Looking for a new 22cal handgun.

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SauerGrapes

New member
Now that I've been able to stock pile some 22 ammo again, I have been thinking about a 2nd 22cal handgun for range and maybe some steel or bowling pin shooting.

I have a plain jane Ruger mk3 with a Burris dot on it. I have an xtra Burris I will probably put on it.

I'm really kinda wide open right now as to what to get. Only thing I can think of that is a deal breaker is a mag release located somewhere other than the traditional location.

I've also considered a caliber exchange for one of my Sig p226s.
I have even thought about the S&W M&P22. So polymer is another option. Like I said, pretty much have no direction.

What's your favorite 22 and what do you like about ?

Budget: $500ish
 
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darkgael

New member
.22

Do you own a 1911? If so, I highly recommend a .22 conversion made by either Nelson Custom Guns or Marvel Precision. Within your budget and marvelously accurate.
 
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NoSecondBest

New member
A revolver is out if you're looking at steel and bowling pins. Last year I bought a S&W Victory and put a Vortex Venom on it and it's a pretty slick little gun. It will shoot five shot groups sub .5" at twenty-five yards with good ammo on a regular basis. I owned two S&W model 41's back when I was shooting major competition and the new Victory is equally as accurate as either of the model 41's. So far it's been utterly reliable and the trigger is pretty decent as well. It's right at your price point. Take a look at one.
 
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ms6852

New member
My recommendation would be the Browning Buck or the Smith & Wesson Victory. In my opinion the browning, S&W, and ruger, they are equally accurate handguns.
 
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Earthling2112

New member
have a Ruger SP 101 in .22. Double action has a very heavy trigger but that is the only downside. It's accurate, easier to clean and isn't finicky about what ammo you use.
 
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GarandTd

New member
I like the Victory, but have no experience with the others. My next purchase is going to be the S&W m&p 22 compact, but that is less of a target gun than the Buckmark, Victory, or Mark I-IV.
 
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TrueBlue711

New member
I vote for a .22 clone of whatever other handgun(s) you have. If you have a S&W M&P, get the M&P22. If you have a Sig 226, get the Sig Mosquito. Etc, etc. Will give you double the practice for your pistol of choice.
 
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GarandTd

New member
I mentioned the what, but not the why. Sorry bout that. I like the all stainless steel barrel and frame of the Victory, including it's heft. I like the modular construction of the pistol and the ease of disassembly. It includes an accessory rail with a rear sight notch that mounts in place of the rear adjustable sight. It's accurate and easy to shoot. It's not terribly picky on ammo. And finally, the S&W lifetime repair policy. Oh...sights are fiber optic if you're into that.
 
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bassJAM1

New member
A revolver is out if you're looking at steel and bowling pins. Last year I bought a S&W Victory and put a Vortex Venom on it and it's a pretty slick little gun. It will shoot five shot groups sub .5" at twenty-five yards with good ammo on a regular basis. I owned two S&W model 41's back when I was shooting major competition and the new Victory is equally as accurate as either of the model 41's. So far it's been utterly reliable and the trigger is pretty decent as well. It's right at your price point. Take a look at one.
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I don't understand this at all. Why would it matter in the least?

Between my Mark I target and Buckmark, I slightly prefer my Buckmark.

But what I really want is a S&W 17 or 617. After shooting my FIL's 617 I fell in love with it.
 
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NoSecondBest

New member
I don't understand this at all. Why would it matter in the least?
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Couple of reasons. Most of the time shooting steel plates and bowling pins are timed speed events. The revolver loses simply due to three things: trigger (usually, double action isn't all that easy to do), capacity (six is usually the limit in a revolver), speed of reloading (even speed loaders aren't as fast as a magazine change). I shot competition for years and at many big shoots. I have had to use a revolver a couple of times while my auto was down for some type of repair, and I can assure you it's a real handicap. FWIW, I have had several custom built revolvers made for me and I can make a fair comparison. On two of three times I had to use the revolver due to my auto being out action I ran the events. On the third try I came up short by one shot simply because of one miss and that required another reload. I only ever saw one other competitor use a revolver in the game I was shooting, and he ran the event. He was also one of the top shooters in the country. Revolvers are handicapped simply by design. I like them a lot, but you need the right tool for the job.
 
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aarondhgraham

New member
Hello SauerGrapes,,,

When one makes a post like this,,,
You get every handgun ever manufactured,,,
Usually it's the favorite make/model of the responder.

I'm going to try something different,,,
Ask yourself a few questions.

First, divide the types into target style and duty style pistols,,,
This will lower the number of choices somewhat.

You did mention a conversion kit for "one of" your Sigs,,,
This is a valid way to go and stay with something familiar to you,,,
I've heard and read nothing but good about the Sig rimfire conversions.

If you decide you want a target style pistol,,,
There really are only four makes that are worth considering,,,
Ruger, S&W, Browning, & Beretta all make several pistols you might like.

You should go to each website and peruse their offerings,,,
Note the ones that make you smile then find a sample to hold in your hand.

Personally, I think the process of research and then the shopping are enjoyable.

So get on-line and do some surfing,,,
Then go find one to hold in your hand.

Don't forget to let us know what you finally decide on.

Aarond

.
 
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Spats McGee

Administrator
FWIW, I shot a Ruger Semiautomatic .22 (before they called them "Marks") for a long time. I recently decided that I wanted a new plinker and wound up with a Mk IV 22/45 Lite. I have not yet been to the range with it, but I am very excited at the prospect of going. Hopefully tomorrow. It's got a threaded barrel (for the suppressor that I one day hope to own), I generally like Rugers, and I really like the feel in my hand. What's even better is that Ruger has solved the RHR (Ridiculously Hard Reassembly) problem in the Mk IVs. Push a button, and the top half of the pistol comes off. Pull the bolt out of the back of the slide, and you're ready to clean. Put bolt back in, pop top half back on, and you're done.
 
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SauerGrapes

New member
Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm not in a big hurry. I agree, the research and shopping is part of the fun.
The only 2 mentioned I haven't shot are the Ruger lite and a S&W Victory. Well, never shot a Sig with the conversion. Most of the guys I know that shoot bulls eye, shoot conversions. They are very slick.
I love the idea of a 22 revolver. I have some revolvers and enjoy shooting them D/A the way they are meant to be used.
 
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Siggy-06

New member
Ruger SR22 is a great little plinker and has eaten everything I've thrown at it. Plus it's light, compact, and has 2 different barrel lengths to choose from.
 
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libiglou

New member
I have the nelson conversion with a 1911 frame that I had the trigger worked on and it is superbly accurate with the right ammo, however its not an inexpensive proposition. My 617 is also fantastic but the trigger needs a while to break in and does not match the triggers of the semi autos. Finally my old and trusty ruger mk2 continues to serve well after more than 20 years. All of them are fun. Try a few out or better yet get them all you won't be disappointed.

My motto is : one 22 is just not enough
 
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ammo.crafter

New member
another .22 pistol

Look for a used MK I or MK II Ruger and pick up a Volquartsen LLV ; that will give you one fine shooter.
 
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