Ruger® Mark III™ Competition Rimfire Pistol Models
Buck Mark Plus UDX, 22 pistol semi automatic auto, Browning Firearms Product
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Product: Model 41

I have been looking for a good .22LR Target Pistol. These Four are kind of on top of my list.

Want to shoot small groups at 50FT.

The Ruger seems too be best as far as low price.
Price is always (at least with me) a consideration.
I have shot a few of them. Just wanting other opinons, and experince, with any of these.
Also any other I should look at. (Revolers welcome).
Thanks,
Guy22

The Buckmark has a much better trigger than the Ruger if cost is a consideration. Hard to beat the 41 but they can be finicky about ammo. I had an 87 but traded it for a 41 the grip on the 87 was small for my hand. Here's my Buckmark Bullseye.

Shot bulls-eye for 12 yrs with a 41, nice gun. Used a red dot on it. Shot a Hammerli for abt 1 year and went back to the 41. The Ruger has a lot of aftermarket parts to customize it. Some of the guys shot the Ruger and had a trig job done to it. Nice starter gun. You'll have to find the .22 ammo your gun likes with either. Good luck, Larry

It would really be hard to go wrong with a vintage Model 41. In my experience they all seem to run well with CCI SV ammo.

Although a bit pricey, the FWB AW-93 is totally awesome.

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A closed mouth gathers no foot

You might want to take a look at some of the vintage High Standard pistols also. I shoot them and also some 41's also. Seem about equal in accuracy and function.

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John. SWCA #1586

1975 vintage Mark I that I used for bullseye back in the day. Clark sear, trigger and Bomar target rear sight. Sile target stocks with a spacer on the right side to make up for my long fingers. Shot a 285 average with it. This gun has thousands of rounds thru it and still runs like a clock. If I remember correctly I paid $125 for it brand new.
DW

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"NUTS"

I have the Ruger Mk III you are considering. Nice gun, but feels a little stiff to me. I can't seem to shoot it enough to smooth out, but of course if I keep shooting it that day will come. The price is right for a new gun, and the gun fits my hand well. Internal lock, though, which you can ignore if you so choose.

A Colt Match Target Woodsman makes pretty good groups. Mine is a second model from the late 1940s.

I have never had the good fortune to shoot a Model 41 or a Buckmark, but there are certainly huge fan bases for both guns.

I'd think the gun that feels best in your hand is likely to be the most accurate one for you, even if another gun earns higher regard from the general shooting community.

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David Wilson

I have had both the S&W 41 and the Hi Standard Citation. I like the Citation the best but both are very good guns. If you choose either of these guns I would buy older used guns. I think you will get better quality. Don

Hi Standard Citation

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"Don't worry be happy"

Although I am partial to the M41, I think any of the guns listed would make a good entry/medium level target pistol, except possibly the Beretta. I have read over on the rimfire central forum that the 87t does not have a very good trigger and is overly complicated to take down and work on.

In contrast, the M41 has a great trigger out the box and is very easy to field strip. The Ruger lends itself to heavy modification as there is a large array of aftermarket parts available. You will likely need to spend an additional $100+ to get the Ruger's trigger as good as the 41. The Ruger is also more difficult to field strip.

I have a Ruger MII Government Target Model (predessor to the gun you are considering), which was my first target pistol. Great gun, but I prefer the ergonomics of the M41.

kas

Many people like the older Ruger MARK II'S over the MARK III"S.

Look over some older HIGH STANDARDS. (HAMDEN factory made ones if you can find one.)

I have an early 1970's High Standard "VICTOR" 5 1/2" that using a reddot I still can put 10 in the 10 ring from 50 feet sometimes using the bench hold, usually scores 93-98 though. Too much for me to hold up while standing up one handed now days, old age sets in. I still have fun with 22's.

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NRA Pistol/Rifle Inst. RSO

Yes, the High Standards from Hamden CT are excellent. Although I don't have one, I've also heard that magazine function can be tricky; that you have to have the lips on the mag aligned just right for the gun to feed properly.

I have also heard that the new TX High Standards, built in the last couple of years with the stainless steel frame, are also very good. TX High Standards from the 90's and early 2000's are however, to be avoided, as they have function/reliability issues.

LD Bennett over on Rimfire Central has or has had just about every rimfire target pistol made in the last 2-3 decades. He seems very knowledgable...you might want to read hop on over some of his postings...

RimfireCentral.com - Rimfire Community!

kas

A big =1 on the above post

High Standard made some really good .22's! I just gave my M-101 to a good friend of mine. Great plinking guns and as accurate as you can make them.

My favorite pistol Buck Mark. No problem with ammo will shot new or old ammo just as good. I have a halo sight on mine, Great Gun an cost less than a 41 or High Standard.

I brought this gun from a guy who got a 41 and he's still crying about it a year later.

