I am starting to do some target shooting with 22's. I currently have a Beretta U22 Neos (6" barrel) on loan from a friend. Pretty good shooter. Thinking of a few options. Whay say you? Thanks.

Go handle them, shoot them if possible.

The way it feels is more important than our opinions.

__________________
Richard

I have 6 Ruger MK II target models, 4 or 5 Browning Buck Marks, one S&W model 41. I would definitely start with almost any of the Browning Buck Marks. Great pistols at a fair price. They have different grip features on different models, so you should try to handle as many different models as possible.

I started with a Ruger MKI Target w/ 6 7/8" tapered barrel .
Long thin barrels are not the most accurate shooting ... I didn't do great
Mark II Target w/ 5" heavy bull barrel shot better scores ... much better
Then ... S&W model 41 , heavy barrel with tune up , trigger job and red dot sight mounted by Clark Custom Guns . The trigger job opened the door to higher scores and was a pleasure to shoot .

Knowing what I now know ... I wish I had started out with the S&W model 41 ... the Clark Custom Guns trigger job was the secrete to success .
Gary

__________________
Certified Cajun
NRA Member

Our Ruger MKIV, after just about 150 rounds, now has a nice trigger.
No need to swap it out for now.
Did okay with the RMR and DPP, and we'll see how it really shoots at 25/50/100yds with the 2x scope and the 2.5-8x32mm.
IIRC the aluminum frame IVs use 1911 grips.

I gave the new Colt Ace, I bought decades ago,
to my brother back around '80.
I had an old K22M and drilled/tapped it for
scopes/red dot mounts.


As stated, try some out at the LGS/range.
Then also get a Levergun in 22LR just because.

Attached Images

IMG_1066.jpg (139.7 KB, 31 views)

__________________
Have Fun/Stay Safe

I think it depends on your budget and aspirations.

Of the poll options, I would opt for one of the Rugers (I am partial to the Mark II but I think they will all work). If you get to be really good a different trigger may be helpful.

If you are really good and have a bigger budget, a model 41 may get you to a higher level.

Agree with trying several options before committing to a purchase. Happy hunting!

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I recommend a revolver to start with. I prefer the S&W 617

Another vote for the Buck Mark. My wife and I each have one. Her’s is a UDX model which has finger grooves on the frame - it’s an amazing feeling gun and really excels for small hands. I have the Hunter model with the 7-1/4” barrel and also love how it feels. When I was looking, I found that the Buck Marks had the best out of the box trigger and the ergonomics were perfect for us.

I always liked the Luger-style grip of the Rugers but I’ve never shot as well with one. Also not sure that it really matters for you, but I think the barrel assembly (Upper) on the Ruger is the serialized part so barrel swaps can’t just happen by buying a new one online. Also worth noting that I did have a 22A years ago and sold it, but it was a decent gun as well.

Ruger.

Millions have been sold for good reason- they work.

Like any .22lr, usr good ammo. I only shoot CCI Stingers in my .22s and have had so few failures I can't remember the last one.

I bought a 22/45 MKIII, added an adjustable trigger, a Hogue grip and a cheap red dot. The thing is a laser. Makes shooting well easy.

Bob, I have 2 Mark IIs.

A stainless 6 7/8" tapered barrel target model and a blue 6 7/8" bull barrel gov't target model.

If you'd like to try them, give me a call.

John

I and my friends use Browning Buckmarks. We have had the Hegis Flips done to ours for lighter trigger pulls. Reminds us of our Browning Medalists (the Buckmarks Great-Grandfather).

__________________
USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

We have 2 Buckmark Target model pistols with scope rails.
I use one with a 2X pistol scope for fun plinking. My wife used her Buckmark with a red dot for .22 bullseye shooting. I used a Hi Standard with a red dot, Herrett grips and a muzzle brake and she gave me run for my money with hers.
Great guns.

Entry level...Browning or the Ruger. Aspirational gun for later...Smith Model 41.

High Standard made some outstanding .22 target guns as did Colt...but they've passed into collectible territory with prices to match even if they can still hold their own with today's guns.

The Ruger and the Buckmark line are the best of the contemporary 22 target pistols you’ve listed. The Ruger trigger is the least desirable of the three I’m discussing.

If you keep your eyes open, you can find a Colt Woodsman with adjustable sights that will out shoot any of the guns you’ve listed. Interestingly, they can often be had for no more than the contemporary ones you’ve listed. The Colts have the best triggers of these three.

