Looking for an INEXPENSIVE .22 auto

[Ed333]

ruger

I vote with the Ruger owners who see no need to disassemble the pistol...boresnake for the bore, squirt of BreakFree, some toothbrush action in the breech area, followed by cotton patch /Q-tip clean up, that is good enough.
No other downside.

 

[shovelwrench]

Hands down......

Ruger OR Browning

Not that theres anything wrong with the rest

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Mk I didn't happen till late 60's or early 70's and were stamped Mk I, prior to that they were just Ruger Standard, Target or what ever like Government model. In '58 that would be a pre Mk I just called a Standard at the time. My '59 model Standard is not stamped Mk I, I'm not even sure it is stamped Standard. It hasn't been shot in about 15 years.

I'm not sure, but I think that Mark I is what they called the target model, to distinguish it from the Ruger Standard, which had fixed sights. This, from a 1967 Gil Hebard catalog. BTW, I was wrong about 1958. That year, Clark won the National Open Championship with a modified Ruger. According to Hebard, in 1953 Clark broke seven National records and won the National .22 Championship using a Mark I Ruger with a Ruger muzzle brake, as it came from the factory.

The Government model wasn't made until quite some years later.

 

[Retired in 2001]

Ruger Mark III and a bore snake

 

[Wee Hooker]

If you asked over at rimfirecentral, you'd get a overwhelming response of Ruger MK II/III then Browning buckmark are the best all-round .22 handguns. Having owned both, and several of the others you list, I'd have to agree. These two are head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to accuracy. ( Check your local Bullseye/Gallery Team leagues if you doubt it.) Within those two, the Ruger is easier and cheaper to find accesories, trigger parts etc for.

That said, if you want to spend even lass, then a S&W 422, 622 isn't a bad little gun and plenty accurate enough for plinking.
Just stear clear of the p22 and 22A.

 

[Old Navy]

I'm not sure, but I think that Mark I is what they called the target model, to distinguish it from the Ruger Standard, which had fixed sights. This, from a 1967 Gil Hebard catalog. BTW, I was wrong about 1958. That year, Clark won the National Open Championship with a modified Ruger. According to Hebard, in 1953 Clark broke seven National records and won the National .22 Championship using a Mark I Ruger with a Ruger muzzle brake, as it came from the factory.

The Government model wasn't made until quite some years later.

Nope, my Target model was just stamped Target and not Mk I in 1962 when my dad let me buy ($67 IIRC) it with my money, I got rid of it that fall for a Hi Standard because the Target was a jamamatic and not as accurate as my Standard. The accuracy thing was probably just me, but I didn't think so at the time. The Mk I stamped frames didn't come till the first frame change IIRC and the Mk II with the big change. Now I have also heard that Ruger had a lot of Non stamped models that were pre frame changes that were dumped on the market even after the Mk I & II models were out.

The High Standard was lost on a boating trip with dads boat a HS friend and I took w/o ok of my dad. That was a bad month to say the least.

 

[walnutred]

Your supposed to disassemble a Mk1 for cleaning? I have my Dad's 6" Mk1 that I gave him for Christmas in 1980. He shot it, my kids and I all shoot it regularly, and I know it's has never been taken down for cleaning. Don't know what the round count is and yes, there is some ammo it likes better than others. Isn't that true for most 22's though?

 

[Camster]

The Ruger is the most durable of that bunch.I'd pass on the European offerings there(not because of their heritage)The Browning would be my second choice.

 

[Capt Steve]

"Just stear clear of the p22 and 22A."

Are you kidding me??? The 22A is one of Smith's best efforts. Reliable, accurate and very reasonably priced. I have 20,000+ rounds through mine over the last 10 years without a problem. So just what is your problem with the 22A? Do you own one? Have you ever shot one? I like Ruger's as much as the next guy but to bad rap the 22A without further explanation dims your credibility big time.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Since you've asked.

I've owned a 22a and several dozen of other .22 handguns ( including Ruger MK 1/II's, Buckmarks and more than a few S&W 422, 622, 2206, 41, 17, 617, 317.....) to compare it to. ( I collect and shoot rim fire handguns as a hobby.) I had regular reliability problems with my 22a. I was also unimpressed with it's trigger, accuracy and availability of affordable accessories and mods. A fellow local gallery league shooter also had a 22a that suffered in the performance department. ( Same guy had the P22 while we're at it.) Beyond that, I didn't have to go far on dedicated .22 forums to find other disappointed 22a owners. I sold mine at and never regretted it. There is my explanation.
I'm glad yours has been good to you but that doesn't change my mind, experience or credibility. Based on my experience and research, I'd pick the Ruger, Browning or S&W 422/622/2206 over the 22A any day for my dollar. The 22a isn't junk, and I don't mean to infer it. Just that there are more reliable and accurate guns in the same /lesser price range.
Over and out on this one.