Here's another one to put on your list.
Benelli MP95E with an UltraDot. The grips on this one are ergos that add a couple of 100 to the price. They come standard on this guns big brother, the MP90S. The standard 95 grips are ambi's. The MP90 looks the same externally but comes with the adjustable ergo grips and a fully adjustable trigger group. (and a $600 higher price tag)
MP95e's can be had new for $929.00 and are competition ready out of the box.

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

One big advantage the High Standard has over the Ruger is the ability to field strip it. The first time I took mine apart, no real reason, just curiosity, I had to go back to the gun shop and get some lessons. It's a tricky little devil. Once I got it tuned up to my satisfaction it never came apart again.
DW

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"NUTS"

I think the Browning Buckmark has the best "out of the box" trigger, for a .22LR in your price range.

My M 41s shoot like little rifles-BUT my favorites are the M17s-

This. I have a Mark II 5" bull barrel I got 25 years ago, and it had a much better trigger out of the box (IIRC) than the Mark IIIs I've shot. And has only gotten better with time. If you can find one like it, or one of the Gov't Model Mark IIs, you might strongly consider it.

My favorites are the S&W Model 41, and the Colt Match Target, 3rd Model. Right behind it are my Rugers - MKII 22/45, and MkII Target.

All are absolute tack drivers. They all run excellently on Wolf Match Target ammo. CCI Competition does well in them also, although it's not quite as accurate.

I shoot both a High Standard Victor (Now with a Falcon barrel to reduce weight for the red dot), and a IZH35M (Russian match pistol). Both are capable of all "X" ring shots. The High Standard can be a little finicky with ammo, but once the magazines are adjusted work great. The IZH will digest anything. The IZH has a trigger that is adjustable for length of pull, take up, over-travel, sear engagement, pull weight. It is one of the nicest triggers you can find, and the barrel's are like mirrors. Unfortunately, EAA who imported them no longer imports them. Used IZH35M's are bringing 50% to 70% more than they cost new when you can find one.
High Standard.


IZH35M (Grips modified)

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Good selection and quite a cost range too. I guess it depends on what you want to do with it, serious target competition or informal shooting/hunting.

If you want one that will shoot good groups at only 50 ft., then the Ruger MKIII is going to be difficult to beat for its price. It is easy to scope, reliable, and with ammo it likes at 50 feet you should be able to shoot 1/2" groups or better. I have 2 of the earlier Ruger MKII Government Competition models, both scoped and either of them will shoot 3/4-1" groups at 50 yards with the optical 2x7 scope (one now has a 1moa Ultradot) with favored ammo. People have watched me do it with them many times; I've had folks come over after shooting in the IR50/50 at Black Creek and comment on it in years past. But this is shooting from a bench. What the pistols are capable of when competition shooting may be different. Trigger, grip, balance and all those other factors come into play. Still, for an entry level pistol, the Ruger is hard to beat. Plus, it makes a great field pistol if you want to shoot small game. One in particular has accounted for many, many squirrels.

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" I said, good DAY! "

browning bullseye by far, reliable, not particular to ammo , adjustable trigger and interchangeable grips... good pistola,,,,,,,and wont break the bank

Another vote for the Ruger Mark II, 5.5" bull barrel. Mine shoots way better than I do.

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I am a sheep dog!
1601 (ret)

[QUOTE=Moonman;136478754]Many people like the older Ruger MARK II'S over the MARK III"S.

Look over some older HIGH STANDARDS. (HAMDEN factory made ones if you can find one.)

I have an early 1970's High Standard "VICTOR" 5 1/2" that using a reddot I still can put 10 in the 10 ring from 50 feet sometimes using the bench hold, usually scores 93-98 though. Too much for me to hold up while standing up one handed now days, old age sets in. I still have fun with 22's.

Thanks this kind of information is what I wanted. What brand of ammo does it take to shoot 93-98 ?

I have been watching, and looking. I am not a natural pistol shooter. I have been now shooting ~ 85 with a GSG 1911, shooting CCI mini mags. Took a year of pactice and ~ 10,000 rounds. Getting there but want to step up.
Guy22

I would also recommend a the Ruger MKII or MKIII over a Buckmark.

I have a Buckmark that's had a couple hundred rounds through it and I just don't feel the love, so it's back in the box and will probably end up as trading fodder for something else.

My Ruger MKII with 5.5 inch bull barrel is a very fine shooter. Seems to be a little front heavy but is easy to get used to.

My favorite and most accurate is a Ruger MKII stainless with a Tactical Solutions PAC-LITE aluminum upper. Very well balanced and a super fine shooter.

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- Change it back -

The High Standard Victor is the best shooting 22 that I have ever fired. I liked it so much that I bought one. It would be hard to beat for accuracy.

