good starter rimfire pistol?

R

Rifter

New member
Hi guys, getting my PAL with restricted as well soon, so will be able to get into target shooting soon(cant do anything else with a pistol in Canada other than target shoot at an approved range, as you cant legally have it anywhere but at home, or an approved range)

Im looking for a 22lr for 2 reasons. Its cheap to shoot, and pistol ranges are only out to 50 yards anyways so no need for more power.

I like 1911's and was thinking a ruger 22/45 as I may eventually get a 1911 so the 22/45 will at least get me familiar with the grip of a 1911.

Thoughts?
 
I've had a lot of bad experiences with 22s in 1911 platform. I'd recommend the Ruger SR22, probably one of the best 22 out there for the money.
 
I like 1911's and was thinking a ruger 22/45 as I may eventually get a 1911 so the 22/45 will at least get me familiar with the grip of a 1911.
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Or one of the 1911-22 autos if what you really want is a 1911.
GSG http://gunshero.com/gsg-1911-22-lr/
Walther/Colt http://www.waltherarms.com/government-1911-a1/
Sig http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/1911-22.aspx
Or, the 3/4 scale Browning http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/family.asp?webflag_=028B&catalog_=B

Dependant on the availability in Canada.:D
 
Of the 1911-22 pistols I mentioned I have shot the Colt, GSG, and Browning. Of the three, even though the Colt, and GSG were almost identical I liked the GSG best. On my list, but kinda down at the bottom. Got other priorities, but who knows, if the mood and deal collide.:D
 
+1 for the SIG/GSG 1911-22 and Colt/Walther 1911-22. Great performance from both with literally K's fired downrange. The Browning is a super gun but I prefer the "full-scale" models. YMMV but the 1911-22's help keep me sharp with my 1911-45's (which if fired likewise K's of rounds I could not post here for failure to pay my ISP bill ;) .

The S&W M&P22 (made by Walther as well--Compact model in U.S.) may be my favorite as it just feels durable like the 9mm version and shoots absent a hiccup with SV or HV.

I also like my Bersa Thunder 22 which feels rock solid just like its .380 big cousin--if you're in a "007" like mood pick one up...

I don't have a Ruger handgun .22lr but I think I will eventually get one of the Mark variants (the SR22 to me looks like it was essentially copied from the Walther and is just a tad too small for my taste). My local Gun range has numerous rentals with a Ruger Mark III among them. The owner of the range swears that so far he has yet to see a gun "outlive" it as the Ruger keeps on ticking after 30K rounds...yes it looks a bit worn but apparently still shoots like a champ...Of course, we all know that Ruger makes tank-like guns across the board...I have a P95 with way too many rounds to count as we use it as the family 'beater' gun so to speak as it gets passed around like a rental and never looked better.
 
I have a Ruger Mk II and it is a fine pistol. Accurate and relaible although they are harder to find than the MkIII's.

A few month ago I picked up a GSG 922 when they went on sale. I've put a few hundred rounds of bulk pack ammo through it and it hasn't had any issues. It isn't as accurate as the Ruger but is a real fun range gun.

 
I would get the Ruger MK III (or a II if you can find a used one in good condition) with a target/bull barrel. Depending upon how serious you get into target shooting .22s, that may be all the pistol you ever need. I wouldn't worry about the change in grip angle between that and a 1911.
 
Rifter said:
I like 1911's and was thinking a ruger 22/45 as I may eventually get a 1911 so the 22/45 will at least get me familiar with the grip of a 1911.

Thoughts?
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The 22/45 is a good choice. Got mine 7 years ago and it's been excellent.
 
You've answered your own question.

I like 1911's and was thinking a ruger 22/45 as I may eventually get a 1911 so the 22/45 will at least get me familiar with the grip of a 1911.

Thoughts?
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I think you have answered your own question,,,
A Ruger 22/45 will give you the general feel of a 1911 pistol,,,
And at the same time give you a proven pistol from a quality manufacturer.

You will be able to hit accurately out to 50 yards with it,,,
I can't see any reason for you to get anything else.

Now if you said you wanted to do tactical training,,,
I would recommend the Ruger SR-22,,,
IMHO it's the finest of that breed.

But since target shooting at a range is your only venue,,,
The 22/45 will serve you as well as any,,,
And a lot better than many others.

Happy gun hunting,,,

Aarond

.
 
Gahaha said:
I'd recommend the Ruger SR22, probably one of the best 22 out there for the money.
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PT-92 said:
I also like my Bersa Thunder 22...
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dusty14u said:
A few month ago I picked up a GSG 922 when they went on sale. I've put a few hundred rounds of bulk pack ammo through it and it hasn't had any issues. It isn't as accurate as the Ruger but is a real fun range gun.
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The OP is in Canada. Handguns with barrels under 105mm (4.13") in length are legally classified as Prohibited weapons in Canada and are unlawful for new commercial sale. The SR22 (3.5"), Bersa 22 (3.5"), and GSG 922 (3.4") don't make the cut, although other GSG models do, along with the 1911-22.

FWIW if you've ever wondered why the 1911-22, Ruger SP101 .22, and numerous centerfire service pistols (S&W M&P, Ruger SR, etc.) have 4.2"-4.25" barrels rather than 4" barrels, it's so that the gunmakers can sell them in Canada without having to build special export versions. :)
 
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My friend loves his buckmark and has used it effectively to improve his shooting with his centerfire pistols.

I was going to endorse the SR22 that I own, but if carguychris is correct, that's a non-starter:
carguychris
The OP is in Canada. Handguns with barrels under 105mm (4.13") in length are legally classified as Prohibited weapons in Canada and are unlawful for new commercial sale. The SR22 (3.5"), Bersa 22 (3.5"), and GSG 922 (3.4") don't make the cut, although other GSG models do, along with the 1911-22.
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Ruger's 22/45 is an excellent target shooting gun, and if you get one with the replacable grip panels, feel very much like a 1911 in the hand. The controls are all in the same locations, and operate in much the same manner. Not a bad "understudy" for a 1911 at all.

The biggest complaint about them is that the magazine disconnect makes re-assembly a PITA ("Put teh mag in, take teh mag out .... do the hokey pokey as you turn the gun about" .......Bleah! ) ..... but there's a kit made by Volquartsen, available from Midway, Brownell's, etc., to fix that .... and it makes the trigger crisper, too.
 
My FiL's Ruger MK II target model is the finest 22 handgun I have ever shot.

I lucked onto a good deal on a Browning Buck Mark the other day and love the way it feels in my hand, but I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet.
 
Ruger MKxxx, Ruger 22/45, Browning Buckmark are all good.
For fast plinking with two hands, I like the grip angle of the Ruger 22/45 and the Buckmark. The Ruger MKxxx grip angle seems to fit my hand better when shooting one handed slowfire.
5-5.5" barrel balances better than the 7 inchers which tend to be muzzle heavy.
Truly, any of the 3 pistols would be good.
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The 1911-22's look good, too but I do not have much experience with these.
If aluminum slide, I would look for one with a steel insert on the slide top notch for last shot lock open feature.
 
Thanks guy, I think ill go with the ruger 22/45.

I just wish I could do more with it up here in Canada other than punch paper at a range only. Cant even target shoot in the back yard up here with a restricted weapon, unless you put in a government certified range in your back yard.

It's almost not worth owning pistols up here.
 
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