.22 handgun for Steel Challenge

beltfed

beltfed

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Shot a steel challenge match this last weekend and had a blast. Changing out holsters and mag carriers/speed loaders was a bit of a pain when switching guns, and I'm thinking .22 might be fun.
Other than owning a top end .22 kit for a Sig 226 that I owned years ago which never saw range time, I've never owned a .22 handgun.
I'm thinking of adding One to the mix for giggles and my initial search has me gravitating to the Ruger Mark III or IV.

Thoughts from those that are into .22 handguns or Steel Challenge? Any other pistols I should be looking at?
 
CDTSA or BTSA? I was at the BTSA match on Sunday.

I have been shooting my S&W 617 for steel. Most are shooting Ruger MKs.

M
 
Over at Rimfire Central there's a lot of emphasis on selecting and modifying a gun to be as light as possible for use in Steel Challenge. But from my own steel shooting experience I've found that a somewhat heavier gun works better. It's more stable and kicks less and I was able to move and take shots faster. I've got a S&W422 which is easily as light as a LITE Ruger and I find that shooting a regular steel 22-45 is better.

Some will say that the heavier gun has more swing to it during fast transitions between targets. And that's true, it does. But if your stance includes a slight turning out of the elbows and keeping them slightly broken instead of locked you will form a good supportive frame to hold the gun. And where the targets are grouped closely and not much movement is needed between shots the heavier gun really comes into its own by settling after the shot and being ready for the next.

For myself I find that for two handed holding the more vertical "1911" style grip angle presents the sights in a more in line way as I raise the gun to the shooting position. The more swept angle of the Mk series seems to point more naturally from a one handed side on stance typical in bullseye shooting. So my personal taste for a Steel Challenge gun would be a version with more of a 1911'ish angle. And with your owning the 226 I'd say you would also be better with the more 1911'ish angle 22-45 models if you choose to go with a Ruger. Or you could go with a Buckmark which all come with a grip angle that is better for a two handed hold. And out of the box the Buckmark has a nicer trigger than a stock Ruger. So it saves you wanting to dive immediately into the whole modification scenario.

I would also suggest checking into the new S&W Victory. That seems like a nice rimfire gun as well.
 
beltfed said:
Thanks - good info to chew on.



CDTSA.

I wouldn't shoot with the Back sTabbers Shooting Association if you paid me...
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You're such a child, it's kinda sad.

Ruger MKIV would be my choice. Very well made and nice and heavy for quick follow up shots. Plus, easy disassembly. Price can be a little on the high side for some of the "fancy" models, but the regular black target version isn't too bad. I'm am looking at getting the Stainless Target once I've sold a few of my extra firearms.
 
Blastattack said:
You're such a child, it's kinda sad.
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HA! I'm the child? It's been a few years, and still no apology to those members of the APRA that were thrown out...sad indeed. LoL

gnmontey said:
What's that about? I belong to both. Each has it's quirks, but the people at both are great.

M
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There are some good people in the BTSA along with some massive dycks within the club and the greater APRA. Your money, enjoy it if you can.

Scotty454 said:
Were you at the 8 stage at Milo on Saturday?
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I was.
I haven't seen or heard of one bit of inter-discipline squabbling like other clubs. Quite refreshing.
 
beltfed said:
HA! I'm the child? It's been a few years, and still no apology to those members of the APRA that were thrown out...sad indeed. LoL



There are some good people in the BTSA along with some massive dycks within the club and the greater APRA. Your money, enjoy it if you can.



I was.
I haven't seen or heard of one bit of inter-discipline squabbling like other clubs. Quite refreshing.
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I was also there, but I'm pretty new, don't really know names yet (and I'm famously bad with them anyways)

Lol who you is? I'm Scott, was shooting a CZ shadow and a 686. Ran out of ammo halfway through, haha (now I know better)
 
Smith and Wesson SW22 Victory. I have owned or own a Buckmark Camper, SW22, Ruger MKIV and the Beretta U22 (I have other 22's but these are the heavier target style models) and I will say that the Buckmark and the SW22 walk all over the Ruger. I ended up selling my Ruger after about 1000 rounds and sticking with the Buckmark and the Victory. Both are a much better value and much better shooting/more reliable guns. The MKIV had a heavy and stiff trigger and the rear sight was very sloppy and impossible to accurately adjust...and the grips did not fit my hand very well at all. While the buckmark is awesome, the SW22 is a better value and easier to strip and clean...but you cannot go wrong with either.
 
gnmontey said:
I heard the turn out was less than stellar? 6 or so I was told.
M
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Turn out was pretty light at 7 of us. It made for a quick match with lots of rounds down range.

Scotty454 said:
I was also there, but I'm pretty new, don't really know names yet (and I'm famously bad with them anyways)

Lol who you is? I'm Scott, was shooting a CZ shadow and a 686. Ran out of ammo halfway through, haha (now I know better)
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Hey Scott, Mike. Was shooting the Sig and S&W 625.
Hope to see you Thursday nights :cool:
 
I made the switch to rimfires for steel challenge this year. I went with a Buckmark lite and a Buckmark rifle so I could use the same mags in both. They both have been reliable and accurate. Beltfed if you want to try my pistol out just bring some ammo out to a Thursday night steel challenge.
 
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