Handgun recommendation for entry into Bullseye Shooting?

Screamin-D

Screamin-D

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Hello everyone.

I am looking for some helpful information. I know similar kinds of questions have been asked before, but I don’t think with a specific path in mind (at least not that I could find so far).

I am looking to get into the Bullseye competitions at my club (indoor, 20 yard, 1 hand, 22LR, etc) in the fall (qualifications start end of summer). When I bought my first (and currently only) handgun, I went with my heart rather than my head and bought a Sig 1911-22. I’ve always wanted a 1911 so when I got licensed (this year) I bought this. It’s a fun handgun and satisfies my want of a 1911, but I’m afraid not very accurate for Bullseye (now I know I have a lot to do with that, but from what I’ve read, they are more a plinker than competitive; I’ve already put a ZRTS kit in it). So, I started doing some research on better 22s for Bullseye competitions with budget in mind (not rich or even close). At my club, I shot a member’s S&W 41 with mini red dot on it and did very well with it (and it was only the 2nd handgun I have ever shot – first was the club’s Ruger Mark ???). I would really like one of these, but budget won’t allow for it (close to $1000+ for a used one in good shape, plus the cost of the red dot). In my research, I’ve found a few others (around the $500ish [I can come up with] range for used or new):

Browning Buck Mark
Ruger Mark 2/3
S&W SW22 Victory
High Standard Sport King

My question is, does anyone have any of these that could fill me in on how they like it and its accuracy? Any issues with them (I know the Ruger you apparently need a Masters in Engineering to takedown/rebuild from what I’ve read). What ammo they generally like? Again, I know it’s subjective and accuracy depends on the shooter more so than the handgun, but all info is helpful. Looking for something for the best bang for the buck that I can easily (and cheaply) put a mini red dot on it (my sight is not what it used to be). Most reviews I’ve read on these are from people/companies that put a few rounds through them then write the article. I’d like to hear from people that actually shoot (or have shot) these in ernst.

Thanks.

Screamin-D
 
I have a Victory and its my go to fave.
I haven't tried Bullseye with it, but I shoot paper at 20 yards indoors and its a tack driver.
Trigger is great out of the box but I dropped in a Tandem Kross flat faced upgrade as well as grips and halo charging handle and a Bushnell First Strike red dot - all for well under $1000
(The Tandem Kross upgrades are very reasonably priced.) and its super easy to disassemble and clean!
Like I said it's my go to over my S&W M&P .22, CZ75b, Sig P320Rx. I can shoot it all day!
 
The S&W Victory is a great buy The Ruger Mark IV heavy barrel target great pistol out of the box Bulls Eye Sports $719 good grips sights easy take down. Both are accurate bullseye guns the S&W is a lot cheaper but you need add on's grips etc the Ruger is ready to run out of the box with a $20 base and whatever red dot . I have both all with upgrades either or is a good choice. Buy new if you can swing it club for sale guns are sometimes no bargain in the long run. My two cents
 
For around $500 another option is to buy an older euro target pistol like the FAS and Unique guns that CGN sponsor Trade Ex carries. In good condition, these are likely to be more accurate than any of the newer pistols you are considering, and in the same league as a S&W Model 41. Trade Ex is a reliable vendor. It's said that the euro guns have tighter chambers and the FAS in particular won't take US made ammo such as CCI SV which is probably the minimum quality ammo for serious target practice in 22LR. Pistols like these are heavy, with highly adjustable triggers, anatomical grips (almost all right handed), excellent sights, and sometimes barrel weights. Those features all make a huge difference, in one handed shooting. Their stock sights may make a red dot unnecessary. Personally I shoot a S&W 41 most of the time. If you are one of the many people who find that a good, light trigger makes a big difference in your accuracy, then in the new pistols that could be a reason to avoid the Rugers unless you are prepared to buy an aftermarket trigger kit. The Rugers are fine pistols (and all steel) but reportedly the trigger isn't their strong point. You can get these older euro pistols on CGN occasionally and that's fine as long as the selling member gives you confidence that that the thing works. I would not buy an older semiauto pistol at auction (having bought one, once, and it's still in the shop getting fixed at a cost that'll wipe out the savings on the purchase).
 
