22LR handguns with aluminum slides... Longevity/durability concerns?

[domyalex]

Thanks for all the replies. I already own a Ruger Mark II which I will never sell. Runs like a Swiss watch, and is all steel. The next on my list was the 22/45, but I wanted to eliminate any other options first. It looks like I'll most likely be grabbing the 22/45 after all. Only other option is a guy I know might be selling an old Browning Medalist bullseye gun that he never shoots anymore.

My dad has a Buckmark, but the way the gun is designed really bothers me. The barrel is held in place by a cheesy screw which comes loose easily, resulting in a wobbly barrel. I love that the Rugers don't use any screws. I really don't understand how people have such a hard time with the assembly and disassembly of them. I think the design is ingenious.

Now to decide between the 22/45 with the 5.5" target barrel, and 4.5" threaded barrel...

Never happened to my Buckmark in 1000's of rounds; is your dad using (blue) loctite as recommended?

 

[Melnibonean]

I have a Sig exchange kit for my 226, which is all aluminum as well. A few thousand rounds through it without a problem. Eats anything.

 

[gooch]

10K plus rounds through my m&p 22. Lots of wear marks in the finish on the slide but still going strong. Eats anything 40 grain. Occasional FTE on anything lighter.

 

[sgt.rock]

My S & W 422 has about 11000 rounds through it. Aluminum frame and steel "half-slide". My friend FINALLY got rid of his Sig Mosquito after 2 years trying to sell it. He tried at least 30 different kinds of .22 ammo, and NEVER got a full mag to finish before the FTF/FTE's and jams against the chamber/ramp area. Holy moly, that was a problem child.
I got a call last summer from the range that my friend had "blown up his gun". I raced out to the range (I live 5km from the range) to find his GSG 1911 split in 3 pieces. He had 300 rounds through it, and tried CCI mini-mags to see how they shot. Third shot and "mini-kaboom". Never did find the rear site. No injury occurred, just a "stunned look" as he thought that was not possible with a rimfire. Bloody "pot-metal" slide. Just like the hi-point guns.
Aluminum machined slides should be no problem for the power of .22lr, but stay FAR away from any of those "pot metal" slides if you can. Ruger's are popular for a reason. Mainly that reason is called "indestructibility".

 

[Magellann]

I wouldn't be afraid of getting a GSG, mine and many others are still working fine.

 

[gnmontey]

What are Buckmark slides made of? Mine didn't appear to be steel.

M