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22 cal handgun advice
- Thread starter dawindle
- Start date
Andy Blozinski
New member
I went shopping for a .22 pistol a few years ago as a training and fun gun. I wanted to get a Bersa .22 because it's basically a Walther PPK that fires .22. I figured that would be good for training, it's cheap and reliable. The one down side is that everyone said you needed to run high velocity ammo through it for best results. It wasn't the only .22 that this comment was made about.
Nobody had them for sale.
My back-up choice was the Ruger SR-22. I read up reviews and it was said to chew up anything. It was the only pistol that could reasonably handle complete crap .22 ammo like the Remington gold crap stuff. They were for sale all over the place, so that's what I ended up with.
It's been a pretty fun and useful gun. I've put multiple first timers on it and they loved it. They went from hitting all over the paper to keeping it inside 6". I bought it during the ammo panic and the only .22 ammo I could get at first was the complete trash Remington gold crap. That ammo is dirty, horrible shi-ite. It was actually spitting stuff out of the gun. We had a few jams here and there, but only when running that horrible ammo.
Nobody had them for sale.
My back-up choice was the Ruger SR-22. I read up reviews and it was said to chew up anything. It was the only pistol that could reasonably handle complete crap .22 ammo like the Remington gold crap stuff. They were for sale all over the place, so that's what I ended up with.
It's been a pretty fun and useful gun. I've put multiple first timers on it and they loved it. They went from hitting all over the paper to keeping it inside 6". I bought it during the ammo panic and the only .22 ammo I could get at first was the complete trash Remington gold crap. That ammo is dirty, horrible shi-ite. It was actually spitting stuff out of the gun. We had a few jams here and there, but only when running that horrible ammo.
Andy Blozinski thank you for the incredibly helpful response. I have heard that the sig mosquito is really picky on what ammo it will eat. So I narrowed it down to the M&P and the Ruger. I have heard that the M&P will eat anything and now I have heard that the Ruger will as well. I am also going to end up with a 10/22 so I am leaning toward the sr22. I feel like I should be able to feed them both the same thing and get (for the most part) the same results.
lee n. field
New member
Hello I am new here and I was just wondering if anyone could give me some info on 22 handguns.
I have it narrowed down to a ruger sr22 and a smith and wessen m&p 22. Which is better? Not looking for fan boy answers please.
Why those two in particular, and what use will this gun be put to?
lee n. field
New member
You might want to review this recent thread: Which automatic .22 do you like best?.
A year ago I went to buy a Ruger SR22 and ended up with the MP22. I think both are really good. The MP22 is a full size pistol and the SR22 is smaller. I really like the MP22, but I would also like to have the Ruger SR22. You can't go wrong either way, IMO. I would buy the one that best fits your eye, hand, etc.
jetinteriorguy
New member
Love my SR22, had a couple of hiccups in the first couple hundred rounds and been perfect ever since. Great little gun for me so far. I don't shoot it a lot with the cost of ammo but every mutt brand of ammo has fed and shot fine without a single problem. I probably have a thousand rounds through it in the last few years. This reminds me it's about due for a trip to the range.
marine6680
New member
I have an SR22, and I like it, though it does not get as much use now since we bought the Mk3.
Its smaller, so it is good for small hands if you want to teach youger shooters. Some adults May find it a bit cramped though, mostly larger framed people, with big hands.
It has been reliable with several brands of 22, it did not like the plain lead blazer ammo though. It fed and fired fine, but would get leading to the point of keyholeing shots after only 50 rounds. I hear that probkem is unique to my pistol. Possibly an issue with that batch of ammo having improperly lubed projectiles, though they worked fine in my 10/22. And the issue has gotten better after a few thousand rounds of copper washedwere fired through it. So it takesmany more rounds to get noticeable leading,and a few copper washed rounds clean it out.
I now little about the M&P22, it's a full size pistol, so better for adults, and younger shooters on their teens would probably be ok with it.
I do know they recently released a New version, it seems to be a replacement for the original. So the reputation the original has gotten May not apply to the new version. I don't know the differences between them nor have any knowledge about the new versions reliability.
