Recommendations for budget SA .22 pistol?

[Kram12085]

As a fresh college grad with my share of loans and credit cards to pay off, I recently decided to put my gun hobby on hold, at least in terms of buying "toys".

I've been thinking about purchasing a .22 pistol for a while now for a couple of reasons that put it above toy status: 1) Good for improving shooting form 2) Cheap ammo 3) Good starter pistol for any first-time shooter friends I take to the range 4) Relatively cheap pistol. So what do you guys recommend? Here are my criteria:

-Price. My first priority due to my budget. I don't have a set limit but would like it as cheap as possible without getting a Lorcin.
-Reliable. Obviously I don't want to buy a jam-o-matic

That's pretty much it. I don't care much about looks or size since it won't be a CCW or anything. The first two I'm thinking of would be the P22 or Ruger.

Thanks.

[scootergmc]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=87527

[jchen76@gmail.com]

Currently own a browning buckmark, under 300 usually. Sights are adjustable, not very hard to clean. Mine runs CCI Mini-Mags without a hitch. You can options such as longer bull barrels or stainless finish.

Had a P22 back in 2002, POS for me. Sent it back to factory 2 times before I got rid of it. I hear they've gotten better.

[Soldier415]

I love the Walther P22. Around $375, feels great in the hand...and yes, they have gotten much better

[mk19]

My first choice is find a Ruger MKII in good shape they are around 200-300. great fun shooter and tought as a rock. Second Ruger MKIII, dont like the mag disconnect but other than that a fine 22. Browning buckmarks are good pistols as well.
P22's and Sig Mosquito's tend to break ALOT. Heard of bbl's break of P22's and have seen the slode break on a Mosquito.
Beretta NEOS is a fun 22 but not as tough as the rugers or brownings. oh and stay away from ruger 22/45's they are crap as well.

[dasmi]

I have a Ruger Mk III, love it. Get any of the Ruger .22 automatics, and you'll be in good shape.

[hkfooey]

My wife's Neo 22 shot well and is less than $300. If you don't mind the "Star War" phaser look - I recommend it 100%. Easy to clean and have all kind of add-on accessories as well.

PS - Ruger MK2/3 are great - but just need to learn how to take it apart for cleaning...

[saxman]

I would go with either a buck mark or a ruger mk II/III. Everything else in that price range seems to lack in the accuracy and/or reliability department compared to those two guns, with the benefit of being more aesthetically pleasing.

If you want a gun that will shoot when you pull the trigger, will put the round where you're pointing, and feels great in the hand, buy one of those.

If you want a gun that's cool to look at, aren't as worried about having to find that special one brand of ammo that it'll choke down, and don't mind having some error in your accuracy, buy a p22/mosquito.

[maxicon]

If you're looking to improve your technique and accuracy, you'll need an inherently accurate pistol. This means staying away from Mosquitos and P22s.

Get a Ruger MkII/III or a Buckmark. The others are fun, but ultimately, if you don't have accuracy, you'll just be blasting shotgun patterns into paper. There's no substitute for the feeling you get when you can put 20 rounds of .22 into a hole the size of a dime at 10 yards.

[mk3mitch]

You want a super reliable gun, go with a Buckmark. You want a really cool looking gun go with a p22. I have both. The Buck mark is SUPER accurate, NEVER jams. The p22 , you need good ammo. I've heard a lot of complaints about them, but mine works well as long as you use the right ammo. Using Winchester Super X, I can shoot 200 rounds with out a single jam.

[c good]

Browning Buckmark.

[fairfaxjim]

Browning Buckmark.

What he said!

[saxman]

I can shoot 200 rounds with out a single jam.

I don't think my buckmark has jammed in the last 1500 rounds of federal bulk crap that I've put through it

[thomasanelson]

My P22 is a piece o' crap. By a Buckmark or Ruger.

[twistrate]

Ruger Mk III 22/45. You can pick up the model with the 5.5" bull barrel and adjustable sights on sale through Davidsons right now for about $240 (P512MKIII). That's where I got mine it's a great, great pistol. Very accurate, nice trigger, 100 percent reliable.

MK19 I would like to know how you can recommend the Mark III and say the 22/45s are crap they are pretty similar. Whatever. Davidsons has a bunch of Mk IIIs on sale through the end of the month too. You can get the Mark III standard model right now for about $265 -- if you want to pay $25 more and not get adjustable sights and a bull barrel, go ahead. The Mk III Target is also on sale it has adjustable sights and 5.5" bull barrel but runs over $300 if the 22/45 is not for you.

I don't know maybe there is some problem with the 22/45s if they have to discount them that steeply from the Mk III. Some people like the 22/45 because the grip angle is like the 1911, where the Mk III is steeper like a Luger's.

The Mk III 22/45 and the MkIII Target come with Weaver base adapters to mount a red dot.