Suggested .22 Target Pistols

Loyer

Loyer

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SW Ontario
I need some advice on purchasing a .22 semi-auto pistol for target practise. Not match pistols.

It would need to be in the $500 or lower. Can you suggest some make/models to investigate and maybe some make/models to stay away from ? (ie: I am guessing Norinco .22's suck)
 
I'm a new shooter and have spent countless hours researching, talking to experienced gun guys and test driving pistols.

I narrowed it down to the Ruger Mark III (~$330 to $400) and the M&P 22 (~$440 to $500).

I had originally considered the Sig P226 Classic, or the Mosquito (since I've been lusting after Sigs and figured that it would be a good idea to get on the Sig platform so I can transition easily). But, the web chatter just isn't very favourable. Sigs are apparently picky with ammo and demand the good stuff (which kind of defeats the purpose of cheap .22LR plinking).

The Ruger is very highly reviewed (and is in fact used as the club pistol at the range I'm in the process of joining). I know it sounds vain, but I just don't like the looks of it.

I ended up with the M&P 22 because:

1. It is well-reviewed for both accuracy and ease of maintenance.

2. It is very similar to the full size, bigger bore M&P platform (so if I choose to stay with S&W I will have consistency and my training will carryover).

3. I like the way it looks and feels.

The main downsides are:

1. Magazines are hard to find. It only comes with one.

2. I'm not crazy about the sights, and getting good replacement options up here in Canada (e.g., Dawson Precision) is not easy.


That's my $0.02.
 
The classics seem to be the Colt Woodsman (discontinued), Ruger Mk III Hunter/Competition, S&W 41, and the various Walthers. Maybe there's a recommended Browning slabside too, but I wouldn't know.

M&P22s and SIG P226/Mosquitos and CZ Kadets, while awesome guns, aren't "target" pistols.
 
I don't mean this as harsh or as a dismissive answer. But go use the Search with ".22 pistol" or ".22 handgun" as your keywords and change the search parameters from "and newer" to " and older. You'll quickly find that this topic comes up generally once a week. And once the replies are all in the same answers come back every time.

In fact here's a link to the search for ".22 handgun" with that parameter change. This should keep you busy reading for a while;

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/search.php?searchid=8026915
 
Loyer said:
I am guessing Norinco .22's suck)
Click to expand...

Many people will agree with your guess, but I love my collection of Norinco M93s. Mine definitely do not suck, and it's nice to have access to a very economical copy of a classic Browning design.

I spend more time shooting my M&P22, but only because I'm cross training for my M&P9. My nephews prefer the M93s.
 
A while back I picked up a used Beretta Model 70 from Reliable Gun in Vancouver $349.95 + TX they said they had more coming in, very solid all steel gun,accurate and reliable. Here is a stock picture of a similar gun...mine has the rear sight set on the rear of the slide. Check the EE...there were a couple for sale a while back.

 
There are several 22’s that you can get in this category. The Ruger Mk III is a very good rugged pistol. It’s a good shooter right out of the box. It has a lot of aftermarket products available for it which will enhance it. Some of these items are economical and other’s can be a little pricey. Another good pistol would be the Browning Buckmark. Again this is a good shooter right out of the box. There are fewer aftermarket parts available for it but few are required. Slight modifications with the original parts and you can get a very nice trigger pull on it. There is also a S & W 22A. Not as nice as the Model 41 but then again 1/3 the price. It’s an ok shooter but has very few aftermarket parts. Trying to smooth out the trigger would require a bit of internal polishing of the insides. Work on the sear you might want to have a gunsmith do if you are not comfortable with it. In my opinion those would be the frontrunners in the market you are looking for. Which is the best well that will all depend on the individual? My opinion I would probably rate the Browning first, followed very closely by the Ruger, and then finally the S & W. But like I said that’s just my opinion.
 
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