dirty and wont fire all the time I have it becouse it fits my kids hands better than the 22-45. I had a High Stanard years ago and its one of those that I wish I had never sold.

 

[Trent]

Ruger MKIII Target model is plenty accurate, it'll out shoot me.

Has a great trigger and a great bore.

Just don't disassemble the stuff in the frame unless you're ready to spend a long and stressful afternoon trying to put it all back together.

 

[Prosser]

Gun is shooting 1/4" at 50 yards out of a rest, with match grade ammo.
Problem was the cylinder was so tight you needed match grade ammo for the gun. Very tight, pain to load, and eject rounds as well.

Not for everyone.

Original trigger pull over 5 pounds. Needed a trigger job to match the accuracy potential of the gun.

 

[CraigC]

Seems like every time someone asks for "the best", I find out that their definition of best and mine differ greatly. Sometimes folks say money is no object then they want one under $400. So I must ask, best for what purpose and in what price range?

 

[Brian Williams]

Best, does not mean most accurate.
Mine is a Colt 1st series Woodsman with a 6" barrel.

 

[BlackSky]

S&W K22 Masterpiece, rimfire pistol perfection...

 

[stork]

Seems like every time someone asks for "the best", I find out that their definition of best and mine differ greatly. Sometimes folks say money is no object then they want one under $400. So I must ask, best for what purpose and in what price range?

Ditto!!

For a currently available semi auto plinker &/or up to Master Class Bullseye competition, Ruger MKII 5 1/2" with a replacement Volquartsen sear, Ultra Dot (if so inclined), and skateboard tape on the frontstrap and bottom of the heel. I have yet to own one (now have 5) that doesn't shoot under 1 1/2" @ 50 yards with good target ammo. Now add to that about 3-4 CASES of CCI Standard Velocity ammo and go shoot.

If a revolver is your preference, I'd definitely agree with the S&W for any serious work and a Ruger Single Six for rough knock around usage.

I know there are a few well made European target pistols, but without knowing your end result goals I would hesitate to recommend going that route. As was also mentioned the S&W 41 is a very well made target grade 22 as well as the High Standard. But both of those may be a bit harder to try out, depending on your location.

 

[Coal Dragger]

Best for:

Competition bullseye type target shooting? = Hammerli/Walther SP20, or the Pardini. Benelli used to make a really good Olympic grade target pistol as well, I love mine since it took me to Collegiate Nationals in 2003.

Silhouette type target shooting? Freedom Arms, or TC Contender.

Small game hunting, field use, general plinking revolver? Freedom Arms with a spare .22MAG cylinder.

Small game hunting, field use, general plinking auto? Ruger MK II/III or one of the nicer new Smith and Wessons.

 

[SwampWolf]

Semi-auto? Smith Model 41

Revolver? Smith K-22 or Colt Officers Match chambered in .22lr

 

[ChefJeff1]

Ruger sp101 is very ice but the sights aren't the best.

Freedom Arms-----wow

 

[Pete D.]

I don't think there is an answer.

Sure there is.
Y'know.....the OP qualified his question. He didn't ask what the best .22 was....he asked what was the best .22 that you have handled. There's a big difference in how one responds to each of those two ideas. If the best gun that I have ever handled was a ________, the idea is complete. If I have a couple of bests for different purposes (and I do), then I can qualify my own answer.

Pete

 

[Messenger Guard]

The best I have handled are Colt match target, S&W model 41, Ruger Mark II Govt. Target, K-22 and my Model 17 8 3/8". The 17 is so unfair to squirrels it should have a rifle stock.

 

[rogertc1]

I have an old Ruger Mk1 with 6+" target barrel pistol, that will knock out the eye of a black bird on a electric wire with regular sights.. Done it.

 

[surveyor]

best i've handled were hamden high standard ciatation 103's, kadet kit on a tuned trigger SA CZ 85 combat, and colt target model,

i haven't got to compare to a model 41 or k 22 though..

 

[xr1200]

the freedom arms pistol should really be listed in the most expensive 22lr cowboy single action pistol of all time. It is very accurate though.

 

[GURU1911]

My 6" colt diamondback in .22lr, is my favorite for anything. My wife used it to win a first place trophy at an nra hunters pistol match in el centro, ca. I the early 1980's. My other personal favorites are the colt challenger, woodsman, & huntsman series, sadly no longer made.

 

[Coal Dragger]

I have handled and shot all the ones I listed (well OK only the single Freedom Arms .22 but you get the point).

 

[TriTone]

S&W 41 is amazing. You'll love it.

 

[Sauer Grapes]

My best shooting\accurate 22 is a High Standard m103 Sharpshooter. My Colt targetsmam is no slouch either. Both guns will out shoot my ability any day of the week.

 

[Iggy]

S&W K-22 Masterpiece or it's descendant the Model 17

 

[GCBurner]

Ever since I first handled one, I've wanted a Browning Medalist. http://www.gunsandammo.com/content/browning-medalist

I'm sorry they're out of production, but I keep browsing the gun shows to see if one will show up at a reasonable price.

 

[neededausername]

If accuracy is the most important and you don't mind a single shot I'd vote for a T/C with a .22lr barrel. Go to a small bore silhouette pistol match, and that's what most of them shoot.

 

[9mmepiphany]

What is the best .22lr handgun you have ever handled?

The best I've handled was this Walther SSP

 

[burley]

I like my Kadet kit 'cause it works and fits all these frames.

 

[magnumman44]

For target shooting, Nothing can beat my Anschutz Exemplar...shot many perfect IHMSA perfect scores with one of these and Bushnell 2-6x32 Trophy Hunter glass. Single shot or target shooting, I will say the S&W 617 or the T/C Contender. I have owned and shot several Brownings and Rugers, but neither really did it for me. Thats why I don't have them anymore!! The 617 is next on my list, as the friend of mine who owned one moved away, so I don't get to shoot one anymore!!