22 target shooter - Good one?

[zippy13]

It is a "real" target pistol.

Pete, my friend, what is a "real" target pistol? Long ago, I bought a Ruger Mark I and the box said it was a the target model. I think that meant that it had a longer barrel and adjustable sights. I shot the Mk I better than my fixed sight HS-M101, and I thought I had a "real" target pistol. Then Ruger started making their Mk-series will bull and fluted barrels and other fancy stuff. They looked a lot more like "real" target pistols than mine.

About 15 years ago, I added a S&W Model 41 to my collection. I could shoot it much better than the ol' Ruger, so I thought it was a "real" target pistol. That was until I saw one of those Buck Rogers specials in hands of a proficient shooter. It consistently punched the centers out of vary small bulls. Now, that must be a "real" target pistol.

Just what makes a "target" pistol? My first thought was that it had to be suitable for competition and capable of winning. I'd come to the conclusion that there wasn't a real hand-and-fast definition, because different sanctioning bodies allowed different modifications. But, there was one thing I was certain: a "real" target pistol had adjustable sights, of that I was sure. Imagine my surprise when folks started shooting matches that didn't allow adjustable sights and it wasn't limited to just the cowboy shooters. So, back to my initial question, what is a "real" target pistol?

 

[sakeneko]

I dug a bit deeper and got an S&W Model 317, an airweight .22 LR revolver. That isn't what you're after, but if anybody wants a *nice* .22 target revolver with wonderful HiViz sights that practically shoots itself, that qualifies. I liked the sights so well that I replaced the ones on my carry gun, an S&W Model 60, with the same.

If you order a brand new Model 317, however, be prepared to have problems with rough extractions and to have to send it back to the factory for some extra machining. :/ Mine did, was a pain. S&W customer service told me that they'd had some problems with that with this model and a few of the other airweights recently. But this isn't a safety issue. Even better, if it happens and you have to send it back, this is Smith & Wesson you're talking about, not some fly-by-night dealer. They'll take care of you.

 

[darkgael]

Real

Zippy:

what is a "real" target pistol?

Good question. I was just going with BillD's description of the GSP.
Most of the guns mentioned here are "real" enough to be effective as plinkers and on the line at matches. Rugers, Brownings, et al have a well deserved reputation as great values - "bang for the buck" and yet.....
Go to a few matches and look at what the winners are shooting.....like shotguns, I'm learning......I suppose that there are Master shooters who use Rugers and Brownings (some of them may post here) but none of them that I have met over the years do. Hammerli, Walther, High Standard, S&W 41, Pardini,,,,those I see.
I have a Ruger MK.II that I started with. Had the trigger done twice over the years. It is quite nice now but it still is not anything like the trigger on my H-S Victor.
Pete

 

[FlyFish]

I shoot in a couple of bullseye gallery (.22) target leagues each winter. I have a couple of GSPs - they're beautiful guns and would fit anyone's definition of a "real" target pistol (which is an interesting question, BTW). There is no way, no how, you're going to find one for anything near your price range. They currently sell new for about $2,000, magazines are about $65, and the trigger alone sells for more than $300. If you're very, very lucky you might find one in very used condition for just under 4 figures. If you want, you can find OSPs, the .22 short-only version, for a bit less because they don't use them any longer in international rapid fire, but they're still not going to be $300 and the ammo costs will eat you up.

A working definition of a "real" target pistol would be one that you'd commonly see in the hands of a competent shooter on the line at NRA-sanctioned competitions. There's only one that you'll find in or close to your price range, and that's the Ruger. For serious target work you'll at least want to replace the trigger, but then you'll have a gun that will hold its own with just about anything out there.

 

[Sniper 51]

.22 target shooter - Good one?

For a semi-auto I looked at Ruger and Browning Buck Mark. Both nice weapons. I decided on a Buck Mark Camper. I've been very happy with it. Single action revolver - I would go with a Ruger. Double action revolver, plan on coming off the hip with some cash. With that, I would plan a used S&W if you can find one.