Need .22 semi-auto recommendations

[gfors]

Definitely going to look into the Ruger Marks and Browning Buckmark. I’ve let her shoot my M18 (“trigger too stiff”) and my High Standard Supermatic (“too front heavy”). I’m thinking, if a Ruger, she’d probably prefer a standard barrel instead of a heavy barrel. She hates the trigger on her LC9 (I do too!) and loves the trigger on her Model 10 (a previous LE weapon that was well used and well maintained). I think a striker fired gun is not going to make her happy.

 

[oink]

Go Ruger. They come in all barrel lengths and weights and several frame weights too. I like the latest edition with push button take down. Mine is the heavier all steel hunter but she would probably like a lighter version.

 

[RoyM52]

since she hates the trigger on her LC9. Maybe a different tack, a sig 938 with a conversion kit for 22LR.

 

[Eric300]

Any Browning or Ruger model would be a great choice. If you do opt for a Ruger, get the MK IV for the simple fact that it's stupid easy to field strip compared to earlier MK models. Below are 2 of my favorites. A Browning Buckmark 5.5 Field, and, a Ruger MK IV 22/45 Lite. Both real nice .22 pistols, and, although the Browning seems to be a bit more accurate than the Ruger, the Ruger is a bit more 'customizable' if you decide you want to.

 

[gfors]

thanks for all the help, folks!
I just went to a couple of stores, and checked out some Ruger Marks of varying styles. Once the salesman showed me how easily the Mark IV's disassembled, I was hooked! Also saw some Buckmarks, but didn't handle any of those. I liked the feel of the 4.75" Mark IV and the Mark IV Lite. I showed her some on-line pictures of various Marks. She chose the 4.75" Standard Mark IV, as well as the Lite (in purple, of course). The range has a 6" Standard that she can try out. We'll go from there. I think we'll buy new. $350 for a Standard or $475 for a Lite...seems pretty reasonable for a solid shooter, BNIB, with warranty.
Thanks again for all the comments and suggestions!
George

 

[Valmet]

Ruger Mark IV and don’t look back...no question.

 

[weatherby]

Looks like she likes smallish guns.

I'd have her try a S&W model 61 escort.

 

[rockquarry]

Ruger Mark IV and don’t look back...no question.

Or one of the older Ruger semi-autos. For the money, you won't find anything more accurate. You can spend a lot more and get a Woodsman or a High Standard, but they probably won't shoot any better than the Ruger. Regardless, all of these guns hold value well. Another to consider, and I don't think they are too expensive, is an old Browning Nomad.

I bought one of the S&W/Walther (P22?) .22s not long after they came out. Maybe these are generally good guns, but mine was the most inaccurate pistol I've ever owned and I've owned more than a few pistols. It jammed frequently. Sent it to S&W and they fixed the jamming problem. When I asked about the poor accuracy, the S&W rep said "they aren't target guns"; very true statement.

 

[627Pro]

My first choice would be a Buck Mark (Camper UFX, Practical URX or Standard URX), second a tie between a Ruger Mk IV (standard barrel) & a S&W Victory 22. If you can rent those three at the range, do that & let her decide. I have one Browning, a Plus UDX, which has been accurate and trouble free for 7 years with no mods or upgrades. My wife also has an older Practical, a Plus UDX, and a Medallion: ditto for those guns. She may find the URX grips a bit friendlier than the UFX grips. I like the UDX best, but those go up one price level.

I have an old Ruger Standard (1951), a 50th Anniversary Mark II, and a Mark IV Target. While they all shoot fine, breaking down & reassembling the old Standard and Mark II is still an aggravation compared to the Mark IV. I can have the Mark IV barrel off, bolt out, and ready for cleaning in 5 seconds if I take my time. Same for reassembly. Simply cannot beat that.

The SW22 Victory is also a nice gun, shoots well, has a smaller grip frame that she may prefer, and has "just right" fiber optic sights. The only problem I've had with that was jams caused by the ejector arm/tab being a touch out of alignment. I found the simple fix on this site (see njsarn's post #30 on this thread: http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...-not-ejecting.html?highlight=victory+fte+jams), and it has functioned without trouble ever since.

I would not recommend the Walther P22. We had one a few years back and it was a Jam-O-Matic. Awful little gun. They say it has been improved and current production does not suffer the same problem, but....

Good luck in your search, and remember, it's her gun, so she gets to decide.

