recommendations please

[DolphinFan]

[k1dude]

Budget? On roster or off roster? For slow fire target shooting, plinking, or cheaper than centerfire run-and-gun practice?

[G_FNH57]

I have a Ruger GP100, Mark IV Target, SR-22, Buck
ark, and SW Model 41. The Smith wins hands down. Get an older one. I would say 2nd place is the Mark IV. Buckmark has given me the most trouble.

[jimmykan]

I'm going to buy a .22 pistol for target shooting. What are some of the better ones.
Thank you.

The OP specifically said "target shooting" and not "casual plinking" or "mag dumping into piles of trash" so Randall's suggestions are spot on.

Here is an article about real 22LR target pistols:

https://www.ssusa.org/content/the-best-22-caliber-pistols-for-nra-bullseye/

Yes, the Browning and Ruger pistols are on the list, but they are not in the top three whereas the S&W Model 41 is.

I have two Ruger 22/45s, one completely stock Mark IV and one Mark III with Volquartsen internals. The upgraded Ruger is still not as nice-shooting as my friend's Model 41, the trigger feels like shooting an S&W revolver in single action.

[arrix]

I'm going to buy a .22 pistol for target shooting. What are some of the better ones.
Thank you.

First, what kind of .22? 22LR? 22 wmr? 5.56?

[k1dude]

For bullseye type shooting, Randall is right. But if your budget can't handle Olympic guns or the S&W 41, then either various flavors of Buck Mark or the Mark IV is good enough.

For speed plinking and run-and-gun type centerfire practice, the Taurus TX22, the Glock 44, and the Kel-Tec P17 are all good. The problem is they're all off-roster.

[divingin]

I'm going to buy a .22 pistol for target shooting. What are some of the better ones.
Thank you.

What do you consider target shooting? Standard public range and paper targets? Action shooting at steel targets? NRA Bullseye? International Pistol competition?

For the first two (and especially if you are starting out), a Ruger Mark (preferably II and up), S&W 41, or a Buckmark make for good starters. (Along those lines, they'll also work for the latter two as well; not so much for the end game, though they do show up there as well.) Used, you should be able to find High Standards, Colt Woodsman, and the like.

If you're a buy-once-cry-once type, for the Bullseye type shooting, you'd be looking mostly at European target guns: Pardini, Morini, Walther, Match Guns. Prices will definitely make you cry. My opinion is that they're not inherently more accurate than anything else; you pay for features that make it easier to be consistently accurate.

All that said, if you're new to the game, but serious about improving, you should shoot whatever you currently have and work on technique while seeing what works for others in the endeavor you want to participate in. Formal target shooting has a pretty steep learning curve (especially early on); might as well get climbing with whatever's handy. Many serious shooters will let you try their pistols if they know you're interested in the same sport, which makes it a little easier to figure out what will work for you.

[Supersapper]

I do like the start off with the S&W 41, but if you really are new to the arena, try finding a Smith and Wesson 422 or 622. These are hard to find, but worth every penny. They are dedicated 22LRs, but have virtually every design detail that matches a larger semi auto, including standard sights, safety, slide, etc. PLUS if you need magazines, they use exactly the same magazine as an S&W 41.