22LR handguns? opinions?
- Thread starter Sigfan7
- Start date
Wolfstrack
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Lower Mainland BC
I've tried alot of 22's till now and everytime I have to admit the Ruger MK I-III remain the 22LR master, very accurate and reliable, feed any kind of ammo with no problems!
Now I have only one "baby" in 22 caliber, a SS Ruger Bull MKIII and this one will stay with me forever!
Now I have only one "baby" in 22 caliber, a SS Ruger Bull MKIII and this one will stay with me forever!
easyrider604
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Greater Vancouver, BC
For me, a 22 handgun is a plinker or a cheap practice gun for a centerfire piece.
If your purpose is plinking only, I'd suggest a Ruger MkII or III.
If purpose is practice for a full-bore pistol...pls read on.
I had a Ruger MkII and a Browning Buckmark back when I had several 1911s. I sold the MkII first, because it didn't feel anywhere close to my 1911s. Later sold the Buckmark together with my last 1911.
If you are a semi-auto shooter, try to find a .22 LR version of your semi-auto centerfire of choice.
The Browning Buckmark has similar ergonomics/controls to the 1911, for example.
Since I mainly shoot .357/38 revolvers these days, I kept only the S&W 17-2 as my .22 practice revolver as it has the same format as my L-frames, although it is smaller because it is a K-frame.
The Ruger is a great .22 but I chose my .22's for the same reasons as easyrider's just above. I wanted some nice .22's for their own sake but just as importantly I wanted them to closely resemble my other pistols' grip angles so shooting them helped with shooting my other pistols.
In my case this lead me to a used S&W 422 and a new Tanfoglio Force 22. Neither are leaving my possesion any time soon.
In my case this lead me to a used S&W 422 and a new Tanfoglio Force 22. Neither are leaving my possesion any time soon.
FWIW, I have 3 .22 handguns, a Ruger MkII GC, Beretta 87T and a S&W 617. One comes with me to the range at all times. All three are different and extremely enjoyable to shoot and all have been accurate and reliable. I find the Ruger MkII GC to be the most accurate for me, followed by the 617 and the Beretta 87T. Of the three .22 handguns I own, if I had to chose only one to keep it would be the Ruger. YMMV.......
Mike Oxbig
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Scarborough Ontario
The Rugers are great guns and at a decent price too. My favorite .22 shooter is by far the S&W model 41.
Firearms are very specialized tools. You have to define your primary intended purpose, and your expectations of the capabilities of the pistol.
x2
If you want a .22LR practice gun for a centerfire pistol, buy that pistol.
If you're a Sigfan, buy the Sig. If you're a 1911 fan, buy the 1911...
- Location
- London, Ontario
Ruger Mark III 22/45 is a good choice
x2 Love my Model 41
Yes, you need to define your purpose and get something that is appropriate. But only to a point.
I disagree.
Trying to "match" a rimfire to the centrefire gun you are shooting, is NOT necessary. You can either shoot well or you can't. And is pretty much irrelevant what equipment you use. If you can't transfer skills from one type/style of gun to another, then there is something very wrong with your technique.
Shooting a different style/type of gun can bring out faults in your technique much quicker and more obviously than only shooting one style of gun.
Sort of like learning to drive a car. Skills learned in a 4 cylinder are transferable to a V8 regardless of the type of car.
As to the original question. We have lots of 22s and the one that seems to always go to the range is a Ruger MkII 5.5" bull barrel.
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1300_stainless
Regular
- Location
- Nova Scotia, Canada
I have to recommend the Rugers too. I prefer the Mark II as it has no mag safety. You can get them in lots of different configurations to suit your taste and needs. If you're looking for something a little more "classic" the single six is nice. It also gives you the option of a little extra bang with the 22mag cylinder.
