22 Target Pistol Recommendations

[Mule Packer]

I don't have any experience with what one would call "highly specialized target pistols" but I do have a Ruger Mark II Target with the bull barrel, and I love it. People have mentioned the difficulty in breaking it down for cleaning, but to be honest, there are several YouTube videos that make it fairly simple, so I wouldn't disregard the pistol over that. As to the trigger, I really haven't found mine to be that bad. Of course, I'm not competing with it either.

 

[Onomea]

The Ruger MKIV is really easy to take apart. Push the button on the back of the receiver and the top of the gun lifts off from the lower half. Agree with everyone on the advisability of swapping out the factory trigger group for Volquartzen replacement.

 

[Valmet]

Ruger Mark IV Target and don’t look back…

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I've liked a few posts above, without necessarily having had my own experience to confirm them.

I once owned a Model 41, S/N 90919. If I had had any actual intelligence, I still would. I have had a few Rugers, including a MkI suitable for bullseye matches with only a Clark trigger installed by Johnny Johnson. I now have a Ruger MkII Stainless probably unmodified, a Colt Woodsman Match Target, a 4" Huntsman and a 6" Challenger. My cataracts now prevent me from making reliable pronouncements on the accuracy of anything I own, although I do remember that the Challenger (probably a retired Marine Corps purchase) gave me no problems in earlier bullseye shooting.

I do concur with the recommendations of the Ruger MkII. I got mine for $100, and the only drawback was a trigger with an absolutely ridiculous amount of takeup. Once I got used to this, however, the trigger did not present any other problems, and was actually quite usable,

The Colts were all OK, each having a trigger that one would expect on a gun of its place in the hierarchy of price and intended use. However, the price of extra magazines today renders all Colt .22s impractical for most people.

Ruger? Furrin?

Good luck!

 

[AJ]

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.

The internet enlightens lots of folks.

The problems that most were having with the MK I, II and III's are why the change in the IV takedown.

 

[Grayfox]

I have two Buckmarks. A 5.5" and a 4". I've been very happy with both of them. Reasonably priced and both are more accurate than I am.
Being an old 1911 guy, the grip angle and controls are right where I like 'em.

 

[much ado]

Which 22?
I have a Ruger MK4 22/45, a S&W Victory, and a HS Supermatic Citation. The HS is still the "King" as far as accuracy, trigger pull, etc. The Victory was/is a standard model but when I noticed that S&W came out with a Target model (might be mis-naming it) which had a thumb rest grip and a steel (not fiber optic) front sight I ordered them from S&W and made a noticeable difference. I pretty much hate fiber optic sights and had looked at other thumb rest grips ($ 80-$ 100 !!!) but for less than $30 it made a new pistol for me. The Ruger is plugging along but I recommend the Victory among your choices. The Victory`s trigger has broken in quite well. Do I sound tight? The thought of buying a pistol to then spend 200ish dollars on a trigger appalls me. Just my opinion.

Question for Paladin if you see this: the trigger shoe on your Ruger, is it available or did you have it made? Was wondering if can work on MK4 22/45?

Thanks to all, pretty interesting post. John

 

[GypsmJim]

The internet enlightens lots of folks.

The problems that most were having with the MK I, II and III's are why the change in the IV takedown.

I was reading another thread the other day and one person complained about the fact that appliances and such don't come with owner's manuals any more. A reply to that was that nobody reads them any more. Another reply was that nobody READS any more.

THAT'S the reason for the MkIV. It really isn't hard.

 

[Rodan]

I was reading another thread the other day and one person complained about the fact that appliances and such don't come with owner's manuals any more. A reply to that was that nobody reads them any more. Another reply was that nobody READS any more.

 

[pharmer]

Hard to beat the Ruger MKII. Although for "useful" the CZ gets close. Joe

 

[rockquarry]

I used to find the re-assembly of the Rugers difficult; follow directions and it's not. However, tear-down is seldom necessary. After thirty years of shooting a Mark I and a Mark II, neither was dirty enough to justify the work. Just clean the bore and bolt-face area after shooting.

 

[glenwolde]

Now you have me shopping.

I have two .22 autos that I rotate. One is a S&W 22a-1. It's fantastic, which is unusual to hear. They don't get much respect. I've had it for 13 years now and put 10's of thousands of rounds through it but it's starting to show its age. I can't expect much more out of an inexpensive aluminum gun. The breech face is starting to flare out a bit on the edges. The slide has peened the breech face. I'll miss it when it's gone. It will cost more to fix than it is worth. I bought it during the .22 ammo shortage when I was looking for something that could shoot any ammo.

My other one is a High Standard 10-X. It's ammo picky. A truly amazing .22 though. It's "newer" being a Houston-made gun but I don't generally recommend High Standards. Great guns but they can be real drama queens. It's best to use Standard Velocity with them and once you get them running you don't want to change ammo. The guys from High Standard Houston are still around here in Houston so if it needs attention it's easier for me to deal with than most.

