Which 22 pistol to buy?

WASNTME

WASNTME

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So I find myself sitting on $440 worth of Cabelas gift certificates. I've decided to take the plunge and buy my first handgun. I'm set on a .22 so I can blast away for cheap.

The only problem is, I'm limited to Cabelas stock. This means I have to go with one of:

Beretta Neos (nope, too ugly)
Browning 1911-22:$559
Browning Buck Mark: $419-$459
Kimber 1911 Rimfire: $1099.99
Ruger Mark 3 (not crazy about the looks)
Ruger single ten (I don't want a single action)
Sig Mosquito: $359
Sig p226 classic: $549.99

I actually like the look and price of the mosquito the best, but I read nothing but bad press about them with FTF and FTE issues. Maybe the newer ones are better?

The Kimber would probably be good, but it's pretty expensive for a .22 pistol.

Has anyone tried that sig p226 classic? It's probably in the lead right now.

What do the sages of CGN recommend?

Thanks
 
Stay away from the SIG Mosquito Sport if you are going with the Mosquito. It is a pain in the ass to disassemble. It shoots well but I didn't like having to use an Allen key every time to get the compensator off. The regular threaded barrel ones are the way to go if you want a Mosquito.

My 2 cents on the Mosquito... I haven't shot the other ones.

I didn't have too many FTF or FTE problems with mine as long as I put some oil in the oil port every couple hundred rounds while shooting.
 
I say get the Sig P226 Classic. It was my first pistol purchase and it's the best choice on your list. You can then change calibers with the x-change kit when your ready.
 
Since it is your first pistol, I will go with a P226 classic so you can get a 9mm conversion for cheap and have 2 guns. But somewhere along the line I would definetly recommend a dedicated .22lr because they are a lot of fun. Ruger MKIII would be my choice then.
 
If you're not crazy about the looks of the Ruger,
then I'd go for the Browning, which is also easier to disassemble.
Mosquito's seem to work out their issues after a break-in period,
but are too small and light. SIG 226 too light and bulky, IMO.
Too bad the GSG 1911-22, wasn't on the list.
 
Good advice here already: It depends on what you ultimately want out of this pistol.

If you want a 'keeper' dedicated 22 that you'll always bring with you to the range and will last forever, then get the Ruger or the Buckmark. I'd pick the Buckmark, personally. I think the finish on the base-model Browning is much nicer than that on the base-model Ruger. Plus, it feels better in my hand.

If you want something upgradable to centerfire, then the p226 Classic 22 is a no-brainer. It's actually cheaper to get this 22 and the centerfire kit than it is for the basic centerfire p226 by itself at a lot of places. Problem is they have been backordered for a while, and the centerfire kits can be hard to find, too. The 226 Classic 22 is not a good choice as a dedicated 22 pistol, IMO. It's great for other reasons, but not this one.

When you're budgeting, remember to consider the cost of cleaning kit, case, holster and extra mags. All of these are good to purchase at Cabelas, I think.
 
WASNTME said:
So I find myself sitting on $440 worth of Cabelas gift certificates. I've decided to take the plunge and buy my first handgun. I'm set on a .22 so I can blast away for cheap.

The only problem is, I'm limited to Cabelas stock. This means I have to go with one of:

Beretta Neos (nope, too ugly)
Browning 1911-22:$559
Browning Buck Mark: $419-$459
Kimber 1911 Rimfire: $1099.99
Ruger Mark 3 (not crazy about the looks)
Ruger single ten (I don't want a single action)
Sig Mosquito: $359
Sig p226 classic: $549.99
Click to expand...

Is that a regular Mark III or the 22/45 Mark III?
In which latter case, if you get the one with replaceable panels, grips for 1911s would work great with it. I have some beautiful wooden ones with thumb-rest and the panel underlay with finger grooves.
It accepts Williams adjustable sights.
It is a shooter.


P.S. I also have the Single-10 and it's a joy to hold, behold and shoot (even as a single-action gun.)
 
Another vote for the Ruger Mk. 3, and another vote against the Mosquito. Unless you like cheap pot metal slides that break. ;)
 
WASNTME said:
It seems like everyone loves the ruger mk 3. Maybe I will have to consider it...so ugly though.
Click to expand...

I own a few....

7" Smith and Wesson 46
10" BBL Ruger MK II
10" Buckmark Silhouette
10" Anschutz Exemplar


Here goes nothing.
For an all out target .22 the Anschutz has it all. Best trigger bar none, good sights and feels great, but being a bolt action, follow up shots are slow. conclusion: for an all out target pistol this is it.

Runner Up. Buckmark Silhouette/ Smith and Wesson 46. Not as good a trigger as the Smith, but a better sight radius, and finer sights has this gun in the hunt. That being said, the Smith is less nose heavy, and balances better. Trigger group is perfect.

Last place: Ruger MKII.
Now being last in this group is not a bad thing, rarefied company that I am comparing these guns to one another, but the trigger on the Ruger is awful in comparison to all others. It punches good groups, but jeepers... that trigger. And the sights are not what they could be. two items that are a requirement for me in a target .22

All these fine guns will put 10 shots into one ragged hole at 10M from a rest. But at 50M the Anschutz and Browning are a bit better due to longer sight radius and finer sights.

If I had to pick from the current crop of .22 pistols for fun at the range, and was wanting reliability, accuracy and fun factor, I would probably choose between the Ruger and the Buckmark.
The Buckmark is far easier to disassemble compared to the Ruger, but the Ruger has a well deserved reputation for being stone-axe reliable.

Tough call really, get the one that fits and balances for you. I took the Smith and Wesson off the list for range fun only because it eclipses your current budget.
 
Beretta Neos (nope, too ugly
Click to expand...
)


There is a lot of experience and good advice here. I actually have only shot a Ruger 22/45 a S&W 22A and a Beretta Neos. Ugly or not I like it the best. The one I shot had a red dot type sight on it and yes it did look like something out of a space movie. BUT it was so much fun to shoot, accurate and the fella you owned it said he has tried all kinds of ammo without a problem.

My next 22 pistol is going to be a Beretta.
 
Best thing to do is try and shoot as many as you can lay your hands on, Ruger makes some fine guns. I love my S&W M41.
 
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