Which .22LR Pistol To Get?

my first handgun was a 22 smith model 17 i think in 6 inch barrel. vey accurate and introduced me to revolvers, and i did not reload at the time. it was a pain though to unload and reload the shells. every 3 or 4 cylinders, have to brush the cylinder clean, or shells won't go in smooth, or really hard to push all 6 spent shell out. i was using decent 22 ammo.

since then stayed with semi autos only. i had a ruger, tough and dependable, trigger is decent, and the grip angle is quite neat for pointablity

the ones i have now are 2 high standard models, the victor and the supermatic trophy (the one with the 7.5 inch fluted barrel). the first guns made in hamden are the best in quality and finish i think. still about the $600 range for used one in excellent condition. great sights and trigger. they are deadly accurate. the mag release in the heel. mags fit in both models. have almost the exact 1911 grip frame and angle. i don't think the new high standards, costing more money, gives better quality or value.

i also like the browning challenger II and the challenger III, these have the wood grips, and use the same magazines. predecessor to the browning buckmark. the challenger have the mag release in the heel. beautiful wood grips and bluing. a used one in excellent condition is about $375 to $400

the buckmarks new are still up there in price, and to get one in the high grade wood grips and bluing is way up there in price, and i think the new buckmarks in the new models lost all of the classic lines.

so justin, do check out the high standard or the challenger II or III, they do come up on the EE. all good looking guns, and IMHO, have both form and function.
 
You might consider an older Browning Challenger, my first purchase in '68. The picture displays it with the 4 5/8" barrel, I also have a 6 5/8" barrel and a heavy Medalist barrel 6 5/8". I liked it enough that when the opportunity happened, I picked up a second one which is destined for a nephew when he is old enough to own it.

BrowningChallenger.jpg
 
Can only say good things about my two Buckmarks - Plus UDX in stainless adj rear, front fibre optic, 5.5 Target adjustable rear, heavy barrel.

Plus a little lighter weight, smoother action (stainless), easier to clean.

Target fatter grip, heavy barrel, big "ears" on slide good, trigger over travel adj., brass deflector sort of cheap (plastic clippy thing).

Did not like the feel of the Baretta 87 as much (thats a personal thing and price same as 1.75 buckmarks), the Neo did not like the slide (separate halfs, squeeze them and you bind the slide on the receiver) but loved the mag release placement (forefinger) and the take down feature.

Like the idea of the Ruger, can probably run them over and will still work. Thought I would buy a Ruger and maybe a Berretta. I ended up with the Buckmark cause when I picked them up they felt right and when I looked at them I liked the design, are elegant. Love them both.

Buy something you really like. Low price not a good deal if not end up enjoying it. Personally would not buy something that could eventually become something I like. Buy it cause I want to use it as is. Later if no longer want to use it change it or sell it but not make sense to me to buy something I would not enjoy now.

Cheers
 
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I'll chime in with some upper end suggestions: Walther GSP, FAS, Pardini, etc. The bullseye competition guns are literally put together like Swiss watches and super accurate - although you are paying a lot for that. But they are beautiful guns. Only thing is standard velocity ammo ie not walmart bulk HV packs, is required.

Although I've never had a chance to fire one, you see the odd Colt Woodsman pop up for sale; or you can pick a Norc copy up very inexpensively. I know a couple people with the Norc's and they have been happy.
 
High Standard Citation

I have a Supermatic Citation by High Standard, nice guns if you can find them. I also have a P22, it had issues but a complete dissasembly and total polish of all internals including the lips of the clips and a stretch of the firing pin spring fixed everything, now it cycles without a bobble, still a much lesser gun compared to the High Standard.
 
i will give you the same advice i got, buy somithing second hand from someone you trust. shoot it, love it, and you will have it forever or trade in for a new one latter, my find was a H&R Side Kick in mint condtion for $50.
go to a gunshow and look around and ask some people, some guys will talk, some wont, but if your lucky you might find that one jem that you love at first glance. dont be afrad to ask what they have, tell them it looks nice, but your looking for a .22, you would be suprizsed at whats out there. you just have to look for the old timers(guns) they might have a younger brother they want to get rid of. :)
 
browning

I would look for any of the older browning 22 pistols. the Medalist, International, Challenger all shot excellent and the parts are interchangeable. I have been using them for the past 38 yrs and yet have to find a better pistol. The S& W 41s the top line Highstandards are also great pistols.
 
Challenger

Junkyard Dawg said:
You might consider an older Browning Challenger, my first purchase in '68. The picture displays it with the 4 5/8" barrel, I also have a 6 5/8" barrel and a heavy Medalist barrel 6 5/8". I liked it enough that when the opportunity happened, I picked up a second one which is destined for a nephew when he is old enough to own it.

BrowningChallenger.jpg
Click to expand...

X 2. I currently have four .22 pistols and the Challenger is the one I like the feel of best, its my default plinker. Mine is the original Belgium made with 6 5/8 barrel. It is externally worn from use but works flawlessly. I paid $185 for it including 2 mags and hard case but that was at least a decade ago. I would think it is worth about $300 on today's market.
 
for classic pistol look I would say Izh 35M if you can get your hands on one. I just bought Wlather P22 and I do not care about issues it works great and looks just best of all 22 pistols. A bit too small grips for my hands though. SW 41 will be my third choice. From then on I would go with 1911 conversions.
 
That's pretty strange that someone would think the Ruger was ugly. I have a Hunter and a target model. I consider them a lot nicer looking then the Smith and Wesson 5946 that I was issued. Plus they beat the hell out of the S&W for accuracy. The only thing the "combat" pistols have going for them are the compactness for CQB and the fact that they are very reliable. Unfortunately most of the .22 copies aren't reliable.

I'd go with an Ugly duckling any day. In fact I did twice.
 
Junkyard Dawg said:
You might consider an older Browning Challenger, my first purchase in '68. The picture displays it with the 4 5/8" barrel, I also have a 6 5/8" barrel and a heavy Medalist barrel 6 5/8". I liked it enough that when the opportunity happened, I picked up a second one which is destined for a nephew when he is old enough to own it.

BrowningChallenger.jpg
Click to expand...



this pistol is my favorite,I will never regret my 350$
 
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