Looking For Something In .22 LR

Tennjed,

I just got my GSG 1911-22 and I love it. I have not done anything yet but a trigger fix will probably be first (although there is nothing horrible about it). I don't have any pictures of my targets yet but as soon as I do I will post them.
Needless to say it is accurate and a hoot to shoot.

For a first .22 handgun I like the semi-auto Beretta Neos. Inexpensive, has a Weaver scope base included and although it looks like it came from the Matrix movies, I think it has a cool modern look.

For an SA you got to go with a Ruger Single-Six convertible so you can shoot .22 LR and .22 Mags.
 
KBP said...Many states only allow revolvers for hunting.
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I am familiar with PA having that restriction, but are there other states as well? You said "many".

The Gold Standard these days is probably the Smith & Wesson 617. In the 70's, it was probably the Smith Model 17, Colt Officers Model Match, or Colt Diamondback. The Korth would likely be in the gold catagory these days, as would a Freedom Arms 22 revolver in a single action.

The Smith Model 41 (semi-auto) is likely the gold standard of US produced target guns these days. In days past, the High Standard's would give a M41 a run for the money on accuracy. There are European made target pistols that are very good too that are arguably better than the Smith.
 
FWIW, Achilles11B, I'd go for a gun that's the type, dimensions, and weight of what you normally shoot for self defense, if you're primarily a self-defense shooter. If not, ask the guys here whose focus is on the same things that yours is. :-) I've got a .22 LR Smith & Wesson that's the same dimensions and type as my carry gun. It isn't the same weight, which throws me off a bit, so I might be replacing it with something else that is.
 
Wow, that GSG 1911 looks pretty sharp, I might have to hold one and see what's what. Does anyone have an experience with the ISSC Glock copies in .22? It seems to be the closest match to my XD so it would make for good training, I think. I've seen them reasonably priced but have heard mixed reviews.
 
I currently own (and shoot often) a browning buckmark and a ruger single six. Both IMO are excellent shooters and I have thousands of rounds through each. I once ran my buckmark over 1000 rounds before cleaning to see if the gun could handle it. At about the 1050-1000 round count it finally started to give me issues, so I figured she earned a good cleaning!! LOL

As much as I enjoy each of these two guns, my Holy Grail of .22's is a Colt diamondback with a 4' barrel....preferably blued. Anybody got one they want to sell? LOL
 
If I were looking for a handgun chambered in .22 LR these days, I'd probably focus on one of three:

Ruger MK series, I, II, or III.
Ruger Single Six
S&W 617

Depending on whether I wanted a SA revolver, DA revolver, or a semi-auto.

My personal "favorite" .22 pistol is the Colt Woodsman, but they're not easy to find, and tend to be expensive if/when you find one in good condition.

But there are lots of great choices out there. The only one's I'd recommend against are the "pot metal" pistols that are sold fairly cheap. A well made .22 handgun doesn't have to be expensive, since most of the Rugers can be had used for little more than a new "cheap" one. They'll also last a lot longer, even used.

My dad's estate still holds a very early Ruger semi-auto that still shoots like it's new. Dad got it as a kid, and remembered saving up $19.95 for his dad to buy it for him. I have a Colt Woodsman from 1941, and it shoots every bit as good as any .22 pistol I've ever shot. Seriously, a good (not necessarily expensive) .22 pistol will last several lifetimes, and the best ones are usually made with good steel.

Daryl
 
I'd bet a coffee AND a donut there are more Single Sixes out there than there are Mark IIs and Mark IIIs, even including the 22/45 variants.
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I have no idea of Rugers production numbers but if you include ALL Ruger semiauto pistols as compared to all rimfire Single Sixes I'll take that bet. And if you want to make a bet and only include numbers from the time the MKII was introduced (1982?) I'd take that also. Now if you want to just go back 10 years and make a bet I'll take it and double down. The MK Series is by far more popular in recent history.

Now don't take this wrong, I'm a big SA fan but .22's with a loading gate are a pain in the butt and slower than molasses to reload. Small cartridge + small hole + loading gate = yuck. Great well built guns but not a good range toy IMO. If ya want a SA do yourself a favor and get a centerfire. The .32 H&R Single Sixes are great.

Like everyone else is saying, Ruger MK series and it variants and the Browning Buckmarks are the front runners. Coin flip on which is the better bang for the buck.

LK
 
Now don't take this wrong, I'm a big SA fan but .22's with a loading gate are a pain in the butt and slower than molasses to reload. Great well built guns but not a good range toy IMO. If ya want a SA do yourself a favor and get a centerfire.
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I'm not sure by his OP that a single action was an option, however I do disagree with you. My range sessions are not spent trying to see how fast I can shoot, or reload. Not that I don't at times "let fly" with some of my semi-autos. It just doesn't bother me that much to load a S/A rimfire revolver. I don't even have one of those "great, well built" Rugers, but rather one that a lot of critics call "pot metal" junk. A Heritage Rough Rider that has been a lot of fun at the range, and has held up very well through a lot of shooting. Nothing against the Rugers, they are great guns. The Rough Rider just happened along at a very good price, and was a sort of a what the heck purchase. One that I have not regretted.
I'm not, and didn't suggest the Rough Rider to the OP, mainly because of his reference to "the gold standard", which it certainly isn't.
 
...about a SA rimfire being a pain to reload.... well, yes and no. Depends what kind of shooting you want to do. Today I spent 2 hours at the range with a buddy of mine. All I shot was my single six. Take my time loading six......take my time shooting six......unload, BS a little with my buddy, and start the process all over again. For ME, a nice relaxing day at the range.

Now if I want to blast away with .22's, I bring the buckmark!
 
The cz-75 has a .22 conversion called the cadet that is very nifty. The c-75 pistol itself is very reasonable and the kadet kit isn't bad either. with this combo you get a 9mm and a .22. Also the CZ has a steel -- not aluminum -- frame.
 
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