Selecting a 22 lr handgun - Suggestions?

[Backlighting]

I have a Browning Buckmark Camper that I use extensively. It is very accurate, a joy to shoot and easy to maintain. The quality is top shelf.
They're priced around $325.

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[model70hunter]

Most of the Ruger, S&W, High Standard, Browning ideas are excellent. I see High Standard Sport Kings fo the $375 range used of course. I have my Uncles he bought new in 1950 and it is still one fine 22. The thing to watch for on the HS is the magazine, if the lips are damaged or worn it can cause fail to load. Hard to knock the 22 we usind in the olymics for many years.

Colt woodsman may be pricer.

Used Rugers are obtainable.

For me here are my personal do not buy guns

The cheaper 1911 22 only guns, there are a couple of similar ones, the Mosquito, I have read nothing good about these and the 1911 unless it is the Colt Umarex.

I would like to try a S&W Victory, is it a plinker or can it hit the 10 in the ring?

I have not owned one but have heard good on the Brownings.

On a Ruger, I have owned most every thing they've made, all were good. Spend a little extra and get one with adjustable sights and pray to find a 5.5" bull barrel one. I had a 22-45 for a while and liked it, got rid of it after my uncle gave me the High Standard.

If you are new to gun shows walk quickly only looking for the guns on your list. As you leave the table write down the location and price.

You can walk through a 2nd or 3rd time to peruse other stuff, after you've hopefully found the 22 of course. This was my plan of action when I was looking for 27's and some other specific items. Walk fast.

 

[Bob O]

I have a Ruger 22/45 Mk3, easily shot by my 12 year old son. His hands are still small, so any adult sized hand should have no problem fitting this frame well. I'd love to have one of the Lite versions of this pistol.

Here's a vid of my boy from last summer. 22 pistols are fun to shoot. I was tempted to buy an M&P 22 Compact a few weeks back while visiting a large gun shop while out of town, but I didnt have enough money for two guns.

https://youtu.be/III3ZvQMna4

 

[DWalt]

Whatever your choice, so long as it is a Ruger.

 

[wbraswell]

The blued Ruger 22/45 seems to be a good value to me. The new target model Rugers come with a scope mount, also. I just wish they would make the standard the bull barrel in 6 7/8" and longer.

 

[robertrwalsh]

It is hard to beat any of the Ruger products for the price, but I admit to being very fond of my Walther P-22 (once you deal with the non-captive recoil spring). Mine eats anything and shoots well. It isn't a target gun but isn't a random lead thrower either.

 

[model70hunter]

Whatever your choice, so long as it is a Ruger.

Ha, Ha. Are you just a little prejudiced?

They work too, and forever. But some guys prefer a blonde or a brunette or that wild little redhead.

I've tried them all, 22 pistols that is. And one I should have kept was an early 5.5" bull bbl blue one.

 

[gdogs]

I didn't see if you were ok with something used or not. Browning Buckmarks can be had much cheaper in the used market than new, for whatever reason they just didn't hold their value well despite being a fine gun. Likewise with the Ruger used prices, deals can be had, though probably more of an effect of millions having been manufactured.

Just curious why you aren't interested in a conversion, especially if you are already in the market for a 1911. I've got a Marvel Unit 2 that is at least as accurate as any other 22lr I own, except the Mod 41. Cheap trigger time with a 1911, when you can find bulk 22lr ammo. Personally, I love conversion kits. They can be a pain to get running initially, but I haven't had one yet I couldn't make work, and work well. My next 22lr purchase will likely be a kit for Sig P220.

Good luck with the search!

 

[Muss Muggins]

I've zero experience with 22 lr Semi Auto, and could use some advice/suggestions on which to consider in my purchase.

Used is fine with me - I have no problem going to a pawn shop/gun show or whatever to find a used one.

I've seen a few threads about the 22, but not really interested in a conversion or 1911 style or SA.

The criteria is kinda odd as the purpose of the purchase is primarily to enter a contest - I'm far from being a pro obviously - it's a local shooting contest and has to be with a 22lr.

I'd like to get one with a relatively small grip so the wife could use it also - I think her grip is probably more important than mine - I just don't want to buy his and her guns if possible.

Another criteria is I don't want to break the bank.

I need one very inexpensive since I'm also in the market for a new Springfield 1911 A1, Peacemaker replica in .45 colt (x2) as well as a .45 colt lever action - but that's for another thread

Thanks as always in advance

My .22 LR semiauto is a Browning Challenger II. Accurate and reliable, and very well balanced . . .

 

[robvious]

all good suggestions

I will second the Walther P22... get the long barrel version... adjustable grips make it adaptable to all sorts of hand sizes... and light weight.

I love 22's... I have the Walther P22 with both barrels of course &
Mark 1 & Mark 2 Ruger's... great guns...
S&W 617 6"... clay pigeons at 50 yards easy.. everyone likes it.
S&W 422... recommend... accurate & light weight...
Colt/Umarex/Walter 1911 Gold Cup..fun... lots of fun
Ceiner 1911 22 conversion... trigger and controls practice
Marvel 1911 22 conversion... amazing accuracy - dime @ 25 yards
Ceiner Taurus 99 22 conversion... trigger and controls practice

I will skip the rest of the wheel guns... I know you said semi... but needed to show the S&W love of my 617... would be my pick.

