22 Target Pistol Recommendations

[dave1918a2]

I have had several. S&W 41's, Ruger Mark II's and III's, Colt match target, and still have a Browning Medalist. The one I shot the best scores with was a High Standard Victor. Outshot all the others. Some of the High Standards are the finest shooters out there. Never saw one that wouldn't shoot fantastic. And most can be had for under $1K. Good luck in Your search.

 

[AJ]

If you can find a Walther OSP or GSP for a decent price (used). These will out shoot most every pistol mentioned and then some. This one has a trigger set at 7.13 ounces of pull. The OSP should be very reasonable nowadays. It is a .22 Short and no longer used in competition.

 

[Mr500cm]

You can’t go wrong with a Ruger. I had a MK II Government with a bull barrel, 6 inch. Dead on accurate but a pain to clean until you learn how to break it down and reassemble. Today I have a Taurus TX22 Compact, accurate and lighter than the Ruger.

 

[PALADIN85020]

If you don't like the old Hi-standard "space guns" then the most accurate competition .22 I've found is the Ruger Mark II Government Target model. Everything you need and nothing you don't. They are out there, but they are hard to find because they have a stellar reputation. This is a pic of one I own. The trigger shoe I added acts as a trigger overtravel stop - the only fault I can find with the gun is overtravel.

John



(Click for larger image)

 

[Yendor357]

AJ, does deleting the magazine safety on the Buck Mark help to lighten the trigger pull? If so, how much?

I did the Tandemkross Gear box on my 5.5 inch Buck Mark. Maybe -3/4 of a pound.

The guys who advise a Volquartzen trigger kit in the Rugers, are spot on.

 

[AJ]

AJ, does deleting the magazine safety on the Buck Mark help to lighten the trigger pull? If so, how much?

I did the Tandemkross Gear box on my 5.5 inch Buck Mark. Maybe -3/4 of a pound.

The guys who advise a Volquartzen trigger kit in the Rugers, are spot on.

Never really measured it. But by feel, I would say between the Heggis Flip and removing the magazine safety, I am at 2-2 1/2 pounds. I have several pistols with measured 2 1/2 pound pulls and this feels the same.

 

[walnutred]

For awhile I had a Norinco TT copy of the Walther. It shot well enough that someone who was in a small bore league convinced me to sell it to them.

 

[InTheWoods]

I just added a Ruger 22/45 Mark IV to my sw41 (three barrel set) and Colt Woodsman, and am extremely pleased with it. I immediately added a Volquartsen trigger group to it. WOW, it now has a trigger at least a good as the others, possibly better.The last few targets I shot with it were equal to what I commonly shoot with the 41.

I am not a competition shooter, just a guy who likes to shoot accurate guns on an almost daily basis. This Ruger is making me smile. BTW, the 41 and the Woodsman are going nowhere.

 

[Bald1]

I’m very happy with my Ruger MKII heavy barrel. Not bull barrel. It’s more accurate than me. I can shoot walnuts at 20 yds

 

[AJ]

For awhile I had a Norinco TT copy of the Walther. It shot well enough that someone who was in a small bore league convinced me to sell it to them.

Had one of those also. Would not work well with standard velocity ammo. But feed it high velocity ammo and it functioned & shot well. Trouble was no spares if something broke. So when someone offered me about twice what I had in it, they owned it.

 

[GypsmJim]

I have a Ruger Std., a Mark I, Mk 2, Mk3 and Mk4. In the days that I competed I started with a High Standard and graduated to a Smith 41 when I could afford it. When my travel schedule and kids shortened my available time I left the team and sold the 41. (It was an even trade for a brand new "200th Year of American Liberty" Blackhawk .45 Convertible)

I admit that the 41 was awesome, but if I want to consistently hit the bull now I go out with my old Standard. It's now over 50 years old and I couldn't even imagine how many rounds have gone down the pipe. It is fitted with a Reflex sight and it performs very well. I field stripped it about 20 years ago and ever since have only cleaned the bore and maybe a little oil. None of my .22 Rugers have ever had a new trigger, and they all shoot good enough for me. Maybe after thousands of rounds the trigger is even better than an aftermarket.....

As others have said, the plastic 22/45 is more of a gimmick than an accurate handgun.

 

[Baxter6551]

Another vote for the Ruger MKII Govt Model Target with the Voltsquaren trigger. I put the Hammer Strut Support gizmo in it. End of issues trying to reassemble after cleaning.

Ruger MK Reassembly |the One-Time Fix |Hammer Strut Support

I had two High Standards (HD Military & Model B) which both cost me time and money at Gunsmith trying to get them to run right without success. Sold both.
Model 41 runs flawless as does the Ruger.

