What is the best .22 Semi auto Pistol?
- Thread starter HMMRDWN
- Start date
Ruger's 5.5" bull barrel models are swwweeet. Adjustable sights and very accurate. All Ruger MKIII pistols with adjustable sights now come drilled and tapped to accept a scope mount. (included)
Wholesale sports generally has the best ruger prices, I paid $309 for my MKIII 22/45 (P45GCMKIII 4.5" slabside)
AND
The whole breakdown thing. It's easy. You may have problems the first time, maybe the second time, but after that you should get the hang of it. If not, you are stupid. End of story.
Wholesale sports generally has the best ruger prices, I paid $309 for my MKIII 22/45 (P45GCMKIII 4.5" slabside)
AND
The whole breakdown thing. It's easy. You may have problems the first time, maybe the second time, but after that you should get the hang of it. If not, you are stupid. End of story.
I have owned dozens of rimfire pistols.
For me it is all about the trigger.
My favorite semiautos are the High Standard Victor and the Smith 41.
Both of mine can be a little fussy about ammo and need frequent cleaning.
If you are willing to do some custom trigger work the Ruger Mk II is indestructable, shoots almost any ammo reliably, and will keep firing even when very dirty.
For me it is all about the trigger.
My favorite semiautos are the High Standard Victor and the Smith 41.
Both of mine can be a little fussy about ammo and need frequent cleaning.
If you are willing to do some custom trigger work the Ruger Mk II is indestructable, shoots almost any ammo reliably, and will keep firing even when very dirty.
Depends what kind of shooting you want to do.
If it's plinking you want to do, I know a couple guys that swear by the Norc Woodsman copy. Cheap, no worries on whatever you put through it, and you can knock it around however much you like.
The Rugers are nice because (at least with the MkII's) there are more accessories available for them than most other .22 self-shuckers. Yes, takedown is a pain but as Nine eloquently put, you get used to it. If not, there is an outfit in the US that makes a quick takedown kit. Regardless, the rugers are good because they can be used for plinking, or with a little work, perfectly good as an above average entry level pistol for bullseye.
The High Standards and Smith 41 are great as described.
Then you get into the higher end target guns which are not only more money to buy but more money to feed as you should use only standard velocity ammo (no HV Wallyworld hollowpoint bulkpak, due to lighter springs normally used): FAS Domino, Bakail, Matchguns, Morini, Hammerli, and of course my fav, Walther.
With the higher end guns, please take one piece of advice: the difference it will make in your shooting, unless you practice three or more times a week or are aspiring to try some ISSF competition (which I highly recommend for fun actually), is negligable. 10%, maybe 20% difference if you are really concentrating, or something on your previous gun was bugging you. The only thing the more expensive gun quickly does is make you realize it is the operator behind the trigger which is causing the problems - the same problems you were experiencing with the "lower quality" gun. The target guns are adjustable up the wazoo which is great for fine tuning the gun to yourself, but most of us need to work on the other 90% coarse basics first, like controlling breathing, focusing on the front sight, and applying even trigger pressure - the fundamentals with any pistol.
Therefore, IMHO for all around fun and possible future considerations, I'd recommend a Ruger .22 MkII or III in a 5.5" barrel with adjustable sights, and then buy an aftermarket trigger kit and target grip if you truely want to go for the gold.
If it's plinking you want to do, I know a couple guys that swear by the Norc Woodsman copy. Cheap, no worries on whatever you put through it, and you can knock it around however much you like.
The Rugers are nice because (at least with the MkII's) there are more accessories available for them than most other .22 self-shuckers. Yes, takedown is a pain but as Nine eloquently put, you get used to it. If not, there is an outfit in the US that makes a quick takedown kit. Regardless, the rugers are good because they can be used for plinking, or with a little work, perfectly good as an above average entry level pistol for bullseye.
The High Standards and Smith 41 are great as described.
Then you get into the higher end target guns which are not only more money to buy but more money to feed as you should use only standard velocity ammo (no HV Wallyworld hollowpoint bulkpak, due to lighter springs normally used): FAS Domino, Bakail, Matchguns, Morini, Hammerli, and of course my fav, Walther.
With the higher end guns, please take one piece of advice: the difference it will make in your shooting, unless you practice three or more times a week or are aspiring to try some ISSF competition (which I highly recommend for fun actually), is negligable. 10%, maybe 20% difference if you are really concentrating, or something on your previous gun was bugging you. The only thing the more expensive gun quickly does is make you realize it is the operator behind the trigger which is causing the problems - the same problems you were experiencing with the "lower quality" gun. The target guns are adjustable up the wazoo which is great for fine tuning the gun to yourself, but most of us need to work on the other 90% coarse basics first, like controlling breathing, focusing on the front sight, and applying even trigger pressure - the fundamentals with any pistol.
