First .22LR pistol - Norc, Ruger, other?

MauserMike

MauserMike

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Any consensus on a decent first .22LR pistol to buy for some fun plinking and target shooting? I was looking at the Marstar Norinco M93 Colt Woodsman clone but in that $150 price range, I was thinking that I might be better off with a 2nd hand Ruger Mk I or II.

$350 gets me into something like a new Ruger Mk III. The 22/45 has some appeal because I'm seriously considering a Colt 1911 as a 2nd gun. I don't think I can spend much more than that at the moment though.

BTW, feel free to PM if you've got something collecting dust. This is my "shove it, McGuinty, Bryant and Miller" gun.
 
I really like my M-93 but it is not in the same league as the other .22 pistols. It is a good buy for the price.
 
I have two Brownings and a Ruger Mk III.
Happy with all of them.
Find the Browning (esp. the Lite model) a little nicer to shoot.
P&D has (had?) a 22/45 for $310.
Can't do any better than this on a new quality gun.
 
I tried Ruger Mk III, 22/45 and the Browning Buckmark in a store today. Not really feeling any more certain though not being able to shoot them!
 
I've fired a ruger Mk 3 and use to own a Walther P22. But if I get another .22 I'd have go for a S&W Model 22A. It feels better in my hand than the ruger did and is very accurate. Its definitely not a plinker.
 
I recently got a the Norinco M93 because I (already) have a number of centerfires and wanted a handgun that's cheap to shoot; so I can save money on ammo.

If you don't mind spening more money than get a Buckmark they're very nice; (I like them better than rugers).

If you don't plan to compete with it than Norinco will do just fine, if you want to get serious with it than you probably need to get a better gun than Ruger anyways since you'd be up against guys with $2000 target pistols :eek:
 
Lot's of people seem to find the assembly of the Rugers difficult but I've found it to be pretty straight forward if you follow the directions and once you've done it a few times it's easy.
I bought a M93 but returned it because the quality was not what I wanted....I ended up buying a used Mk II target for $100 more and feel the extra money was worth it.
I recently bought another used Mk II with a shorter bull barrel and it is very loose(receiver/frame) compared to my first one.....the buyer told me he never noticed it but to be fair I never asked if it was loose as I was unaware that this could be an issue.
I've since shimmed it and it is now tight but if you are buying a used ruger on the EE ask how tight the fit is between the barreled receiver and the frame! It should require a slight tap to dissengage the lug on the frame.
 
Ruger Mk III Hunter, 22/45.
Pros:
6 7/8" Stainless fluted bull barrel
HiViz fibre optic sights
Feels right
Handles almost all ammo well

Cons:
Disassembly/assembly, BUT read the instructions and practice, you will strip it in 20 seconds.

Buy a Ruger, you'll enjoy it!

Cheers :D
 
Had a Ruger and the accuracy was fantastic but just couldn't get past beating the barrel/receiver off the grip with a mallet......that's just whacked!
Disassembly/resassembly sucked even after many times. I always hated doing it.
 
I'll go out on a limb here, Ruger. The bull barrels might be a bit heavy for some people.
Buy one used, sell it for the same amount in 5 years time.
I disassemble once every 5 years, whether it needs it or not.
 
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