I think the best starting question is what kind of target shooting? Bullseye, speed, or just casual paper targets at the range? The next question is how serious do you see yourself getting into it? Without knowing the answer to those questions, if I had to recommend one 22lr handgun that can do pretty much anything at very a reasonable price, I'd pick the Buckmark. Plenty of ways to customize them to suit whatever needs you have. The are both accurate and reliable... what else do you need?

I've got no experience with Ruger MK III or IV pistols, but know my way around the basic MK design and wouldn't have a problem recommending them either (though I'd stick with a MK II - just me maybe).

The vast majority of my 22lr shooting is plinking on paper, or if I'm lucky, steel targets when I'm at my folk's place outside of deer season. So for me, any of my 22's suit my needs just fine.

The Hegis Flip for the Buckmark gives one of the best trigger pulls that I have found on a pistol made in the last 40 years.


Also removing the magazine safety helps

__________________
USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

The Buckmark is derived from a true target pistol. The Medalist is the top pistol and it's great-grandson is the Buckmark below.

Attached Images

Browning22Pistols.jpg (185.4 KB, 23 views)

__________________
USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

As mentioned some HS pistols have gotten very expensive. But there are still many models out there in the $400.00 range which is pretty competitive. A plain old Sport King with fixed sight has a much better trigger pull than a Ruger Standard. Adjustable sight HS present a really nice picture. I like the Ruger just fine, but would dig into HS first for a deal.

Magazine cost and ensuring they work well in the HS is another issue. Ruger definitely wins that one.

Entry level?

What does that mean----you want start with something less than the best? If that's the case, why bother?

It only costs a little more to go first class!! Then there's no question about what needs improving----the gun, or the shooter!

We were all entry level at one point in time. Those with first class equipment progressed more quickly than those without.

I went from competitive shooting to racing sports cars----same church---different pew!

Ralph Tremaine

I’ve been a big fan of the Ruger Mk IV Target. Bought mine in early 2020 and it’s been fantastic.

__________________
Some Might Say.

When you say "TARGET SHOOTING", what do you mean?
(Some of this might sound a little blunt. No offense intended.)

-1) Standing on your two feet, pistol in one hand, firing at regulation targets at regulation distances for score, following official rules of the NRA, ISSF, or CMP. Selected guns must meet stipulated requirements for weight, trigger pull, sights and/or sight radius, grip design, and other modifications!
or,...
-2) Shooting at random targets at personally convenient distances by whatever means happen to work.

If it's the latter, it really doesn't matter. Anything on your list will do.
If it's the former, that is legitimate competitive competitive shooting, none of the guns on the list are all that great.
At least the Ruger can be upgraded. But, that will cost you more than the gun.

Before I say anymore (again, no offense intended) this is not the best forum to ask. There are some incredibly wonderful and knowledgeable folks here. Want to learn about Triple Locks or Registered Magnums? You can find no better resource!
But, competitive target shooting? Not so much.
At best, you'll get is, "I used to shoot a model 41 back in the 70s.", or, "My Dad shot a High Standard Trophy when he competed in the 1960s".
Well, those days are over! High Standard keeps trying, and failing, to dig itself out of the grave. And, the model 41 is overpriced and no longer competitive.
Or, you'll get a barrage of plinker opinions. That's fine if that's your interest. But, you won't be winning any matches!

Your most informed answers will come from the "TargetTalk" forum or the "Bullseye-L" forum.
But, I know what they'll tell you, as I'm on those forums, too!
There are the expensive guns, like Pardini SP, Walther GSP, Hammerli 208s, Feinwerkbau AW93. Expect to pay $2500 just to start playing. I'm guessing that's not what you need. Alternatively, buy a Marvel .22 Conversion Unit and put it on a 1911 frame. (The unit is about $500.)
Or, get a Hämmerli X-esse! These are built by Walther in Germany. The old Hämmerli factory in Lenzburg, Switzerland is long gone. The Hämmerli X-esse is a stripped down 208 without the old style hand fitting. Last I checked, they run about $700. This gun can shoot winning scores. Many guys who are now retired out of the various Military Unit Marksmanship Units and Pistol Teams (who paid for their gear, courtesy of our tax dollars) and now have to buy their own guns with their own money, choose the Hämmerli X-esse.
I hope this helps. Best wishes, and again, no offense intended.

If trying to be real competitive then go to something European. Hammerli, Walther, etc.......

I have never shot competitively, but I have an old Walther OSP in .22 Short and it will outshoot every U.S. made match pistol that I have fired. Pretty much so will my old Browning Medalist......

