.22 auto choices

[mrbongo01]

Good morning folks...

Okay... My wife has never fired a weapon in her life. So over the holidays, I got together with some family members and we went to an indoor range. We had on hand a XD-40 subcompact, sig p226 9mm, 1911 .45, Taurus 605 357mag, sig p238 and an ar15.

We started off with the p238. She was scared to death of it. So I moved her on to the sig 9mm. a little better but still was afraid of the recoil.

She really liked shooting the AR. I assume because of the very low recoil.

Which brings me to my point. I am now in the market for a reliable .22 auto plinker. I am growing tired of doing research. So I thought I would ask my fellow cal-gunners what would they recommend. I am leaning towards the sig mosquito, or the S&W M&P 22 auto. Any thought or recommendations?

Thanks in advance folks. I always value the opinions of fellow cal-gunners.

[andy75]

My wife loves the ruger sr22, also I used to have a ruger mark III stainless, but it was too heavy, so i would say depends on her hand size, sr22 has a small grip.

[XDRoX]

I really like my Walther P22 and so does everyone that shoots it.

[cmichini]

Plinker type of budget? I'd go Ruger Mk series.

Mosquito is known to really only like mini-mags (if you can find/afford them) and is squirrelly even then. However, I have to admit it's sexy as hell looking. That's why I got a 22 conversion for my P226 9MM.

I have a Ruger Mk II 5.5 bull barrel that has well over 20K rounds through it and I can't remember the last time it didn't digest everything I put through it.

It's accurate, reliable, and fun. I've started many a new shooter on it and never had any response other than big smiles.

Don't know much about the S&W model you're considering others may chime in with their opinions.

[sirgiles]

did she like the grip of your 1911? there is a 22lr tactical solutions conversion upper for this.

http://www.tacticalsol.com/tshome/2211-1911-22lr-conversion

[rogervzv]

Now that the SR22 is off-roster, in my opinion the two clear best choices for the OP are:

1. Ruger Mark III, either the Hunter or Target.

2. S&W M&P22. Much more reliable than the Mosquito or Walther.

Either of these is sure to please.

[Rob7.62]

I'd go with a Ruger MkIII eats anything you can find even the cheapest .22 they make and if you have a 1911 they have the 22/45 that has the same grip angle. I've had one for a few years now and it's been flawless and if it's not ruger has excellent customer service.

[Fishslayer]

My wife LOVES her Mosquito. BUT...

It does have the most atrocious trigger you're likely to find. Long & heavy.

Finicky about ammo. Hers shoots MiniMag, Golden Bullet & Blazer 40gr bulk 99%. Any brand that starts with "F" makes it a single shot semiauto.

Mags are expensive. When I bought extras I paid $30 & $40 a pop for 'em and they are known to only like GENYOUWYNE SIG metal mags.

They really like to run clean & wet. If I don't clean hers after a session it lets us know the next time.

Personally, I'm a fanboi for the Ruger MK series & 22/45. Inexpensive, combat brick reliable with any ammo and mags are $22-ish apiece.

[jay_cue]

I have a mosquito and picked one up against all "bad" reviews on it. I went in knowing it's picky on ammo. I liked the ergos, and weight of it. I felt the sr22 and m&p22 just felt too light for me. the DA of the mosquito is pretty long and heavy. I picked the mosquito due to being similar to my sig 2022 in terms of being DA/SA and had a decocker. I wanted it to be similar to use as training once our kids were old enough to shoot the handguns. the SA is eh ok but the triggers on the 22s I looked at didnt seem much better (by much if they were). it was frustrating breaking in especially when not using mini mags as the manual says you should use. everything else would fte/ftf 5-6 rounds per 10 round mag. it seems to run fine with mini mags of course and blazers. everything else is hit or miss but I suppose I'll turn that negative into a positive and when the time comes for the kids to learn will run other ammo to help train them to learn how to clear fte/ftf's.

[MellonPopper]

In almost every occasion that I've read about the mosquito unreliability and ammo, the user didn't read the owners manual, and use the lightweight spring. I haven't looked in the box, but it is supposed to come with 2 springs, one for high velocity ammo, which it comes from the factory with, and a standard velocity spring... From what I've read, that cured the ammo unreliability.

I went to Shooters Wharehouse yesterday, and held both the M&P and the Mosquito. The M&P felt like a full size big gun. The Mosquito felt real nice, and much better for a smaller hand, like my wife and kids have, which is the reason I want one...

My vote is the Mosquito. I've shot the Walther too. I didn't experience any issues in 200 rounds, and my daughter loved it. But I like the Sig better.

[40calibre]

M&P will be easier to transition to future semi auto pistol in bigger calibers. Its also on sale at Turners this week for $360, ad says $370 though. I picked it up this week so no experience but reviews always take it over the Sig and P22.

[ranger682]

22

A lot of Ruger MK III are going off roster...maybe, so you should be able to find a good deal on one. I got the 2245 ss. Great reviews, lots of upgrades, and reliable.

[G21Shooter]

I would highly recommend getting a Ruger MKIII before they go off roster. Great guns, mine has seen thousands and thousands of rounds and still runs like a top.

If your looking for more of a "tactical trainer" the S&W M&P22 is a good choice followed by the Advantage Arms .22 lr conversion slide for Glocks.

[nickel plate]

Do go over to sigtalk.com if you haven't already and read up on the Mosquito posts before you invest. Sig Sauer doesn't actually build the Mosquito but does badge it. The newest models seem to function better than earlier ones. Some are ammo picky while others will eat anything. You'll find a lot lot of good information from actual owners.
On the P238, I have the HDW model, the slide and frame are stainless steel which being heavier than the rest of the poly framed P238 line tends to lessen the snappiness of the recoil. It's function is not for target shooting/plinking, more of a conceal carry weapon and far more pricey to shoot compared to a .22 but then again there is presently a huge shortage or hoarding of those precious little cartridges. I was in a Walmart yesterday and saw no .22 in the case but did buy a couple of 50 round boxes of .380 for $20.77 each.
Your wife definitely needs to shoot the S&W M&P .22 if you can find one, maybe a range rental in your area. I shot one a few months ago that had over 5000 rounds down range without one hiccup.
Personally if I were in the market for a true .22 target/plinker, I'd search out a 98% Colt Woodsman.
For now, just get a any decent .22 semi-auto in her hands, the heavier the better for a starter gun as they're a great confidence builder for a new shooter.
Good luck.

[rambutan316]

I highly recommend the Browning Buckmark. Very accurate, fun, and balances great in anyone's hands.