What is the best .22 rile/pistol in your opinion

VE3RADIO

VE3RADIO

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Hello All,

This is my first post so If I did this in the wrong forum I apologize.

I finally received both my PAL / RPAL in the mail after about 55 days or so of waiting. Now that I have my license in order I am looking to buy 2 different firearms to start off; a .22 rifle and a .22 pistol, I like the .22 as the .22LR ammunition is cheap and easy to acquire and the recoil on .22 is much less than the recoil on a .45 etc... and likely easier to learn and start out on.

So far I have my eye on a Ruger SR-22 for the rifle side of things.. would anyone have any suggestions for the pistol? Obviously I want it to use the same .22LR ammunition.

Thanks in advance guys.
 
I cant speak too much on the pistols but on the rifle side of things i do know that you'll probably never go wrong with a ruger or a browning. There are alot of good names out there and alot of bad names. And for most people it comes down to personal tastes. The best advise i can give you is to go with a reliable brand name over accessories. Some companies offer a wide variety of accessories but the quality of the inner workings can be flawed. Do your research and choose whatever feels right to you. At some point youre probably gonna buy a firearm you hate. It happens to all of us. Dont get discouraged.

Curtis
 
Congrats on your PAL/RPAL~the wait is over, the fun begins! :) Yes, you're in the right place to ask about 22 rifles for sure, and lots of guys on here either have...or have opinions about 22 pistols. I don't have an RPAL, but I'm interested enough in owning a Ruger 22/45 LITE that I'm seriously considering getting licensed-up to do it. I've shot them, they feel right to me...and I like the look of them too.

As for rifles~you'll hear TONS of different opinions I'm sure, and if you're looking at an SR-22 most guys will have a sense of what your budget is. I think the first thing to consider beyond that is "what do you plan on doing with the rifle?" The SR-22 is a Ruger 10/22 at heart, and they're not really know for stellar accuracy. They are the only 10/22 I'd actually like to maybe own at this point, but between the price of them, the heavy trigger, and spotty accuracy...they're not on my wish list for what Ruger charges for them. For that money, I'd prefer an accurate bolt gun. Which is why I have a nice bouquet of accurate bolt guns, and no Ruger 10/22s. :) My sensibilities.

So if you like "black guns", and if your plan is to casually target shoot, I think the SR-22 would be awfully fun for that. If you plan on shooting it off a bench, hoping to shoot tiny groups on paper, or plan to make 50-75 yard head shots on squirrels..it's very much the wrong tool for the job in my opinion. If it'll never leave an actual shooting range where you can shoot restricted, you have other AR-type, restricted options to consider too.

For me, and for my needs/expectations~I FAR prefer bolt guns. In fact, I highly recommend them for new shooters (if you are one?) BECAUSE they're inherently more accurate, have better triggers, are WAY easier to clean, fewer moving parts, etc. The best value (but not the cheapest) are the CZ452 series. Discontinued, but can be found. I have a 452 Varmint (heavy barrel) that I shoot prone, or off a bench only. There are bolt guns that cost about 2/3 as much like the Marlin XT series, the Ruger American, the new Savage B22, but I've never owned one of them. My last few Savage rimfire bolt gun experiences haven't been great, but the new B22 model looks interesting and I've heard/read very good things about them.

Lastly~no matter what 22 you end-up with, it won't be your last...so I wouldn't stress too much about it. Also, every gun will show a strong preference for one or two ammo types...so buy samples of everything you can get your hands on and hit the range! With bolt guns (unlike some semis with some ammo types) you'll almost never experience a FTF (Failure to feed) or FTE (Failure to eject). Most semis, including the 10/22 I bought new, will usually digest standard velocity ammo with no issues if kept reasonably clean.
 
.22LRGUY said:
So if you like "black guns", and if your plan is to casually target shoot, I think the SR-22 would be awfully fun for that. If you plan on shooting it off a bench, hoping to shoot tiny groups on paper, or plan to make 50-75 yard head shots on squirrels..it's very much the wrong tool for the job in my opinion. If it'll never leave an actual shooting range where you can shoot restricted, you have other AR-type, restricted options to consider too.

For me, and for my needs/expectations~I FAR prefer bolt guns. In fact, I highly recommend them for new shooters (if you are one?) BECAUSE they're inherently more accurate, have better triggers, are WAY easier to clean, fewer moving parts, etc. The best value (but not the cheapest) are the CZ452 series. Discontinued, but can be found. I have a 452 Varmint (heavy barrel) that I shoot prone, or off a bench only. There are bolt guns that cost about 2/3 as much like the Marlin XT series, the Ruger American, the new Savage B22, but I've never owned one of them. My last few Savage rimfire bolt gun experiences haven't been great, but the new B22 model looks interesting and I've heard/read very good things about them.
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Thanks for the replies guys! And yes I love the look and feel of the "Black Guns" but I would love to get a nice bolt as well.. this is simply a starting point. I live in the city so I wont be able to take it out in my backyard or anything like that so it will for certain be on a bench at the range until I get my dream home with all the land I could ever want :) As for accuracy that is important, but this purchase is more of a collector piece that will be fun to use. I will look for accuracy in the pistol and further purchases. Another option I was toying with although different is the Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 Sport .22 LR which is on sale at Cabella's.. I could even pass the savings on to the pistol purchase... anyone have any experience with the Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 Sport .22 LR?
 
