Lifetime .22LR pistol?
- Thread starter delavan
- Start date
I picked up a tuned used GSG 1911 from the EE and a local CGNer.
My rationale is that I wanted a 1911 in 22lr that shot well and that I could use to tune (and retune) my shooting skills at the range before picking up the S&W 1911 and launching .45$$ at the paper. I am very happy with this purchase and I have well over 1,000 rounds through the GSG and use it at the start of every shooting session. And, if for ever reason I shoot like crap, I just call it a day a move over to the long guns.
BTW GSG makes good firearms and I also love my GSG stg 44.
My rationale is that I wanted a 1911 in 22lr that shot well and that I could use to tune (and retune) my shooting skills at the range before picking up the S&W 1911 and launching .45$$ at the paper. I am very happy with this purchase and I have well over 1,000 rounds through the GSG and use it at the start of every shooting session. And, if for ever reason I shoot like crap, I just call it a day a move over to the long guns.
BTW GSG makes good firearms and I also love my GSG stg 44.
Ruger Mk2 if willing to buy used; nice ones out there for $300. Ruger Mk IV if buying new. Buckmark is another good choice but I find them more roughly finished than the Ruger. If willing to buy used and can stretch the budget another $100 then the S&W 41, no contest. Revolvers, look at the Ruger Single Six/Ten and S&W 17/617; all are well built and reliable but .22 revolvers aren’t my thing.
GSG/Sig(also a GSG)/anything Umarex are all potmetal trash. They’ll work for awhile, but in 50 years they’ll all be toast.
Old Brownings, High Standards, Hammerli’s, Unique’s, FAS’, Walther’s etc are great shooters but have no parts availability. Given that you’re going to shoot this gun a lot, that will eventually pose a problem. I just had to cannabalize one of my 208’s to keep the other going....painful.
GSG/Sig(also a GSG)/anything Umarex are all potmetal trash. They’ll work for awhile, but in 50 years they’ll all be toast.
Old Brownings, High Standards, Hammerli’s, Unique’s, FAS’, Walther’s etc are great shooters but have no parts availability. Given that you’re going to shoot this gun a lot, that will eventually pose a problem. I just had to cannabalize one of my 208’s to keep the other going....painful.
If you want a gun to last you forever, GSG's are not it.
You want something made out of steel, ruger MK 3, Smith Wesson 41 , Hi Standard supermatics, Smith Wesson model 17, ruger revolvers will all last for ever, if cleaned and oiled once in a will, The browning's are good also I hear good things about the S-W victor that have out now, don't like the look, but that is just me.
Lots of good euro target 22's out their, but mags can be a problem.
I have never seen the point to conversion units, you pay as much as a good gun, thou the CZ's are good
Every one need a quality 22 revolver, new ones will cost more than you want, but lots of good used ones out their.
and there are lots of good ruger MK 2, 3 , the MK 1 is a good gun also, but no hold open on the last shot and the early ones take a 9 round mag, later MK1's will take a MK 2 mag, 10 rds.
You can pick up good ones for 300-400.oo in blue, Browning Challengers are nice , but mags are hard to find.
You want something made out of steel, ruger MK 3, Smith Wesson 41 , Hi Standard supermatics, Smith Wesson model 17, ruger revolvers will all last for ever, if cleaned and oiled once in a will, The browning's are good also I hear good things about the S-W victor that have out now, don't like the look, but that is just me.
Lots of good euro target 22's out their, but mags can be a problem.
I have never seen the point to conversion units, you pay as much as a good gun, thou the CZ's are good
Every one need a quality 22 revolver, new ones will cost more than you want, but lots of good used ones out their.
and there are lots of good ruger MK 2, 3 , the MK 1 is a good gun also, but no hold open on the last shot and the early ones take a 9 round mag, later MK1's will take a MK 2 mag, 10 rds.
You can pick up good ones for 300-400.oo in blue, Browning Challengers are nice , but mags are hard to find.
I second this, great reliable gun that makes you a better shooter.
Model 17 as well but for me I wanted ten shots and stainless for that forever looking new look.
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I've had the GP K22S for two years and IMHO is one of the best (if not the best) .22 semi-auto pistols on the market. It has fantastic ergonomics. With four interchangeable backstraps it fits any hand size and shape. It has excellent accuracy with a thick barrel fixed to the internal frame. The slide is made of high quality STEEL which is unheard of for other .22LR pistols on the market. I've shot various types of ammo like Federal Champion HP Value Pack, Mini mags, AR Tactical, American Eagle HP, Blazer, Aquila Super Extra etc. without any problems whatsoever. It's priced at $499 which is a great price.
The other .22LR pistol which I love is a Norinco M-93 Sportsman. I bought it on impulse for a ridiculous price of $200 ONIB (the remnants of 1990's production). It's a full steel pistol, essentially a Chinese copy of a Colt Woodsman. Impeccable fit and finish on par with the original Colt production. Super accurate up to 25 yards. Eats any type of ammo without hiccup. Perfect for people with small hands. Unfortunately, it is very hard to find nowadays for sale. People don't want to part with it.
Last edited:
ambishooter
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I definitely agree, a Kadet Kit or the cheaper Antreg Zenith for your CZ75. Ruger MKIV or a Browning Buckmark for almost the same cost of your conversion kit.