 

[SweetMK]

I have the Model 41, a nice High Standard, the 617, and ,,, believe it or not,, this Volquartsen barreled Ruger MKII is the most accurate,, in my hands,,

 

[D Brown]

The S&W SW22 Victory is a great gun!

A TANDEMKROSS Hammer and Trigger will place the trigger action on the same level as the Model 41. The gun is just as accurate, if not more so, as the Model 41.

 

[bobsguns]

Lotsa good options listed ahead of me in this thread, IMO.

I'm not a Ruger fan. Disassembly/reassembly is a PITA. None of the Ruger owners mention that. They also mention aftermarket barrels. Why? Because a Ruger usually needs them to be accurate per shooting a cloverleaf. Their triggers often leave a lot to be desired as well. Lastly, I've had Ruger owners shoot one of mine & proceeded to out-shoot their own guns. There's also the political history with Bill Ruger during the AW & mag ban in the early 1990s. He shafted gun owners. Do your own research, as I've had 4 bans for politics in here.

I wholeheartedly agree with the Walther GSP as I own one. Amazing trigger, amazing accuracy. Walther builds Olympic-grade guns, so some of that trickles down, IMO.

I also have a Hammerli International, a modestly priced "target" rimfire. They're quite frequent on Gun Broker as well.

Another Hammerli I have is the Sig Trailside. Their value has gone up since Sig dropped that model, but they can easily be found.

My fav are my Buckmark models. I have both a bull bbl Camper model that's also threaded & a slabside model. Both will do a cloverleaf at 20-25 yards if I don't screw it up. No need for a new bbl or new trigger or extra expense. Just clean it, oil it & shoot it. Some Ruger owners will complain about the stripping process on the Buckmarks & that's fair. I get around that by simply not removing the top strap when cleaning. I spray the slide & recoil spring clean with brake cleaner, swab it with q-tips & oil it. Done.

Since I also have varied tastes, I also have a mock Beretta 92FS in .22LR and a mock Colt 1911 Gold Cup in .22LR. Sadly, I haven't shot them yet, so I can't comment on their performance. I don't know who made these, GSG or what. But they're seemingly nicely fitted, don't rattle & (most importantly) feel solid. Both were under $500.

Climbing up on my soapbox for a moment here, a search like this thread shows why we need to support local gun shows. No shop anywhere is going to stock a huge variety of rimfire pistols, there's just too many of them to do so. But a gun show is a good opportunity to find that no-longer-made model & actually hold it in one's hand, judging its balance & quality, IMO.

I got my Walther GSP gently used at a gun show as well as my slabside Buckmark. Yes, I skipped the jerky tables.

Gun Broker is an excellent way to discover unheard-of before models. One can limit their search by pricing, leaving out the $200 guns and the $1200+ guns or anywhere in between.

On ammo, I have had/have great luck with Blazer rimfire 40gr ammo. Doesn't matter the gun, they all seem to like Blazer. It used to be $20/brick but like everything else, it's gone up some. It can still be found for under $30/brick though.

My advice is worth exactly what I was paid for it............

 

[AJ]

Lotsa good options listed ahead of me in this thread, IMO.

I'm not a Ruger fan. Disassembly/reassembly is a PITA. None of the Ruger owners mention that. They also mention aftermarket barrels. Why? Because a Ruger usually needs them to be accurate per shooting a cloverleaf. Their triggers often leave a lot to be desired as well. Lastly, I've had Ruger owners shoot one of mine & proceeded to out-shoot their own guns. There's also the political history with Bill Ruger during the AW & mag ban in the early 1990s. He shafted gun owners. Do your own research, as I've had 4 bans for politics in here.

I wholeheartedly agree with the Walther GSP as I own one. Amazing trigger, amazing accuracy. Walther builds Olympic-grade guns, so some of that trickles down, IMO.

I also have a Hammerli International, a modestly priced "target" rimfire. They're quite frequent on Gun Broker as well.

Another Hammerli I have is the Sig Trailside. Their value has gone up since Sig dropped that model, but they can easily be found.

My fav are my Buckmark models. I have both a bull bbl Camper model that's also threaded & a slabside model. Both will do a cloverleaf at 20-25 yards if I don't screw it up. No need for a new bbl or new trigger or extra expense. Just clean it, oil it & shoot it. Some Ruger owners will complain about the stripping process on the Buckmarks & that's fair. I get around that by simply not removing the top strap when cleaning. I spray the slide & recoil spring clean with brake cleaner, swab it with q-tips & oil it. Done.

Since I also have varied tastes, I also have a mock Beretta 92FS in .22LR and a mock Colt 1911 Gold Cup in .22LR. Sadly, I haven't shot them yet, so I can't comment on their performance. I don't know who made these, GSG or what. But they're seemingly nicely fitted, don't rattle & (most importantly) feel solid. Both were under $500.

