22lr rimfire pistol recommendations

Very happy with the Pheonix Arms 22 with range kit I got from I RUN GUNS. On sale now for $229.00. Easy to do business with those folks too.
 
Just my 2 cents - I have both the GSG1911 and the M&P22. I prefer the M&P but both are great guns both function well. M&P is way lighter. I also got both of these because I was getting a 1911 in 45 and a M&P9.
 
For small hands consider the Ruger Bearcat. Sweet little revolver and ideal for small hands. The only smaller pistol that I've seen would be the North American Arms revolvers that Wanstalls sells.
 
I'd say the Norinco M93 fits your criteria. My older one ate everything I fed flawlessly. I sold it but have since picked up another. Havent taken the newer one to the range yet but I'm sure it'll shoot well. There's a lot floating on the EE for reasonable prices

Agree. x2
 
I have the GSG 1911, nothing but positive results. Easy to manage, accurate POI, light weight and CHEAP to shoot. If you don't have hours of fun with this pistol every time you go out, and cheap too, then something is wrong. GSG make the best .22 semi 1911 around. By the way, probably around 4,000 or so rounds down range, Federal Bulk ammo, only chabged the rubber bumper on guide rod.

Where did you buy it?
 
I've been eying that up as well. reviews seems to be pretty positive. Can anyone who actually owns one comment on the grip size, could a small girl hold it comfortably? were talking 100lb, 5'2" ish with hands that are probably around the size of a 12-14yr old.


before you say it... no she is not 12-14! she HAS managed to fire my g17, but she ends up having to hold it so low on the grip that the pistol twists uncomfortably, she won't be doing that again.

It's a small gun but it still feels good with average and even larger hands. It's also a classic little.22lr that is currently available for a reasonable price.
I think you will both be pretty happy. The sights are fairly basic and small typical of older military pistols but mine shoots great with bulk ammo.

If for some reason you don't like it I think it would be easy to sell for close to what you paid, specially if that time comes after the supply has dried up.
 
I can recommend: a Ruger MkI Std 6" barrel, a Ruger Single-Six 4 3/8" (c/w extra .22Mag cylinder) and my GSG 1911-22. All three are affordable and offer tons of fun and reliable, affordable shooting. The MkI is one of the most naturally pointing pistols I've shot. The Single-Six is downright fun (blasting wasps with shot cartridges is a hoot) and the GSG is a sturdy practice companion when popping away with my 1911 .45ACP. Whatever you choose, pick up an assortment of ammo to see what YOUR pistol likes best. Have fun :)
 
I have the gsg, norc clone, and the walther p22. I would have to eleminate the norc, just cause its only OK. Gsg is just to big, and that leaves the goldielocks, walther p22, which is just right. Mine did have a few issues but they were easy fixes, I recoment a complete strip and polish all internal parts with 600gr, and give the pin spring a little stretch, there are a couple of back straps you can change out,,, aswell as the bottom profile of the mag has two shapes to fit different hand sizes.
 
I've heard lots of great things about the GSG1911, and the Mark III as well is very reasonably priced. I have heard some good things about the Norinco Woodsman as well. I'm deciding between one of those three for sure after I get a TT33.
 
I have/had

1. Colt 1911 .22lr Gold Cup Trophy(made by Walther) high quality slide made from aluminum, steel sights, fit and finish perfect. picky on ammo. costs more than GSG but worth it imo.
2. Sig P220 .22lr classic. Feels good. aluminum slide. no last round slide open, plastic mag. picky on ammo
2. Ruger 22/45 Lite gold color. Great gun very accurate, light (too light for my taste), eats all kinds of ammo.
3. Ruger Mark 3 target 5" heavy barrel. Feels super solid and dream to shoot. eats all kinds of ammo. My favorite.
 
Ruger MKIII...

...I've tried most of the others mentioned in this thread and IMO, the MKIII is the best of the bunch.

(Although, I'm sure you can get much better if you have really "deep pockets")
 
Last edited:
I originally wanted a Ruger 22/45 or a Mark III but I couldn't find one for sale anywhere, except for a couple of used ones that were going for "new" price, so I bought a Sig Sauer (GSG) 1911-22 from The Gun Dealer in Macadam when I was at the gun show in Fredericton this year.

I'm very happy with my purchase, despite some break-in issues. If you don't polish the rails to reduce friction, cheap ammo doesn't have the "oomph" to reliably force the slide through its whole path of travel and you'll end up with stovepipes and failures to feed. Once it's broken in, though, it's a great pistol.

The best thing is that it's a fantastic training pistol because it's the same size and damn near the same weight as a "real" 1911. When I upgrade to 9mm or .45ACP, I'll already be comfortable with a 1911 frame in my hand.
 
If you want something a bit smaller and like the 1911 platform check out the Browning 1911-22. It's 80% of the size of a full size 1911, which means for smaller hands (kids, small women, etc) it's the perfect fit. It's a bit more $$ than your $500 budget ($570ish if I remember correctly), but definitely a nicer finish than the GSGs. I've been looking for a .22 pistol for my wife (she enjoys shooting the M&P but it's definitely too big for her hands), and the Browning wasn't even on my radar until I saw one at a local shop the other day. Really nice looking pistol. Only downside are the sights which suck. Definitely on her short list and worth checking out if you want something to fit smaller hands that still looks like a real pistol.
 
I bought a Berreta Neos U22 7 years ago and put some 10,000+ rounds through it. Great gun, took many a first time shooter out to the range with it. Female friends loved it for its looks and the 'more gentle' introduction to handguns. The grip is narrow and fits a smaller hand well, trigger is "so so" but you can live with it. Keep the slides in the magazine clean and it will never jam (I used CCI Mini-Mag HP only so not sure of how it handles other ammo). Single thumbwheel allows you to field strip it and clean it easily.

Would highly recommend you look at one. Shame I sold it recently for next to nothing when I moved out to Victoria otherwise would have sold on to you..

Hope the advice helps
Joe
 
Another vote for norinco M93 , its a knock off of the colt woodsman and goes for about $179CDN, ive put thousands of rounds of cheap ammo through it and never had more than the occasional duds that you get with bulk ammo.
 
The club I belong to has a rimfire division for 3 gun. I was confiding getting a GSG, but I have been told that the magazines are a little delicate. Does anyone have any experience using a GSG for practical shooting and will the gas handle being dropped on the ground?
 
Back
Top Bottom