Here are official specs from hte source Ruger.com, note regular vs. Light version dif:
MARK IV™ 22/45™ LITE
Capacity:10
Receiver Material: Aluminum
Front: SightFixed
Barrel Length: 4.40"
Grip Frame: Polymer
GripsCheckered: 1911-Style
MARK IV™ 22/45™ TACTICAL
Capacity: 10
Material: Alloy Steel
Front Sight: Fixed
Barrel Length: 4.40"
Grip: Frame: Aluminum
Grips: Checkered Synthetic
10 rounds and stainless - I definitely want this one - true art never gets old.
I guess ruger messed up and sent me a custom one-off MK IV tactical with a polymer frame.... because mine is definitely a polymer lower. I have a steel barrel/bolt/receiver, but the lower half of the frame with the grip is all polymer with only a steel tab at the front for the receiver to connect to.
**Edit** I have the 22/45 tactical NOT the MK IV tactical. My mistake!
Here’s what I found from ruger:
MARK IV™ 22/45™ TACTICAL
MODEL NUMBER: 40149
CALIBER: 22 LR
Capacity10
Receiver MaterialAlloy Steel
Front SightFixed
Barrel Length4.40"
Grip FramePolymer
GripsCheckered 1911-Style
FinishBlued
Width1.22"
Rear SightAdjustable
Barrel StyleThreaded
Thread Pattern1/2"-28
Weight33.3 oz.
Overall Length8.50"
Height5.50"
Grooves6
Twist1:16" RH
CA ApprovedNo
MA Approved & CertifiedNo
Suggested Retail$529.00
MARK IV™ 22/45™ TACTICAL
MODEL NUMBER: 40149
CALIBER: 22 LR
Capacity10
Receiver MaterialAlloy Steel
Front SightFixed
Barrel Length4.40"
Grip FramePolymer
GripsCheckered 1911-Style
FinishBlued
Width1.22"
Rear SightAdjustable
Barrel StyleThreaded
Thread Pattern1/2"-28
Weight33.3 oz.
Overall Length8.50"
Height5.50"
Grooves6
Twist1:16" RH
CA ApprovedNo
MA Approved & CertifiedNo
Suggested Retail$529.00
I've got a lot of .22 handguns. Just have a thing for them I guess.
You can go for one only but I really feel that two or possibly three would be a nice "little bit of everything" in the rimfire pot and be a nice core for a balanced rimfire section of your handgun shooting.
At a minimum I'd suggest one semi and one revolver. I do tend to agree with the folks that it's nice to go for steel for the major moving parts. And for that I gotta say that it's tough to go wrong with a Buckmark, Ruger in a style you like or possibly the new S&W Victory. I've had two Ruger Mk III's and really once fitted with the mod to remove the silly magazine disconnect feature they are simply not that complicated to field strip and re-assemble. Do it a few times at first and again once a week for a month or so and it'll be cemented firmly in your mind for ever after. I've never had a Buckmark but I know many that do have them and they are just great reliable guns. The other side of my own rimfire semi auto crib is the older S&W lineup of a 422, a 2206 and recently I added a rather clean looking 41. The Rugers will go eventually but the S&W's are staying as long as I can shoot... or until Justin takes them away....
Along with one of these I'd suggest one or maybe two revolvers. The Ruger Single Six has been mentioned and it is a great gun to let you get in touch with your inner cowboy. And to that I'd add that if Pietta 1873's in .22LR come back into stock that would not be a bad option either.
Then there's double/single action revolvers like the S&W 17 and 617. Frankly I've tried some others and these are the top of the heap. Trigger feel and overall solidity make the S&W the way to go. Either an older 17 or K22 or one of the newer 617's. The others simply can't hold a candle to them. These cost more by far. But you DID say that this would be a lifetime investment and you want something that feels good enough that you take it to the range a LOT and shoot it. A S&W will do that. The one possible older gun that might compare would be a Colt Officer's Match in .22LR. But those don't come along very often and parts are likely becoming harder to find.
You can go for one only but I really feel that two or possibly three would be a nice "little bit of everything" in the rimfire pot and be a nice core for a balanced rimfire section of your handgun shooting.
At a minimum I'd suggest one semi and one revolver. I do tend to agree with the folks that it's nice to go for steel for the major moving parts. And for that I gotta say that it's tough to go wrong with a Buckmark, Ruger in a style you like or possibly the new S&W Victory. I've had two Ruger Mk III's and really once fitted with the mod to remove the silly magazine disconnect feature they are simply not that complicated to field strip and re-assemble. Do it a few times at first and again once a week for a month or so and it'll be cemented firmly in your mind for ever after. I've never had a Buckmark but I know many that do have them and they are just great reliable guns. The other side of my own rimfire semi auto crib is the older S&W lineup of a 422, a 2206 and recently I added a rather clean looking 41. The Rugers will go eventually but the S&W's are staying as long as I can shoot... or until Justin takes them away....
Along with one of these I'd suggest one or maybe two revolvers. The Ruger Single Six has been mentioned and it is a great gun to let you get in touch with your inner cowboy. And to that I'd add that if Pietta 1873's in .22LR come back into stock that would not be a bad option either.
Then there's double/single action revolvers like the S&W 17 and 617. Frankly I've tried some others and these are the top of the heap. Trigger feel and overall solidity make the S&W the way to go. Either an older 17 or K22 or one of the newer 617's. The others simply can't hold a candle to them. These cost more by far. But you DID say that this would be a lifetime investment and you want something that feels good enough that you take it to the range a LOT and shoot it. A S&W will do that. The one possible older gun that might compare would be a Colt Officer's Match in .22LR. But those don't come along very often and parts are likely becoming harder to find.
