Best .22lr pistol?
- Thread starter JohnGl
- Start date
I much prefer my S&W Model 41. It is just so easy to shoot accurately.
Donny Fenn1
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- East Kootenays
Aren't they all made by Umarex and then the names put on? As in not a "real" Colt, Walther or GSG just a licensed version/copy of something that looks like a 1911?
S&W 41 is 'ok' but don't overlook the older High Standards...when I shot a lot more than now...it was always the High Standards that were completely tolerant of whatever crap ammo I fed them where as the model 41's would generate alibi's...to be sure my 41 with an old 7" barrel was very reliable but the 5" was a 'picky' PITA..very accurate and reliable with what it liked...but otherwise a pain. ALSO I found the grip angle on some of the HS's to be more comfortable..although a military trophy (with grip angle like a 41) would always shoot very well despite the fact that I was pulling the trigger. The Smith 41 (and the HS's) are beautifully made and a pleasure to own...and make the Ruger .22 look like a nasty piece of stamped tin!!!! Having said that I do NOT remember many (or any!) 'alibis' declared by Ruger shooters and as far as results were concerned the Rugers did as well as the very high end Walther's ...or anything else on the line!! I would NOT own a Ruger BUT I would NOT bet against one from winning all the 'medals'...my observations were that that nasty piece of stamped and cast components could shoot VERY well!
Edi to add... the Browning Medallist was always a nice pistol that never seemed to 'embarass' their owners and could run forever. They were also beautiful.... I could never understand why they didn't sell them as 'boxed pairs' in those plush blue velvet lined boxes...Like a set of fine 'Duelling Pistols'!!
If you want the 'best' .22 revolver...I am pretty sure you would need to look at Freedom Arms 97 or 83!..and yes the 'Smith's' are very nice but accuracy is variable on some
Edi to add... the Browning Medallist was always a nice pistol that never seemed to 'embarass' their owners and could run forever. They were also beautiful.... I could never understand why they didn't sell them as 'boxed pairs' in those plush blue velvet lined boxes...Like a set of fine 'Duelling Pistols'!!
If you want the 'best' .22 revolver...I am pretty sure you would need to look at Freedom Arms 97 or 83!..and yes the 'Smith's' are very nice but accuracy is variable on some
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- Location
- Edmonton, AB
See if your local range has a bullseye club, those are the fellows that have the accurate 22's.
- Location
- West Quebec
I purchased a new S&W 41 from Wolverine. It was a turd and I returned it. Bought this instead and couldn't be happier...
What were the issues with the 41 ?
It was a misfit gun. Mags wouldn't latch, mag release assembly would jam. When a mag did properly seat the gun wouldn't fire??? Oh and the wood stocks were milled incorrectly... A great feeling gun but for $1400 S&W needs to step up the quality control.
Lonesome Donkey
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Central Alberta
Obviously, it's a revolver, not a pistol, but anyway....
My all-time favorite .22 handgun goes to the Ruger New Bearcat.
I've owned single-sixes and the Bearcat is just as accurate, more fun to shoot, and less clunky, IMHO.
Also, there is a jewel-like quality to them, and they retain the half-#### action of the old 3-screw Rugers, like a traditional single action.
But, for a semi-automatic pistol, available today, my vote also goes to the Ruger Mk III.
I owned a Ruger Standard Auto, way back when, which was the same pistol without the modern refinements.
Reliable, accurate, and tough as nails.
My all-time favorite .22 handgun goes to the Ruger New Bearcat.
I've owned single-sixes and the Bearcat is just as accurate, more fun to shoot, and less clunky, IMHO.
Also, there is a jewel-like quality to them, and they retain the half-#### action of the old 3-screw Rugers, like a traditional single action.
But, for a semi-automatic pistol, available today, my vote also goes to the Ruger Mk III.
I owned a Ruger Standard Auto, way back when, which was the same pistol without the modern refinements.
Reliable, accurate, and tough as nails.
