.22lr semi-auto pistol comparison

[lcw]

I'm trying to get a whole picture of all semi .22lr pistols in the market, please add more in your reply if there's something I'm missing, or correct me if I'm wrong.

I'm leaving ruger 22/45, mark III and browning buckmark out of this comparison since they're so iconic everyone knows about them already.

1. GSG 1911-22 (Sig 1911-22)
same gun, made by GSG in Germany, 1911 style, removeable barrel, full size

2. Colt 1911-22
made by Walther in Germany, 1911 style, fixed barrel, full size, just a tad more expensive then GSG 1911, I think it's a better buy, especially the rail version

3. Sig Mosquito
very ammo picky, not recommended? YMMV

4. Walther P22
ammo picky, smaller frame size, maybe good for people with small hand size

5. S&W M&P 22
full size, similar to M&P 9mm version, eats any ammo, great training gun if you have centerfire M&P pistols

6. Sig 226-22, 229-22
similar in size to their centerfire versions, reliable eats any ammo, great training gun if you have centerfire versions

7. Advantage Arms .22 Glock conversion
a little ammo picky, great training tool if you already have Glock

To sum it up, if you want a 1911 style 22, probably Colt 1911-22 is best buy followed by either GSG or Sig. If you just want a 22, ruger or browning is best bet. If you want 22 version of your centerfire pistol, go with factory option.

[1970gmc4x4]

8. Pheonix arms
cheap gun, can be picky, if you get a bad one they have a lifetime warranty, weird safeties, cute little guns though.

9. Ruger SR22 Pistol
Supposed to be awesome, and modeled after walther p22, but improved, some issues with the slide release lever breaking, will probably get worked out soon

10. Browning 1911-22
Scaled down 1911, kind of cool looking- haven't heard anything on them yet, they are selling them in CA though.

there are some others, but i don't think they are on the CA roster

[1970gmc4x4]

I checked the roster, so here are some more, mind you these are only pistol option, no revolvers.

11. Walther sp22
12. Smith & Wesson 22A
13. there is a Kimber 22lr.

[1970gmc4x4]

heres the link to the roster, http://certguns.doj.ca.gov/safeguns.asp
just chek sort by caliber and hit search, all the 22lr. will show up first.

[KandyRedCoi]

Originally Posted by 1970gmc4x4

8. Pheonix arms
cheap and unreliable from what i've heard, cute little though

heard from who? lol

i got over 2k rounds in my hp22 and none were shot with standard velocity, mostly cci blazers and mini mags and stingers on ocassion, only thing it needs now is a new recoil spring (seems to be the guns weakest point)

i can even hit bowling pins with it @ 20yds

$150 lifetime warranty and made here in SoCal

[mpwang]

My Sig 226 conversion kit jammed horrible on the cheap stuff. Went with a ruger 22/45 instead

[beerman]

although expensive, the Smith & wesson model 41 is arguably the finest (currently made) American made 22 pistol money can buy. Ok, in my opinion.

[Longhill]

Smith & Wesson 22A is a Calguns special at Turners this week for $209.
Very good accuracy, it has really nice sights, the trigger is good, and the magazines are not to expensive and available.
The 41 is great, but at 4 times the cost.

[Izzy43]

Originally Posted by Longhill

Smith & Wesson 22A is a Calguns special at Turners this week for $209.
Very good accuracy, it has really nice sights, the trigger is good, and the magazines are not to expensive and available.

S&W 22A-1, check the "May Rimfire Match" here on Calguns for a little accuracy check. Will eat any and I mean any ammo (just keep the action clean), likes Aguila Pistol Match the best. Not pretty but its a shooter and with a lifetime warranty, what's not to like. A steal @ $209.

[loosewreck]

I haven't done any research on it, but I have the suspicion that the GSG/Sig and Colt are sourced from the same company. Probably GSG.

Edit:
Never mind, they are. Keenkeen posted this great link from m1911.org in the handguns section. After reading it, they seem pretty cool. I would like to know how they will fair in the long term, both the gun and the company.

[PEZHEAD265]

ISSC makes a 22 much like the Glocks and it is on the roster.

[gunnlover]

How do I take advantage of these Calguns specials at turners?

[ironpete]

I'll throw mine onto the list:

1) Beretta 87
Solid pistol, wonderful pistol. It costs more but it is my wife's favorite 22

2) Beretta 87Target
The "Target" version of the 87. Solid performer. I love mine after a trigger job but would do things differently. Oh yeah, cleaning is annoying because of the barrel weight.

3) Beretta 70S
Fun pocket gun. Like an Italian sports car it costs to maintain it.

