.22LR Handgun Choices

Finch

Finch

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On a Dirt Road, Eastern Ontario
Looking to get a .22 handgun for practice on the cheap, however I'm really confused as to where to concentrate my efforts. Anyone have any suggestions on a decent .22 that has the feel of a larger calibre weapon? Any make I should stay well away from?

I thought that the M&P 22 looked awesome, then I realized it's barrel length was a problem here.

Thanks everyone!
 
For the feel of a fullbore handgun, you can't beat a Ruger. Mk III 22/45 has the grip, angle, feel of a 1911, and the controls are all in the right place. Go with the Bull barrel target for the adjustable sights. Mine will keep em on a 12" plate at 50 yards shooting freehand with bulk ammo.

You can get some with grip screws/bushings so you can replace the grips with whichever 1911 grips you want. Mine doesn't have that option, but there are lots of how to videos on youtube on how to install grip bushings yourself.

I got mine for $400 plus taxes, though I'm told that now they're a little more.
 
mwjones said:
For the feel of a fullbore handgun, you can't beat a Ruger. Mk III 22/45 has the grip, angle, feel of a 1911, and the controls are all in the right place. Go with the Bull barrel target for the adjustable sights. Mine will keep em on a 12" plate at 50 yards shooting freehand with bulk ammo.

You can get some with grip screws/bushings so you can replace the grips with whichever 1911 grips you want. Mine doesn't have that option, but there are lots of how to videos on youtube on how to install grip bushings yourself.

I got mine for $400 plus taxes, though I'm told that now they're a little more.
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The one(s) you want have their catalog # in Ruger.com ending with RP (for replaceable Panels)

P512MKIIIRP 10140 Alloy Steel Blued Checkered Cocobolo 5.50" 9.50" 33.00 oz. $389.00

They stopped producing the 6"7/8 barrel in Stainless Steel.
 
Since I've been in your shoes recently, I can suggest a few other things to consider before you make a purchase.

1. Your current budget/your future plans. If you plan to move to centerfire calibers some time down the road, you might want to get a .22LR pistol you can later convert to centerfire caliber, like SIG P226 (possibly P229, not sure if the centerfire x-change kits are available for P229 in Canada). It is more expensive to begin with, but then you're only spending like $400 to convert it to either of 9mm/.40S&W/.357SIG.

2. How comfortable you are disassembling the gun. The .22LR is a very dirty round and you will need to at least field-strip your gun to properly clean/maintain it. Some .22LR guns are harder to field-strip/disassemble than the others. Some might require you to zero it after reassembly. Some are sort of tricky to take apart, but once you've done it once you can do it in less than a minute. Google the manuals for the guns you're considering and see what kind of tools (if any) are required for field-stripping/disassembly and what the procedures are like.

Now as far as suggestions go, I would recommend either the cheapest .22LR you can find (I believe they are Norinco M93 which is a Colt Woodsman clone and maybe the russian Margolin MCM). The new M93 is $150-$180+taxes/shipping and if you're patient enough you might score a used Margolin for about $200-$275. If you're comfortable spending a bit more (about $700-$750 all in for new one or about $600 for a used one) I'd get the SIG P226 Classic in .22LR (do NOT confuse it with the SIG Mosquito) because you can convert it to 9mm down the road.
 
pep said:
Same here. I have had my GSG for a month now and put 800 rounds through it. Love the gun. Great plinker and cheap way to practice!
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same here no issues at all shoots great right out of the box i ran 600 rounds through mine in one go and it was outstanding the whole time
 
GSG 1911 if you like 1911s. Beware GSG can be picky with ammo, seems to like higher speed like CCI mini and stinger.

FTF on every rnd of Eley which was 10 buck a box, too tight (Eley worked great on CZ 455)
 
I bought a Browning camper a few months back and find it functions very well for the approximate 1500 rounds I've put threw it so far and it seems very accurate.Only thing I don't like is that the safety pinches my hand when it fires using a high grip.I didn't like the angle of the grip on the Rugers .22's compared to my CZ shadow-just to different!
 
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