I was just exposed to some competition shooting using .22 LR semi-autos and found it to be quite fun. So I thought I'd look for one to buy. The M41 is way out of my price range but thought the 22A might be worth considering. At the LGS today I looked at the Ruger, the Colt and the Browning. I think Sig also makes a couple. I would appreciate any advice. TIA
.22 LR semi-autos
- Thread starter corgiS&W
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If you are considering competition shooting with the .22's you can't do better than the M41 or some of the older High Standards, especially the Victor or Citations. The newer Rugers, Colts, Sigs, GSG, 1911 replica 22's are neat but I don't know if they are all that accurate. I know some one will come along that owns them and comment.
What kind of competition shooting ?
What level of precision do you need?
Some things you can get by with x other times you need z
What level of precision do you need?
Some things you can get by with x other times you need z
This was my 1st experience. It consisted of 8 shots at 4 paper targets placed about 25, 30, 35 & 40 feet away. Scored as points minus time, so it's pretty simple. I'm not interested in high-level competition, but this was just for fun with about 10 other guys. I particularly liked the ammo cost factor compared to 9mm. I'd prefer something under $500.
Sounds like an X will work fine for you then.
Pick the combination that fits your hand best/points naturally has an acceptable sights and trigger for you too
Pick the combination that fits your hand best/points naturally has an acceptable sights and trigger for you too
Haven't seen any used ones. New ones are about $325 around here. I did see the Ruger 22/45 and that's a possibility as it's between the target and the 1911 feel, but it's back up to $400 range
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For the price range you are stating, either a Ruger Mk II or III would be great. I have also shot a Browning Buckmark in the past and those are nice as well. As mentioned already, Hi Standard semi auto 22s were well made and very accurate, but I haven't seen one in quite awhile.
I vote for the Ruger but not the MKIII. Look for a MKII or even a MKI. I had a MKIII and it was a problem from the get-go. Finally had to let it go. Look for a used Ruger. Also you might want to consider a SW 617 but be prepared to spend some $'s.
gwpercle
Member
I have shot with both the Ruger and model 41 in the old NRA bullseye matches with 22. 38 and 45.
The 41 S&W was top drawer, mine had a wonderful trigger. The Ruger MKI with a bull barrel didn't have quite the trigger so I couldn't equal the scores of the Smith.
A few years ago I purchased a Ruger MKII that had a Millet red dot sight mounted. That gun had to have had a trigger job done to it along with the red dot sight mounting. All you had to do was put the dot on the target and think about squeezing the trigger and the bullet landed right on the dot.
That trigger was better than the S&W trigger and I dought it came from the factory that way.
I don't know how Ruger triggers are today but I would reccomend a Ruger with a heavy bull barrel and a trigger job if the trigger is too heavy.
Gary
The 41 S&W was top drawer, mine had a wonderful trigger. The Ruger MKI with a bull barrel didn't have quite the trigger so I couldn't equal the scores of the Smith.
A few years ago I purchased a Ruger MKII that had a Millet red dot sight mounted. That gun had to have had a trigger job done to it along with the red dot sight mounting. All you had to do was put the dot on the target and think about squeezing the trigger and the bullet landed right on the dot.
That trigger was better than the S&W trigger and I dought it came from the factory that way.
I don't know how Ruger triggers are today but I would reccomend a Ruger with a heavy bull barrel and a trigger job if the trigger is too heavy.
Gary
For what you describe the Ruger should work well. They do not have the best trigger, but parts are around to fix that for not a lot of money. The only other issue with the Rugers to me is cleaning, they are a PIA to disassemble. If you even think you might progress in target shooting then the model 41 and the High Standard's are the way to go.
Slidemuzik
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Corgi do you plan or want the option to shoot any courses that would require mag changes?
I tried to shoot a course of fire requiring mag changes with a Ruger standard and the mag release is in the heel of the grip. It required "popping" the mag and then removing it by hand. Way too awkward and slow. The aftermarket is unlimited for the Rugers though. I could have even found an aftermarket mag release that would have allowed the mags to drop free for my old pistol.
My point is to think about mag changes, cost and availability of extra mags, and check to see if the system on any given pistol is comfortable for you to operate.
How about one of these? S&W 422/622/2206 series. The 2206s being the heavier all stainless and the others lightweight alloy frame. Made for about 10 years, ending in 1997.
Pictured below is another member's 622 VR 6" barrel. That vent rib model was only made one year and are not common. I think that's the sexiest .22 I know of, and they are very good shooters. I found out today there were just over 6000 made in 6". Some people call the 2206 the "poor man's model 41".
