Which automatic .22 do you like best?

P

P71pilot

New member
I have been thinking about getting a .22 handgun lately. Mostly just for the versatility. Rabbit, squirrel, etc..
Anyways I prefer semi-auto handguns and I know they would usually require high velocity loads to reliably cycle. I would max out my budget at $350 so I was looking at these models, both new and uses.

Ruger mk1
Ruger mark 2
Ruger 22/45
S&W 22a
Beretta neos

I want the pistol as a hunter/ target shooter. So don't really care for the models that are a copy of larger calibers. Does anyone own any of the guns I listed and if so what are your opinions on it? I like reliability first and accuracy second
 
Any of the Rugers. It is just about impossible to wear out a Ruger .22 auto, so if money is tight you might look at an older model. For hunting small game, you will want a target model with good target sights (under all that fur, a squirrel is a darned small animal). I don't especially like the .22/45, but it is a matter of personal preference.

Jim
 
Conspicuous by it's absence on your list..........
Browning Buckmark Camper
Fits in your price range if you look around. Even sometimes at the big box sporting goods, and outdoor stores if you find a sale. I think mine was something like $319 at Cabelas on sale a couple years back.
Plenty accurate for your needs, well built, and reliable.
Just a suggestion for another one to add to your list.
 
I have Ruger Mk II stainless with a bull barrel. I have had it for a long time. It is a very accurate. I used to hunt squirrels and rabbits with it. It gets my vote, but I also like the 22/45. I don't know if a decent used Mk II is likely to be available at $350.
 
From your list, I would rate the Ruger Mark II at the top for sure, followed closely only by the Ruger Mark I. The Beretta Neos, S&W 22A and the 22/45 I would put so far down the list that they would fall off and be forgotten with no regrets.

To be fair, I have no hands-on experience with the Beretta Neos, but my eyeballs work and my brain interprets what those eyeballs see and the design guy was sloshed that day and his boss must have been buying the drinks and matching his effort. The Smith & Wesson 22A is a pretender and is much more suited to the class of toy-like rimfire guns rather than serious, solid, dependable pistols. The Ruger 22/45 and from what I have seen in the Mark III guns are simply a step back from the Mark II which is the undisputed pinnacle of the design, a design which was the BEDROCK for the success of the Ruger company.

If we may venture from the list, I can heartily recommend three others immediately. First is the Buck Mark, which I don't particularly care for in actual use (mostly due to the difficult to grab and manipulate slide) but I do own one and I can attest to it's build quality, accuracy and durability.

Next would be the Sig Trailside, available now under the name X-esse, which was a budget target pistol built by Hammerli in Switzerland. Mine is extremely accurate and has the finest trigger I happen to have in a rimfire pistol and I own a few. I cannot speak to it's longevity/durability, but I got mine used and I've only managed to put a bit over 1,300 rds through it thus far, but it is absolutely a keeper.

Lastly, consider a classic Colt Woodsman, which was the king of them all before the Ruger semi-auto was it's first genuine competitor in the market. As they made the Woodsman and it's variants for -MANY- years, their collectible prices are definitely kept in check especially when you find them with some genuine wear. This, coupled with the extremely high numbers of them built means that you can own a fantastic shooting example of one of the finest handguns in man's history without paying crazy high collectible prices. You end up with a very refined and extremely well built classic. I cannot say enough about these fine pistols. Shop for Second and Third Series pistols from ~1950 through the late 1970s. One of these will certainly cost you more than the others in this discussion, but they are fine handguns.
 
I once owned a 22a - FWIW avoid them like the plague! Mine was a total PITA, constant miss fires, light strikes, and very ammo sensitive. Better off with one of the Rugers.
 
I have owned several over the years, and only have one left in my safe. It's a Beretta 21A Bobcat 22lr. I just have so much fun shooting that little gun!
 
I have a 22/45 that I like alot. I also have a Walther P22 that needs a suppressor or it does not run right.

Most any thing Ruger is a good 22 handgun.
 
I really like the 22/45's from Ruger. It's kind of silly, but I am fond of G-10 and you can put custom G-10 grips on yours. Also, having it be a Ruger pistol, you can customize it a lot from Volquarsten, which is a big plus for a customization fiend like myself. All of the above are good choices, however.
 
I have shot my S&W - M&P 22 once or twice a week for over a year now without any problems. Just a fun pistol to shoot!
 
I only have experience with the ruger sr22, the colt woodsman, the berretta neos and the iver Johnson trailsman. the iver Johnson is the only one that NEVER jams. the neos is still very new, less than 200 rounds, but am having signifigant jamming TM. the trailsman also has a handy size and weight, carries mych like a standard compact pistol and is comfortable to the hand. I have been aving some trouble getting the sights just right on he ruger, its a great built gun, but it is also having a good bit of jams, not as bad as the neos though. accuracy wise, the colt is winning, the trailsman in second and the neos in third. the neos seems to just be short cycling, hopefully it will break in. but for the money, check out the iver. the ruger may well be the most accurate, but I need more time with it
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top