.22 auto pistol

[bigboredad]

I've been thinking about getting a .22auto pistol for plinking and helping to work on trigger control. I like to hear from people who actually have guns and not any of the I've heard stories. finish isn't really important more concerned with function ergonomics and ease of use like for field stripping and cleaning. Something that isn't to picky about feeding a certain type of ammo so I don't have to search to pick up a box of .22's

[Piedmont]

It is tough to beat Rugers. Personally I would pass on the MK111 editions with their added magazine safety junk that makes them harder to disassemble and put back together and keeps you from dryfiring without a mag in place (Rugers autos may be dryfired without harm). Those I own.

Something I don't own but like is the line of Buckmarks. They feel more like 1911s than the regular line of Rugers (with the exception of the 22/45).

BTW the horror stories of the difficulty of stripping and putting back together the pre MK 111 Rugers are largely bunk. There is one little trick to it and once you get that in your brain you will have no more trouble.

[lamina1982]

I have a browning buckmark and for the most part i love it. Its a great carry gun and i've killed alot of squirrels. Can be a little touchy on ammo with the occassion jams. I found some winchester lubed (black box) that works best

[bigboredad]

Piedmont
thanks for the response I am a ruger fan and all my handguns except my 1911 are rugers. There auto pistols in .22 have always held a interest for me but I have heard of the rumors of being hard to field strip. are the 22/45 pistols in the same category as the mk lll's your warned me about? do you have any experience with the 22/45?

[Trey45]

I'm biased here, but I love the CZ Kadet. I bought a conversion for my P01 and haven't found a more accurate, reliable and FUN 22 pistol to shoot. Piedmont has a 22/45, I've shot it, he'll be along directly to answer your questions.

[HeavyMetal]

I have several MKI's and II's and field stripping isn't hard. Putting them back together is simply remembering to make sure the hammer strut is up before you snap in the mainspring housing.

MKII 22/45 is one of my gonna get if I find a good price guns. would not and will not buy any of this new stuff with the lawyer safties on them!

[frankenfab]

I have a S&W 22S and a Beretta Neos. The 22S has the laminate target grips and is my favorite 22 I have ever shot.

I have always wanted one of the new stainless Rugers myself.

I recently took the red dot off because I wanted to focus more on using open sights.

[GT27]

Ruger Mk II 22/45,gobbles up anything it's fed. They can usually be found used for $250.00ish. Ruger MkIII new $325.00 to $450.00 depending on bbl. length and bells and whistles...

[Piedmont]

bigboredad, I own the original MK II .22/45 (the first version of it has the slide release, hence a MK II). Everything about it is just like a steel Mk II, except the grip angle and the bottom being polymer. I believe the new Mk III .22/45 has an even better grip but with safety **** added that makes takedown even harder. It might possibly make the trigger pull heavier too--not sure (it does on a Browning Hi Power). If you were to get a Mk III .22/45 you could take out the magazine safety parts or have your gunsmith do it. Or you could just buy a Pre-MK III .22/45.

I'm a dinasaur, but if I were in your shoes I would buy a Pre Mk III .22/45, especially since you have 1911s, as do I. Handle that Buckmark before you buy though, they feel even better in my hand.

[anachronism]

I just bought a new Ruger MKIII stainless Target Model ($450.00, ouch). The mag safety isn't much of an issue for me, but I did disable the loaded chamber indicator because it looked like a problem in search of the worst possible moment. I just gave the Ruger it's first bath today. I had run a few hundred rounds through it, then shot a bowling pin match the next day.Not a hiccup at all. I will probably install a Volquartsen action kit when I can afford it, then call it good. 300 rounds does not make for a proper break-in so I'll strip it & clean it in about 500 more rounds. The trigger leaves a lot to be desired. I have an extra lightweight aluminum 1911 frame, so my next .22 will likely be based on that. I'll avoid the Kimber 22 conversion because they only want you to use plated ammo, and I have a lot of plain lead 22 ammo squirreled away. But, I wouldn't hesitate (so far) to buy another MKIII, but not for what I paid for this one.

[Mk42gunner]

Personally I like the Colt Woodsman, either the second or third generation. Pricy now though.

