Thinking of getting a target pistol

Joker84

Joker84

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Looking for a .22 cal semi-auto. What would you guys recommend? I read some good reviews on a SW22A and im leaning toward that but would like to hear some more opinions. Brand name doesn't matter as long as it is accurate and reliable
 
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Be careful! This is where I learned of and got bit by the S&W Model 41. This is the top dog for target auto .22. I bought two a few month ago and can't get them away from my daughters. They are also on the higher end an price. There are many that like the Ruger. I would look around to see what is available in your area. Don't over look the used stuff. High Standard has been making a good 22 auto for years.
 
" High Standard has been making a good 22 auto for years. "
....Well, they were until about thirty years ago.
 
Ruger..

I would go for a new Ruger over a model 22, or over a new Browning Buckmark...m42 is top of the line, but whole different price bracket, and my old High Standard Supermatic is very fussy about ammo. Rugers are virtually bullet proof, and not typically fussy about ammo, are very reasonable (unless you go high hog, and order a new stainless Hunter or Competition model, an un-necessary move), and usually quite reliable. Me, I would order or shop for a used 5.5" bull barrel MkII. If you must have a 1911 style magazine release, go with a Mk III, or check out the Zytel framed 22/45 models, thin grips, angled same as a 1911, more upright than the standard Ruger.
I don't think model 22's are at the top of the heap reliability wise. Model 42's are wonderful, but for the price of one you could have 4 or 5 Rugers.
 
I have to agree with Ed333 here, my S&W Model 41 will outshoot my Ruger 5.5" Bull Barrel, but not if I'm shooting it. You have to be a lot better shot then me to need the accuracy of a high end gun like the Model 41.

If you are that good of a shot, go for the 41, you will not be disappointed. If not, I think you would be happy with the Ruger, the Buckmark or a lower end S&W target auto.
 
Another S&W to consider is the Model 2206. It's now discontinued, but you see them on the auction sites from time to time. This was an all stainless gun, available with 4.5" or 6" barrel, adjustable sights or 3 white dots. I purchased a new 4.5" 2206 with the white dots in the early 90's and have put 1000's of rounds thru it without a hitch. An added benefit is that it's weight and sight set-up are very close to the full sized S&W autos in larger calibers.
 
There are lots of great 22LR semi auto and revolvers out there. The S&W 41 is the Cadillac, the Ruger Mark Series and Browning Buckmark are both great guns, The High Standard is another great one, and then we have the new breed of 22LR guns. I'm not knocking the new guns but they just don't have the same lineage based on quality in manufacturing process after the changes and cost cutting that takes place. They are and can be great shooters but they just don't feel the same to me.

My Favorites
Model 41
Model4155inchbarrelleft.jpg

Ruger mark II
RugerMarkII-2.jpg

Most fun to shoot aK22 made in 1952
k22rightside.jpg

Most accurate it's not even close for me a 17-4 with 8 3/8 Barrel
Copyof17-4RightSide.jpg
 
I also put the Model 41 at the top.
For a reasonably priced and outstanding shooter, I'll go with the Buckmark. Aside from being amazingly accurate, I really like the way it feels in my hand. Plus, with me being a 1911 guy, the controls are right where I want them.
The Rugers are good, but I never liked the grip angle.
 
Ruger, Browning...both great and you won't regret buying either one....but to own, fire, strip and reassemble a Model 41 can damage a person. You'll never be happy with anything less.
I shoot paper targets at 7-10 yards.I do not compete... I'm not a good consistent shooter. A person does not have to be a top notch shooter to appreciate the quality of a 41
 
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:) There are three choices. S&W model 41, High Standard,
and S&W model 17. The 41 and H/S are neck and neck for
first place. Don

S&W 41
SW-41.jpg

H/S
high.jpg

S&W 17-4
K17-4.jpg
 
Thanks guys for all the replies. The S&W model 41 sure looks nice but its kind of out of my price range for now. If I brought home a 1000 dollar gun my fiance would probably pack up her stuff and leave, so im left with the MK series or the buckmark. Ill go to my local gun store this weekend and see how they compare.
 
last advice...

Joker84 said:
Thanks guys for all the replies. The S&W model 41 sure looks nice but its kind of out of my price range for now. If I brought home a 1000 dollar gun my fiance would probably pack up her stuff and leave, so im left with the MK series or the buckmark. Ill go to my local gun store this weekend and see how they compare.
Click to expand...

Parting advice, based on what I have heard, do as I have done, and never accept an offer to shoot a friend's model 41....this insures that I remain perfectly content with my Rugers and m.617 and snubby m.34 revolvers.....you can't miss what you have never experienced.
 
Ed333 said:
Parting advice, based on what I have heard, do as I have done, and never accept an offer to shoot a friend's model 41....this insures that I remain perfectly content with my Rugers and m.617 and snubby m.34 revolvers.....you can't miss what you have never experienced.
Click to expand...

I have a S&W 41, a S&W 17-8, a couple S&W 617s (-4 and -6), and a Ruger Mk. II Competition Target, and I've had and sold several other Ruger Mk. IIs (MK4 and MK512), a Ruger Mutt (22/45 upper on a Mk. I lower), and a Ruger Single Six.

The one I like and use the most is...the 617-4. I've got a super-nice single-action trigger on mine, better than any semi-auto. For slow-fire at 50 yards, or timed- and rapid-fire at 25 yards, the 617-4 is the bees' knees for me =)

The 41 is nice, too, but it doesn't get to play as often as my wheelgun.
 
Joker84 said:
Thanks guys for all the replies. The S&W model 41 sure looks nice but its kind of out of my price range for now. If I brought home a 1000 dollar gun my fiance would probably pack up her stuff and leave
Click to expand...

My 1st wife didn't leave....(but that 41 cost $325).......My current wife is still with me...this 41 was $925
Keep the 41 in mind. Maybe someday.
 
I have a 41 and a 4" 617 revolver. I am a much, much better shot shooting that 617 double action than I am with the 41. On the other hand, my wife consistently gets nickel-size groups with the 41 at 10 yards. Go figure. For my money, however, the 41 has the best single action trigger of any gun I've ever fired.
 
Joker84 said:
Thanks guys for all the replies. The S&W model 41 sure looks nice but its kind of out of my price range for now. If I brought home a 1000 dollar gun my fiance would probably pack up her stuff and leave, so im left with the MK series or the buckmark. Ill go to my local gun store this weekend and see how they compare.
Click to expand...

Should not let a fiance make your choice unless she's paying for it. She may not be your wife when the time comes to get married. Things like that happen often, women just like to say this is my dog oops I mean my fiance.
 
I bought a used but excellent cond. std bbl Ruger MK1 four years ago for $160. Nothing special and has a poor trigger; but, it shot as accurately as my Buckmark , which cost twice as much (and subsequently sold). I also bought a used Colt Targetsman for $325 which outshot my Hi Standard, and comes darn close to keeping up with my S&W 41. So individual results may occur.
 
I have A S & W 22A that is a very nice pistol after a short break in period. I would love to have a Model 41 but that is way down on my want/need list because of price.
I would highly recommend that anyone considering buying a Ruger Mark II or III view the following cleaning procedure videos before buying one. I have no doubt the Rugers are great shooters but cleaning one is a huge pain unless you are very mechanically inclined. If you are, you should probably consider becoming a gun smith.

Part one;
YouTube - Ruger Mark III Field Stripping PART 1

Part two;
YouTube - Ruger Mark III Field Stripping PART 2
 
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