Which automatic .22 do you like best?

I have a Ruger MkII with the 5.5" bull barrel, stainless. I've had that gun for a lot of years... 30? or so... and it's been basically flawless. It prefers the higher end ammo, like CCI Mini Mags, but it also likes the Federal stuff that comes in the 525 round boxes. Can't remember what it's called...
I also have a Browning Buckmark that I bought in the 80's, and recently re-acquired... its trigger is a little crisper than the Ruger, but I shoot the Ruger better. After putting around 10,000 rounds through a gun, you tend to develop a relationship with it.
My only complaint with the Ruger is the weight. I plan to either put together a lightweight Ruger using a PacLite upper, or just buying a Ruger Lite gun already assembled. That would have to be the closest to perfect plinking/backpacking/kit/whatever .22 pistol EVER.
 
The Ruger Mark Series is my preference. Grew up shooting the Mark I and Mark II. I shoot a bare stock Mark III standard fixed sight. It is my go to target and small game hunting pistol. Keep It Simple Stupid...
 
For what you want to do,,,

For what you want to do,,,
Rabbit, squirrel, etc..
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Any of those guns will do just fine,,,
The SR-22 being the least applicable,,,
But that's only because of the short barrel.

My SR-22 is a reliable performer,,,
But it's more of a tactical trainer than a hunting pistol.

Any Ruger (MK-II, Mk-III, 22/45) will last you the longest,,,
They have great accuracy and are built like tanks,,,
And if you like to fiddle with your firearms,,,
They have the most after-market stuff

The S&W 22A is a decent gun,,,
Entry level into target style pistols,,,
It has a very fat grip that some don't like.

Mine has more inherant accuracy than I can utilize,,,
And it's initial cost is less than $250.00,,,
If you like a fat grip try one out.

The Beretta NEOS is a fine accurate pistol,,,
It has a space-age science-fiction look that turns some people off,,,
It's accurate, reliable, and easy to clean but does have a very slender grip profile.

I own Ruger 22/45, Ruger SR-22, S&W 22A, and Beretta NEOS,,,
My personal favorite for target shooting is the Beretta,,,
My choice for tin cans and playing James Bond,,,
That goes to the Ruger SR-22.

They are all good guns,,,
Choose the one that fits your hand,,,
I maintain that is more important than specs.

Happy gun-hunting.

Aarond

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MK I

I have won more PPC matches in 2014 than I can recall using my old Ruger MK I with a Volquartsen upper receiver shooting against others who have very hign-end .22 pistols.

The MK I is a fine pistol at a reasonable price as are the other Marks as well.

These are fine guns for bullseye, steel shoots, PPC etc.
 
I definitely don't like fat grips as I am a small guy and have small hands. One of the reasons why I really want a ruger mark 1-3 as they look like they have very narrow grips. I would love a brand new mkIII but can't justify spending 400 plus on a rimfire gun. I found locally a mk1 with a very short barrel for sale and a target model mk2 on armslist, if either is still available I will snatch em up. May try calling local pawnshops and gun shops to see I'd there are any second hand rugers around
 
Just another Ruger fan !!

Ruger MKII with a bull barrel. You can't loose.
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I have hunted small game with all three generations of Ruger MK's. There are trade-offs between all three and keep in mind that after the MK-I, it's hard to improve on perfection. My squirrel killer is the Target MK-II, with a 10" bull-barrel and RedDot. I know some may consider it cheating but it's hard for an old part-time squirrel hunter, to compete with a full-time squirrel. :D

22/45; I don't like synthetics
Smith 22A; Grip is not user friendly for me.
Neos; I have read about frames cracking.
MK-I; Another great choice if you can even find one. Last year, I passed on one that was in great shape for $225.00 and still kicking myself, in the back-side.. .. :mad:

Good luck and;
Be Safe !!!
 
Been shooting the Ruger Mk I target (adj sights) with the long tapered barrel (not the bull barrel) since about 83. Other than finish wear, the gun is still perfect.

As far as I can see, the only advantage to the later marks is that the bolt locks back after the last shot, which a Mark I does not.

I never considered that enough justification to buy one of the newer pistols.

