.22 Handgun Recommendations

[Bubba J]

I'm interested in spending more time at the range for target practice and am trying to decide which .22 handgun I'm going to buy. I've been to several ranges and unfortunately my .22 rental options have been limited. I have been shooting a Mark III Target, and like it fairly well. Aesthetically I love the Sig 'squito Sport, but I can't find a rental to try. The safety on the Neos rubs my thumb knuckle funny.

Anyone have any insight on they three I'm considering or any suggestions that maybe I haven't considered? Thanks all!

[ojisan]

Welcome to Cal Guns!
You might (or might not) want to list your location so other Cal Gunners in your area have a chance to maybe meet you at a range and you get to try some other privately owned guns.

THE LIST:

High dollar target shooting awesomeness:
S&W 41
Weird Olympic-style guns

Intermediate price guns that are older but are known good bets:
Hi-Standard family
Colt "Woodsman" family

Medium Price guns you can't go wrong with for a bunch of uses:
Browning Buckmark family
Ruger Mk 1,2,3
Ruger 22/45

Maybe a cheaper price but the gambling starts:
Smith 21A (maybe bump this one up a category)
Walther P22
Sig Mosquito
Beretta Neos

[JaMail]

buckmark or ruger mk..

i have one of each.. the ruger, pretty much doesnt need to be cleaned ever.. ill wipe down the barrel and bore, put a couple drops in the chamber.. and its good to go for another 2k rounds.

the buckmark slabside is freaking scary accurate.


both of those can use the speed loader, which is pretty damn nice.. you can load the 10 round mag's in less than 1 second.

[thomashoward]

S&W model 17 ... K22

[robcoe]

Ive been looking around for a .22 handgun also, managed to try a few and I have settled on the Ruger 22/45 for myself, good price and its a ruger, so it is unlikey to have any significant failures.

Now I just need to find a good deal. Guess I will see what Turners does for the 4th.

[bjl333]

Ive been looking around for a .22 handgun also, managed to try a few and I have settled on the Ruger 22/45 for myself, good price and its a ruger, so it is unlikey to have any significant failures.

Now I just need to find a good deal. Guess I will see what Turners does for the 4th.

The 22/45 is very accurate for the money. We have both MKIII and 22/45 and they shoot almost the same.

Turners had a very good price on the 22/45 1 1/2 mo ago, don't know if it'll come back !!!

Everything suggested above are all good guns, just see which ones on the list of suggestions feels better to you handling wise ....

[stitchnicklas]

heritage single action revolvers are fun also,+you get a 2nd cylinder for magnum .22 rounds
150-200 depending where you by it.
wife bought one and loves plinking with it

[mikengracie]

None mentioned beat the S&W Model 41. Of course a good shooter with a poor gun will out shoot a poor shooter with a good gun. But the 41 is smooth and proven accuracy. And my Rugers have appreciated little in 20 years where as the 41 has tripled in price. Shoot one and find out.

[JaMail]

yea, it was like 199.. un believable price.

[davidgpo]

I love my Buckmark. It's very accurate and feels good in my hand. Fiber optic front sight is standard from the factory so it's easy on my old eyes.

[RedDawn]

Welcome to Cal Guns!
You might (or might not) want to list your location so other Cal Gunners in your area have a chance to maybe meet you at a range and you get to try some other privately owned guns.

THE LIST:

High dollar target shooting awesomeness:
S&W 41
Weird Olympic-style guns

Intermediate price guns that are older but are known good bets:
Hi-Standard family
Colt "Woodsman" family

Medium Price guns you can't go wrong with for a bunch of uses:
Browning Buckmark family
Ruger Mk 1,2,3
Ruger 22/45

Maybe a cheaper price but the gambling starts:
Smith 21A (maybe bump this one up a category)
Walther P22
Sig Mosquito
Beretta Neos

And there it is. If you want reliable fun shooting, stay away from the Walther P22 and Sig Mosquito. I haven't shot the Neos so I can't comment.

I believe Ojisan meant the Smith & Wesson model 22A. I used to have one and it was pretty reliable, but not as much as my Ruger MKII.

To be fair, the Sig Mosquito is a good gun, as long as you're using CCI minimags. Any other ammo will cause FTF and FTE in my experience.

[flatearth]

I recently began shooting, and my first purchase was a beretta neos 4.5". It is pretty accurate, but not too precise and the price reflects it.

It is very reliable and has shot pretty much anything I've fed without any issues (armscor, cci blazers, winchester bulk, federal bulk, remington golden). Very easy to take down and clean, I've shot about 2500 rounds through it and it shows minimal wear. I agree about the safety being uncomfortable, but I don't notice it when it's on "fire". For me, the grip angle is rather funky and is not too comfortable... Overall light weight (which I realized I don't like) and goes bang every time I pull the trigger. Speaking of trigger, the neos could use a good trigger job.

I've shot the ruger mark 2 hunter stainless and that is definitely a step above the neos. Also costs quite a bit more.

Turners had a smoking deal on the ruger mark 3 22/45 a few months ago, that would have been worth picking up...

If you can find one at a decent price, the beretta 87 target is another great 22 semi. It operates just like the neos, and just as light, but it had a much better trigger and was a lot more precise.

[Donny1]

Turners has the Ruger 22/45 5.5" bull barrel blued for $269 until the 1st. If you don't mind the small grip it's a good deal.

[softmentor]

ojisan put a good list together but left out the Trailside. $1000+ accuracy for a $400 price tag. Great barrel and well made. I've owned 2 and loved them both. Would still have them but needed $ ;(
for just plinkin' though, I do love my cheep but great little Neos.

[Hunt]

do yourself a favor go to Gunbroker.com wait for a used Browning Buckmark to show up you can get them sometimes from a pawnshop there for about 275 these pistols never wear out and sometimes you can get a cherry model that will shoot like a thousand dollar gun. I have shot many 22 pistols and for the money you can't go wrong with a good used Buckmark.