Looking for Advice on a 22 Handgun

[JamminJ]

Model 41?

Thanks for the suggestions but similar to the Sig a bit too far from my regular gun.

[JamminJ]

The Single Six is a good pick for sure - I've shot someone else's and I'm also looking for one. I fondled the 7.5" SS Hunter model at the local gun shops, it was very nice!

I've got a Ruger MkII Target with a ~6.5" barrel, great gun. I would be happy if this were my only 22 handgun, it is excellent in every respect:
(this pic is not mine, however)

Thanks for the opinions. I'm getting the impression all three guns on the short list would be good choices. Maybe I'll to try to find an example of each to shoot.

I'm planning on heading to the shooting festival at Rauhaugge's place the weekend of June 5th. Think they'll have examples of these there to shoot?

[JMW]

All three choices are good I don't think you can go wrong.
Now I own a two 22 hand guns, the semi auto I think you might want to take a look at as I intended on buying the ruger markIII or the Browning at the time.
Berreta U22 Neos 6" why I shot it I liked it, it was accurate(just like the Ruger and Browning) full length rail thats part of the barrel for mounting a red dot, scope ect, and it was very easy to clean and field strip. did I mention it was very easy to clean.
I've had it 2.5 years know and about 2000 rounds threw it with one jam (Wolf Target ammo).
originally priced around $315.00 then I just happened to walk in to Turners and it was on sale for $249.00 Sold
Looks wise you either like or you don't.
As for revolver I have a Heritage Arms Single action (just like Ruger Single six)
I like it was an impulse buy $250.00 ( I just missed a deal on Ruger), you get use to it as far as loading an unloading it accurate and shoots fine but is finished to a lesser degree than the Ruger. Next time I'll buy the Ruger Single Six in Stainless actually I'll pick it up later this year.
As for semi or single action, well the truth is your going to end up with both anyway, so flip the coin tails revolver heads semi auto good luck and happy shooting.

[cuda3x2]

617

617 loads 10 rounds lr. and shorts.

[Btown]

OK, so don't flame me as I'm just tryin ta learn. But what I'm seeing is that .22 is rimfire, which isn't as reliable to actually go bang as centerfire is. I'm also hearing that you'd better be pretty smack on with your aiming if you ever want to actually stop anything bigger than a mid sized squirrel.

I also hear that .22 is so different from the experience of shooting something larger, that it might not even be a good practice/range weapon. Is that all true? I'm avoiding anything 22, since I might need to live in the real world some day.

[SteveMartin]

It would probably be used mostly indoors, Firing Line in Huntington Beach in particular. I don't know of any outdoor ranges in Orange County and if I'm taking a longer trip I'm probably bringing rifles.

Interesting you don't use the magnums often. Probably similar to putting .38s through the 686.

Lol I have a 686 also. I shoot almost all 38spl through it due to price/availability.

Indoors, the single six is pretty fun. I still take it when we shoot outdoors, but you need a chair or a table.

Thanks for the opinions. I'm getting the impression all three guns on the short list would be good choices. Maybe I'll to try to find an example of each to shoot.

I'm planning on heading to the shooting festival at Rauhaugge's place the weekend of June 5th. Think they'll have examples of these there to shoot?

They probably won't have the single six - at least I don't recall seeing one there. They will have the MKIII.

[Tank 57]

These are just my opinions based on my own expierences.

Have a Ruger MKII that has been reliable and accurate for over 20 years.Not sensitive to ammo or being dirty.Like a Timex watch.
Had a Single-six for a long time,rarely shot it.Reliable,accurate and kind of boring.Sold it recently because I almost never shot it.The 22 Mag option is a plus.
Have a S&W 617 10 shot,6 inch barrel.Shoot it often and like it.Easier to clean than any semi .22.Very accurate.Would not part with it.Or the MKII.
Recently bought a MKIII hunter 6 7/8 barrel.So far has lived up to what I expect from a Ruger.Only about 2000 rounds thru it.
Have a S&W Model 41.Love it.Is ammo sensitive and must be kept clean to be reliable.I can shoot it more accurately than any of the others.My personal favorite.Also by far,the most expensive.
Sounds like you might need to decide revolver or semi-auto more than anything else.

[JamminJ]

If you want to hunt, plink and shoot informally, the Single Six is great fun. It is very accurate, but slower to reload and cock/fire. I had one, sold it and regretted it, and just recently picked up an old model (1959 vintage I believe).

In a way the slow reloading might be a plus. I'm new to handguns but have shot rifles for a while. Usually I'll switch between a 22 and something bigger. With an autoloader I tend to burn through the ammo so fast its almost wasting shots. Having a bunch of old 50 round magazines doesn't help either!

