Ruger 22/45 vs S&W 22A

[dtp]

Hi all. New to the forum here. My son and I just got our first .22LR rifle (a nice Savage Mark IIG) and are now looking at an inexpensive but fun and reliable .22LR handgun.

I have narrowed it down to the S&W 22A and the Ruger 22/45.

My concerns with them are that you really don't see/hear a lot about the 22A and the 22/45's grips seem like they would be an issue on a hot day when your palms get sweaty and they do not look to be easily interchangeable/replacable.

Your thoughts? I have found a basic 22A for $259 at a local gun shop and a 22/45 for $279, both of which seem to be fairly decent prices and in my ball-park for affordability. The cheaper revolvers look interesting and like they might be fun, but how good really are the cheaper ones?

[Mossy Man]

22/45 hands down.

Used to own a S&W 22A, and while it functioned well, it just felt bad.

Seemed cheap and only decently accurate.

I sold it to a fellow calgunner for a steal because i just didn't want it anymore after having handled and shot my friend's 22/45.

Spend the extra $20, it's well worth it.

[Dakine_surf]

^What he said +1

The 22/45 might just be one of the best little guns ever made. Stupidly simple, reliable (eats just about anything), and stunningly accurate. More accurate than most shooters, it will make you look like a pro.

Plus it is a great platform to mod later down the road with a huge aftermarket community.

More than likely your son will be giving it to his son one day...

[AndrewTannerCA]

Get the 22/45 and the aftermarket grips from http://www.tech-custom.com/

[Wicked K5]

I'm biased because I've never fired a 22A and my 22/45 has never let me down. Very accurate and ultra reliable. If you're concerned about the grips, you can get an RP model with replaceable grips, do a grip mod to accept interchangeable grips, or add a Pachmayr sleeve.


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[BSlacker]

and are now looking at an inexpensive but fun and reliable .22LR handgun.

Both are relatively inexpensive and fun and reliable handguns. They just are not in the same leagues. The S&W 22A is inexpensive and fun and mine is reliable. The 22/45 is accurate, moderately priced as far as handguns go and is fun and reliable. Also, you can change grips on the current 22/45 and the older ones have a grip much like a popular centerfire handgun. The S&W 22A doesn't have much in the way of aftermarket grips and trigger upgrades and the grip is a design all its own with a front mounted mag release. The S&W can change barrels easy 22/45 can't.
Apples and oranges. Both good but different. Get one of each.

[MrExel17]

+1 for 22/45

[dtp]

Thanks for the insights. Yeah buying both would solve the dilema, but I think I'll go with the 22/45 when I'm ready to make a purchase.

[Lead Waster]

Don't forget to take a look at Browning Buckmarks.

I believe the buckmark and the 22/45 OR Ruger MkII/MkIIIs are the most popular .22 semi autos.

I'm an idiot, I actually bought an older 22/45 for MORE than a new one. It had a compensator on it (no big deal) but I suspect it had trigger work done on it because it has an incredibly crisp trigger. Maybe they all do, I'm not sure, but this one is amazing. If they all have that trigger, then I suggest the 22/45. I didn't do enough research into price and it was an impulse buy when I went to buy a .45.

[Lead Waster]

Which store did you pick up the Savage at? And which store are you getting those prices at? Just wondering!

[.45 ftw!]

( another vote for the 22/45 )

[onegtalon]

I got the 22/45 based on reviews here, won't look back...

However if you want to change grips then opt for the more expensive 22/45. I got the cheap version and can't change my grips (but I still like it!

My buddy got a Browning Buckmark and did some 'spring' mod which reduced his trigger to 2.5 lbs for free... Wish I knew about that before I bought my Ruger....


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[dtp]

Which store did you pick up the Savage at? And which store are you getting those prices at? Just wondering!

The Savage was purchased at Bilson's Sport Shop in Turlock. I could have picked it up cheaper on the Internet but I'm kind of a nut about supporting local business whenever the choice is there.

The 22/45 and 22A are at Alquist Arms in Turlock. Well, the Ruger WAS at Alquist Arms. Technically it still is I guess, in their safe for 10 more days anyways.

I did some checking on that $279 price (pretty darn good price) and the availability of the 22/45's (pretty hard to find) and decided I needed to get it now or I'd have to both wait a while and pay a fair bit more for it.

[Mac Bolan]

The 22A has been a reliable shooter, I have the Ruger too, but the 22A has been the gun most picked up to shoot by the kids and friends...

[rckjeep]

my only complaints with my 22A are it can be ammo picky and the grip is too wide when looking from the side. I'd be open to trade for a 22/45