4) Sig Trailside
Fantastic and accurate pistol. Definitely underrated

5) Walther TPH
Great pocket-carry pistol. Very small even in small hands.

6) S&W Model 41
Best trigger and weight in a target 22 I've ever felt was on a friend's 41. Going back to my #2 if I had to do it over I would spend the time to find a nice used 41.

7) Ruger MKIII Target
Solid performer, inexpensive, Rubik's cube assembly and disassembly.

-Peter

[DrewTheBrave]

CZ 75 Kadet - can be bought as a complete gun, or as a caliber conversion kit for your CZ 75 in 9/40. Excellent ergonomics, steel-framed DA/SA with frame-mounted safety.

[pennys dad]

oooohh nice list

[JackRydden224]

Now we need picture for each gun

[IPSICK]

S&W 41 has one of the best triggers I've ever tried on any gun. If 22lr shooting wasn't about saving money for me, I would love to get one.

[Longhill]

Originally Posted by gunnlover

How do I take advantage of these Calguns specials at turners?

Here is a link: http://www.turners.com/calguns/calgu...ode=djszs50jdy

[aghauler]

tag

[KandyRedCoi]

Originally Posted by KandyRedCoi

heard from who? lol

i got over 2k rounds in my hp22 and none were shot with standard velocity, mostly cci blazers and mini mags and stingers on ocassion, only thing it needs now is a new recoil spring (seems to be the guns weakest point)

i can even hit bowling pins with it @ 20yds

$150 lifetime warranty and made here in SoCal

[secondshooter]

nice little pistol and looks smaller than the knife would be when its folded, very handy!

[TANK]

neos .22lr are solid, easy to break down, accurate, eat any ammo.
naa .22 mini mag for the fun factor, but horrible trigger pull

[orangeusa]

I've had great luck with Ceiner 22LR upper on a Beretta 92FS... Eats all ammo I throw at it, and upper is still cheaper (or about the same price) as low end 22LR pistols..... Beretta makes a kit, but it's like $380..

.

[1970gmc4x4]

Originally Posted by KandyRedCoi

heard from who? lol

i got over 2k rounds in my hp22 and none were shot with standard velocity, mostly cci blazers and mini mags and stingers on ocassion, only thing it needs now is a new recoil spring (seems to be the guns weakest point)



$150 lifetime warranty and made here in SoCal

Heard from various people, local gun that i could buy one through, a gunsmith, guys at gun shows. i'm sure you can find a guy with an old jennings he loves too. Though for the price, and size, they are pretty cool. And you even said yourself you shoot a lot of high velocity rounds..... because it won't cycle normal rounds? I didn't know about the lifetime warranty, And with most guns as long as a god esign is there, you could probably tune them a little. i will do more research into them, and probably forget to update anything.

"i can even hit bowling pins with it @ 20yds " Are you throwing the gun or shooting it?just kiddin'

Alright updated it for you

[morrcarr67]

You missed the just added S&W M&P 22



and all of the Colt Woodsman series; they are all C&R and roster exempt.

[KandyRedCoi]

Originally Posted by 1970gmc4x4

Heard from various people, local gun that i could buy one through, a gunsmith, guys at gun shows. i'm sure you can find a guy with an old jennings he loves too. Though for the price, and size, they are pretty cool. And you even said yourself you shoot a lot of high velocity rounds..... because it won't cycle normal rounds? I didn't know about the lifetime warranty, And with most guns as long as a god esign is there, you could probably tune them a little. i will do more research into them, and probably forget to update anything.

"i can even hit bowling pins with it @ 20yds " Are you throwing the gun or shooting it?just kiddin'

Alright updated it for you

i use hv ammo cus its whats readily available, pa suggests u run std vel thru the hp22a, some people "experienced" cracked frames, i havent and all i use are hv ammo...its been reliable

[1970gmc4x4]

Originally Posted by KandyRedCoi

i use hv ammo cus its whats readily available, pa suggests u run std vel thru the hp22a, some people "experienced" cracked frames, i havent and all i use are hv ammo...its been reliable

So i even went and looked at a couple of these today, one for $200 brand new and one for $150 slightly used. They used to be cheaper or that particular gun shop is just high, not sure, but they actually look like some cheap fun, they fact they have a good warranty is what interests me, i won't want to buy a cheap gun and be stuck with a POS.

[johnny1290]

I have a Phoenix Arms HP22A.

I heard the cracked frames are a design flaw they blame on high vel. ammo, but who knows.