VAdoublegunner hit it right on the head with this statement!
Just about all of the various guns mentioned will shoot little groups off the bench. (with the right ammo) The deciding factor is dependent on the individual when shooting offhand. (i.e. competition) Some guns just "fit" better than others person by person. I know, in my case, that I can't shoot a M41 for ****. I've had several, think they are beautiful pieces, but they just don't work for me. I shot an IZH35 for several years and really liked it, but when I got the Benelli my scores started going up. I think the only upgrade I would do is move to a Pardini, but at close to 2 grand I don't see it happening.
My suggestion is to shoot as many different target guns that you can beg or borrow before you drop any substantial money on one. If you're lucky you might find a good fit right off and not have to spend the next 10 or 15 years buying different guns....

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

My favorite is the High Standard fluted barrel Citation

or the nearly impossible to find 10X High Standard.

If you like the feel of that kind of slide action, there isn't anything else.

However, M41 Smiths are fine, and many do very well with other brands.

Revolver 22s my favorite is the 8 3/8" M17-3 a buddy pawned off on me years ago. Thankfully!!!

While there are plenty of others, these are the ones I gravitated to because I could shoot a better score with them....and I came to appreciate the nuances of the High Standards. They will help you extract the very best you are capable of training yourself to be in 50' bullseye.

And just to brag a bit, while I'm far out of practice & with geezer eyes can not really be competitive in the Bulls Eye these days, last week end I took my nearly 50 year old Citation out to the Speed Steel match and ran a bunch of stages in the 3-6 second brackets....5 shots on 5 different steel targets for 5 strings.

Wonderful fun. Beat most of the nimble guys 1/3 my age. It was glorious....although there's far faster shooters too. Way bigger targets than the Bulls Eye too.

Go out & shoot a lot no matter what you end up with. It won't be long before you find reason to hunt down an even better 22 sooner or later.

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Dum vivimus Vivamas

My favorite is the High Standard fluted barrel Citation

or the nearly impossible to find 10X High Standard.

If you like the feel of that kind of slide action, there isn't anything else.

However, M41 Smiths are fine, and many do very well with other brands.

Revolver 22s my favorite is the 8 3/8" M17-3 a buddy pawned off on me years ago. Thankfully!!!

While there are plenty of others, these are the ones I gravitated to because I could shoot a better score with them....and I came to appreciate the nuances of the High Standards. They will help you extract the very best you are capable of training yourself to be in 50' bullseye.

And just to brag a bit, while I'm far out of practice & with geezer eyes can not really be competitive in the Bulls Eye these days, last week end I took my nearly 50 year old Citation out to the Speed Steel match and ran a bunch of stages in the 3-6 second brackets....5 shots on 5 different steel targets for 5 strings.

Wonderful fun. Beat most of the nimble guys 1/3 my age. It was glorious....although there's far faster shooters too. Way bigger targets than the Bulls Eye too.

Go out & shoot a lot no matter what you end up with. It won't be long before you find reason to hunt down an even better 22 sooner or later.

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Dum vivimus Vivamas

I'd gotten to the point where I had to use iron sights rather than my beloved MatchDot because I was seeing 2 or more dots. An adjustable iris helped with the irons. My salvation though was getting the cataracts removed... WOW, what a difference !!! Back to using my favorite red dot again.



Seriously... if cataracts are part of your geezer eyes, get them fixed. It's well worth it and only took about 10 minutes for the actual surgery. I was back to shooting again in a week.

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A closed mouth gathers no foot

guy22,

My High Standard VICTOR 5.5" uses Standard Velocity ammo per the instructions, for Brand I use CCI generally (100 pack).

I handled a friends RUGER MARK II 5 1/2" Bull Barrel at the range the other day, he said he would NEVER sell it, he'll die of old age with it. You'll have to look to find one of those as they are highly desirable.

Good Shootin', and have fun.

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NRA Pistol/Rifle Inst. RSO

Thanks for all the replies!!!
I have shot the Ruger, and Browning. Kinda lean toward the Browning. Both shot great.
Have not shot the S&W 41, or the Barreta 87.

Everybody around here say's Ruger. Kinda like the "Glock" thing.

Nobody seems to understand why someone would spend a grand or more for a .22lr. They will spend half that for a compact nine that is lucky to hit a six inch target at 50ft. Then say look at knock down/killing power!!! LOL
I'm not looking for knock down/killing power. Have a .45 Colt and a Shotgun.

I am trying to be a better pistol shot. Win a dollar, or beer.
I shot a High Standard many years ago, and liked it a lot. It was a military trainer from WWII.
Some how I forgot they were still around.

Still thinking it over.
Guy22

I have a M41 with a Clark Custom STC barrel and a C-More RTS red dot for steel, and I absolutely love it. A fantastic gun, incredibly accurate, and (I think) worth the money. I recently bought a Buckmark to use as a iron-sight plinker. It is very comfortable in the hand (URX grip) and has a very good stock trigger, as others have said. However, I am very disappointed in its (poor) accuracy. Both are 100% with CCI SV ammo.

(Photo shows the same gun with a DeltaPoint).

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I have an older 41 and 3 Rugers. Hands down the 41 is a much nicer and more accurate gun. I did put a Clark trigger on my Ruger MKII and it does shoot well for a lot less money than the 41 cost.