If you want to shoot competition, where you will have to reload quickly, the Mk III is the way to go. I shoot a MK II and Mk I in PPC in my local pistol league. It is easy to put a rail and red dot on it also.

For now, I don't envision rapid fire competition. Being new to handguns I just want to gain some proficiency, once I'm there maybe I'll reconsider.

If you want to shoot anything (competition, hunt, target, etc.) then the S&W 617 is the way to go. It is expensive (about $750 new), but worth it. Get the 10 shot model, and get a rail (about $30 online) and put a red dot on it. You will not regret it. The trigger is very smooth, and the double action is a pleasure to shoot. If you can find one used for about $600 or so, you will be doing well. You can buy speedloaders for both the 6 and 10 shot versions for fast reloads.

There is a bit of sticker shock paying that much for a 22, but... It's a one time expense on a very high quality gun that will likely be shot on each and every range trip.

Good luck. Any of these guns are great choices, and a must-have for anyone's rimfire collection.

Thanks for posting up your experiences! I can see my thought process narrowing down.

[JamminJ]

As for semi or single action, well the truth is your going to end up with both anyway, so flip the coin tails revolver heads semi auto good luck and happy shooting.

Heh, I think you are probably right. No reason to have only one in the long run. At least one good thing of the "one every thirty days" law it it allows easier budgeting.

[JamminJ]

OK, so don't flame me as I'm just tryin ta learn. But what I'm seeing is that .22 is rimfire, which isn't as reliable to actually go bang as centerfire is. I'm also hearing that you'd better be pretty smack on with your aiming if you ever want to actually stop anything bigger than a mid sized squirrel.

I also hear that .22 is so different from the experience of shooting something larger, that it might not even be a good practice/range weapon. Is that all true? I'm avoiding anything 22, since I might need to live in the real world some day.

Some folks love shooting rimfires exclusively. Others use 22s as a second gun for practice and inexpensive shooting. Shooting 200 rounds of 357 for each range trip will either put you in the poor house or severely limit your trip frequency. Mixing it up balances the cost and amount of shooting

I haven't heard anything detrimental about rimfire reliability but they certainly do have less stopping power then something larger.

[JamminJ]

They probably won't have the single six - at least I don't recall seeing one there. They will have the MKIII.

Disappointing but not surprising. Things like that you want to shoot the big & sexy stuff. A single action rimfire is pretty low in the sexy department.

[JamminJ]

Sounds like you might need to decide revolver or semi-auto more than anything else.

This is a good point.

When deciding on the 686 I knew I wanted a revolver first and foremost. Then I settled in on the caliber and finally on the model. My 22 thoughts have been exactly reversed - caliber came first and everything else was negotiable.

With that in mind, it would make sense to stick with a revolver for the 22 - or at least the first 22.

[JamminJ]

OK, I'm decided.

I'm going to get a 617, special ordered if needed. If it looks like it will take more than 30 days to receive I'll pick up a single six in the interim. I think I'm a revolver guy at heart.

Thanks to all who took the time to post up their opinions and experiences, it really helped focus my thought process.

[bothenook]

JamminJ, you went the right direction as far as i'm concerned, not that my opinion counts for much. i love my rugers (both MKII anad MKIII), i love my Browning buckmark 7.25 contour lite, and i even really really enjoy shooting my kimber 22 target 1911. but the one gun that ALWAYS goes to the range with me is my 617 10 shot. it is accurate, it handles just exactly like my 6 inch 686 357, and it will eat anything, no matter how crappy, old, or dinged. important right now, since i'm clearing out all my old old ammo to make room for fresh stuff.
that, and they look like they mean it, if you know what i mean. no fancy synthetic plastic nothing. just all american steel, in a beautiful shiny revolver. can you tell i really like mine?

[Hunt]

Browning BuckMark, I have owned many 22 pistols in the sub $500.00 pistols I like the BuckMark. Why from my experience
1. Most accurate
2. FREE slick trigger job w/ Heggis spring flip about 1.5 lbs slick!
3. Tactical Solutions Barrel OK in California NOT OK for Ruger.
4. Browning Customer service A+ for $20.00 you can get travel stop trigger *and* complete replacement parts that would probably never wear out any way.
5. Very easy to work on compared to Ruger.
6. They NEVER wear out.
7. The slide is open on both side at extraction so if you get a jam 2x as easy to clear as any other model.
8. Adjustable rear site
9. You can build a really nice custom gun for < $500.00-- buy a used one from a pawnshop on GB for $250.00 put the other $250.00 into TacSol Barrel, grips, spare parts, do a Heggis spring flip, custom grips can't beat the BM for sub $500.00 gun.