As far as the Walther someone mentioned, I hear it is much like the mosquito, in that it can be ammo picky and hit or miss on reliability and longevity. It uses a zinc alloy slide...
The ruger and s&w are both aluminum slides I believe. The ruger I have first hand knowledge it is.
So pick the one that best fits your needs. If the new m&p is as reliable as the older one, then both of tour potential choices will serve well.
Its smaller, so it is good for small hands if you want to teach youger shooters. Some adults May find it a bit cramped though, mostly larger framed people, with big hands.
It has been reliable with several brands of 22, it did not like the plain lead blazer ammo though. It fed and fired fine, but would get leading to the point of keyholeing shots after only 50 rounds. I hear that probkem is unique to my pistol. Possibly an issue with that batch of ammo having improperly lubed projectiles, though they worked fine in my 10/22. And the issue has gotten better after a few thousand rounds of copper washedwere fired through it. So it takesmany more rounds to get noticeable leading,and a few copper washed rounds clean it out.
I now little about the M&P22, it's a full size pistol, so better for adults, and younger shooters on their teens would probably be ok with it.
I do know they recently released a New version, it seems to be a replacement for the original. So the reputation the original has gotten May not apply to the new version. I don't know the differences between them nor have any knowledge about the new versions reliability.
As far as the Walther someone mentioned, I hear it is much like the mosquito, in that it can be ammo picky and hit or miss on reliability and longevity. It uses a zinc alloy slide...
The ruger and s&w are both aluminum slides I believe. The ruger I have first hand knowledge it is.
So pick the one that best fits your needs. If the new m&p is as reliable as the older one, then both of tour potential choices will serve well.
Last edited:
Shotgun Slim
New member
Have shot both and I have put the m&p 22 on my list of must-haves. It is just so well done and a real pleasure to play with. If you haven't locked in to the 10-22 try to get your hands on one of the s&w 22 ar models. You might want to change your mind.
aarondhgraham
New member
They are like night and day different,,,
The two pistols are very different,,,
The noticeable difference is the frame size,,,
The functional difference (most important to me) is the action type.
The M&P is made to be a rimfire understudy to their full-size M&P in 9mm and .40 S&W,,,
It has the same large frame as the centerfire pistols.
The SR-22 is a compact pistol with a smaller frame than the S&W M&P,,,
S&W recently introduced the "American Made" M&P 22 Compact,,,
This new pistol is comparable in frame size to the SR-22.
The M&P is a internal hammer single action with a manual safety,,,
Once you chamber a round the action is cocked,,,
There is no way to "lower the hammer",,,
You depend on the manual safety.
The M&P 22 Compact operates the same way.
The SR-22 is an external hammer DA/SA pistol with a safety/de-cocker,,,
Once you chamber a round the external hammer is cocked,,,
You can use the safety/de-cocker to lower the hammer,,,
The first round will be a long pull with more weight,,,
Each subsequent round is fired in single action.
In my not-so-humble opinion,,,
The SR-22 is an ideal design for a .22 handgun.
Its frame size fits most people's hands very nicely,,,
And DA/SA with de-cocker is my personal preferred action type.
I do not like having a pistol that I cannot "lower the hammer" on a chambered round.
There are thousands upon thousands of people who say that's no big deal,,,
I'm not saying they are wrong in their opinion,,,
Just that I prefer a DA/SA with de-cocker.
My SR-22 has fired any and all types of normal ammo I have fed to her,,,
I have also experienced great proficiency with the pistol,,,
Its 3-dot sight is very visible and easy to aim.
I have two friends who shoot the full size M&P 22,,,
They don't seem to have any ammo problems either,,,
And their pistols have the same inherent accuracy as mine.
I like the idea of having two identical pistols with one shooting .22 and the other a centerfire cartridge,,,
In fact I collect those pairings and currently own 11 different sets.
I would own a M&P in 9mm and an M&P 22 if they weren't single action - internal hammer.
The Ruger SR-22 is what I recommend to new shooters wanting a .22 that is not a dedicated target style pistol.
Aarond
.
The two pistols are very different,,,
The noticeable difference is the frame size,,,
The functional difference (most important to me) is the action type.
