.22 LR Pistol... what to buy?

Caldezar

Caldezar

Member
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
Location
Port Moody, BC
I'm seriously considering a .22 pistol as a fun gun to take to the range. I've been considering a pistol for a while now, but the budget friendly nature of a .22 really draws me in. I don't need a .45 to put holes in paper... >.<!

I'm hoping for some suggestions on guns to consider. What would be the best option, new or used? And what should I be looking for? (New to handguns) I have my RPAL, so no issues there... just want to know what some good options would be and how much I should be expecting to pay?

I'd like to stick to .22 LR as I go through a ton of them for one of my rifles already. And I'm definitely looking for something in a semi-auto. I really like the look of the Waltner P22 and Sig Sauer Mosquito... and am NOT a fan of the classic Ruger design.

Please keep in mind that this is a budget choice... and I'm happy to be patient and find a good deal for a used gun, as long as I know what to look for. Thanks in advance for your assistance!
 
Ruger MKIII, or 2245, Browning Buckmark. If you want reliable.

My S&W 22A1 jams sometime with bulk. But accurate.

Walter P22 is VERY small grip and the Mosquito both have a issue where the slides crack ( Both made by the same company )
 
Then you should give the S&W M&P22 a try...mine runs flawless and is accurate, even on winchester walmart white box crap. I also have the GSG 1911 .22...altough a bit cheaper to buy, she needs the ZRTS kit ( another $100) to run on everything. I have about 3000 rounds trough both now and prefer the M&P.

CG
 
Its too bad you don't like the classic Ruger design, its by far one of the best buys for the buck, near S&W 41 for accuracy (in the right hands, bull barrel, Volk trigger etc) If you are going to shoot at a range, you will soon tire of plinking, and sooner or later will be looking for accuracy, rather than the "cool factor"
Just my 2¢
 
Coachgun67 said:
Then you should give the S&W M&P22 a try...mine runs flawless and is accurate, even on winchester walmart white box crap. I also have the GSG 1911 .22...altough a bit cheaper to buy, she needs the ZRTS kit ( another $100) to run on everything. I have about 3000 rounds trough both now and prefer the M&P.

CG
Click to expand...

I had good luck with Rem GB ( bulk ) with my GSG. Than again I had lighter mainsprings and sear spring on my gun.
 
I would suggest a Beretta 71, these are used but rebarreled from the original 4 inch version. Can be had for about $350 and they are accurate and very reliable.

Shown at the bottom.

 
The new S&W Victory might be something to consider. I don't know if any are up this way yet but the videos make them look pretty good.

The Sig Mosguito has a nasty reputation for being problematic. Those who make them work well, and there are many who do, find that they need to be VERY specific on what ammo they use. So I'd tend to avoid them as a result.

GSG 1911's in .22 are well supported and spare mags are quite cheap. And they tend to be quite reliable.

Buckmarks have a VERY good reputation so you really can't go wrong with one of those either.

The S&W M&P .22's mostly seem really good. But one fellow I've seen found his to be quite fussy about what ammo he fed it.



Since you're here in the lower mainland I will suggest that you buy something which you can get more magazines for and join us at Mission or Chilliwack for the monthly Speed Steel matches. They are huge low key fun geared towards learning and making yourself a better shooter with a focus on rapid fire AND accuracy. And along with a bunch of shooting you get to hang out with a bunch of great folks that enjoy the same hobby. And if you're looking for hints on posture and grip it's again a great place to get some advice and to try it out right then and there and make little changes to perfect your stance and grip. It's also very beginner friendly. You don't need to be an ace shooter to enter and learn.

PM me for more info if you're interested.
 
We are in this position at the moment. Since there are 3 of us we mixed it up. My wife wanted "the best" so we are getting a Volquartsen Scorpion. My son wants a S&W Victory and I'm getting the S&W 617 so we have a revolver in the mix. Just waiting for the rPal's....*sigh* :bsFlag:
 
I have a GSG 1911-22 and a High Standard "The Marshall" .22 revolver. Both are decently accurate, amazingly reliable little plinkers. You can get the GSG's new in the $400 range, so not too bad for price, and they're popular enough that spare mags and accessories are commonly available.

I got the GSG to practice 1911 techniques (draw and shoot from cocked and locked etc.), but then got a Beretta 92fs, so I rarely actually shoot my full sized 1911 anymore. Still have fun with the GSG, though. Neat, reliable little pistol, cheap to feed and fun to shoot.
 
Have owned quite a few guns over the years and to be honest most would agree that whatever you have make sure you have 22's. I shoot far more of that at the range than anything else. There fun and cheap to shoot giving you very affordable entertainment and practice.

You can also consider conversion kits for existing centerfire guns. they could provide cheal training on the more serious pistol. I have one for the Glock.

I also recommend the Browning Buckmark. It is reliable and accurate.

The Beretta 71 I have is the most reliable pistol I have ever seen. Mine has a 107mm barrel and as such is not as accurate due to the short sight radius but if left long like in the picture it would be quite accurate.

A friend has a Mosquito and although his works well we have read that they do have problems.

Another friend had a S&W 41. It never ran well.

If you like revolvers the best options are the S&W 17 or 617. Also consider the Ruger double actions. The Ruger Single Six is a very nice slightly scaled down Colt SAA in 22 LR. They make them in a convertible as well with both LR and WMR cylinders. Double action convertibles are available from Alfa Proj and in theory from Taurus but Taurus ones are rare and you wold likely find a gun friendly liberal faster.

Moe
 
Thanks so much for all the suggestions! I will say that the Ruger, Buckmark and Neos are all out for me. It's unfortunate that these seem to be the most recommended, but I just can't get over the look of them. They all have that 'European handgun' look that I really can't stand.

Of the suggested models so far, definitely the two I like the most are the S&W M&P22 and the GSG 1911-22. They both are guns I could see myself enjoying to shoot. Although I did find an image of a modified (I think?) Buckmark during my searches that I thought looked pretty cool. Although I wouldn't even know where to begin for something like that. Here's the pic for reference:

The barrel looks different, and shortened a bit. I don't really care about the laser site.
bucky.jpg



@BCRider - Once I get myself sorted for a handgun, I may just drop you a line. Thanks.
 
I'm a Ruger fanboy but having tried both the Ruger Mk II and Browning Buckmark (and observed others trying them out during the same club safety course), I prefer the Buckmark for accuracy and reliability. Both guns in this admittedly limited trial appeared to be good condition, but I had several malfunctions with the Mk II and none with the Buckmark using low-end Winchester 333 ammo. It could very well be this was just a random thing based on the two particular guns I tried, but for me it was enough to tip towards the Buckmark, which I recently purchased. It's a hoot! I've tried it with cheap and higher end 22 and it works great.

I had a Ruger SP101-22 and liked it, but found that it was too difficult for my younger kids to #### the hammer, even after a Wolff spring replacement. I sold on the EE and from what I understand the new owner is happy with it.
 
Buckmark camper is great ! Eats everything as well , If I was going to try anything other than the buckmark I would like to see how the new S&W victory is. Good luck in your pick , if you like it and it feels good to you than that's the one.
 
I purchased an M&P 22 last year and it hasn't disappointed yet. Never had an issue with cheaper ammo. I did change the front site to a Hi-Viz ... 'Cause my eyes are turning 60 and they're not quite what they used to be under low light conditions.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom