22LR semi auto dilemma: Ruger, Browning, High Standard

[ontargetagain]

Quick background, owned a 1976 High Standard Citation, bull barrel 5.5 and an amazing target adjustable trigger, target sights and factory target grip.........been missing it!

Looked at new MK IV Ruger in Target bull barrel 5.5 and the Hunter. Trigger will need work, sights are so so, grip has some issues as does the grip angle for me.

Picked up the new Browning Medallion slab side and it was very comfortable, trigger seemed better than the Ruger, not sure how well these shoot, lower price would let me do some mods as needed.

Or, do I just go back and find a nice old High Standard that already has amazing sights grips and trigger but certainly doesn't come cheap but then again by the time I mod up the Ruger or Browning the price equals or may exceed.

Anyone got anything to share on the new Ruger MK IV or the Browning Buckmark series that makes it a great target shooter? I just basically shoot indoors to 50 ft but I do like refined triggers and sights etc

Karl

 

[Valmet]

I’m a big fan of the Mark IV. I have the target model and it’s been very reliable. Since you say they grip angle doesn’t feel comfortable to you they mfg one with the 1911-style grip frame.

 

[Gamecock]

Don't play around. If you want accuracy, go for a Model 41.

Though I must say that my Browning Medalist (not Medallion) is a very accurate pistol, too.

 

[ontargetagain]

I’m a big fan of the Mark IV. I have the target model and it’s been very reliable. Since you say they grip angle doesn’t feel comfortable to you they mfg one with the 1911-style grip frame.

Yes I handled that one but only available in plastic frame or aluminum though I liked the feel. Wanting the weight of the steel frame. Thanks, appreciate it.
Karl

 

[ontargetagain]

Don't play around. If you want accuracy, go for a Model 41.

Though I must say that my Browning Medalist (not Medallion) is a very accurate pistol, too.

Honestly the High Standard would be the choice over the S&W, I wouldn't pay the extra money for the S&W as I think the High Standard is as accurate in the older models. I did look at a new S&W 41 today but if I were to do that I would most likely go to the older one, thanks for the info. I will look up the Medalist Browning
Karl

 

[weatherby]

Find the High standard.....Simple.
If not you already know you are headed for disappointment.

 

[bigggbbruce]

All this talk and no pictures..

I vote for a Colt Woodsman Match Target.. was my dads new in '51. I've had it for 30 years myself, and have had many 22lr semi autos(still do), none have been as accurate as this.

Or an earlier Mark II

 

[Duckford]

Have my grandfather's old High Standard from what I think is the late 50's. I don't sell guns anyways, but I would not trade it for any other 22 target pistol on the market today. Feel sorry for anyone who sold one.

 

[Bat Guano]

Volquartsen trigger kits are a big improvement in the Rugers.

 

[Gamecock]

Then go High Standard.

My Medalist.

.

 

[Drm50]

The old Colts, Brownings and Hi-STDs were hard to beat. Really not a lot of difference in similar models. I tended to like Hi-Std myself. I bought a Browning Medalist new and it was a tack driver and had the best trigger.
The new Brownings and Rugers both need tuned before you start.

 

[Univibe]

Do what I did. Get the target model ruger mark iv, put in a volquartsen trigger, get a good set of target grips. You'll be set. about $700 total.

 

[Wyo]

Get what you know will work - get the High Standard. Otherwise, you’ll never have anything but a patched up Ruger or Browning. Good guns but they’re not what you know you really want.

 

[6string]

If want the best in a .22, follow the pros.
Get a Feinwerkbau AW93, Hämmerli 208, of better yet, a Pardini.

 

[JayFramer]

I’ve a Ruger’s Mk IV Standard and it is an absolute dream:

Absolute tack driver, even with the fixed sights the internet seems to think are worthless for target shooting (hint: they’re not). Flawlessly reliable, and still has classic refined good looks. All for well under $400 out the door. Can’t be beat, get a Mk IV. You won’t be sorry.

 

[scoobysnacker]

Of the 3, I'd get an older High Standard. I have a lesser model (Sport King) from the 50's, it's temperamental with magazines. The one that came with it is flawless, the ones I found to supplement are prone to feeding issues (they have to be tuned, I hear) and are pricey. And the guns tend to want Standard Velocity only, no HV.
But as far as accuracy, it beats out a Ruger Mk II I have, and that's no slouch.

The Ruger is more friendly to adding mags that work, and seems to not have an issue with the HV stuff. And it's still plenty accurate.

Heck, if you're ok with a kinda ugly gun, go find a used S&W 22A. Got mine for about $150, you can easily find them under $200. And it's got plenty good accuracy, and has a rail for optics already in place if that's your thing (I don't use one, but I've thought about a red dot).

 

[AJ]

Have had several High Standards (Victors, HD Military's & Sharpshooters), Colt's (Match Targets), S&W 41's, various Ruger's, Walther (OSP & GSP) and Brownings. Have sold all except a Walther OSP and a Browning Medalist. Will be keeping the Medalist until I take a dirt nap and then pass it on to my Grandson........

 

[merl67]

Sounds to me you have answered your own question with the first sentence of your original post. My guess is too that nothing else will satisfy you, and it sounds like getting any other to perform as well as the one you used to have in the long run will cost as much money...

 

[BB57]

I own a MK I 678 Target and a Mk II 512 Target (along with a Model 17-4 and a K-22 Outdoorsman).

I also own a pair of High Standard Victors - a 1971 5.5" catalog number 9217) and a 1975 (catalog number 1911) 5.5".

I added Volquartzen hammers and sears to the Rugers to improve the trigger pulls, and they are nice pistols that will get you into bullseye/NRA precision pistol shooting.

But my scores are about 10 points better on any given day when I shoot a Victor rather than a Ruger.

Price wise I recently paid $575 for the Victor with the scope mount) and $750 for the other Victor, both were local gun shop guns, both are early Hamden marked models and the latter is in near mint condition.

The Victors that have actually sold on GB since June 11, 2019 were as follows:

A 9217 Hamden marked = $695
A 9217 E Hartford marked= $590
A 9216 Hamden marked = $542
A 9217 E Hartford marked = $478
A 9217 E Hartford marked = $879
A 9216 E Hartford marked = $1135
A 9216 Hamden Marked = $706
A 9217 E Hartford marked = $504 (in good rather than excellent condition)
A 9216 Hamden marked = $716
A 9217 Houston marked = $549
A 9217 Hamden Marked = $750
A 9217 E Hartford marked = $625
A 9217 Hamden marked = $599
A 9217 Hamden marked = $555
A 9217 Houston Marked (good condition) = $332
A 9217 Hamden marked (freckling one one side) = $404

In other words, if you shop around a bit, you can find an E Hartford marked, (or if you are lucky a Hamden marked) Victor in excellent condition for about $500-$550.

A new Ruger Mk IV Target will cost you $400-$450. And you'll still need to put a Volquartzen trigger and sear in the Ruger, which will add about $100 to the cost - about the same money in total that you'd pay for a Victor. The Victor will hold its value better and shoot rings around the Ruger.

The only advantage of the Ruger is that it'll handle a regular diet of the high velocity ammo, where you should stick with standard velocity ammo with the Victor. That makes the Ruger a better field pistol if you are into hunting small game with it.

If you are going to go the Ruger route save a bit of money and look for an older Mk I Target or MK II Target. You'll find them for $300-$350 in excellent condition. If you find one with the Volquartzen trigger and sear it won't cost you anything more.

 

[Drm50]

New Rugers, Brownings and S&Ws are not the same kind of guns as the milled steel of yesterday. It's apples and oranges. I can't think of one 22 pistol today that is as good as the older models. Yea you can buy X and then order up a bunch of aftermarket parts to make it shoot decent. Far as I'm concerned they should just sell them it kit form. You can still find 41s in nice shape for $1k, keep it in good shape and still have a $1K gun.