 

[makaadict]

I have a Walther P22 also AI date code and "B" series mags not the 1st issue with it.

 

[kytown2]

If my 22A was any more accurate, I would be a world champion! =)

 

[M28]

You might look into a used S&W 422. Probably get one for about $250, and they're not bad pistols.

I don't know why these guns aren't more popular. In the short time I've had one, I've really enjoyed it.

That being said, I'm a huge fan of the Ruger. I've had a Mark II since dinosaurs roamed the earth and it's been a real workhorse.

Brian~

 

[Old Navy]

Mk II since before Dino's, man my pre Mk I must really be older then dirt.

 

[M28]

Mk II since before Dino's, man my pre Mk I must really be older then dirt.

Well....OK....I may have exaggerated a little bit since I think I bought the Mark II in the early eighties, but that's coming up on thirty years now and I've used the heck out of it over that time period.

Brian~

 

[Old Navy]

Ok, I will let you pass on that one since I have had mine since 1959, and have no real idea how many rounds fired. Probably 3000 to 5000 is all, but could be twice that amount.

It hasn't been fired but once or twice since the mid 70's, but has been cleaned once a year on average. I may take it to the range this year, it has had the recoil and firing pin spring replaced last year with Wolff springs and I believe I replaced the extractor with a Volquartsen Claw, but don't remember for sure.

 

[PAPA777]

I have a Walther P22 also AI date code and "B" series mags not the 1st issue with it.

also have a 2009 DOB P22 with "B" series magazines no problems at all using only CCI Mini Mags. Wife loves shooting it but prefers her model 34-1 wheel gun if given the choice. The P22 is a fun little plinker.

 

[tallpaul]

The Rugers are EASY to dis assemble... folks usually have trouble gettin them back together

It is easy once you figure out how to...

I like the ruger MkII's and have several...

the guy who said they are innacurate is simply wrong... a trigger job is usually needed for best accuracy but several of my mkII are as mechanically accurate as my smith 41'salthough the ergonomics may hinder some.

I use several smith 41's and the rugers and like em fine. Someday I may grab a buckmark but I don't need it.

I buy about any MK II I find under 200 anymore... I grabbed one off of a local internet add for 150 last month- a stainless standard model... if your patient deals are out there and ifin yer in a hurry they still are reasonable.

 

[Old Navy]

I need a Mk I Standard to finish out my collection. I have the pre Mk I, Mk II & Mk III all Standards and the odd ball is 6" Mk III and then there is the 22/45 that I shoot some. But just having to use a mallet to knock apart or to put together and then the center punch to knock the top oin loose and then the hammering it back in is PIA and reason I haven't shot it but maybe twice for a total of 200 rounds at most.

It just may go the way of other PIA guns I have owned then got rid of for what ever reason, be it service or reliability. Other then the take down and put to gether it is a real nice shooter. I have a Millet Red Dot installed and sighted in and it was doing about 3/4" at 25 yards after sighted in that day.

Sad part is before I even shot the gun after buying it NIB I sent it to a GS that is about the best on Ruger Mk's their is and he replaced all springs in the Bolt and installed Wolff springs, and Voltquartsen STEEL EDM extractor then Jeweled the bolt with Mk III Hunter. I think I said Claw somewhere else, but he said he used the EDM extractor. Now I really can not sell with out loosing my $$$$ on that deal and the fact it is "used" now. SO I will probably buy the Speed Strip from a fellow memeber here and keep it, but who knows what will happen between now and first of the month.

 

[RandomMan]

I bought a 22A six or seven years ago and I've only had to replace buffers in it. With bulk Federal it shoots like a champ, with match grad RWS or Aguila it does around an inch at 25 yards if I do my part.

The only problem I've had with my 22A is the total inability of it to feed hollow point ammo like the bulk Remington stuff. I've tried and tried, but just can't get it to function for more than a couple of rounds of ammo. I think the number one problem is the short of hump you have going into the chamber from the steep feed ramp angle, the HPs always hang at the top of the chamber.

-Rob