Thoughts on .22 pistols purchase

[thunderbolt]

Add another vote for the Neos. I've had mine for over three years and put too many rounds through it to count (but for the round count obsessed lets say it's around 10K). No major problems with the full gamit of .22 ammo even that dirty Aguila crud. I chose it over the Ruger because it fit my hand much better than the blocky Ruger and yes it looked like a ray gun (and that appealed to my inner ninja).

My father has a ancient Ruger with a 10" BB that is very nice, accurate, and still going strong but I'll take my Neos because it's mine and I can hit anything he can with it.

Now that being said I just signed up for my first rimfire pistol match so we'll see how well the Neos actually does but I suspect it will do fine.

[Ledbetter]

Your inner ninja should try a Buck Mark or any Smith and Wesson .22 except the 22A.

[wc12]

What conversion kit did you get?

Ordered Cieners for my 1911 springfield but has to return it because it does not operate properly. Slide is held back by the hammer on the open position. I will try a kimber conversion kit next time.

[redcliff]

Ordered Cieners for my 1911 springfield but has to return it because it does not operate properly. Slide is held back by the hammer on the open position. I will try a kimber conversion kit next time.

Look at a Marvel Precision Unit 1 or Unit 2 also. I highly recommend the Unit 1 with Federal 525 bulk pack ammo.

[rocker]

Neos U22. Check out all the youtube vids, youll be sold. Easy to field strip, interchangeable barrels, accurate and a decent price.

[yoitsbruce]

i got the advantage arms .22 conversion for my glock. and it loves the cheapest dirtiest ammo out there rgb's walmart sells the 550 pack for under $20

[loose_electron]

Its interesting the slams out there on the S&W 22A and the Siq Mosquito - I have one of each and have been happy with both.

Lots of bad press on the Mosquito, but a lot of the problems were with the older version, and people shooting it with the wrong recoil spring in it.

My one gripe with the S&W 22A is the little plastic pad inside at the end of the recoil spring, but they send you a handful of replacements with the gun.

As for the Mosquito, I do like the fact that its the baby version of my 9mm Sig P226. However my jamming experiences have generally been when the pistol is very dirty. Clean and well lubricated, there don't seem to be too many problems. Its a plinking gun, so absolute perfection isn't needed.

Anybody got hands on experience with a Phoenix HP22A? They are pretty cheap and I am thinking of picking one up.

[scootle]

ruger mk iii!

I went with a Ruger Mk III Target (stainless 5.5") here... mostly because it was the gun I first learned to shoot on... and because they have a stellar track record. People still own their 1st gen Ruger Mk pistols and they work flawlessly. Field strip might seem complicated, but honestly, do it once (or twice) and it's a no brainer. I'm closing in on 1000+ flawless rounds so far on mine.

The pistol class I took had a Sig Mosquito as one of the guns on the firing line. I kid you not, part of it broke off during class (safety switch I believe) and the instructor's comment was basically, "well that's what you get for a POS plastic gun..." (he personally owned that Sig as part of his teaching collection). There were a couple of revolvers and one S&W Model 41 ($$$) to round out the stable. Everything else he used in the class of 15+ people was a Ruger Mk III or 22/45.

Unless you are dead set on something that looks more like a "modern" pistol (e.g. the Walther P22 or Sig Mosquito), the tried and true designs like the Ruger Mk series or the Browning Buckmark carry a lot of merit.

The Beretta Neo's just look too much like ray guns to me... but maybe that's just me.

If you can get your hands on a Ruger Mk pistol and/or a Browning Buckmark at a local range/rental, try them both out before you pick your pistol!

Good luck.

Anybody got hands on experience with a Phoenix HP22A? They are pretty cheap and I am thinking of picking one up.

For the price, that is a tempting little toy for sure! Maybe someday... There was a good review I read over on Mouseguns that had great info. If you've never browsed that site, there is info on other options of this type as well.

I have a strange hankering to try a Beretta Bobcat in .22LR someday too...

[loose_electron]

There was a good review I read over on Mouseguns that had great info. If you've never browsed that site, there is info on other options of this type as well.

I have a strange hankering to try a Beretta Bobcat in .22LR someday too...

Yeah I had seen the Mouseguns reviews - the Beretta Bobcat does not seem to be on the "list"... A lot of their other 22 pistols are. Sigh...

[rocker]

Anybody got hands on experience with a Phoenix HP22A? They are pretty cheap and I am thinking of picking one up.

Lots of info on this gun on youtube. Seems to be a lot of cracked frames. Also the gun does not have a last shot bolt hold which is not a good thing for a rimfire guns firing pin.

[Quinc]

Browning Buckmark; most acurate handgun I have ever shot. Even people that have never shot in there life are able to hit cans at 25yrds after a magazine or two. The downside is its a pain to take apart and you need to clean it after about 200rds or it has feeding problems.

[redcliff]

Lots of info on this gun on youtube. Seems to be a lot of cracked frames. Also the gun does not have a last shot bolt hold which is not a good thing for a rimfire guns firing pin.

A last shot slide lock feature is missing from a lot of .22lr pistols and isn't a problem. If a slide closing without a round being chamberred could cause an inertia strike of the barrel by the firing pin, it could also cause a discharge when a round was chamberred. What you don't want to do is dry-fire .22 rimfire firearms without a snap cap unless the owners manual specifically says it is safe to do so.

[scootle]

Yeah I had seen the Mouseguns reviews - the Beretta Bobcat does not seem to be on the "list"... A lot of their other 22 pistols are. Sigh...

yeah... there are tricky ways around that little tickle if you aren't afraid to spend a few extra bucks... or you can shop the used market... the bobcat has been around for a while and probably shows up in private party sales from time to time. honestly, i haven't really looked.

A last shot slide lock feature is missing from a lot of .22lr pistols and isn't a problem. If a slide closing without a round being chamberred could cause an inertia strike of the barrel by the firing pin, it could also cause a discharge when a round was chamberred. What you don't want to do is dry-fire .22 rimfire firearms without a snap cap unless the owners manual specifically says it is safe to do so.

yes... the ruger mk iii has a firing pin stop specifically to address this issue. you can safely dry-fire the mk series pistols w/o too much issue. that said, i have experienced sticky firing pins and such on rental guns... that can be... interesting.

[Ergo the Qualmed]

I vouch for the Ruger Mk series, especially the 22/45, I think?

Nice little pistols, ergonomic, etc.

Hi-Standard is expensive, but their models look pretty nice, too.

[Foriegn power]

Ruger 22/45 check out Turners deals I saw once for $199, I paid $269 so like 300 something. But my suggestion is get a .22 LR revolver! It'll shoot forever with a 22 auto you'll need to clean it! I have some 5,000+ rounds of .22LR through it, I never cleaned it and it jams once in a while so it's just practicing malfunctions.