 

[Andyd]

I have many .22 l.r. firearms and have competed successfully in ISSC in my younger years before I got into action shooting and have first hand - and often ownership - experience with most rimfire handguns on the market.

I would also recommend a Ruger MkII or MkIII, or even a 22/45 for the durability and good accuracy of these guns. There is also a huge aftermarket parts availability for Ruger pistols so that the pistol can "grow" with your needs and Ruger's warranty and customer support is excellent.
A Browning Buckmark would also be a good choice and the S&W 22A should not be overlooked, though they come with larger grips since many years.

These guns were built as entry level competition guns and not as plinkers, or training pistols like the Walther P22, or Ruger SR22 which I found to having poor accuracy.

 

[Faulkner]

Went to the LGS and looked at a few - both of us liked the Rock Island 1911 XT-22 (349.99), Browning Buck Mark (419.99), and the Ruger Mk II (549.99)

Holy cow, at the price of that Ruger I would suggest you shop at some more places.

I have four Ruger MKII's and a MKIII, a Ruger SR22, Walther P22, and Browning Buckmark. The Ruger MKII are the best in my opinion.

 

[Toblerra]

Walther P22 is fun but for accuracy and reliability I would go with any of the Ruger marks. That is my next buy in the .22 caliber handgun category.

 

[Grayfox]

My own preference is the Browning Buckmark. I love these things and own two of them. Both are far more accurate than I am and will shoot anything without a hitch.
I got my first one back in the mid to late 1980s shortly after they first came out. Its a 5.5" Buckmark Plus with the slab sided barrel. I upgraded it a year or so later when they came out with the Micro-adjustable rear sight. This is my favorite .22 semi-auto.
The second is a Buckmark Camper I picked up a few years ago for sole purpose of hosting a suppressor. I just couldn't bring myself to altering my old Plus Model for the can, so I just bought another one. It too is an outstanding pistol.

These days the Buckmark comes in a wide variety of barrel and grip configurations including optics and suppressor ready. (Click Here) I'm sure you can find one to suit your needs.

 

[Marshwheeling]

Two words: Ruger.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

22's?????
Let's see-I've got.....

Mk1 Ruger
MkII Ruger 45/22
Mk III Ruger
K22
63
SP101
317
317-1
617

Thought I had everyone I could want but that S&W victory 22 is a callin.....

If I had to only keep one it would be the MkI (1952 gun that was my fathers) and the 63 which was the first gun I ever bought with my own money all by myself.

Based on my experience-I'd go with a nice Ruger

 

[Leatherhead23]

I know you said no 1911's but my GSG 922 is a great shooter...and being a 3.4" barrel makes is easier to tote through the woods.

She's super quiet suppressed too...sounds like a staple gun.

 

[tbgunner88]

If I had to only keep one it would be the MkI (1952 gun that was my fathers) and the 63 which was the first gun I ever bought with my own money all by myself.

Caj...I'm pretty sure that's two

 

[k22fan]

pcgunner,

Since you're buying a starting pistol for matches buy an entry level target pistol like a Ruger Mark whatever, Buckmark, S&W 22S, 22A, 2206, or Victory. Most .22 matches require an adjustable sight and a single action trigger. A steel framed pistol that is as large and heavy as older all steel service pistols is a lot easier to hold steady, especially one handed.

None of the modern striker fired polymer framed mid sized automatics are easy enough to shoot accurately for them to be usable in any of the .22 matches around me. They are understudies for centerfire service pistols with similar trigger actions. There's a good chance the matches near you are the same.

If you doubt that then before buying go watch one of the matches you want to participate in. It will save you having to buy twice.

 

[Mule Packer]

Went to the LGS and looked at a few - both of us liked the Rock Island 1911 XT-22 (349.99), Browning Buck Mark (419.99), and the Ruger Mk II (549.99)

Rock island is closer to our budget however - at least now I have an idea for the gun show this weekend.

I noticed that you've gotten a heckuva lot of good information and some outstanding recommendations, but....you tend to be leaning towards a firearm that nobody has recommended thus far, simply because of the price. There's nothing wrong with that, but when you make the decision to spend money for a firearm, you need to go into it with both eyes open. Also, didn't you mention that you really weren't interested in a 1911 style? What made you change your mind?

I have nothing against Rock Island Arms. I once owned a Rock Island 1911, but my son-in-law loved it so much, I gave it to him. It's an excellent shooter, but I had to do a lot of tweaking in order to make it such.

That being said, however, comparing a Rock Island to a Browning or a Ruger is like comparing a pound of fatty hamburger to a prime rib eye steak. Both are palatable...but one is just a little more palatable than the other.

You might also want to take this into consideration...First off, Ruger's customer service is probably one of the best out there. Rock Island's is so-so...depending on the day. But, they're okay, just not like Ruger.

Second, your Rock Island .22 was assembled in the Philippines by some underpaid worker named Paco, while your Ruger was assembled in Arizona by some underpaid worker named Paco.

I've only read a couple of reviews on the Rock Island XT-22. Maybe I just read the wrong reviews, but the two that I read weren't real favorable. They were okay, but the writers definitely found some flaws with the fire arm.

Bottom line...you pays your money and you takes your chances. Good luck in your choice.