Climbing up on my soapbox for a moment here, a search like this thread shows why we need to support local gun shows. No shop anywhere is going to stock a huge variety of rimfire pistols, there's just too many of them to do so. But a gun show is a good opportunity to find that no-longer-made model & actually hold it in one's hand, judging its balance & quality, IMO.

I got my Walther GSP gently used at a gun show as well as my slabside Buckmark. Yes, I skipped the jerky tables.

Gun Broker is an excellent way to discover unheard-of before models. One can limit their search by pricing, leaving out the $200 guns and the $1200+ guns or anywhere in between.

On ammo, I have had/have great luck with Blazer rimfire 40gr ammo. Doesn't matter the gun, they all seem to like Blazer. It used to be $20/brick but like everything else, it's gone up some. It can still be found for under $30/brick though.

My advice is worth exactly what I was paid for it............

Bobsguns,


I will concur with you on the Rugers. Have had a couple and take down is a PIA. My 22/45, I took to the gunsmith to show me how to disassemble and reassemble and he screwed the pooch so bad it had to go back to Ruger for repair. It was gone after that episode.

I agree on the Buckmarks and the Walther OSP/GSP. On the Buckmarks no need to fancy aftermarket stuff to make them shoot better. I do recommend the Heggis Flip and remove the mag safety. These are no cost to you of you can follow the YouTube videos. I did change my front sight for a red plastic (I can see that better). The Walther OSP/GSP's need nothing except to adjust the trigger to your liking. I like 7 ounces of trigger pull.

I have a Colt Conversion Unit for my Gold Cup National Match (original Series 70) and the Beretta 92 in .22LR. Neither are as accurate as my Buckmark. I also have a Sig P220 in .22LR and like it better than the Colt or Beretta.

Used guns are out there if you look and check them carefully.......

 

[Richard93]

What do you mean by “target” 22?

To me, “target” means no-compromise tool for winning matches.
American made “target” 22s are, in fact, mostly plinkers. They don’t have the accuracy, they don’t have the triggers, grips,or sights, and they don’t have the range of adjustments needed to fine tune the gun to your technique.
One exception, for American guns, is Volquartson. They still lack some refinements and adjustments, but if they fit you, they will shoot!
True match grade “target” 22s all come from Europe. The top pistols currently in production are:
1) Pardini SP 22
2) Feinwerkbau AW93
3) Walther GSP
(All three pictured in order)
Older Hämmerli 208 and 208s are long out of production but are still highly sought after. The Walther and Pardini can be converted to 32 wadcutter for International Centerfire matches. The Pardini and Walther have their magazine in front of the trigger. This allows maximum range of grip fitting and sizes, and helps keep the bore line as low as possible. The Feinwerkbau, like the older Hämmerli, is more traditional.
Any of these guns will last you a lifetime of high volume shooting and, with care, will maintain their reliability and accuracy.
They also hold their value.
Even if you don’t compete, they are fun and rewarding to shoot. They’ll also help your shooting abilities.

Feel free to PM me if you would like any help or recommendations for this type of pistol.

PS: the PardiniUSA importer/dealer is a few hours drive from you, in Tampa, FL. They have superb customer service and professional consultants. They will take the time to help you select the perfect .22 pistol for you, fit you with the best grip and trigger set-up, and offer coaching or training help if needed.
It’s an incredible experience just shopping with them.

I’ve had my Pardini since 2001. I’ll take it to the grave before I’d sell it.

I have a Benelli MP90 that I bought here in Italy where I live but it was produced in America for the American market, in fact on the side it says Benelli U.S.A and not Benelli Italia. I didn't know that Benelli also produced weapons in the United States. I thought that the factory was only in Italy. However, I was satisfied.
If you want to buy a well-made competition gun, get an MP90 and if you buy the one produced in the U.S.A. it also has a manual safety that the one made in Italy doesn't have. This is my opinion

 

[GypsmJim]

I've had Ruger Marks since 1970. When I first wanted to do a field strip I simply read the owner's manual. They all went right back together. No problem.

I didn't know there was a problem until I read it on the internet.

 

[Kanewpadle]

This one.

Tanfoglio Force 22. Single action. Target sights. Very nice trigger. Two 10 round magazines. Around $500. Mine is very accurate.

OR

An older Ruger Mark 2. Buy Volquartzen replacement sear and be happy.

 

[Kp321]

The Colt conversion was mentioned but nothing has been said about the Nelson conversion. On a dedicated frame, good 3# trigger, it will shoot with the 41’s and Rugers.