Help me pick a 22

lord1234

lord1234

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So I'm looking for a semi automatic .22lr pistol. I've got a few choices at my local gun shop that I like the look of but don't know a ton about. I've shot the MKIII and the P22 but not the 22a. Any suggestions/ideas/support would be appreciated:
77549906ny3.jpg

SW 22A

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Ruger MKIII


90004560bj9.jpg

Walther P22


(for some reason the pic links won't work:(
 
For your first .22 pistol, you should probably go for something accurate (at least if you are looking to build you accuracy and not just plink with it). That essentially excludes the P22. I bought a Ruger MK3 as my first .22 pistol, and other than the initial difficulty in field stripping it, and what appears to be a grimy trigger pull its been great. I think the trigger thing will just require a detail strip or some work from a gunsmith, but doesn't sound like its a common issue.
 
Ninsho said:
For your first .22 pistol, you should probably go for something accurate (at least if you are looking to build you accuracy and not just plink with it). That essentially excludes the P22. I bought a Ruger MK3 as my first .22 pistol, and other than the initial difficulty in field stripping it, and what appears to be a grimy trigger pull its been great. I think the trigger thing will just require a detail strip or some work from a gunsmith, but doesn't sound like its a common issue.
Click to expand...

yea i really liked the accuracy of the ruger MKIII, but I'd really like to try the 22A if someone has on just to see how it fits me and how it shoots. I really do want the .22 to help me improve on accuracy. I've also had some people say "get a browning buckmark" but noone has ever told me *WHY*
 
The Ruger Mark 3 in 5 1/2inch Bull Barrel has been my primary training gun used for Venture Scouts and others I teach. They are durable and accurate. This would be my recommendation.

-Rick
 
the ruger is a nice gun, once you master the stripping procedure.

The gun I really miss is my dads S&W K-17 6 inch .22LR revolver, nothing like a wheel gun for target shooting old school style.
 
I can vouch for the 22a. I bought the cheapest model they have in the 22a line and have nothing but good things to say about it. Good accuracy, reliable and easy to strip and clean.
 
+1 for the S&W 22A

Mine is very accurate, very reliable, and shoots any ammo I have tried in it.
Also note Smith and Wesson's excellent warranty and customer service.

I also have a Walther p22, and its great fun to shoot, but its accuracy is far from the 22A.
 
This was my first firearms purchase after getting my LTC-A. A SIG Mosquito in reverse two-tone. It took a bit of work and experimentation on my part, plus a trip back for factory sevice, to get it running well. It is picky on ammo (Federal AutoMatch, CCI MiniMags and lubed Federal Bulk Pack work well).

It is now a good little shooter, and I must have more than 5,000 rounds through it. I love to fire a few hundred rounds while waiting for the barrel of my AR-15 to cool down.

I am looking to add a Ruger Mark III Bull Barrel in the new year to take some of the load off of the Mosquito. The Mosquito has a 4" barrel and the Ruger has a 5 1/2" barrel, so I can expect a bit more accuracy from the Ruger.

When I purchased the Mosquito, the salesman tried to gently steer me to a Ruger. But as Woody Allen said, "The heart wants what the heart wants". You can save yourself the learning curve and get the Ruger first. [wink]

DSC00331-2.jpg
 
lord1234 said:
I've also had some people say "get a browning buckmark" but noone has ever told me *WHY*
Click to expand...

The Buckmark would fall in the same neighborhood as the MkII/III or the 22A - a nice, solid 22 semi. Fit and finish is probably better than the Ruger or the S&W, but functionally won't be much different. The fact that they aren't available new in MA pushes the price up here, but if you can get one it will be a nice shooter.

I've shot my dad's Buckmark, I have a 22S and a MkII, I used to have a P22. Haven't tried the MkIII, myself. My P22 was capable of good accuracy, was reliable after some work on it, and was way too small for my hands - sold it, bought a Mosquito, which I'm having a blast with. If you're looking for a 22LR pistol to duplicate a DA/SA semiauto, either one of those will work. They both can be ammo fussy, but are lots of fun.

The Buckmark/MkII&III/22A are all more traditional SA only 22 semis, which are more accurate than most shooters (especially me!) are capable of. They are usually not ammo fussy, and will run forever. Also, lots of fun. I don't see these as in the same category as the P22 or Mosquito, but more target pistol oriented. Any of these would work fine for you - pick by price, or looks, availability, whatever.

My recommendation would be to get the P22 (or Mosquito) and a Buckmark/22A/Ruger Mk. If you can only get one, I'd stick with the 22A/S or Ruger. When I'm working on accuracy I like knowing that if the shot was off, it was definitely me, not the pistol.
 
Ninsho said:
For your first .22 pistol, you should probably go for something accurate (at least if you are looking to build you accuracy and not just plink with it). That essentially excludes the P22. I bought a Ruger MK3 as my first .22 pistol, and other than the initial difficulty in field stripping it, and what appears to be a grimy trigger pull its been great. I think the trigger thing will just require a detail strip or some work from a gunsmith, but doesn't sound like its a common issue.
Click to expand...

