Thinking pretty seriously about getting a 22 semi auto for local "mini" bowling pin matches. I have never had a 22 semi auto but have shot a few Rugers, Brownings etc over the years.

I don't know anything about these newer guns. What is this Chiappa 1911 look alike ? Any good? How about the S@W 22? I like the S@W 41 but not ready to drop that much cash. I have shot a Browning BuckMark the last couple of years. It's gotta have adj sights for me

I really don't care for these Space Age looking pistols. What's your suggestions? Keep it coming as I can't check the site tommorow at work (gun Nazis) but will get back on tommorrow night.

The Ruger is going to be hard to beat for the money and accuracy.

Any of the Ruger MK3's, Browning Buckmarks, or even the S&W 41's are going to be the top of the heap with the features and longevity that you want- they will be the best bang for the buck. Pun intended. All of the above are easy to mount a scope or other optical sight on if need be. Also the magazines are very high quality steel or metal, and have button releases.
The Chiappa 1911 .22 is pot metal, even the feed ramp is pot metal, and has cheap plastic mags and no adjustable sights, and I don't think there is any provision to mount optics.

The other gun would be the M22 from ISSC...it has all the good features, but it resembles that centerfire gun from Austria.

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Lost it all in a boat accident

Right on. See if you can find a good used Mark II bull barrell slab side and don't look back.

Hi! in sw Indiana, the Rugers rule at the pin shoots. You can shoot them right out of the box, or spend a small fortune having them tweaked. Lots and lots of aftermarket stuff for the Rugers. When it comes to revolver pin shoots, the S&W Model 617, ten shot is the king.
An afterthought is on the autos, you don't see very many S&W Model 41's, it might be the cost, compared to Rugers. If you are just starting out, get a good used Ruger, and Federal bulk packs at Walmart, and start practice. Having fun is the objective! Mikey

There are a lot of choices out there, but the Ruger MkII, either a 5.5" bull barrel or the 6 7/8" slab barrel is going to be unbeatable for accuracy, cost, performance and durability. The MkIIIs are probably OK too, I just don't like some of the improvements. In the world of 22 pistols, Ruger really did create something special in this one.

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" I said, good DAY! "

I have both a Browning Buckmark and Ruger Mk.II in my safe, and have put many thousands of rounds through each one over the years, especially when my sons were younger and we would spend long summer days at the range.

I don't think either specific model variant is still in production. My Buckmark is the 5.5 Field Model, with a 5.5" heavy barrel and wood finger-grooved grips. My Ruger is the Government Target Model, with a 6-7/8" tapered heavy barrel.

Each is reasonably accurate, and not especially ammo-sensitive. The Buckmark does occasionally suffer a stovepipe jam, and the pin in the Ruger's rear sight has a tendency to slide out during shooting. (It's never bothered me enough to send it back to Ruger for repair; I just push it in.) The Ruger is more difficult to takedown (or, more correctly, to reassemble after cleaning).

If I were going to keep only one, it would be the Ruger -- I like its looks and the way it feels in my hand -- but to tell you the truth, I don't think you could go wrong with either one.

Good luck!

I agree with Ruger as the correct choice. I have a 5 1/2 inch heavy barrel and a Government Model 6 7/8 heavy barrel, both Mk II's. Both of these are way more accurate than I am right out of the box. The only mods I have done is to upgrade from the stock grips. I have Pachs on the 5 1/2 and I think Herret Thumb Rest grips on the Govt. Both of these pistols shoot fine with what ever I put in them. The only draw back to the Rugers is disassembly and reassembly. Once you've done it a couple of times it ain't no big deal. The first time you do it, you'll want to pull out your hair before you're finished. READ the manual closely. Can't go wrong with a Ruger for the price. Revolver, definetly S&W 617.

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USAF Retired IYAAYAS

Sounds like you are thinking of a new gun, but if you want a nice piece with some miles on it, don't overlook a Colt Woodsman or one of the Hi-Standard models from the late '30s through the earlier postwar decades. A Woodsman might cost you as much as a new gun by some other maker, but a good used Hi-Standard can be found for not too many dollars. One of the H-S advantages (IMO) is additional weight; they are a little larger and heavier than their Colt counterparts. Kind of like shooting an Outdoorsman instead of a K-38 in revolver matches.

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David Wilson

I am liking the looks of the Ruger slab side barrel. Nobody has mentioned the S@W 22a. Never shot or seen one. What's the scoop on them?

Instead of something like a Chiappa 1911, if you already own a 1911 you could put a Marvel top end on it.

+1 on the Marvel Conversion.... I've been using one of their "Longslide" versions for well over a year now and absolutely love it.

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A closed mouth gathers no foot

Had same problem with my MKII Target 678 when it was fresh out of the box.
Two people, two hammers and a flat-nosed punch fixed it.
All it took was a couple light taps and it never moved again.
Or at least it hasn't moved far enough to notice and I've put well over a thousand rounds through it each year since then.

You also mentioned having an occasional stovepipe jam with your Buckmark.
I used to have FTEs with my Ruger MKII when it was hot and dirty. IE: after firing a couple hundred rounds of el-cheapo ammo through it.
I "cleaned" the chamber with J-B Non-Embedding Bore Cleaning Compound using an electric drill and a .25cal bore mop shortened so it wouldn't reach the rifling.
I still get an occasional FTE, but I have to run at least a Value-PaK through it before it happens and a quick pass with a Bore-Snake and Kroil solves the problem.

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Age + Treachery = JohnnieB

Do you have to clear pins from tables ?

Used to shoot pins, and at our match you had to completely remove the pins from the tables (Approx 2 ft deep), not just knock them down.
.22's were fast for follow up shots, but never cleared pins from the table stations. Seems like the caliber of choice was either 45acp, or some had good luck with 38 super.

Just a thought.

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JD 500

I've been looking hard at the BuckMark and Rugers. Thanks for the input.

In case nobody mentioned it:

Try and find a MK 2 (II) They do not have all the extra "junk" that the MK 3 has. Buckmark is fine also

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Still Running Against the Wind