Therefore, IMHO for all around fun and possible future considerations, I'd recommend a Ruger .22 MkII or III in a 5.5" barrel with adjustable sights, and then buy an aftermarket trigger kit and target grip if you truely want to go for the gold.
High Standard Supermatic Citation, it's the one I use when i want to embarrass myself about how badly I truly shoot. I use my Colt Woodsman Match Target or Officers Model Match Target (I know, it's a revolver, sue me) when I want an accurate gun to fun shoot with. - dan
reg said:
x2 - Have owned both, love the triggers, good sights, nice weight, but expect to deal with ammo/mag issues. Both benefit from target grips if that's what you're into. Both very easy to strip, clean & maintain. Both retain value well and can be used for target shooting or plinking (not that we can plink with handguns in Canada...).
/grayrc
22 pistols
My 2 cents worth I would go for an older Browning challenger or Medalist esp the Medalist Having shot one for over 30 yrs its been one of the nicest 22 autos. Next to it of course the 41 and most of the high standard targets are very hard to beat.
My 2 cents worth I would go for an older Browning challenger or Medalist esp the Medalist
Having shot one for over 30 yrs its been one of the nicest 22 autos. Next to it of course the 41 and most of the high standard targets are very hard to beat. 
Pte.BiC said:
I've got a couple, one I have unloaded several thousand rounds through, the other is my Wife's (so I keep telling her) and it has seen considerably less use. In any case, no problems to date. Easy to take appart and clean. I find it doesn't cycle very well if I leave it too long between cleaning (after 500 - 600 rounds it can get sticky). I haven't found anything it won't shoot (ammunition brand wise), though the really cheap stuff seems to cause cycling issues at about 300 - 400 rounds and the number of "fail to fire" rounds is higher. I simply load them back into the mag and try again, if they don't fire on the second try I pull the bullet and dump the powder. Both are accurate enough for the plinking I do.
Acutally, the best .22 semi-auto handgun is the one I currently own. Kimber Conversion ontop a Commander Frame. Did a few things to her and she is hand down the ###iest tac driver there is. Ill get some pics up soon. However, i cannot be held responsible for people turning green when I do.
waynewjw
CGN Regular
Owned and shot - Hammerili 280, S&W 41, S&W 2206 and Browning Medalist. The best of the bunch is also the oldest - the 1972 Medalist. Last weekend at the range I decided to see what it would do with some old PMC Zapper's - cheapo ammo and almost became a convert, or I was damn lucky. The 2206 sprayed all over the place for a cheaper pistol, the Smith 41 seems to spray less but has mechanical issues - misfeeds, and the Hammerili was probably a better shooter than I was capable of...so, I'd go with the Browning Medalist.
It took me almost 3 months to find a clean one, but am I one happy guy. Next up will be a wheelgun in .22.
It took me almost 3 months to find a clean one, but am I one happy guy. Next up will be a wheelgun in .22.
- Location
- Montreal, Quebec
My vote is for Ruger Mk I, II, or III.
Take down is easy, putting back together the first time is scary! But you will improve the second time, unless you have a real bad memory! LOL
Take down is easy, putting back together the first time is scary! But you will improve the second time, unless you have a real bad memory! LOL
waynewjw said:
When you look for a revolver in 22, the Ruger Single Six is AMAZING. With the extra cylinder, you have a gun that will shoot 22 shorts, 22 longs, 22LR, and 22 Magnums! When in the States, I use it on gophers, and boy does it get the job done! Its my fav 22 revolver.Check it out.
762shooter said:
I have to agree. I have a Ruger MkII, a couple Browning Challenger I, a Challenger III, and a few others. Out of all of them, I enjoy the old Challenger I the most. The fit and feel is the best out of what I own. It needs to be kept clean though. She'll start to misfeed if the action gets gummed up.
I will say that I enjoy my Ruger MkII more after the trigger job. I had it tuned by a gunsmith, so I can't speak for any aftermarket kits.
The Ruger Mk II 6 7/8 GC slabside is my favorite 22 pistol. Take down and reassembly has not been an issue for me. Mine has been reliable and accurate.
I had the pleasure of shooting a friend's S&W 617 and must say that the S&W 617 10 shot revolver is one of the most accurate .22 handguns I have shot 'out of the box'. Kinda ###y lookin' too.
waynewjw said:
I had the pleasure of shooting a friend's S&W 617 and must say that the S&W 617 10 shot revolver is one of the most accurate .22 handguns I have shot 'out of the box'. Kinda ###y lookin' too.
- Location
- you don't want to know
Ruger MK II.