__________________
USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

I have two .22 autos. One is a S&W 22a1 with a 7.5" barrel. You can usually find these pretty cheap. Some complain about them but mine is great.

My other .22 is a High Standard 10-X. Kind of the opposite end of the spectrum. Fantastic gun, but I generally don't recommend High Standards to less experienced shooters as they are finicky. Like really finicky. You have to work a bit tuning them to a specific ammo. Then when you never get there you work tuning them to another ammo. Magazines are expensive and require adjustment. But once you get through that they are just awesomeness.

The 22a1 I have is 80% as good with 90% less hassle and 70% less cost.

I hear Rugers are good....

Our Buckmark at our clubs steel range!
It’s the only pistol that keeps my wife coming along with me. What was once ours is now her ‘Pee-Pee’ gun. She loves it, a plus, but I dont get to use it much anymore ( a minus). But on my plus side I get a lot more range time with her previous flame (a big heavy CZ75 SP01 with a red dot).

__________________
Tim

I have a "few" 22's... but for target shooting... it will be a Ruger MkII... moving up the price scale... a Marvel 22 conversion on a 1911...

Attached Images

	20160709_165204.jpg (163.8 KB, 6 views)
	20170318_120516.jpg (72.9 KB, 3 views)

I’m a Colt guy so I’d say a 2nd or 3rd Series Woodsman but I understand that they are spendy and can be hit or miss so my next recommendation would be an older M41 Smith. I love my Woodsmans but I compete with my M41. My last recommendation would be a Ruger Mk with Volquartson upgrades. But they can get spendy too. Don’t have one of those but have bought a few as gifts and shot several others.

Attached Images

	IMG_9158.jpg (74.8 KB, 13 views)
	IMG_0241.jpg (110.8 KB, 12 views)

I don’t compete with 22’s but have owned a couple of heavy barrel MKII Rugers, a Browning, Smith 2206 and Victory thats tricked out. My 2206 was a dog even after multiple trips back to smith but I think I just got a dog. Other people I’ve talked to never had an issue with theirs. My Victory was perfect for the first 700 rounds then it wouldn’t feed or eject reliably. I had Smith send me parts that I installed with no improvement. I then sent it back to smith with no improvement. Finally I ran across a fix, bend the ejector a tiny bit and that solved it. Thousands of rounds through it since and no issues. It’s an excellent gun with plenty of custom parts to make it the way you want. The same is true of Rugers.

I inherited the Browning and it just didn’t do anything for me although it was a good and accurate gun.

I have to admit though that my favorite is my 1955 Smith K22. I’m a revolver guy but I don’t think you can beat the K22.

Attached Images

IMG_1860.jpg (39.8 KB, 6 views)

Entry level would be some kind of Ruger MK-IV. Considering cost, performance , magazines and Ruger CS. The best bang for your buck.
That’s coming from solid S&W 41, Hi-STDs and Browning Medalist shooter.
Entry Level is where a shooter decides if he wants to get into a category
and how much he wants to spend. That is what I would recommend for new shooter buying NEW gun.

Both of these are fantastic guns. Maybe not so entry level on one of them.

Attached Images

	Ruger MK II.jpg (128.6 KB, 16 views)
	M41 1993.jpg (174.4 KB, 18 views)

A ruger mk4 s&w or browning will do well but understand 22lr are very ammo dependent on what it will shoot best .

I would buy a pistol with at least a 6" barrel and if your still an open sights shooter longer is better !
Browning 22lr cover a wide variety of options and price but the Hunter model would be my choice today .

Ruger mk4 would be a competition model but pricey

IF your see a Colt Woodsman with even a skinny 6" barrel and have good eye sight that nice and the price is ok , Buy It . maybe even a Huntsman model .

We have a 6" ruger mk3 with a trigger kit and dot optic and with the ammo it likes best it is a very nice shooter . I learn to shot with a Colt Huntsman 6" with basic non-adjustable black sights . I need a red dot to shoot at my best But I can still shoot it as good as the ruger with upgrades 25 yards most times . My wife shoots it better than the ruger too . Trigger has a 2lb stock pull weight with a minimal of any pre travel or over travel movement far better than the ruger or even most 1911 bullseye pistols . Not bad for a pistol I started with in 1961as a 6 year old .

Check out the one below - Good price -
"Colt Woodsman Pistol .22 LR (C20095) Consignment" for sale

I would buy a nice used S&W model 41. I would rather buy a gun that I won't "need" to upgrade.

