rugrt, trailside, or some other....

C

chadflys

New member
Looking for best and most accurate target pistol I can get for the money. I have read, and read and read post, but still not sure whats going to be the best. I have read alot about S&W 41, but way out of price range. THe sig trailside appear to be very similar in design. But Ruger is by no doubt maybe the most highly praised, but many many own them too...Can enyone give me some good specifics to look for and be concerned about when I'm shopping. I'm no expert yet, but going to be and want something to grow into. Right now from 25 ft standing, I shoot about a 2.5 in group with about 50rnds. at 15ft my group is 1in with a hi-standard sport-king that a friend let me borrow.

Thanks,
Chad
 
Welcome to the shooting world. You said that it will be a target 22 that you can grow into, but funds are limited.... okay. I was exactly where you are years ago and might have said the same thing about "growing into" the pistol.

My choice was a High Standard Victor model which sell for around $600 or so (used of course). High Standard offered other competition models that were very good. The Sport King was their cheapest model. I never really outgrew the pistol. But I never really competed either except with friends or family or with myself. But you can do far better than 2.5" groups. 1" groups at 50 feet should not be a problem eventually. That is a very comfortable distance to shoot.

I would limit my "groups" to 5-rounds, then move to the next target and repeat. Blowing a big hole out of the center of the target doesn't really tell you much other than it's fun. Try with different ammo and experiment. Take notes so you remember how you do. You may also want a caliper to measure your groups quickly if you're serious. Auto parts stores carry them or you can buy online. Get digital.

My other choice would be a Ruger Mark III Competition model. I have not shot one, but I have looked at them at stores more than a couple times. I shoot a Mark II with the 5.5" bull barrel as my everyday target shooter and hunter self-loading 22 pistol. The issue I have with Ruger pistols is that they do not have an adjustable trigger like the High Standard. Improving the trigger is a home gunsmithing or regular gunsmith job on the Ruger. Not a bad investment if you are shooting target.

Depending on where you are in your shooting experience and what you want to achieve, I would go the cheaper route at first and then upgrade to a more expensive target pistol as you gain experience. Clearly the Smith Model 41 is the one that you should probably strive for although you can find the High Standards for a lot less money. Save up after you shoot a bit and have a better basis to judge the merits of the $1,000 purchase relative to your needs. The Smith & Wesson is about your only choice for an American made competition shooter these days. They are very good pistols!!
 
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ive got the Sig trailside.

i wasnt a big fan of the iron sights so i put a red dot scope on it.

i think it was $350ish.

the only thing that i dont like about it is that it really likes match grade ammo.

with the standard bulk box ammo it will spin a quarter at 50m.
with match grade ammo(i like wolf) it will spin dimes at 50m.

it wont feed shorts, or cb, either.

ive killed many squirrel, and ground hogs with it as well.
 
I have owned both the Ruger and the Browning Buckmark, . . . we now only own Brownings.

I would not trade either of our Brownings for 5 or 6 Rugers.

I like the ergonomics better, . . . but the trigger is super on the Browning.

Rent one or borrow one, . . . very few .22 pistols are significantly better than a Browning.

May God bless,
Dwight
 
The Trailside isn't sold any longer. You can get the Euro version of this pistol, the Xesse, through Larry's Guns in Maine.

http://www.larrysguns.com/Products/...rd-22lr__Hammerli-spc-Xesse-spc-Standard.aspx

Their weakness is that they have sloppy triggers. But otherwise they're very accurate. I've never gotten comfortable with mine, and instead use an IZH 35M in competition.

The IZH 35 is worth looking into if you want a match grade 22. These aren't currently in production, though there is parts support. You can find them used for $500- $600.

http://izh.petebrunelli.com/izh35Med.jpg
 
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