I also have a Browning Challenger, so I never had any interest in the cheaper Buckmark series guns.

And I have a pair of .22 Lugers.

Look for a used Ruger Mark series, and get one with adjustable sights. You may never need (or use) adjustable sights, but its foolish not to get them if you can, simply because you can't always ensure that the .22 ammo you can get will shoot exactly to the same point of aim, and having the ability to be able to rezero your pistol with just a screwdriver rather than having to do file or mill work is a good thing in my book.
 
The MK II is a very nice gun. I own one and it is my target gun. I don't use it for squirrel hunting, but it would certainly do the trick.
It is absolutely soulless IMO. Not sure why, but maybe even more so than my Glock IMO.
 
I own a Neos I bought for my wife to shoot. I have had it for about 5 years and not had any problems with it related to the gun itself. The one issue I found is I have to be diligent about keeping it clean or it will stove pipe and fail to eject. I can hardly blame my laziness on the pistol.

I find it fun to shoot and very accurate. My wife picked this gun out and she loves it and also shoots it very well. The other plus is they cost less than many other .22 automatics. In fact I may pick another one up for myself this summer.
 
The Mark I is a fine gun but the small upgrades on the Mark II are GOOD upgrades. You get relief cuts on either side of the bolt handle that certainly do make it easier to manipulate and you not only get the "last shot bolt hold open" but you get to split the manual safety up from a safety/slide lock in to two separate levers, which make the pistol operate more traditionally and further allows you to chamber a round with the safety on, which is not possible on the Mark I as it's manual thumb safety does double duty as a manually operated slide lock.

I would still choose a Mark I over a Mark III, but I wouldn't even think of trying to tell a guy that loves his Mark III that he bought an inferior pistol. (Even though I truly believe that statement 100%)
 
I have a line on a 22/45 target model 5 1/2 in that I may be able to trade a gun for if not buy it outright. I didnt really want a 22/45 but my carry/ range gun is a 1911 so at least they would have similar grip feel. I also had another guy with a standard mk2 email me back so I should have something maybe today or tomorrow. If my paycheck allows it
 
Beretta Neos with 6" barrel (longer barrel gives you a bit more power for hunting and a little longer site radius for accuracy, but the 4" is a nice one too)
MUCH easier to take down and clean
easily as reliable as the Mark I or II
easily as accurate as the Marks
cost less than the marks
and did I mention that it is MUCH easier to take down to clean?

the Marks do, however have a lot of aftermarket stuff if you like to tweak and play with your set up. there are options for the Neos too, just more for the Marks. I just put a red dot on top of my Neos and that's all, I don't fuss with all the other customizations. I actually have 3 (handy with I take the kids out plinking). Love them.
 
A Ruger MkI was the first pistol I shot when I was 7. I have a soft spot for them. A S&W 41 has been one of the best I have shot. I have a soft spot for those also.
 
Ruger MK Series are awesome!

I have a Ruger MKIII Target pistol with the bull barrel. It shoots like a dream, and the weight of the barrel really helps with keeping recoil bounce to a minimum (very helpful for firing several shots in quick succession). I have at least 5K rounds through it and have had zero mechanical issues. Occasional failures to fire which is true of any .22 ammo. Not the gun's fault, I always see the indentation on the rim of the case, just some manufacturing issues with the ammo.

My ONLY complaint about the Ruger MK series pistols is that they are a bit difficult to take apart and re-assemble until you memorize the proper steps. Follow the manual closely or have youtube teardown videos handy when first learning to do so. Fortunately these guns are tanks, and they don't have to have a complete teardown for cleaning that often.

FWIW, I've owned and shot many different .22LR pistols, and this one has always been my favorite. Second would be the Browning Buck Mark.
 
No love.

While I enjoy my slab-side, competition target Ruger, I am more accurate with my Colt Target Model. 6" bull barrel and always lots of attention from others at the range. I never see these discussed whenever the .22 pistol questions come up and have always wondered why. Is there something I have missed. I have owned mine for many years and it goes to the range every trip.
 
I just did the same thing of looking for a 22....came down to the mark III and the Browning hunter. Hunter felt and pointed better for me so I went with it, but it was more than your budget (and mine).
 
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