Lonesome Donkey
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Central Alberta
Sad. Quality must have declined.
Those S&W 41's used to be the best of the .22 target autos.
Back in the day I used to shoot .22 target pistol in the 20 yard basement rifle range of the local high school.
The guys with the Model 41s could not be beat, although I gave them a run for their money with my Browning Medallist, which was a lovely, reliable, and accurate pistol.
For a new pistol, I would probably go for a Ruger MKIII for plinking. I have had a STD, a MKII, and a MKIII; my favorite for the MKII as it did not have the magazine disconnect on it. I am shooting a S&W 617 6 shot (pre lock and no MIM) now (deal too good to pass up), and I just bought a Ruger SP101 for my girls when they are old enough to come to the pistol range with Daddy.
You may want to keep an eye on the gun shops for an older S&W41 also; not a new one. I have bought 2 in the last 3 years from the local gunsmith with 71/2" barrels, muzzle breaks, and 90-95% bluing (lost some at grips) for $600 for one and $650 for the other. I had bought one for my Dad as a birthday present as he sold his years ago to buy me my first shotgun (and upgrade his); the other one I bought for his buddy who needed a replacement for one ha had previously owned.
You may want to keep an eye on the gun shops for an older S&W41 also; not a new one. I have bought 2 in the last 3 years from the local gunsmith with 71/2" barrels, muzzle breaks, and 90-95% bluing (lost some at grips) for $600 for one and $650 for the other. I had bought one for my Dad as a birthday present as he sold his years ago to buy me my first shotgun (and upgrade his); the other one I bought for his buddy who needed a replacement for one ha had previously owned.
wayupnorth
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northern Alberta
wayupnorth
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northern Alberta
ive got the Gold one, real pretty gun.
if i had to enter a accuracy competition with a 22 pistol i would not take my 22/45 Lite into it, i would take my Browning Benchmark.
its probably the weight (??)
To GD7 Re: Kimber Rimfire Super.
After some consideration, I'm in the former group of "I love it". To qualify, I have learned to love it. My initial impression wasn't great. The gun was too light and the plastic magazines looked and felt cheap. I was also pissed about spending that much and it only came with one mag. That said, the mags work really well. It was easy and inexpensive to pick up a few more mags. I believe I know have a half a dozen and never had a lick of an issue with any of them. So I guess, what does it matter if they feel cheap as long as they work well?
It's very accurate (although I've never shot groups over a Ransom Rest to see what it would really do). I don't think it has ever had a FTF or FTE in many, many rounds after I realized that it needs constant lubrication. The slide is aluminum and it binds if it gets dry and not covered in a film of oil. In the end Kimber is overpriced but I really enjoy it and won't sell it.
If I had to chose one semi-auto rimfire, I would still take the CZ Kadet over the Kimber Super (at about half the price) or any of the Rugers or Brownings. I've never owned a S&W 41 so I can't make that comparison. It's too bad they quit making the Kadet!
After some consideration, I'm in the former group of "I love it". To qualify, I have learned to love it. My initial impression wasn't great. The gun was too light and the plastic magazines looked and felt cheap. I was also pissed about spending that much and it only came with one mag. That said, the mags work really well. It was easy and inexpensive to pick up a few more mags. I believe I know have a half a dozen and never had a lick of an issue with any of them. So I guess, what does it matter if they feel cheap as long as they work well?
It's very accurate (although I've never shot groups over a Ransom Rest to see what it would really do). I don't think it has ever had a FTF or FTE in many, many rounds after I realized that it needs constant lubrication. The slide is aluminum and it binds if it gets dry and not covered in a film of oil. In the end Kimber is overpriced but I really enjoy it and won't sell it.
If I had to chose one semi-auto rimfire, I would still take the CZ Kadet over the Kimber Super (at about half the price) or any of the Rugers or Brownings. I've never owned a S&W 41 so I can't make that comparison. It's too bad they quit making the Kadet!