I have several 22 pistols. An m&p 22, a ruger mak 3, and a browning buck mark. The best 22 pistol I own by far is an old beretta 71. I bought it used, and I love it. It’s function is flawless, it’s accurate even with what at first looks like crude sights. My only 22 pistol I would never sell.
 
The best 22 rifle would be along the lines of Anschutz , Cooper etc.Pistol wise a S&W model 41 is worth considering. But it doesn't sound like you really want the "best. Lol
 
Lately I've seen a lot of guys with their 22 semi auto pistols jamming. The buck mark guns seem to always run though. There are several great revolver offerings if that is in your scope
I prefer bolt guns for rifle accuracy but if you want a fun plinker to toy with buy a 10/22. You'll go broke upgrading everything on it
Don't kid yourself though. Buying guns becomes a sickness
 
For an economical and accurate rifle I went with a Marlin model 60. I'd shy away from the SR-22 if I were you. Like already posted it's a 10/22 at heart and since its "tacticool" they don't seem to keep their resale value. Seen lots of used one's in EE.
For pistols I started with a S&W M&P .22 as its almost identical to its 9mm and 40 cal big brothers. Great for semi-auto training and plinking. For target and accuracy I have an S&W SW22 Victory. Little tack driver that one...

Welcome to the money pit!
 
seems like you have made your mind up on the rifle. Keep in mind a standard 10/22 will shoot as well as the sr version for half the price and will be much lighter nothing wrong with the sr 22 just something to think about.

for pistols check out a browning buckmark or the smith and wesson victory these pistols might not have the tacticool look but will be more accurate and function well.
 
shms said:
seems like you have made your mind up on the rifle. Keep in mind a standard 10/22 will shoot as well as the sr version for half the price and will be much lighter nothing wrong with the sr 22 just something to think about.

for pistols check out a browning buckmark or the smith and wesson victory these pistols might not have the tacticool look but will be more accurate and function well.
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I am taking everything you have all said in to account, I have not made a solid decision, was leaning the SR-22 way for sure.. but the general opinion on here is that there are much better and cheaper options.. I thank you guys for that and am considering something else. This is exactly why I asked! One of my friends who is also in the hobby told me the best advice he could give me was to do my research first.
 
VE3RADIO said:
Thanks for the replies guys! And yes I love the look and feel of the "Black Guns" but I would love to get a nice bolt as well.. this is simply a starting point. I live in the city so I wont be able to take it out in my backyard or anything like that so it will for certain be on a bench at the range until I get my dream home with all the land I could ever want :) As for accuracy that is important, but this purchase is more of a collector piece that will be fun to use. I will look for accuracy in the pistol and further purchases. Another option I was toying with although different is the Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 Sport .22 LR which is on sale at Cabella's.. I could even pass the savings on to the pistol purchase... anyone have any experience with the Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 Sport .22 LR?
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The M&P is the rifle I was thinking about, but keep in mind...you'd likely never be able to use it on your "dream property" being restricted. At least with the SR-22, you'd have WAY more options. I also wouldn't be getting an SR-22 if you're after a "collector piece" either. I think the only way it would (rather, "might") increase in value was if you never shot it, kept it in it's original box untouched, and willed it to your grandchildren one day. Even then, Ruger would have had to stop making them well before that.

Re: "look for accuracy in the pistol"~even though an SR-22 is not a target rifle, your chances of shooting it more accurately THAN a pistol are very good. I guess it's a question of what your expectations are. stubblejumper is spot on too~the "best" 22 rifle would be an Anschutz, and I bought a dandy one myself a few months ago. I suggested a CZ because they're amazing guns for the money, and very close to the cost of the SR-22. Less actually, for a gun that will outlast you. Whether or not scoping a bolt gun and using that holds more appeal than an SR-22? Your decision. In my experience, giving inexperienced shooters their FIRST opportunity to use a rifle, almost everyone picks a self-loading/semi-auto over a bolt action. In every single case (including kids)..interest in the semi disappears first. Why? Flying brass/rapid fire is fun...but hitting what you're aiming at, nearly every single time...might just be more fun.
 
I'd second the bolt action rifle suggestion. I have a 60's era Browning T bolt that is a joy to shoot.

As to the pistol I'm a Buck Mark guy and have had very good luck with mine. That being said the Ruger MK guns are highly thought of as well.
 
Also consider used firearms. If you have a local gun store near you, go in and have a talk with them.

Buying locally is a good idea. Over time you will build up a relationship with the store and staff.

I'm sure a lot of the posters here can recommend a store in the Durham area that has knowledgeable staff.
 
My favorite 22lr Pistols are the smith & wesson model 41, and the ruger mkII's, & III's
My favorite bolt gun that is not an anschutz (pricey but awesome) is a cz 452 varmint.
My favorite crazy accurate semi is a ruger 10/22 with a trigger job & a KIDD heavy target barrel.
 
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