Recommend a .22 Pistol

E

EdInk

New member
I have finally seen the light of firing .22lr ammo. It has zero defensive use but it is FUN and cheap to shoot. Currently, I only have a long gun in this caliber but I am starting to want a pistol as well.

I know it to be inexpensive ($325 or less would be great if possible).
What do you own and recommend at or below that price range.

I know i do NOT want a sig mosquito (because I don't like them) or a ruger bear at (because it is too small in my hands). I am open to auto or revolvers but do not want to spend more money than I stated above so the .22 version of my S&W snub is nice but too much for me to spend on a toy.

Suggestions please & thank you.
 
You can get a Ruger MKIII 22/45 for around 260-290 in many places. I bought one several months ago for 265 plus tax from my local shop. If you don't mind buying used you can get the MK II version which doesn't have the loaded chamber indicator or mag disconnect for between 225 and 300 depending on condition.

Browning Buckmarks are around your price range as well as the Beretta Neos and SW 22A. I have no experience with any of those, but I'm sure others will weigh in. Ruger and Browning tend to get the most recommendations in these threads.
 
I have been looking at the mk2 and mk3. They no mag disconnect is plus not a negative to me. Chamber indicator is nice but not a concern either. I would prefer to buy new if possible. Thanks.

And the Neos can go back to Europe, Outerspace or wherever those goofy looking things originated.
 
I have expensive guns and cheap guns. My favorite of ALL is my old Ruger MkII Target 10". It's so accurate, it's ALMOST boring. Best $200 (I think) I ever spent
Also, ALL my local gunshops have leftover MkII's brand new for around $300-$350. The Bill ruger commemorative edition NIB was $325. Happy shopping
 
I've had a 22/45 for years, Mark II (stolen) and replaced with a Mark III. Both are excellent and I don't think you can go wrong. I paid $230 used last year for a blue 5 1/2" model.

I recently got a S&W 22A and really like it as well. Especially cleaning, it's the easiest breakdown ever. I got the 7" barrel model for $245 NIB about two months ago.

I've shot a Browning Buckmark and they are also excellent pistols. I'll have one of those too, someday. Huge price range, but the Camper is under $325, I believe.

Those are probably the Big 3, and it's hard to go wrong with any of them. See which fits your hand better, comes in at the right price point, and it should do you well. The one that feels best is probably the one you'll like the best.

I don't shoot pistols well enough to be able to tell the difference in accuracy. I'd probably group the same with a Phoenix. :D
RT
 
I bought a used S&W 34i "kit gun" for $250. What a fun revolver. Goes with me almost every time I go shooting, and I enjoy it every time.
 
Ruger's mark series, Browning Buckmark, Beretta neos, or Smith and Wesson's would work well for under your budget. :)
 
If you could shoot the Ruger and the Browning at a rental place (or some friends, . . . ) you would see in a heartbeat that the Browning trigger is much better.

I used to own a Ruger, . . . it is sufficient to bust pop cans with, . . . but I never liked the way the magazine came out, . . . and it would ALWAYS quit after about 150 to 200 rounds. Carbon built up just outside and to the left of the chamber, . . . had to dig it out with a sharp pointed pocket knife. I traded it and never looked back.

Now I have two Brownings, . . . they're keepers.

May God bless,
Dwight
 
Dwight, how old are your Brownings and are they Buckmarks? Back around the mid to late 70`s I purchased two Buckmarks and had FTF issue`s with both using various brand name ammo. I liked the looks/trigger and the Browning name better than the Ruger at the time. Ended up with a Ruger and never looked back. Own three that have been sickening reliable/accurate. Are the current Buckmarks more reliable? Wouldn`t mind giving them another shot. To date, my response to the OP would be the Ruger MK series.
 
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Get out the bats, but...

Walther P22. That little sucker is FUN. I've had two Ruger 22/45s and a CZ Kadet, and that gun really begs to be taken to the range. They seem to have worked out most of the bugs with the latest version.
 
+1 on the P22 for being a FUN gun!

I bought it with the 5 inch barrel, and then bought a 3.4 inch barrel as well. It's definitely more accurate with the longer barrel. While even then it's not in the league with some of those other guns in terms of accuracy, who cares, it's a lot of fun to shoot.
 
I have a Ruger 22/45 bull barrel that I like very much. I bought it for about $250. I also just purchased a Ruger New Model Single Six Blackhawk .22 lr/.22mag convertable 5 1/2" that I really love. It was $399 + tax. And, I've got a S&W J frame model 317 Revolver that I will NEVER sell.

My SIL has a Browning Buckmark that is also a VERY nice gun. But, for the money you're talking about, the Ruger 22/45 would serve you very well. They are very accurate and durable. Not easy to clean, but overall very nice guns.

If I could only have one .22 LR handgun. I think I would keep th .22 Blackhawk SA. Just because it also has a magnum cylinder.
 
I LOVE my P22

But the reasons I bought it for were not as a fun shooter- that was a bonus.

I recommend a Ruger MKII. The MKII for no magazine disconnect
 
Ruger's mark series, Browning Buckmark, Beretta neos, or Smith and Wesson's would work well for under your budget.
Click to expand...
Sorry Brian - I don't think any of the guns you mentioned can be purchased for $325 or less.
 
I picked up this one for $200 a few days ago, haven't had a chance to shoot it, but it has a really good feel to it, and appears to be very well-made, and though used, appears clean and well-maintained. I've had terrible luck with .22 semi-autos, not a single one has been very reliable, at all. This is the only gun I've ever bought on manufacturer reputation alone.

_IGP1155.jpg


(In case you're wondering, the serial # is photoshopped out of the pic, which is why there doesn't appear to be one in the usual place)
 
I would suggest a MKII/III, Buckmark, and P22.

I have a P22, and it takes a bit more practice to be fairly accurate with it, but when you just wanna have a blast shooting, a P22 is the way to go.
 
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