What .22 handgun accompanies your .22 rifle?

E

Elliottsdad

New member
Because my Ruger 10/22 is lonely, and would like someone to share its cheap food with, I'm beginning to consider a .22 handgun. I like cheap (well, affordable) firearms, and the idea of the "kit" or "trail" revolver is nice for simplicity, although I'm not ruling out the "right" pistol, either.

What .22 handgun accompanies your .22 rifle? Any suggestions for affordable sidekicks for rimfire rifles? I've been reading about the usual suspects (mk iii, bearcat, single six, etc.), but thought ya'll might have some useful anecdotes/opinions.. more than anything it'd be nice to hear about your duos!
 
I have quite a few 22 handguns that can accompany a 22 rifle that I might be shooting or carrying. My most recent favorites are the Ruger SR22P semi-autoa and LCR 22LR. My previous favorite was either a S&W M18 or Colt Diamondback in 22. I also bring along a Ruger Mark II bull barrel and if you are looking for something accurate but affordable, the Mark III or 45/22 would be my suggestion for more accurate shooting. For plinking fun, the SR22P works great. Just depends on what you are looking for.
 
Considering price and fun the Ruger Mark II target comes out tops in my book.

A little higher up the food chain is the Browning Buckmark and a little lower is the S&W 22A.

If money is no object then S&W 41.

I think to enjoy a .22 revolver you have to have a particular fondness for revolvers already in which case you probably know if you want a single action or double action revolver. S&W 617 DA if money is no object or Ruger Single-Ten SA are a couple that deserve mention.
 
My first .22 pistol was a Walther P22. Not bad, but I just didn't care for it much. Traded it toward a Buckmark (because it felt better in my hand than Ruger MkX guns). I like the Buckmark, but if I started over and bought just one .22 handgun, the Ruger single-10 would be tempting.
 
Longest owned, most used is my Ruger MkII. I now have conversion kits for the 1911s and SIG-Sauer P226 and a Smith&Wesson Model 63 from the '70s. I enjoy all four. The converted center fires are fun plinkers and serious, low cost, practice guns. The Model 63 is a genuine mouse gun I have killed mice with (shooting Aguila Colibri and Super Colibri powderless rounds.)
 
I do not own a .22 handgun to go along with my .22 rifle. I do want a Ruger Mark III though.

I do however have a Taurus Tracker .17 HMR to go along with my Marlin 917v .17 HMR.
 
My OCD is showing,,,

But the companion handgun I would select for a Ruger 10/22 rifle,,,
Would be a 5.5" Ruger 22/45 semi-auto pistol,,,
Maybe a MK-III depending on my mood.

I actually do have several rifle/pistol combinations,,,
There's no inherent virtue in pairing them up,,,
It's just something I like to do.

I have an Leupold scoped H&R Handi-rifle in .357 Magnum,,,
I also have a Bushnell scoped H&R Sportster in .22 LR,,,
These rifles live in a case with two fine revolvers,,,
4" Colt trooper Mk-III in .357 Magnum,,,
6" Colt Trooper Mk-III in .22 LR.

I have a stainless steel Henry Accu-Bolt rifle in .22 LR,,,
I pair it up with a vintage S&W Model 63.

Last but not least I have a Mossberg 702 Plinkster .22 semi-auto rifle,,,
This gun I pair up with a 4.5" Ruger 22/45 semi-auto pistol,,,
Or I did until I gave the pistol to a friend for graduation,,,
I should probably let him have the rifle as well.

I have a good friend who owns a 160 acre ranch not far from my residence,,,
He allows me to do a "bunny-hunt-walk" early some mornings,,,
He teases me a lot because I always show up "strapped",,,
With a rifle and pistol of some ilk to walk his pastures.

Oh, let me not forget my Box-O-Beretta's that I call "The Judds",,,
Naomi is the Beretta NEOS Carbine with a nice red dot optic,,,
Wynona is the 6" Beretta NEOS with a holographic optic,,,
Ashley is the 4" Beretta NEOS with a holographic optic.

I used to own a Henry lever-action rifle in .22 LR,,,
Before I peddled it off I paired it with a Colt Frontier Scout in .22 LR.

Of course it goes without saying,,,
That I make a matching holster and rifle sling for each pair. ;)

Aarond

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I don't carry two of the same caliber.
Could carry a Ruger Single Six with my 10/22 but don't. If I have a .22 with me I don't need a .22 with me as a duplicate.
That is why I sold my Marlin .44 mag. lever gun. If I had my Redhawk I didn't need another gun of same caliber. Besides the Redhawk was more accurate than the (explitive deleted) Marlin.
 
The Ruger Single Ten is an excellent choice, as is a Ruger Single Six. The Single Six has the ability to fire 22 WMR with a cylinder swap. Much more power out of the same gun. If you want Double Action, then the Ruger SP101-22, or S&W 617 or 3" 317 would be my choice. Autoloader? Ruger 22/45 LITE, Ruger SR22P, S&W 422/622, Bersa Thunder 22 would be my pick. There are many other good, accurate 22 pistols, depending on what you actually are going to do with it, considering it will be carried with a Ruger 10/22. Colt/Walther/Umarex 1911-22, Sig Mosquito(mine has been perfect) Beretta Neos, even the little tip-ups like the Beretta 21a and Taurus PLY-22 come to mind.
 
thanks for your responses! Tons of great rimfires I'd never thought of (i.e. Neos), and much of the conversation has made me think of all sorts of combos (centerfire included)-

Aarond,
I also don't know why, but I like the idea of partner firearms in general, too. Something about ammo compatibility? Perhaps I don't want to hunt down X number of different ammo types when payday comes? (although there is a small part of me that likes the idea of many types of ammunition for different applications, as well)

A year or two ago I was lusting after a Beretta CX4 Carbine to accompany my M&P9. Couldn't justify the purchase, especially b/c a 9mm carbine is pretty much a "fun" gun with little practicality. But damn, now that I think about it, I still want one!
 
1. Ruger Mk II target. Great fun to shoot.

2. Ruger single six.

3. Baretta 76. Not a common sight. Good shooter with serious resemblance to a higher caliber pistol.
 
Mine doesn't fit your "cheap" requirement but it's a S&W 63 (4" barrel). I also have a NEOS but the 63 is what always gets the call.
 
I am in california, so carry can be an issue. I have 2 .22 rifles: Marlin 39a and glenfield(marlin) 60. I have 2 .22 handguns: ruger sp101-.22 8-shot & mark II .22/.45. I also have conversion kits for: hi power and 1911. Glock conversion on way.

All have their place.

Cheap.22? Not a good revolver. At least not around here.

If I am honest & could only have 1 dedicated .22 handgun: my bull-barreled .22/.45 would be it. More precise than me, cheap and reliable.

sent from tapatalk on Evo3G
 
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