A first .22 pistol?

Dream to Dream

Dream to Dream

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I'm debating a .22 for cheap practice and continuous drilling of shooting fundamentals.

I currently divide my range time pretty evenly between a J-frame S&W and a DAO polymer pistol. It seems like a .22 revolver would be my best choice, but are there any particular benefits to practicing with a .22 semi? (aside from familiarization of semi-auto loading procedures and dealing with FTFs and FTEs)

Any opinions?

Thanks!
 
My 2 cents would be to go for a semi -- specifically a Ruger MKII or MKIII. It should be cheaper than just about any worthwhile 22 revolver out there, you get 10 rounds in the mag, and no need to "unload". Plus they're fun to tool around with and customize if you decide to.

I guess I'm a bit confused as to why you're assuming a wheel gun is necessarily your best bet.
 
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TBalls said:
My 2 cents would be to go for a semi -- specifically a Ruger MKII or MKIII. It should be cheaper than just about any worthwhile 22 revolver out there, you get 10 rounds in the mag, and no need to "unload". Plus they're fun to tool around with and customize if you decide to.

I guess I'm a bit confused as to why you're assuming a wheel gun in necessarily your best bet.
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I concur with the Ruger MKII or MKIII. They are top notch .22's!
 
The Ruger Single Six revolver has the advantage of shooting either .22 or .22 Mag and is very accurate. These can be found used in excellent condition for well under $400. Weigand has no-drill scope bases for these and add to the fun with a Bushnell Trophy red/green dot multi-reticle sight. I highly recommend this setup.
The Ruger Mark II and Mark III are are great buy in semi-auto. The Browning Challenger .22 is a great target auto and can be found used if you do a little searching. For practice on your trigger control, a Walther P-22 is a good choice.
 
TBalls said:
I guess I'm a bit confused as to why you're assuming a wheel gun in necessarily your best bet.
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Well, "from what I've heard" (famous last words...[wink]), a double-action revolver is the best tool to keep your fundamentals like trigger control in check and avoid picking up bad habits. The primary reason I want a .22 is to make frequent practice more affordable.

In addition, every time I've rented a .22 semi I end up with tons of FTEs, regardless of ammunition. Is this just a matter of keeping it clean, or is this common to .22 semis?
 
Dream to Dream said:
Well, "from what I've heard" (famous last words...[wink]), a double-action revolver is the best tool to keep your fundamentals like trigger control in check and avoid picking up bad habits. The primary reason I want a .22 is to make frequent practice more affordable.

In addition, every time I've rented a .22 semi I end up with tons of FTEs, regardless of ammunition. Is this just a matter of keeping it clean, or is this common to .22 semis?
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I've never had an issue with my MK3. I shoot good, hot ammo (CCI Blazer 40gr LRN), and keep it dripping wet. YMMV.

Personally, I would go with the semi, but then again I only shoot semis.

Buy both, maybe?
 
If you want to train on the cheap. get a .22 that most closely matches the gun you want to be good with. .22 are excellent for training as the only think that you can not do it recoil control and that is a small part of shooting
 
I have a Walther P22 we got for the wife to shoot, and would not recommend it for anyone with large hands. It will run right if it's cleaned thoroughly and lubed heavily, but it's finicky if not.

I can't recommend the Ruger Mk series enough. I got a 1976 Mk1 for my birthday last year, and it's a heck of a gun. Easy to shoot, no cycling issues to speak of with bulk pack HV .22, mags are plentiful and inexpensive, and it feels great in the hand. I see that you're in the Pioneer Valley - if you'd like to come out to Lee some time and try them both out, shoot me a PM.
 
pernox said:
I have a Walther P22 we got for the wife to shoot, and would not recommend it for anyone with large hands. It will run right if it's cleaned thoroughly and lubed heavily, but it's finicky if not.

I can't recommend the Ruger Mk series enough. I got a 1976 Mk1 for my birthday last year, and it's a heck of a gun. Easy to shoot, no cycling issues to speak of with bulk pack HV .22, mags are plentiful and inexpensive, and it feels great in the hand. I see that you're in the Pioneer Valley - if you'd like to come out to Lee some time and try them both out, shoot me a PM.
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Very generous of you. I may take you up on that after the holidays. I like to hear that the Mk1 isn't finicky. The S&W .22 semi-autos I've rented at the Shooting Sports Center always FTE at least 5 times out of 50. I assume it's a matter of lack of cleaning, but it really takes the fun out of shooting having to clear a jam every mag or two.
 
Dream to Dream said:
In addition, every time I've rented a .22 semi I end up with tons of FTEs, regardless of ammunition. Is this just a matter of keeping it clean, or is this common to .22 semis?
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A rented gun will probably not be as well taken care of as someone's personal gun. I'm sure that is completely dependant on the range renting the gun, but it would seem common sense to me.

I have 4 .22 semis. One is an old Italian .22 short that just has sentimental value. Not reliable in the least. But the other 3 (2 Berettas and a MKIII) function beautifully and only the 21A is ammo-picky. Put anything HV through it and it'll run happy all day.

The Beretta 87BB was my first .22 handgun and its a pleasure to shoot. Think of the model 85 (.380) just scaled down a tad. I actually had it in the classifieds a few years ago and I'm thankful there were no serious inquiries on it. I know I would have missed it! They're pretty tough to find in MA though.

The MKIII (or any of the MK series) would be your best bet I think. Nice gun, easily aquired, plenty of parts available, accurate and fun to shoot. Takedown can be a pain but it's easy once you learn the gun.
 