I just got mine back from repair. The hammer pin worked out and it broke. I mailed it through turners(free), they repaired it, and sent it back with 4 free mags. How cool is that?!?

I read it's a common problem. Now that I know to check for it, I'll just keep an eye on it.

I can't even guess how many rounds I have through mine. Lots.

The recoil spring is a little rinky dink, but evidentally it's fine considering I've got thousands of rounds through mine and no problems with it. I need to get some extras though, just in case, thanks for mentioning it.

I have a couple NAA revolvers. I think I'd buy a magnum version with a longer handle. The ones I have are really hard to hold.

[uracan]

I got ruger sr.22 pistol, it's a fun little plinker, if you can find one I would recommend. I've taken mine to the range, the only thing is that it is a tiny pistol. it isn't picky with ammo.

[22popnsplat]

Originally Posted by beerman

although expensive, the Smith & wesson model 41 is arguably the finest (currently made) American made 22 pistol money can buy. Ok, in my opinion.

Since i got my model 41 my rugers have not made it out of the safe , thing is scarey accurate. Fun shoots involve lolipops at 15 yards

[KandyRedCoi]

Originally Posted by johnny1290

I have a Phoenix Arms HP22A.

I heard the cracked frames are a design flaw they blame on high vel. ammo, but who knows.

I just got mine back from repair. The hammer pin worked out and it broke. I mailed it through turners(free), they repaired it, and sent it back with 4 free mags. How cool is that?!?

I read it's a common problem. Now that I know to check for it, I'll just keep an eye on it.

I can't even guess how many rounds I have through mine. Lots.

The recoil spring is a little rinky dink, but evidentally it's fine considering I've got thousands of rounds through mine and no problems with it. I need to get some extras though, just in case, thanks for mentioning it.

I have a couple NAA revolvers. I think I'd buy a magnum version with a longer handle. The ones I have are really hard to hold.

ive shot a friends 22magnum naa, that thing is hard as heck to shoot...i will have to try out the .22lr version one day, ive always been curious about them and they are cheap enough to buy just for kicks n giggles

where the pics?

[DisturbedAle]

Great info, I'm looking to buy a .22 Pistol shortly.

I'd like to ask about the Turners Special for Cal Gunners... How often do they have a new sale? It seems like at $210 for a S&W 22A, that's an amazing deal.

[morrcarr67]

Originally Posted by DisturbedAle

Great info, I'm looking to buy a .22 Pistol shortly.

I'd like to ask about the Turners Special for Cal Gunners... How often do they have a new sale? It seems like at $210 for a S&W 22A, that's an amazing deal.

Every week I think. Better check on it before you go down.

[bill_k_lopez]

The $200 - $400 22s are all decent guns for what they're worth. The funny thing is once you compare them side by side to a + $1000 real target pistol there is no comparison.

I own 4 S&W 22a - one for each member of the family. They are fun to shoot, easy to maintain but when shot alongside my High Standard Super Trophymatic or my buddy's S&W 41 its just as mentioned above - no comparison.

[bill_k_lopez]

Originally Posted by DisturbedAle

Great info, I'm looking to buy a .22 Pistol shortly.

I'd like to ask about the Turners Special for Cal Gunners... How often do they have a new sale? It seems like at $210 for a S&W 22A, that's an amazing deal.

This is the cheapest they have had it on sale for.

First one I purchased was $229 on sale from Turner's. Then they went up to $239 on sale..the $209 price is about as cheap as you can find it.

[morrcarr67]

Originally Posted by bill_k_lopez

The $200 - $400 22s are all decent guns for what they're worth. The funny thing is once you compare them side by side to a + $1000 real target pistol there is no comparison.

I own 4 S&W 22a - one for each member of the family. They are fun to shoot, easy to maintain but when shot alongside my High Standard Super Trophymatic or my buddy's S&W 41 its just as mentioned above - no comparison.

I have 2 Chevy trucks and a Kia compact SUV and all run great. Hell the Kia has 235K miles on it.

But none of them compare to the Lamborghini the guy has down the street from me.

I would never compare a working man's gun to a compitition gun.

[DisturbedAle]

Originally Posted by morrcarr67

Every week I think. Better check on it before you go down.

Thanks, is there a link that I can check every week? The one above links to an expired deal...

[morrcarr67]

Originally Posted by DisturbedAle

Thanks, is there a link that I can check every week? The one above links to an expired deal...

Go to the vendor section. Turners has their sub forum.

[Xtracrispy]

For what it's worth. My Mosquito has been good to me. Eats most cheap high velocity stuff no problem. has a few hundred rounds through it so far.

[cudakidd]

Why have just one?