What is the best 22 Pistol

TheTexan

TheTexan

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Ok, I know that this is a very subjective topic , almost like talking about religion, but I was wondering what you think is the best 22 pistol. It will be used almost on a weekly basis about 200 – 300 rounds an outing (got to keep my ammo cost down). My daughters have a S&W 22A (aprox 5,000 rounds) with no real issues. What do you guys think of the SW 22A, Ruger Mark II, or III and either a Walther P22 or SW P22?
I used a Ruger II and was very impressed on how accurate it was, but I have been told it is a little ‘tricky’ to strip and clean. I rented a Walther P22 some time ago, loved it, but can it take the high round count?
 
Once you've stripped a MKII/MKIII a time or two,it's a breeze.
Accurate,reliable,cheap,and lots of cheap goodies for it out there,i don't think you can go wrong with the Ruger.
 
I picked up a H&R Sportsman, I think model 999.

That is now my favorite hand gun. It's a revolver, not a pistol I know, but it holds 9 shots, and is a top break model. Lift up on the rear sight, and the gun pivots under the cylinder, then an ejector spits out the casings. Simple, accurate, and just fun to shoot!

I only paid $75 for it as well, on sale boxing week at Gobles in London. That was a deal, but you can find them cheap often, they are not considered great guns from what I hear, but I have now put over 1000 rounds through mine, and it's been excellent!

Mike
 
I would say high standard

As far as accuracy is concerned. The only drawback (having had 3 different models) is finding a high standard friendly load for ejecting. They do require a powerful bullet for proper ejecting. CCI's which are supposed to be a powerful shot, don't work well with these guns. Super X work 90% plus in warm weather. If you find a good bullet for these guns, I would say they would be the best 22 pistols.
 
I have three Rugers, two Hi Standards, and one S&W model 41. I benched them on a Ransom Rest with various ammo. Accuracy wise the S&W was just slightly better than the High Standard and these were somewhat better than the Ruger. All held 10 ring bullseye accuracy.

The Ruger is inherently but it has what I call a spongy trigger. Most people can't notice this. Only if you have worked at shooting do you notice this. If you are shooting Bullseye you should be able to feel the difference between the Ruger and those guns with less slop in the guts of the gun. The spongyness is caused by looser part clearances. The Ruger can be improved but I have never thought it worthwhile.

I like the feel and balance of the High Standards. Triggers are just as good on either.

While the S&W 41 is slightly more accurate the difference is insignificant. I prefer the High Standard because it feels better. This is an important factor.

I have shot few high end target .22s. While good guns (and some I didn't like) I don't see them as being worth buying since they are quite a bit more expensive than what I have and are not better considering the lack of commitment I have in shooting bullseye.
 
dgal said:
I vote for browning buckmark
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me too!
i got a new browningbuckmark in stainless not too long ago and so far it has been functioning flawlessly, it went for around 2000 shots of cheap stuff (so far it will eat anything) without cleaning it and only the last time i went to the range did it start jamming!

So i field stripped it yesterday for the first time and cleaned it, it was pretty easy to field strip (not glock easy but alot more than a Ruger mkII-III)
and it started to function like it used to!
 
dgal said:
I vote for browning buckmark
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X3

I've got a Buckmark Contour 7.5 URX It shoots better than I do. Super comfortable, great pointer, well balanced. I slapped on a 10 year old Bushnell RDS on top of it and it shoots so well I haven't bothered taking it off. I've scoped it and shot near MOA off the bag. Not bad for a pistol.
 
I've got a Ruger Mk III Hunter with a few thousand rounds through it and the only malfunction has been the odd failure to fire. I don't blame this on the gun but rather on poor ammo. Stripping it can be a bit tricky but if you (I know this sounds crazy) READ THE INSTRUCTIONS, there is nothing to it.
I think the rugers are great guns and at $600 (for the most expensive Hunter version) the best value as well.
 
I have a High Standard Victor. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another. They are getting pricey but they are worth it. I have shot several Mod 41 smiths they are accurate as well. They also made a Mod 46 at one time. Not finished as well but still accurate. I feel the top values are the Ruger semi-autos. They are as accurate as anything and reasonably priced. Just my 2 cents. Kevin.
 
DMcFaul said:
X3

I've got a Buckmark Contour 7.5 URX It shoots better than I do. Super comfortable, great pointer, well balanced. I slapped on a 10 year old Bushnell RDS on top of it and it shoots so well I haven't bothered taking it off. I've scoped it and shot near MOA off the bag. Not bad for a pistol.
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x4

I don't have alot of expirience with other 22 pistols, but I did try a P22 and a Ruger, and I didn't like them. I went with the buckmark

I've heard good things about Hamerelli
 
The one that fits your hand and makes you smile. You pretty much can't go wrong with any .22 for plinking. Don't forget the wheelguns too if that's your thing; seems semi-auto is what you're looking for too.
 
A far too complex question to be answered in a forum like this. I like several and my preferences may not be the same as yours. I shoot target leagues so do rimfire and centrefire together and want to have both guns feel the same in my hand if I can for example. Some shoot only .22 and there are guns that do a great job in that case alone. And some simply like to plink and there are guns that are good for that. I have some very inexpensive revolvers and some expensive revolvers that I love; and I love my Ruger Mk II and Mk III's in Stainless Steel. Ditto my SAF 602 and 603. And I would really like to get a set of Walthers if I could afford them. There are just too many to choose from. But the good news is that whatever you choose there is always going to be something better! Gives one something to look forward to. I really do like the MkII in Stainless tho.
 
Let me simplify the question

Thanks everyone for their input. Let me simplify the question. Of the three i mentioned (and the ones i have some experience with) which would you recommend. I did find all three comfortable and that is not a deciding factor. Things i am looking for. Eats ammo reliable and can stand up to a very high round count.
The Choices are
1. S&W 22A
2. Ruger MKII or III
3. Walther or SW P22
 
Under your new post: I'd say the Ruger MkII or MkIII. It will eat ammo reliably and stand up to a high round count. Mine has digested over 10,000 rounds in 2 years with only minor cleanings. If you want durability I'd steer away from the Walther P22 because I've seen some starting to show signs of "critical" wear at 8000 rounds. By this I mean that they needed some gunsmithing soon or they'd be failing...YMMV.
 
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