This is a great reason for a trip to a local range. Talk to the people there on a Saturday About half will likely have at least one 22 handgun with them. Ask them about what they have and many will let you try a few rounds. This way you can try a few before you buy. Ruger makes great 22's both semi and revolver but there are many more out there Walther was mentioned Browning also makes very nice 22lr's.

If you looking for training then I am guessing you have a carry or defensive firearm already? Look into a conversion for that handgun. I have the Kimber conversion for my Kimber 45's and love it same firearm same controls same grip low recoil and super low cost to shoot. I also have a EAA witness I got years ago that came with 22 conversion form the factory also the same all around and very well made. These kits can be had for just about any handgun these days and is a great way to train as you are essentially shooting your handgun just with low cost ammo.
 
I'm going to throw another recommendation in for the Ruger Single Six. I'm usually all for semis but the .22s on the market seem hit or miss, finicky, or very high maintenance.
 
I really like my Sig Sauer Mosquito (wish it was called something different though), it was very inexpensive, shoots great, easy to clean and feels great. It's a training gun more than the usual 22 target gun so its going to feel like a real pistol in your hand.
 
While I own the Sig insect and I like it first thing you should know is if you like Sig's and there quality this pistol will disappoint you. This is definitely a try before you buy handgun. My biggest issue personally was the trigger it SUCKS. I have done allot of work on it to get it to a place where I just like it. I own one and my daughter has the pink one same just the color is different and mine has a Gemtech barrel on it. Both are very finicky on ammo. Both get dirty fast and as soon as they do you start having problems feeding and ejecting. This is just my opinion though.
 
hands down the walther p22 great gun they have them in alot of color frames A new desert camo is out looks nice with the blk. slide and it's 349$ 3.4" barrell ask someone that has one to meet you at the range and see for yourself. good luck and have fun...
 
I have a Ruger Mark III in stainless with a bull barrel and a .22 conversion for my Sig P229, both semi automatics and both fun and reliable with most ammo - although the Sig eats high velocity only. But I really like my Smith & Wesson 617 too, a 10 shot stainless steel revolver, although it is kind of a bugger to clean will all the chambers and I am not crazy about the sights which are black front and rear. Not that it is a lot of fun to strip and reassemble a Mark III. But I guess if I could only have one of them, I would take the Ruger. I just seem to be able to hit things with it better. The Ruger and 617 I just use for plinking and targets, but the Sig conversion is a way for me to practice with a 9mm home defense gun using cheap ammo, trigger and everything else being the same. So you might need more than one gun depending on what you want to use it for...
 
I have ruger MKIII hunter, it was under 400.00 new when I purchased it. It has worked flawlessly since day one. great little gun.
I also have a S&W model 41 thats from the late 60s early 70s that is by far the best 22 I have ever owned or shot for that matter. Absolute fine running gun. Only issue is some of the 22lr like remington golden bullets seem to just not run in anything semi I own. I would love to pick up a ruger or some sort of target revolver for the fun of it. Sometimes you just have to try several 22 pistols some you may like better than others no matter what anyone says.
 
I've got a Ruger Mark 3 and would highly recommend it. I've never had a single issue shooting Blazer or Federal bulk packs and, quite honestly, it can go a long time between cleanings without a hiccup. At least one of the other poular 22 semi's, I can't remember which, specifically says you need to use a certain type of ammo for reliable performance


The only head's up I would throw you about the Mark 3 is that you need to closely follow the video on the Ruger site and/or the instruction manual to strip it. It's very easy to miss a step and get stuck unable to put it back together. It also disturbed me a bit that I needed a rubber mallet to take it apart.
 
SeanT said:
I've got a Ruger Mark 3 and would highly recommend it. I've never had a single issue shooting Blazer or Federal bulk packs and, quite honestly, it can go a long time between cleanings without a hiccup. At least one of the other poular 22 semi's, I can't remember which, specifically says you need to use a certain type of ammo for reliable performance


The only head's up I would throw you about the Mark 3 is that you need to closely follow the video on the Ruger site and/or the instruction manual to strip it. It's very easy to miss a step and get stuck unable to put it back together. It also disturbed me a bit that I needed a rubber mallet to take it apart.
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I took mine apart ONCE, and that was to get rid of the mag disconnect. Unless I get around to getting a TacSol upper....it will NEVER be coming apart, ever again.

Just like the 10/22, all you really need is a boresnake and spray bottle of BreakFree.
 
Dream to Dream said:
How is it on reliability? Finicky on ammo? Prone to failures when dirty? (especially just dirty from 100 rounds or so)
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I think it is very reliable. I shoot the cheapest 22s I can buy and it handles them great. Maybe 1 or 2 duds every 100 rounds but that's the ammo not the gun. It gets a little dirty after several hundred rounds just like any other firearm but again that's the ammo not the gun. It never jams or fails to feed. It's a solid gun.
 
Thanks for all the responses!

A lot of good acclaim for the Ruger line of .22s, so I think that will be my first test drive. Many thanks to pernox for offering a trial of a Mark I. The Walther P22 sounds like another winner. Does it function more or less like a standard DAO-style centerfire pistol? The S&Ws I've used, while nice, are a much different gun than any S&W center-fires I've shot. The SIG would be great to try, but I don't know how easily I'll find one to "sample."

If there are any other suggestions, I'd be happy to hear them!
 

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