The M&P is made to be a rimfire understudy to their full-size M&P in 9mm and .40 S&W,,,
It has the same large frame as the centerfire pistols.
The SR-22 is a compact pistol with a smaller frame than the S&W M&P,,,
S&W recently introduced the "American Made" M&P 22 Compact,,,
This new pistol is comparable in frame size to the SR-22.
The M&P is a internal hammer single action with a manual safety,,,
Once you chamber a round the action is cocked,,,
There is no way to "lower the hammer",,,
You depend on the manual safety.
The M&P 22 Compact operates the same way.
The SR-22 is an external hammer DA/SA pistol with a safety/de-cocker,,,
Once you chamber a round the external hammer is cocked,,,
You can use the safety/de-cocker to lower the hammer,,,
The first round will be a long pull with more weight,,,
Each subsequent round is fired in single action.
In my not-so-humble opinion,,,
The SR-22 is an ideal design for a .22 handgun.
Its frame size fits most people's hands very nicely,,,
And DA/SA with de-cocker is my personal preferred action type.
I do not like having a pistol that I cannot "lower the hammer" on a chambered round.
There are thousands upon thousands of people who say that's no big deal,,,
I'm not saying they are wrong in their opinion,,,
Just that I prefer a DA/SA with de-cocker.
My SR-22 has fired any and all types of normal ammo I have fed to her,,,
I have also experienced great proficiency with the pistol,,,
Its 3-dot sight is very visible and easy to aim.
I have two friends who shoot the full size M&P 22,,,
They don't seem to have any ammo problems either,,,
And their pistols have the same inherent accuracy as mine.
I like the idea of having two identical pistols with one shooting .22 and the other a centerfire cartridge,,,
In fact I collect those pairings and currently own 11 different sets.
I would own a M&P in 9mm and an M&P 22 if they weren't single action - internal hammer.
The Ruger SR-22 is what I recommend to new shooters wanting a .22 that is not a dedicated target style pistol.
Aarond
.
I looked very closely at both models last year. I liked the 12 round capacity of the MP, but eventually wound up going with the Ruger SR22. The Talo edition came with 3 mags, and was still cheaper than the S&W. It has shot flawlessly with no FTF's or FTE's. I use it for plinking, and to teach my kids the basics of a semi-auto pistol. I think you would be happy with either model, but wanted to share my positive experience with the Ruger.
I only own one .22lr pistol anymore, a Beretta 21A. I love that little pistol, and it is a lot of fun too shoot.
My brother owns a Ruger SR22, and he has shot over 1000 rounds through it so far. He did have issues with Federal Auto Match ammo, but that was it. It has shot everything else. I liked the way it felt in my hand, and it was fun too shoot as well.
I do not have any experience with the M&P22, so I can't comment there.
I am looking at purchasing one of the new Walther PPQ .22lr, not to be confused with the P22. It has an aluminum slide, vs Zamac with the P22. It looks promising, and would go well with my PPQ M2 Navy SD 9mm.
My brother owns a Ruger SR22, and he has shot over 1000 rounds through it so far. He did have issues with Federal Auto Match ammo, but that was it. It has shot everything else. I liked the way it felt in my hand, and it was fun too shoot as well.
I do not have any experience with the M&P22, so I can't comment there.
I am looking at purchasing one of the new Walther PPQ .22lr, not to be confused with the P22. It has an aluminum slide, vs Zamac with the P22. It looks promising, and would go well with my PPQ M2 Navy SD 9mm.
Captains1911
New member
Several reasons for those two. But I really don't feel that the reasons matter, and the uses will be the same as what I assume others use it for. It will be use for a lot of plinking, and as an addition to my other toys.
Well, I was considering offering some advice as I have experience with those two guns and a few other similar ones, but after reading that arrogant reply I think I'll pass. Just a word to the wise, intended use is paramount when it comes to choosing the right gun, so try to stay open-minded next time.
I'm sorry that you found that to be arrogant, it was not intended that way. I simply meant that I have narrowed it down to the 2 specific models I listed, and I wanted info on those 2 specific models. I was not looking to have my mind changed to another. And I don't feel that how I came to those 2 would change the info on those 2.