I have a S&W Victory with the Tandem Cross upgrade trigger and grips and it is plenty accurate enough for Bullseye. Any standard velocity ammo works well in mine.
I found the Ruger MK4 to be heavier and more stable but the trigger isn't as good out of the box.
The older target pistols are nice (Hammerli, FAS, etc.) but beware parts are hard to find.
 
I ordered a S&W SW22 Victory this week so I can't really comment on performance.
PM me if you're shopping for one, got mine at a very reasonable price.
However, I will be throwing upgrades as funds permit.
Online and CGN feedback on these have been very positive!
 
I shot Bullseye pistol competitively for several years when I was younger, gave it up for a few years and now getting back to it. Last year I bought 2 used Walther GSP's from Tradex. I forget the exact number but they were about $650 ea. One is .22LR , the other .32 S&W. They are a "convertible" pistol. One frame, grip and trigger unit, the top slides interchange to convert from rimfire to centerfire and back. Definite advantage to keeping same grip, frame trigger for both matches.
The Walther GSP was very popular with top level international competitors through the 1970,s, 80's, 90's and some still used by top level shooters today but Pardini seems to be more popular these days.
Tradex doesn't always have used GSP's in stock, you just have to watch their site for when they get some in and jump on them.
For a Target pistol in the $650 (used) range, I think this is the best buy out there, they are very reliable, my .22 shoots CCI SV very well and target guns shooting soft lead bullets will almost never wear out. The .32 can be a bit fussy to load - it will shoot 25 meters very well but getting them to shoot well at 50 yard can be a challenge but it can be done.
Not as pretty as the S&W M41 and 52 but not near the money and (I think) a better target pistol.
 
I shoot a Ruger mark iii 22/45 with 5.5 inch barrel with wood grips. It has the same shape as the 1911. Accuracy is good although im not really the best shooter but can generally keep it all in the black shooting American eagle. I picked mine up used with a tandem cross bushing installed and picked up a VQ sear. It can be difficult to take down and reassemble but ive only had it apart 3 times in the last two years one time was to install the new sear. Theres lots of help on youtube. It really doesn’t need to be torn down a lot. I am very pleased with mine it is a very well built and reliable pistol.
https://i.imgur.com/SU5Q8lG.png
 
Another option is if you can find a S&W 422 or 622 with a 6" barrel. The economical alternative to a model 41. I had one and loved it, till I came across a model 41 that was affordable (sub $900 shipped). It would be my pick if I didn't have a 41.
 
Quote Originally Posted by Grizzlypeg View Post
High Standard (The) Victor is a good gun. I also had a heavy barrel HS Citation and that was good as well.
Click to expand...

I have been using a High Standard Sport-King (owned it since about 78 or 79) with fixed sights, and IMO, doing quite well with it. Some others at our club who are fairly new to pistol shooting have a variety of more "target" style pistols, and their shooting has been improving significantly. We have members who have Baretta Neos, S & W Victory, a few with Rugers II, III & IV, and a couple of GSGs.

I was starting to see the need to get more competitive and began thinking about an upgrade to keep me competitive without breaking the bank. I fortunately have been able to handle all of these pistols, and shoot most of them, and frankly, they all have their merits but unfortunately, none of the triggers on any of them even come close to my High Standard. I started looking further and found a pair of High Standard Sharpshooter-M pistols at a dealer, and I went to look at them. One was older than the other, but both had barrels with rifling, chambers, and crowning that looked like new. The dealer let me dry-fire both, and if anything the triggers on each of them are better than the Sport King. I ended up buying the newer one, as the bluing on it was slightly better shape; a good strong 99.95%, as are the grips.

I await the registration.
 
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