22lr autoloader pistol recommendations?

[Sobriquet]

With the high (and rising) cost of .45acp, I'm considering the purchase of an autoloader pistol in 22lr. The idea of the Ruger 22/45 Mark III is appealing to me as it would more closely mimic the controls of my .45.

Does anyone have a recommendation? Is the Ruger 22/45 Mark III CA legal? Is the price for the "Hunter" model worth it over the base "Bull" models? This is strictly going to be a range practice piece. What's the going street price for these things in dealers?

Thanks, all!

[Sobriquet]

Oh, one last thing! How easy are these things to field strip and clean? I've heard horror stories about disassembling some of these things. I'm not interested in something much harder to take apart than an HK USP.

Are these things safe? I've also heard horror stories of the Walther P22 being plagued with magazine problems and safety lever failures. I can deal with a failure to feed... but I'm not going within a mile of a gun that doesn't stay on safe when I put it there.

[saxman]

I'd look at a browning buck mark. Great guns, very reliable, and while you do have to use a tool to disassemble it, it is VERY easy to take apart.

[happy_gunner]

The mag problem happened on the early models, the later models had a mag redesign and that solved the problem. I'm not sure when was the change but I think you can tell by the part number of the mag, if it ends with a A, A1 or B, I still have to wait 9 more days for mine.

[Cazach]

Another vote for the Buckmark. Great little pistol.

[Hunter158]

I'd look at a browning buck mark. Great guns, very reliable, and while you do have to use a tool to disassemble it, it is VERY easy to take apart.

And with at least two different threads currently running on them... LOTS of information available to read for yourself.

As for:

Is the Ruger 22/45 Mark III CA legal?

Depending on model, you can look this up at the DOJ web site.

Is the price for the "Hunter" model worth it over the base "Bull" models?

Only you can answer this question for yourself and your situation.

What's the going street price for these things in dealers?

Varies... depending on location, demand and model.

Oh, one last thing! How easy are these things to field strip and clean? I've heard horror stories about disassembling some of these things.

As with most things, if you can read instructions and actually follow them without inventing your own better way, any of these will be easy.

Are these things safe? I've also heard horror stories of the Walther P22 being plagued with magazine problems and safety lever failures.

In general the more discussed 22's are just fine, can't discuss the P22, but our all knowing DOJ and Roster of Safe Handguns blesses these models, so they must be safe... You believe in the DOJ right? And you believe everything they say right?

but I'm not going within a mile of a gun that doesn't stay on safe when I put it there.

At some point in any machines life, there may be malfunctions of various kinds and various levels of seriousness. These circumstances cannot be predicted with absolute certainty. So, your above statement should be softened just a bit.

Good luck.

[bak]

Browning Buckmark. As you can change barrels easy.

http://www.tacticalsol.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=20

The Ruger version is considered a receiver so you would have to go through a FFL to order.

BAK

[socalgunrunner]

The mag problem happened on the early models, the later models had a mag redesign and that solved the problem. I'm not sure when was the change but I think you can tell by the part number of the mag, if it ends with a A, A1 or B, I still have to wait 9 more days for mine.

The mag redesign was supposed to solve the jamming problem. It doesn't. Good luck with your pistol though.

[mvpatriot]

I love my Sig Mosquito. Highly reccomended if you want a"tactical" type autoloading 22lr.

[HeHateMe]

If my .45 you mean a 1911, why not buy a .22 upper assembly. There's marvel, ciener, advantage arms, kimber, etc.

[River Jack]

S&W Model 41, the best of the best. Although it will cost more initially (remember, you often get what you pay for), you will soon be saving tons of cash on ammo (compared to other calibers). My Model 41 is one of my favorite pieces to shoot. Smooth, comfortable, accurate, beautiful.

[dfletcher]

You should be able to find older High Standards in CA. I've seen quite a few in Bay Area and Sacramento. If it's still there, River City had a nice Citation or Trophy for about $450.00 - can't recall the model but it's their switch barrel adjustable sight/trigger model. I have one and the sight picture and trigger are fantastic.

[ontmark]

It depends on how much you want to spend.

All of these are good; In order of increasing expense:

Ruger
S&W 22A.
Browning Buck-Mark
Sig Trailside
Beretta 87 Target
Benelli MP95
S&W 41

You can go even higher with Hammerli, Walther, Pardini and others.

Used, look into Colt Match Targets, High Standard (Hamden) pistols and the S&W 41.

Smith and Wesson no longer makes the excellent and inexpensive 422 model but you can find them for around $200. It's accurate, will feed anything and easy to take down to clean.

Buckmark standard. Very easy to clean and eats everything you put in it, accurate, nice balance, great controls and great trigger. The ruger is good also but has some quirkiness to it (grip angle etc.) and the Buckmark is better out of the box IMO, especially the trigger.

[postal]

I own a ruger mkII 22/45 and a buckmark "camper".

Love the 22/45- hate the buckmark.

After stripping and reassembly a couple times- you figure it out pretty easy. I dont even bother shooting the buckmark anymore- pales in comparison.

[saxman]

I own a ruger mkII 22/45 and a buckmark "camper".

Love the 22/45- hate the buckmark.

After stripping and reassembly a couple times- you figure it out pretty easy. I dont even bother shooting the buckmark anymore- pales in comparison.

what don't you like about the buck mark?