I'm looking around and I think I like the Brownings. They sure do make a lot of variations. I've shot Rugers. Eh. I guess I could upgrade everything on a Ruger but I'm no longer into "buy it and fix it". The Volquartsen is too expensive. I'll have to find a Browning to try out. I probably should just get a .22 conversion for my Kimber 1911.

 

[rockquarry]

Now you have me shopping.

I have two .22 autos that I rotate. One is a S&W 22a-1. It's fantastic, which is unusual to hear. They don't get much respect. I've had it for 13 years now and put 10's of thousands of rounds through it but it's starting to show its age. I can't expect much more out of an inexpensive aluminum gun. The breech face is starting to flare out a bit on the edges. The slide has peened the breech face. I'll miss it when it's gone. It will cost more to fix than it is worth. I bought it during the .22 ammo shortage when I was looking for something that could shoot any ammo.

My other one is a High Standard 10-X. It's ammo picky. A truly amazing .22 though. It's "newer" being a Houston-made gun but I don't generally recommend High Standards. Great guns but they can be real drama queens. It's best to use Standard Velocity with them and once you get them running you don't want to change ammo. The guys from High Standard Houston are still around here in Houston so if it needs attention it's easier for me to deal with than most.

I'm looking around and I think I like the Brownings. They sure do make a lot of variations. I've shot Rugers. Eh. I guess I could upgrade everything on a Ruger but I'm no longer into "buy it and fix it". The Volquartsen is too expensive. I'll have to find a Browning to try out. I probably should just get a .22 conversion for my Kimber 1911.

I've had a couple of Colt Conversion units over the years. Both functioned fine, but neither was very accurate. Other units may shoot better, but as one very experienced shooter told me a long time ago, "if you want a .22 get a .22". I found out he was right. Conversion units may be more novelty than something really useful.

 

[AJ]

I've had a couple of Colt Conversion units over the years. Both functioned fine. but neither was very accurate. Other units may shoot better, but as one very experienced shooter told me a long time ago, "if you want a .22 get a .22". I found out he was right. Conversion units may be more novelty than something really useful.

I can agree with that. My Colt Conversion Unit is not the most accurate. I used it for a while trying to find ammo that it liked for accuracy. No joy. Now it sits in a box...........

 

[PALADIN85020]

Question for Paladin if you see this: the trigger shoe on your Ruger, is it available or did you have it made? Was wondering if can work on MK4 22/45?

It's a standard trigger shoe - positioned higher so it contacts the frame just after let-off.

I don't know if it would work on the 22/45 because the dimensions of the frame may not be compatible.

John

 

[Imissedagain]

At some point a trigger upgrade, to our MKIV SS Target pistol,
might happen.
Tandemkross and Volquartsen kits are popular.
Big price difference, so what do you all think about each?

Last time indoor, with the Leuplod 2.4-8x32mm, ten shots,
were in a 1.5" circle, two hand offhand, at 25 yards.
Shots were after some 460 and 63-3 time.
Next time it'll be just the Ruger and the 6920,
with the new Geissele SS and a T36.
Ran a few, to test function, now out to 100yds.

Thanks for advice about Ruger upgrades.

 

[stu1ritter]

If you already own a 1911 with a decent trigger you can't go wrong with one of the conversion units. They are showing up more and more on the line at the Nationals. I use a Nelson conversion on a light weight Ruger SR1911 frame with extensive trigger work at 2.5 lbs and almost no movement. The conversion with 2 mags runs around 550-650.

Stu

 

[Empe]

The Ruger Mark II's are pretty hard to beat for the money . You can buy a pretty nice one for $500 or less .
People complain about how difficult they are to disassemble ...follow the directions in the owners manual and after a few take downs it gets much simpler . It would appear that people are far less mechanically inclined today than in the recent past .
You can replace the trigger and sear with Volquartsen parts for around $75.00 and about an hours time and you will have an adjustable trigger with a much improved trigger pull than factory.
Then again you may very well find the factory trigger entirely satisfactory ...particularly after a few thousand rounds.
I doubt that you would regret the purchase of a nice Ruger Mark II.

 

[AJ]

The Ruger Mark II's are pretty hard to beat for the money . You can buy a pretty nice one for $500 or less .
People complain about how difficult they are to disassemble ...follow the directions in the owners manual and after a few take downs it gets much simpler . It would appear that people are far less mechanically inclined today than in the recent past .
You can replace the trigger and sear with Volquartsen parts for around $75.00 and about an hours time and you will have an adjustable trigger with a much improved trigger pull than factory.
Then again you may very well find the factory trigger entirely satisfactory ...particularly after a few thousand rounds.
I doubt that you would regret the purchase of a nice Ruger Mark II.

Why buy a gun that most folks want to rebuild from the start with aftermarket parts (triggers, barrels, sears etc................)? About the only thing original that is left is the frame. Just buy a true match gun and be done with it.

 

[dsf]

I bought the later version - the Hammerli X-Esse. Nice sights and adjustable trigger. I bought the 6" barrel version.