Which .22 auto?

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I've owned the 22A and currently own a buckmark. Haven't owned a ruger, but have shot one. I would get the buckmark. The grips are nicer, the recoil buffer isn't paper thin, the barrel doesn't have the serial # on it so isn't considered a firearm just to replace it... and the trigger is the nicest trigger of any .22 pistol i've fired right out of the box (i've shot the P22 as well, and though it was trash.) My 22a had a lot of problems with some kinds of bulk ammo also, whereas the buckmark has been very reliable - sometimes going 1400+ rounds in a sitting without cleaning with no problem. The ONLY thing i could say that is remotely negative about the buckmark is that the screws holding the rear sight on need some blue loctite on them or they vibrate loose every ~500 rounds. Granted, to add a red dot sight i would have to spend ~40$ for the buckmark...but i found that the rail on the 22A was way way too wide to attach any of the cheaper red dot sights i found locally. Why the heck S&W made the sight rail so excessively wide is beyond me.
 
I like the Buckmark better, but that's just my opinion. Both are good guns. Is there a range with rentals near you? You really need to fire both and see which one "fits" you the best.
 
I have a Ruger 22/45 Target SS model and this thing is infinitely more accurate than I am, built like a tank and beautiful. It is heavy but not terrible. I regularly shoot 1k rounds with it in a day and the thing doesn't jam at all. Take down is a cinch, don't believe how "terrible" it is. I think it is to the .22 semi-autos what the 1911 is to the .45s. Simply the best out there.
That said, I would not hesitate to buy a Buckmark. I really like those also and they get rave reviews.
A good friend has the P22 and has shot thousands of rounds with it without it jamming or cracking. I am sure some people have had problems with them but I wouldn't put it out to the pasture. I have shot the p22 quite a bit and it is a lot of fun to shoot. If I had a need for another .22 I wouldn't hesitate to buy one.
 
I vote for the Ruger 22/45, its an all around awesom shooting, accurate, durable 22 pistol. You can find these on the used market for a steal, under $200. I think Ruger is king when it comes to 22's.
 
I've shot both, but own a Ruger -- for a time, I was shooting well over a brick of 525 per week for maybe 2 years plus and she's still going strong.
I purchased based entirely on the best deal I could find
Both will serve you well -- just get the one you can get the best deal on ;)
 
I own the Ruger MarkII competition pistol with the slab side 6 inch barrel and I love to shoot it. The pistol is not very hard to assemble and really spits out Federal 22lr like crazy with no hangups. I have also owned the S&W 22A and had a lot of problems with this particular one so I sold it and got the Ruger. Whichever one you choose try to have fun with it.
 
Well, like a whole lot of others, I have to say Buckmark or Ruger, with my own preference definitely leaning towards the Ruger.

Personally, I very much prefer the MkII over the MkIII, but thats really just a subjective opinion. I have owned a Buckmark, and I thought it was a nice little gun, and chances are high that I will own another one day, but I just prefer the Ruger.
 
I just purchased a Sig Mosquito. I really love it. I have put 1100 rounds through it in the past week and it runs great. I have has sone FTFs and a few light strikes but nothing I would consider out of the ordinary for a 22 semi auto. I have the red dot sight on the bridge mount and have enjoyed shooting it almost as much as any of my other guns. I have been using Remington golden ammo. The trigger could use some work but otherwise a fun toy to shoot between shooting the other more expensive rounds. Makes the range visit more affordable and gives you alot more trigger time.
 
It's funny reading Mikehos' post above about the SIG Mosquito directly after reading the NEVER BUYING ANOTHER SIG thread elsewhere in this forum. I think the preponderance of opinion is much against it, but then everybody's experience is different.

Malice! Where are you and what did you get? Or have you decided, yet?
 
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Mk Iii

I used to own a Ruger Mark III Hunter. What a great pistol!! I regret ever selling it.

It was a PITA to clean but it was definitely a high quality firearm that looked GREAT too!!
 
I have very little experience with the P22 and will refrain from commenting on it. I own and like both the Ruger Mark II and the Buckmark. In fact, we have three Rugers and two Buckmarks. Both are fine .22 plinkers. The advantage to the Ruger in my opinion is the availability of after-market parts, like Volquartsen action parts and sights. The advantage to the Buckmark is the barrel is not the firearm, allowing easy and inexpensive barrel swaps. My Buckmark has an iron-sighted barrel and a dot-sighted barrel. My wife's Buckmark has two different iron-sighted barrels. My daughter shoots a Ruger with a PURPLE Pac-Lite barreled receiver. I have an integrally suppressed Mark II and a threaded barrel to add a can to Buckmarks and a threaded barreled Ruger receiver.

I would pick the one that appeals to you and shoot the snot out of it. Then you can get the craving for a .22 target pistol.
 
I have a P22. It's a fun little gun with interesting features. It feels and acts more like a typical centerfire auto, albeit in a smaller package. I like it alot, and I usually use it for teaching people about shooting before moving them up to a full size pistol.

That being said, I highly recommend a Ruger Mk II or Mk III. The 22/45 models are cool, but I like the original grip and frame design for the MK II/III. The grip angle is nice, and it has a good feel. The Rugers are incredibly solid and will last a lifetime and then some.

A Browning would be good too, but I like the Ruger more. Just a matter of preference.
 
P22 was my first handgun. I got it for barely over 200 NIB. I basically bought it because I loved the way it looked(yeah I like the plastic tacticool look I guess). I am happy I got it because it was cheap, and closely resembles my p99, and other defense handguns so It is a good practice gun for me. It does get dirty quick, and when dirty I do experience ftf. I never got it for a target gun, as I was more into defense training, etc. Its a really fun gun if you want a cheap gun with cheap ammo that is similar to what you carry. If I wanted a real target pistol or carry weapon, it wouldnt be a p22. However if you want a small, inexpensive compact handgun with similar design to what you may be defending yourself with, its a good training tool, even the ftf is okay(not often unless very dirty) for me as i see it as training for if it ever happpens in a real situation. I love shooting the p22, wouldnt sell mine.
 
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