recommend a good 22 lr target gun

R

rebs

New member
I am looking for recommendations on a good semi auto 22 lr pistol.
The S&W 41 is too expensive for me and I read good and bad reviews on the s&w 22a ?
 
S&W M22A
Ruger 22/45
Beretta NEOS
Ruger Mark III
Browning Buckmark

Any of these will do just fine at the range,,,
Just as each has their dedicated fans,,,
Each has their vehement detractors.

Find the one that fits your hand the best,,,
That's probably the one you will hit best with.

I own the first three in the list,,,
By the end of the week I will also own a Buckmark,,,
So far my favorite is the Beretta NEOS because of the slender grip.

Aarond

.
 
1. Browning Buckmark or Ruger MKII or MKIII.
2. Maybe a Ruger 22/45
I recommend the 5-5.5 barrel for best balance.
 
I've had a Buckmark for the past 15 plus years and it's done great! The Ruger series of .22 pistols would good to look at too, those are my top two choices.
 
If you get a Ruger you might spring for a small aftermarket kit that allows you to pull out the bolt for easy cleanup with just an allen wrench.
 
The Browning Buckmark or Ruger Mk II or Mk III are probably the best bang for your buck. The Hi Standard Victor is real nice and not as expensive as the S&W 41.
 
S&W M22A
Ruger 22/45
Beretta NEOS
Ruger Mark III
Browning Buckmark

Any of these will do just fine at the range,,,
Just as each has their dedicated fans,,,
Each has their vehement detractors.

Find the one that fits your hand the best,,,
That's probably the one you will hit best with.
Click to expand...

Nothing more need be said!:D
 
The order of my preference:

S&W Model 41
Ruger mklll
Buckmark
S&W M22A

I own all four guns. When I'm thinking which one to take to the range, it's the Ruger mklll for just shooting, the Model 41 if I'm serious about practicing. The other two haven't been out of safe in months.
 
It really depends on what you mean by a target gun. Do you mean go to the range and have fun leisurely shooting or do you mean join a bullseye league and shoot out to 50 yards? There's a fairly large price gap between that 41 and the 22a, where's your comfort zone?

As for competition guns, If you have a 1911, a good 22 conversion will shoot right with the other bullseye guns. As for a brand and model, you'd have to do a little searching, I shoot a 41 or a High Standard. I'm pretty sure a good conversion is under $500 though. The prices on High Standards have gone up in the last year or so, but a pretty nice one (non collector condition) can still be had for around $500 that will shoot just as accurately as a new one. Again do a little research, there are good and not so good High Standards. These I'm very familiar with but it would take a lot of space to cover it. You also see a lot of the Rugers already mentioned on the line. I don't consider them as good as the H.S or 41, but they very well may be the best bang for the buck, as already mentioned.
 
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I'll put my BuckMark up against a S&W 41 any day, and have. Shot them side by side numerous times and I'll keep mine. You just need to find the ammo it likes the best.
 
If you get a Ruger you might spring for a small aftermarket kit that allows you to pull out the bolt for easy cleanup with just an allen wrench.
Click to expand...
Or just read the instructions for takedown and assembly and all you need is a fingernail or maybe the loop end of a paperclip to hook the takedown lever.

I bought my first one used with no instructions. After studying it for a couple of minutes I had it apart. It took about three tries to figure out about getting the hammer strut into the pocket for the mainspring.

I have an old MKI target model made in 1981 IIRC and it's a tack driver. It's like a hand held rifle.
 
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There are some pitfalls in the Mk series reassembly... The hammer strut is the main area of concern.


It can get stuck in a manner that makes assembly impossible, and dislodging it can be extremely difficult.

The bolt pin can hang up when assembling it as well, it can twist a bit and not want to insert, but everything will look lined up properly.

After you learn the trick of it, it goes by easier the next time.


I really like mine, but I think the Buckmark would be easier to maintain overall, despite the need of a tool to disassemble it.

The aftermarket is better for the mk pistols.
 
The SIG/Hammerli Trailside is a very accurate gun for the money, but you would have to look around for a good price on one since they are no longer made. The Xesse (target Trailside) is still available, but costs a good bit more. Both are excellent shooters with a great factory trigger, but magazines are pricey at $35 each, and the only US support is from Larry's Guns -- good company to deal with, though.
 
I'm in the market myself for a .22 pistol, but the mk3 disqualifies itself by having the absurd trigger lock. A useless part is a deal breaker for me. With that in mind is buckmark the best choice, or is neo? Used mk 2 beimg valid as well.
 
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