 

[Gene L]

I also had a P-22. It didn't jam, but was very inaccurate. I got it for a can. I don't know if they've improved them, but I was left with a bad taste.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

If money is not an issue, an S&W Model 41; otherwise, I am a big fan of the S&W S22, which like the contemporary center fire models, is rugged and accurate to a fault. Underrated then and underrated now.

 

[GypsmJim]

For a lady wanting to shoot, my first recommendation would be a K-22. But since the spec calls for a semi-auto, I would say a M-41. But since its a plinker I would say a Mark-X.

I have a Ruger Standard,a Mark 1, a Mark 2, a mark 3 and a mark 4. When I was just a novice and I had put several thousand down the tube of my Std., I thought maybe I should field strip it, just because. back to the Owner's Manual, follow the directions, and Viola. That was before the internet, and before I knew it was problematic.

Of course, I am an Engineer, so maybe written directions come easy. In any event, when I bought my last model, the Mark 4, I was delighted about its easy take-down.

Back to the original subject .......a few years ago the wife decided she wanted to shoot too, so she got her pistol permit and chose a Ruger SR22 as her first entry into the sport. She likes it and she does very well, but the accuracy is not as good as a Mark 4 Target.

Her second entry was a Model 67 4" .38 Spl and that works good as well.

Bottom Line - my suggestion would be a Mark 4 polymer frame - light weight and best of both worlds.

 

[Farmer17]

If she is wanting a small .22 pistol I can say that I love my Bersa Thunder and it has excellent ergonomics and is quite accurate and fun to shoot. It has an all steel, heavy slide which is very rare on .22 pistols so it needs more powerful ammo to function properly but mine is 100% reliable with cheap CCI Blazers. I recently saw them advertised at a big online gunstore for about $235 which is a lot less than I paid for mine 9 years ago.

 

[Narragansett]

Looks like she likes smallish guns.

I'd have her try a S&W model 61 escort.

I got 1. $46.00 brand new including a pistol rug

 

[weatherby]

I got 1. $46.00 brand new including a pistol rug

I'll take it

 

[OLDSTER]

Needn't look any farther than the Ruger MK series or Browning Buckmark. They are extremely popular for a reason.

 

[Speedo2]

Good choice on the Mk4.

I suggest that you get onto Rimfire Central and review the comments regarding her new pistol. Here's a link pertaining to FP breakage from last year: Replace firing pin ??? - RimfireCentral.com Forums

Good luck with whichever one she chooses. They're good guns, but they're not perfect. -S2

 

[Sgt911]

thanks for all the help, folks!
I just went to a couple of stores, and checked out some Ruger Marks of varying styles. Once the salesman showed me how easily the Mark IV's disassembled, I was hooked! Also saw some Buckmarks, but didn't handle any of those. I liked the feel of the 4.75" Mark IV and the Mark IV Lite. I showed her some on-line pictures of various Marks. She chose the 4.75" Standard Mark IV, as well as the Lite (in purple, of course). The range has a 6" Standard that she can try out. We'll go from there. I think we'll buy new. $350 for a Standard or $475 for a Lite...seems pretty reasonable for a solid shooter, BNIB, with warranty.
Thanks again for all the comments and suggestions!
George

I have a MKIII 4" blue standard, 6" blue standard, a 6" SS standard and a 4" blue standard MK IV. I like standard. I sold only target model, didn't care for it. I've got one buckmark camper that gets very little use.

 

[OLDSTER]

I have a MKIII 4" blue standard, 6" blue standard, a 6" SS standard and a 4" blue standard MK IV. I like standard. I sold only target model, didn't care for it. I've got one buckmark camper that gets very little use.

Like this MKIII with north of 15,000 rounds. ??

 

[BB57]

If she liked the Beretta 71, then she may want to consider the Walther PP in .22LR, although they are hard to find, expensive and use even harder find and very expensive magazines.

Another better, but more controversial alternative is the Umarex Walther PPK/S .22LR. They get a lot of hate from Walther purists, but I own both a PP in .22LR and an Umarex/Walther PPK/S .22 LR. My PPK/S .22LR actually shoots every bit as well as my PP in .22LR, and it's very reliable with a full 10 round magazine while the PP struggles with more than 8 rounds in the magazine.

It doesn't have the heirloom quality of the older PP due to the Zamak alloy frame, but it's a good use of the material and the rest of the pistol is clearly a PP series pistol. The only difference is the use of a 2 piece barrel with a barrel nut to retain the barrel sleeve.

Another alternative is the FEG AP-22 or the KBI imported version stamped SMC-22. It's a PP clone in .22 LR and they are well made and good shooters.