I gave the middle MKII to my son, top "Competition" is way more accurate than I can hold, bottom one is just more fun. Joe

__________________
Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

I sold my buckmark because of mediocre accuracy. My 2 Rugers were both more accurate. Bought another buckmark 2 years ago, I find it superior to my rugers.

I also have 41’s and a Browning International. One of the Smiths is more accurate than the other, maybe marginally better or at least equal to the browning, the other is not.

I would recommend a Ruger bull bbl. Then get a volqurtzen trigger kit, at some point.

Buy the one you like, because I don’t believe one is any more inherently accurate then the other….my sample size of 2 proves that.

I was at the range with my Buckmark. A guy was next to me with his Ruger. We swapped pistols to shoot a clip each. He didn't want to swap back.

I think they call that an example of "class tells"----or something like that.

RCT

I had a Buckmark . I ran out of sight adjustment and it was still consistently four inches off . I should have sent it back to the factory but I was so disgusted that I got rid of it .

Thanks John. I will let you know. Bob

Thanks for pretty much nothing!

I don't think you can go wrong with a Ruger Mk-anything as a first .22 target pistol. If you have the option, get the MkIV, it's much easier to disassemble than the others.

That said, I had a 22/45 MkIII for a lot of years. No beauty queen, but very accurate and shooter-friendly. Recently sold it for something prettier, a stainless Hunter MkIII with a longer barrel. A little more expensive but the same action, very reliable.

The only .22 LR target pistols I have now are the Ruger and a M41. The M41 has the better trigger and is incrementally more accurate, but a tad more finicky about being clean to run well than the Ruger.

Attached Images

Target .22 LR.jpg (262.3 KB, 4 views)

WOW - thanks for all the input. I hope to fire a couple options in the next week or so. Except for time in the USMC my shooting has rarely been "target/bullseye" and almost never at distance of more than 10 yards. My logic being is at that distance I should be covering/concealing, etc. So, I am now looking to change things up a bit and see how tight I can get groups beginning at 15 yards. Probably will also need new glasses (haha). Thanks again. Bob

Sorry you couldn't learn from RCT's post. He gave you some excellent advice that could save you a lot of time and a few hundred dollars.

I wonder how many lurkers here don't bother posting because it's too much work to get something like your response.

__________________
Formerly Model520Fan

Dump the new junk. Buy a used Colt Woodsman!

I've bought/sold and borrowed many .22s looking for something I liked better than my M-41. The Hammerli Olympia gave me a lot faster followup shots and the Walther GSP was slightly more accurate, many were more reliable, but none gave me more joy on the "good days" than the 41.

Funny but what advice? There is nothing offered about either the choices in the poll or what he would buy. My takeaway is he a race care driver. I get your last point and I don’t reply to posts unless it adds to the conversation. Just my opinion though.

As I said before...High Standard and Colt made some awesome .22 pistols...too bad they're no more outside of the used and collector markets.




Regardless of the awesome guns High Standard and Colt produced...the most accurate .22 I own is this Smith Model 41...


If you want to consider revolvers...you'd be hard pressed to find better than Colt's new King Cobra Target models...ten rounds of .22 and a great action.

I have a Ruger MK II- always reliable, laser accurate.

A good simple gun with lots of aftermarket support

__________________
Guns + Dogs= Bliss

At 15yds the gun/you should be able to shoot a ragged hole,
or a least a cloverleaf offhand.... one or both hands.
That's a goal to work for.
Have read on this forum that some have had issues with
the newer M41s. Check the archives.
If your budget permits, get one of the all steel Ruger MKIVs.
My Air America buddy bought two of the all steel MKIVs.
Forgot if they were the Hunter or Competition versions.

The Colt Gold Cups are considered an entry level
Bullseye gun.
A BT99 is also an entry level Trap gun..... but can always break
24/25 if you pay attention.

__________________
Have Fun/Stay Safe

I understood his advice to be that one should approach target shooting with the best equipment possible, and that the concept of entry-level, meaning some kind of lower-grade equipment, was NOT appropriate to entry. Many years ago, I went the way he advocates. It's cheaper that way.

__________________
Formerly Model520Fan

A Ruger Mk. II but plan on adding a trigger kit and decent stocks. A Browning Challenger if you can find one with the heavy barrel or a S&W model 41 ( The 41 is pricer but sometimes there's economy in getting a better gun first time around.)

Happy shopping,

Al

Very helpful. Thanks.