For a plinker, the cheaper High Standards like the Model B work okay.

The Rugers are good guns, I just never really warmed up to them.

Robert

[Le Loup Solitaire]

Some good advice has been given so far. Hopefully I can add to it. In the 22 world there are plinkers and target pistols; the main limitation is the size of the/your pocketbook. A good target pistol does it all, but isn't cheap. My own is plinker is an old Ruger Mark I with a bull barrel...a target pistol in its own right and it shoots good groups, (always has), at 25 yards. They (Rugers) and/or their descendents can still be found for pretty reasonable prices and generally do a good job. They all take down fairly easily and the only trick to reassembly centers around the positioning of the hammer strut. I did Bullseye comp for a long time with a High Standard Victor and a S&W Model 41. Both are fine guns and do good work, however the cost is up there. Both come down and go back together easily. They are classic, lifetime guns and hit..or close to it, whatever is aimed at. No sense in laying out $$$ for missing, although that is part of the road to success. A major factor to keep in mind is what you use for ammo; it has a lot to do with accuracy. For serious comp work one has to use the best, but for plinking, the run-of-the-mill stuff is affordable and ok. Since you can't load it yourself you usually have to pick up a few different brands and test them to see what works best for the gun that you have chosen. After that it is just following the 3 most important rules; practice, practice and practice, but you might as well do it if possible with a good, well made and dependable gun to start with. Choose well and enjoy. LLS

[Multigunner]

Personally I like the Colt Woodsman, either the second or third generation. Pricy now though.

For a plinker, the cheaper High Standards like the Model B work okay.

The Rugers are good guns, I just never really warmed up to them.

Robert

Same here on the Rugers. I had a nice one, but the short standard length barrel didn't do much for its balance. Never had a failure to feed or misfire, which is doing pretty good for any rimfire auto. Accuracy was okay, but not as easy to shoot with accuracy due to the balance.
Awhile back i tried to help a guy sight in a stainless late model long and heavy barreled Ruger target pistol which had all the bells and whistles, but for some unknown reason that pistol just could not group at all.
I could find no visible clue as to why it would not shoot well.

[LewR]

I had a Colt woodsman - ser# in the 169xxx range - but sold it when I had to buy a new house (for the new bride - LOL) - Loved it, but I kept my red eagle MKI, which was (and still is) my favorite 22 auto.

JMHO

[Firebricker]

I have a Ruger 22/45 with bull barrel I believe 5" and it's a favorite. It eat's up cheap Federal bulk pack round's just fine. I think they changed the grip frame on the newer one's but have'nt got a close look at one. Mine was made around 2000. FB

[Doc Highwall]

I have several Ruger's and a Sig Mosquito and I have shot the Walther all nice guns. I bought the Sig Mosquito to match my Sig 228.

[MT Gianni]

I have a Ruger Mk1 standard sights and a S&W 22A that both shoot well.

[Muddy Creek Sam]

I have a Ruger Standard and a Kimber Conversion for my 1911 Colt O1918, Both are really great.

Sam

[DanWalker]

I've had a couple ruger Mark II's and a browning buckmark. The rugers all shot great. the buckmark displayed spotty accuracy at best. Got tired of all the noise, and sold my 22 pistols. I figured if I was gonna make all that racket shooting a handgun, I might as well just shoot my centerfires.

[missionary5155]

Good morning
I would say a Ruger also. My dad bought one when I was a little feller. It was made during the Korean WAR and had the 2 piece bolt slide. I had that one for some years then got a MK2 that has been with me since . My two sons and daughter and wife and now grandduaghter have put alot rounds through it.
Down here I have a Walther that is by far the BEST shooting .22 I have ever owned..BUT will not cycle that Cheap Winchester ammo. IT shoots Remington to clusters at 50 yards. ELY shorts are even more accurate. I go the LONG barrel model with the removable fake compensator whick comes off in a few seconds. Kind of handle for applications. Has adjustable grip pannels for fatter fingers and adjustable front sight inserts for different ammo .. similar to the Dan Wesson. A very nice windage rear sight.
ME if I could only have one . I would get the Walther P22 and a extra set of recoil springs for the Win. Wildcat ammo and happily shoot a much better pistol.