Ninsho. To clean up the trigger you need a detail strip and a Volquartsen Target Sear. You don't need the whole VQ accurizing kit.

lord1234: The Ruger MkIII is nice. I own a MkIII 5.5" bull barrel and a 22/45 4" bull barrel. You don't have to spend the money on the Hunter, unless you really want to. The 5.5" bull barrel with target sights in either blue/stainless and mkIII or 22/45 grip is all you need.
 
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+1 for the Ruger. My Mk3 is laser beam accurate and runs like a top with cheap Federal bulk-pack from walmart.
 
I use a .22 handgun strictly for fun and prefer the Ruger Single-Six revolver.
My second gun is a Browning Buckmark.
Both of these are reliable and accurate.

I am now considering a third gun and it will likely be a Sig Mosquito.
The current production Mosquitos are reported to be much more reliable and less picky about ammo, after a 200 round break-in with CCI minimags or Remington golden. The Mosquito is about the same size as the Sig 229 and fits my hand well. The one that I examined in the gun shop had a decent, but not target grade, single action trigger pull. I also really liked the factory sights. The sights are large and with a good amount of light between the side of the front and rear notch. Old eyes appreciate distinct sights

I have shot several Walther P22s and don't care for them at all. The ones that I shot were very difficult to keep on paper at 25 yards.

Jack
 
S&W 22A's are SA only? I'm 22 shopping also.

Edit: Nevermind, I downloaded the manual, it looks like it is DAO.
 
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I have a Ruger Mk III with a Millet red dot sight and love it. I admit to needing to watch several youTube videos on how to field strip it. Once you figure it out.....its not so bad. With mine being new the first field strip was a little challenging.

One regret is that I bought a brand spankin new one. I have seen several used ones at shows and shops for about $100-125 less than I paid. I have also seen a lot of Walther P22's for short money as well.
 
eisenhow said:
Ninsho. To clean up the trigger you need a detail strip and a Volquartsen Target Sear. You don't need the whole VQ accurizing kit. ...
Click to expand...

You got me to at least look, until I saw the "Gunsmith fitting is required.", then I looked away. )-:




Anyhow, if it were me and I could, I'd get the Browning Buckmark. Since I couldn't, I got a MkII 50th Anniversary model.
t-redbird01.jpg


http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger_50th.htm

http://xavierthoughts.blogspot.com/2008/11/pawn-shop-circuit-ruger-mkii-50th.html
 
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I bought a Ruger 22/45 from an NES member and I love the gun. IMO, the 22/45 has a better grip angle than the Mark II or III.

Also, I found excellent instructions for breaking down the Ruger line and will post when I find it. The process is much easier than the ones that come with the gun.
 
Coyote33 said:
You got me to at least look, until I saw the "Gunsmith fitting is required.", then I looked away. )-:
Click to expand...

I just "dropped" mine in. I know others who have as well. If I had to guess it took my trigger from about 4.5 lbs, down to between 2 and 2.5 lbs. Some say it would be better if you did some fitting. I've run about 200 rounds through it without a single problem.

Here's an install video
 
I have owned all 3 of the guns you are considering. I still own two of them. The p-22 I sold. If couldn't sell it I would have thrown it in a river. POS.

22a- ready to mouth a scope, nice grips, balanced and easy to clean.

Ruger- Classic look, rugged as all get out and lots of tweaking from that Volquartsen people.

Walther p22- could only shoot mini mags, and not accurately even at 25 feet, with the 5 inch barrel/ compensator, as well as a 3 inch factor barrel. Run away.

I prefer the ruger overall since I am not a 22 target pistol shooter, just a plinker.

I might be looking to sell my 22a, PM me if you will give her a good home.

-Al
 
I have a 22/45 Hunter just like the one in your picture. I have two gripes with it.

- It was jamming a lot and is now at Ruger for this problem. Hopefully they'll fix it.

- The grip on the 22/45 is too thin. I kind of with I got the regular Mk III version.

Other than those two issues, I like it. It is really accurate.
 
I have had a High Standard Supermatic Trophy model for many years and love it. They may not be currently in production, but a used model would be a good deal. The High Standard and the S&W 41 are the best available, but the High Standard is usually available at a lower price.
 
lord1234 said:
yea i really liked the accuracy of the ruger MKIII, but I'd really like to try the 22A if someone has on just to see how it fits me and how it shoots. I really do want the .22 to help me improve on accuracy. I've also had some people say "get a browning buckmark" but noone has ever told me *WHY*
Click to expand...

It's a very nice pistol, but hard to find. The Target model has a nice adjustable trigger. Unfortunately they are hard to find in MA. The biggest differences (maintenance aside) between the buckmark, ruger, and S&W is the grip size. Go handle all three in the shop before buying.
 

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