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I tried to shoot a course of fire requiring mag changes with a Ruger standard and the mag release is in the heel of the grip. It required "popping" the mag and then removing it by hand. Way too awkward and slow. The aftermarket is unlimited for the Rugers though. I could have even found an aftermarket mag release that would have allowed the mags to drop free for my old pistol.
My point is to think about mag changes, cost and availability of extra mags, and check to see if the system on any given pistol is comfortable for you to operate.
How about one of these? S&W 422/622/2206 series. The 2206s being the heavier all stainless and the others lightweight alloy frame. Made for about 10 years, ending in 1997.
Pictured below is another member's 622 VR 6" barrel. That vent rib model was only made one year and are not common. I think that's the sexiest .22 I know of, and they are very good shooters. I found out today there were just over 6000 made in 6". Some people call the 2206 the "poor man's model 41".
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You can probably buy a 22A new for a decent price and save the money difference for ammo. They are not all that fussy on which brand of ammo you use like the m41. The m41 is a much superior gun over any Ruger made in my book or even a older m46 as well if you can find one.
I don't think there's any question the M41 is superior to a Mark series Ruger, it's just not in his budget.
Dennis.
AveragEd
Member
The only 22LR semi-auto handguns I've owned have been a High Standard Supermatic Trophy and an Advantage Arms 22LR conversion kit for my Kimber 1911. Last week, a high-end target shotgun dealer in North Carolina offered me his last one of these.
It is part of a special run of 22As ordered from S&W in 2011 by Talo Distributors. It has numerous cosmetic changes but remains pretty much the same 22A mechanically. I knew nothing about them but inquired on this Forum and learned they are very good guns that deliver accuracy beyond their price point. As one poster informed me, only a very skilled bullseye shooter would be able to wring better accuracy out of a Model 41.
They list for $525; I paid $425 for it with three magazines. I also saw a few new ones on GunBroker, one of which has/had a minimum bid of $350 with no reserve. Since I know the seller who contacted me, I went with his instead of taking a chance on getting into a bidding war. The various standard versions of the Model 22A sell for less.
I should receive a call from my gunsmith any time now telling me that the gun is at his shop for pickup. I'm looking forward to shooting it.
Ed
It is part of a special run of 22As ordered from S&W in 2011 by Talo Distributors. It has numerous cosmetic changes but remains pretty much the same 22A mechanically. I knew nothing about them but inquired on this Forum and learned they are very good guns that deliver accuracy beyond their price point. As one poster informed me, only a very skilled bullseye shooter would be able to wring better accuracy out of a Model 41.
They list for $525; I paid $425 for it with three magazines. I also saw a few new ones on GunBroker, one of which has/had a minimum bid of $350 with no reserve. Since I know the seller who contacted me, I went with his instead of taking a chance on getting into a bidding war. The various standard versions of the Model 22A sell for less.
I should receive a call from my gunsmith any time now telling me that the gun is at his shop for pickup. I'm looking forward to shooting it.
Ed
I love shooting .22s, and have several that I shoot regularly.
In your price range, look hard for a Buckmark. Mine is a tackdriver with a great trigger 'out of the box'.
If the Ruger fits your hand better, pick up a MkIII. You might need to do a bit of work on the trigger, but there's lots of aftermarket support if you like to tinker.
Both are reliable, even with bulk ammo, and magazines are easy to find and affordable.
I used to have a S&W 22a, really nice pistol, especially at it's price point. The grip, though, is huge, and didn't fit my hands well.
If your hands are large, that's another option.
In your price range, look hard for a Buckmark. Mine is a tackdriver with a great trigger 'out of the box'.
If the Ruger fits your hand better, pick up a MkIII. You might need to do a bit of work on the trigger, but there's lots of aftermarket support if you like to tinker.
Both are reliable, even with bulk ammo, and magazines are easy to find and affordable.
I used to have a S&W 22a, really nice pistol, especially at it's price point. The grip, though, is huge, and didn't fit my hands well.
If your hands are large, that's another option.
KKECK5
Member
IF your on a fixed income, like some of us.. The Ruger SR22 at about $329.00 is your best bet... Fires any ammo on the market, hardly ever jams, and is as accurate as many more expensive guns. I had a Browning Nomad over 40 years ago, but I think that quality of workmanship is long gone, at least for less expensive guns.
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JFootin
Member
AveragEd, you scored! That gun is a beauty and that was a great price! 
AveragEd
Member
Thanks, I'm hoping it works as well as it looks.
Anyone considering a Marvel 22LR conversion kit for a 1911 should look at an Advantage Arms kit. They look and function just like the Marvel, including a last-round slide lock-back feature, for less money. Mine is VERY accurate, too.
