Any .22 Pistols worth buying? I'm reading mixed reviews. Are they all junk?

st1264

st1264

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This is a newbie question, but is there a 22lr pistol worth buying? I'm reading many reviews and it seems that many of these are problematic. Is it the 22lr round that is problematic or is it the pistols? I'm going to buy my first 2 pistols in the next couple months and I was planning on getting a 1911 and an inexpensive but dependable 22 pistol to hone my skills and not break the bank.

My friend and I rented a few guns at the range, he rented a Walther or Sig 22 (don't remember which) and it jammed up on him twice! The range guys even warned us that they might jam.

So if anyone has any reviews or comments on these 22's they would be much appreciated.

S&W 22A
Ruger Mark III
Berretta U22 Neos
Sig Misquito (a little more than I want to spend)
Walther P22 (a little more than I want to spend)
Other examples you may have...

Or just get an inexpensive 9mm and a nice 45? Any input?
 
I have four .22 pistols. All of them are great.

GSG 1911-22
CZ 75/Kadet
Smith and Wesson 617
Ruger Single Six

Do some research on these four guns. Pick the one that you like best.
 
I've read good reviews of the GSG 1911. Blue line had them for $379 and would be a good match if you are planning on a 1911.

My experiance with .22 pistols and jamming etc is normally due to lack of maintance.
 
I have a Ruger Mark II and I can't recall that it has ever jammed, accurate also. I also have a Smith and Wesson 17 and that is a great little revolver and also accurate. For sure there are 22 handguns worth owning and it makes nice cheap shooting.
 
My friend just texted me. It was the Walther with a long barrel (5" maybe) that jammed up twice out of a box of 50. Speer ammo I think. We shot in the states, they had the little concealed carry pistols you could rent as well with 3" barrels.
 
Ruger and Browning have a good reputation for reliability when it comes to .22 pistols.

Revolvers obviously won't have failure to feed or eject issues. They are a bit more money usually but you can find a few deals out there and what I like most about revolvers is you don't have to pick up the empties!
 
Ruger or S&W revolvers are prolly most durable, esp. the Ruger Single actions, I'd stay away from the plastic semis.
 
GFORCE said:
Buy a 1911 and get a .22 upper.
Click to expand...

the GSG pistols are cheap enough, just buy one of those. then you get slide lock back and you have two pistols not one. buy a .22 upper when you are competing with your gun and using the exact same frame is more important

my sig .22 works great, but its one of the full guns, not the mosquito, review on it is here http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=510243 but chances are its more than you want to spend
 
There are LOTS of GREAT 22 pistols. Here are a few I have and can recommend

Ruger Mk II (or Mk III)
S&W 41
S&W 617 revolver
Beretta 89 (or 87)
Browning Medallist (or Challenger, Buckmark)

Yes, the above are a little more expensive (used), except for the Ruger, but you really do get what you pay for. The little extra cost is soon forgotten. All of the above I purchased used, without regret.

Spend $200 on a pistol, and you GET a $200 pistol.......

Remember that if you get a 9mm or especially a 45, a few WEEKS worth of ammo MORE than makes up the difference in cost between a good 22 and centerfire.

9mm = $30/100
45 = $50/100
22 = $6/100

(tax inc)
 
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Dexter Morgan said:
I have four .22 pistols. All of them are great.

GSG 1911-22
CZ 75/Kadet
Smith and Wesson 617
Ruger Single Six

Do some research on these four guns. Pick the one that you like best.
Click to expand...

These four are the best choices for your typical looking handguns.

If you like star wars then the rugers, buckmarks, and hi standards also work very well.

I just purchased a North American Arms Mini Master that shoots 22lr and 22mag which looks like it will be alot of fun!
 
X2 for Sandroad. You can't beat those guns...been around for years. Have all of them...browning medalist, challenger and nomad, old models great guns..original magazines are hard to find...but they are around. Western Gun Parts has parts for these guns. Changing barrels is the best part of these guns...6.5" sport barrel, 4.5" sport barrel and 6.5" heavy barrel. SW 41 has 5.5" and 7" inter-changable barrels also.
 
rattle said:
I've read good reviews of the GSG 1911. Blue line had them for $379 and would be a good match if you are planning on a 1911.

My experiance with .22 pistols and jamming etc is normally due to lack of maintance.
Click to expand...

That's interesting. Nice big frame for my large hands. I know nothing about these pistols however. I need to try as many as I can. That's why I'm giving myself lots of time. I've found with other big ticket items that I tend to upgrade. I want to buy the best items that I can afford at the time.

I don't want to skimp and get a real nice Kimber/Springfield/etc 1911 and a 22 or maybe even a workhorse 9mm which is dependable and reasonably priced. I'm leaning to a 22 due to the low cost of practice at the range. I know for a fact that my friend is planning on buying a 9mm, so I know I will get to use it. We will swap at the range whatever we buy.

Kimber Custom is the only 1911 I've shot but I loved the weight and balance. (I think this one is about $1000). Just felt good in my hands. I don't think any compacts will fit me. I have large and wide hands.
 
I had a S&W 22A and it was awesome. Never had any malfunctions of any sort and shot any kind of ammo I fed it. Also love the fact that it only takes 10 seconds to strip it down...with no tools.
 
Just picked up a Neos and took it to the range for the first time. Half a box of bulk Federal 525 and only two FTF, one being a dud round the other went off with a second strike. It cycles with monotonous consistancy and my wife had no troubles making consistent shots despite only being out shooting twice before. Having mixed experience with other 22s, I'm really liking the neos.
 
Buy a SIG P226 or P229 Classic .22 for around $610 and then get a 9mm slide for $500 or so and you have two very nice shooters for a decent price. I have two P226 with .22 slides and have had no problems with them. Feed any ammo.
 
st1264 said:
This is a newbie question, but is there a 22lr pistol worth buying? I'm reading many reviews and it seems that many of these are problematic. Is it the 22lr round that is problematic or is it the pistols? I'm going to buy my first 2 pistols in the next couple months and I was planning on getting a 1911 and an inexpensive but dependable 22 pistol to hone my skills and not break the bank.

My friend and I rented a few guns at the range, he rented a Walther or Sig 22 (don't remember which) and it jammed up on him twice! The range guys even warned us that they might jam.

So if anyone has any reviews or comments on these 22's they would be much appreciated.

S&W 22A
Ruger Mark III
Berretta U22 Neos
Sig Misquito (a little more than I want to spend)
Walther P22 (a little more than I want to spend)
Other examples you may have...

Or just get an inexpensive 9mm and a nice 45? Any input?
Click to expand...

They are not junk brother. Some made does better than the others but bottom line is you have to understand how semi auto 22 works and they were designed for high velocity ammo. Anyhow I would avoid buy Walther and Sig. Ruger and browning made excellent .22 pistol and so as the newer heat GSG 22. read some review and get one to your liking and go from there, know about your gun and make it work.

Trigun
 
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