.22 LR Target Pistol- S&W VS Ruger VS Browning

PGXHC

PGXHC

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Howdy Y'all

I just got into shooting in the last year or so, and I don;t have any friends who are into it, so I am turning to the internet!

I was hoping to get some recommendations for my first .22 LR target pistol.

I have been considering the S&W Victory or Ruger 22/45 or Buckmark pistols.

What are your experiences with these guns/manufacturers? Should I am to get a pistol with a removable barrel, or are they easy to clean without?

Which one is going to be accurate while also accepting any ammo I put through it>

THANKS!!!
 
The Ruger Mark 2 . not the Mark 3. the Mark 2 has a nice trigger and is very accurate and reliable . and it will feed about anything you put through it in 22 LR. I have heard the 22-45s are nice but I only have experience with the Mark 2.
 
They're all going to be very similar accuracy wise, since none are true target .22's. Also, .22's are finicky by nature so looking for something that accepts "any ammo I put through it" is pretty much out of the question. CCI Mini-Mag's seem to be the default solution to most reliability problems.

Prepare yourself for a plethora of replies by various members telling you to purchase a particular model based on THEIR preferences. Since there's very little separating the three that you've mentioned I'd just but the one that appeals to YOU the most.
 
I can speak only to Victory and Buckmark. Both are very similar except grip size. Both also need tools to tear down. Buckmark has more models as does Ruger’s line. Ruger’s of old are harder to tear down but Mark 4 series has solved the problem. So it will really come down to what feels better to you. Or get all three�� if that tickles your fancy.


Good Luck ��
 
I have a browning buckmark and like it. I have the urx grips and find them very comfortable I got the fibre optic sight but that is my preference might not be yours. I have shot it a lot and had no problems. Quality is good and if accuracy is a problem its not the guns fault. If you have any specific questions about them feel free to PM me.


I don't own a sw victory but I have looked at them and like them, the price is not to bad for them.
 
Unless you're willing to jump into the $1100-$1300 range for a used S&W Model 41 a Ruger is the way to go. The availability of aftermarket parts alone sets them head and shoulders above the rest. Put a Volquartsen trigger kit in a Ruger bull barrel MKII, III or IV and it will shoot better than most us will ever be capable of. Nothing wrong with the Buckmark or Victory but their selection of upgrades is much more limited than the Rugers.
 
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Get yourself an older Browning Challenger off CGN. Sights are excellent, adjustable and work. The trigger is fully adjustable, about the singly most important factor in beginning to shoot handguns accurately. Avoid the S and W M41 as the trigger is not adjustable and sights are poor. The S and W M and P 22 is perhaps the worst pistol ever designed so avoid it too. The various Rugers are only just okay for target shooting but a Challenger will beat them every time. On the other hand, any Smith and Wesson revolver like the M17 will equal a Browning Challenger in a slow fire target match. So, go old anytime choosing a target quality pistol.
 
ted_dent said:
Put a Volquartsen trigger kit in a Ruger bull barrel MKII, III or IV and it will shoot better than most us will ever be capable of. Nothing wrong with the Buckmark or Victory but their selection of upgrades is much more limited than the Rugers.
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The new Rugers are great pistols with a little help on the triggers.

The easy clean feature of the Mk4 guns makes them winners.

If an accessory is made for a .22 pistol, it will be offered for the Ruger.
 
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shms said:
I have a browning buckmark and like it. I have the urx grips and find them very comfortable I got the fibre optic sight but that is my preference might not be yours. I have shot it a lot and had no problems. Quality is good and if accuracy is a problem its not the guns fault. If you have any specific questions about them feel free to PM me.


I don't own a sw victory but I have looked at them and like them, the price is not to bad for them.
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X2. Off a brace it shoots 1/4 size groups at 15 yards. Except when I screw up of course. Only thing I don't like is I find there is too much curve in the trigger. I would prefer it a bit flatter. Doesn't really affect anything but we all have our preferences.
 
I think that either a Ruger or a Buckmark would serve you well.
The Rugers can be difficult to take down & put back together and I found that the slide on a Buckmark
with my large hands can be difficult to get a grip to rack the slide.

My advice would be to try them both and see which one feels more comfortable.
 
Wilbur1005 said:
Get yourself an older Browning Challenger off CGN. Sights are excellent, adjustable and work. The trigger is fully adjustable, about the singly most important factor in beginning to shoot handguns accurately. Avoid the S and W M41 as the trigger is not adjustable and sights are poor. The S and W M and P 22 is perhaps the worst pistol ever designed so avoid it too. The various Rugers are only just okay for target shooting but a Challenger will beat them every time. On the other hand, any Smith and Wesson revolver like the M17 will equal a Browning Challenger in a slow fire target match. So, go old anytime choosing a target quality pistol.
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Good observations this.

I would add the much newer PPQ 5".22,. I hear it comes with an excellent trigger, like it's 9MM stable mates and I maybe wrong but I believe it can be dry fired without harming the gun Don't quote me on that. I understand the guns are remarkably accurate. They are striker fired and well made. I would add the Model 17 aka K22 ought to be an older version, not much comes out of S&W these days that drips with workmanship. If you can manage a heavy trigger the SP-01 Ruger 8 shot .22 or the GP-100 10 shot in .22 is also worth a look. The latter is expensive but from what I hear worth it.

Take care

Bob
 
I own/owned two mark IV and one S&W Victory. Sold mark IV 22/45 and still have Mark IV Competition and Victory. They are both more accurate than me and very comfortable/decent 22 pistols. Victory for sure offers more value for the price (about half of Mark IV competition). The stock trigger of Victory is much better than Ruger's and comes with rail if you want to add a red dot. I like both anyway.
 
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