But from first-hand experience, I can tell you NOT to buy a Kimber or Ciener kit. My Kimber kit, being used on a Kimber Stainless Gold Match II, was back to Kimber three times (twice with my gun) and finally replaced by them. The new kit was no better - it failed to feed, failed to fire, failed to extract or failed to eject 74 times out of the 100 rounds I fired with it! My Ciener kit would not return fully to battery and I found that Ciener has NO customer service. If you want to hear the ultimate in rude, arrogant and obnoxious, give them a call and listen to their recorded "greeting."
I have several thousand rounds through my Advantage Arms kit with just one failure.
Ed
Anyone considering a Marvel 22LR conversion kit for a 1911 should look at an Advantage Arms kit. They look and function just like the Marvel, including a last-round slide lock-back feature, for less money. Mine is VERY accurate, too.
But from first-hand experience, I can tell you NOT to buy a Kimber or Ciener kit. My Kimber kit, being used on a Kimber Stainless Gold Match II, was back to Kimber three times (twice with my gun) and finally replaced by them. The new kit was no better - it failed to feed, failed to fire, failed to extract or failed to eject 74 times out of the 100 rounds I fired with it! My Ciener kit would not return fully to battery and I found that Ciener has NO customer service. If you want to hear the ultimate in rude, arrogant and obnoxious, give them a call and listen to their recorded "greeting."
I have several thousand rounds through my Advantage Arms kit with just one failure.
Ed
J. R. WEEMS
Member
SA22's
While I love this little offering from Browning, it isn't up to the level of shooting you are looking for, but then neither am I -- the older Brownings are another story.
While I love this little offering from Browning, it isn't up to the level of shooting you are looking for, but then neither am I -- the older Brownings are another story.
If price was no object, I'd go for a Smith 41 or one of the early High Standard "ray guns". However, in recent years, I think the Ruger Mark II Government target model is extremely accurate. I'd look for the Mark II; I think the Mark IIIs are politically correct crappola.
John
John
SundownIII
Member
I have a Model 41 (mid 80's vintage), a Ruger Mark II Bull Barrel Target, and a S&W 22A Target.
The Ruger and S&W Mod 22A both have red dot sights installed. Both are extremely accurate and reliable. I have reworked the trigger in the Ruger and it's smoother than the Model 22A.
Both are great pistols, but not on a par with the Model 41 (nor should they be considering price point). I have a second barrel on order from S&W and will mill the top flat and install a rail for mounting a red dot sight. The Model 41, I suspect, will become my "serious shooter". The Model 41 does tend to be "ammo sensitive" and prefers CCI Mini Mag over any other ammo. In today's "hard times for ammo", that can be an issue but I'm pretty well stocked on mini-mag.
Considering your price point, I'd seriously consider the S&W 22A Target model. Gun is extremely accurate, feeds a wide range of ammo, and magazine release is much faster than the Ruger with the butt mounted mag release. Grips are somewhat large, but if you have large hands, it should be no problem.
The Ruger and S&W Mod 22A both have red dot sights installed. Both are extremely accurate and reliable. I have reworked the trigger in the Ruger and it's smoother than the Model 22A.
Both are great pistols, but not on a par with the Model 41 (nor should they be considering price point). I have a second barrel on order from S&W and will mill the top flat and install a rail for mounting a red dot sight. The Model 41, I suspect, will become my "serious shooter". The Model 41 does tend to be "ammo sensitive" and prefers CCI Mini Mag over any other ammo. In today's "hard times for ammo", that can be an issue but I'm pretty well stocked on mini-mag.
Considering your price point, I'd seriously consider the S&W 22A Target model. Gun is extremely accurate, feeds a wide range of ammo, and magazine release is much faster than the Ruger with the butt mounted mag release. Grips are somewhat large, but if you have large hands, it should be no problem.
jstanfield103
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I have had S&W 41's several Rugers both are very good guns. The Ruger will have to have a lot of up grades to make it competition ready. Browning Buckmark does not have that many after market parts available for it. Why, simply does not need them. Get the one with an adjustable trigger and you won't need anything else. Plain and simple. I have a 14" Buckmark Silhouette Hunter. Great Gun
Seeing that we are on the Smith & Wesson Forum I cannot advertise for other products. Being the owner of 2 extremely fine S&W pistols, a m41 and a m46 I don't ever have to as they are the best. I have owned many others 22A,Neo's,Rugers and Beretta's also. Some new and some very old rare pieces with target sights on them. In 22 the Smiths are the best I have ever shot and I doubt there's much that can beat them worldwide.
I have several S&W 41s, 22as, Ruger Mark IIs and Browning Buckmarks. I shoot Bullseye with a Buckmark. Look for a used Buckmark Bullseye like this one.
TEW
US Veteran
New owner and interested in suggestion regarding shooting and caring for my a22.
Thanks
Thanks
